The 15 Best Beach Bags of 2024

A trip to the beach doesn’t involve a lot of clothing—so the sartorial emphasis is automatically placed on the preeminent accessory: the beach bag. A beach bag is an essential, chic accessory, and the ideal candidate is roomy, stylish, functional, and not too precious—it must withstand sand, salty water, and beaming sun.

We consulted with celebrity and editorial stylists Tracy Shapoff, Aisya Washington, and Saks Fifth Avenue buyer Gabriella Giammalva about what to look for in a beach bag and how to style them for and beyond the shores. From black mesh totes to caramel-toned, handwoven straw carryalls to ultrasimple, perfected French linen shoppers, these are the best beach bags of the season.

Our Top Picks

Why We Love It: The beauty of this best-selling raffia tote lies in its simplicity. We love the elongated form, looped handles, and relaxed structure. It’s sturdy, spacious, packable, and polished enough to carry through the evening. It’s available in a light, natural tone, and a sleek black—and we love both.

Who It's For: Everyone and anyone—especially those looking for a classic that they can use year after year, and those who’d love to use their designated beach bag for farmers market trips and more. It’s ideal for people who value design notes more than practical factors such as insulation and durability, as raffia is a more delicate material.

Material: Raffia | Dimensions: Not listed

Why We Love It: There are countless affordable beach bags on the market, but few are as striking as this straw shopper. Shapoff notes that one needn’t spend a lot of money to secure a great beach bag, and this serves as evidence—it would make our edit even if it were set at a higher price point. Available in a honey-toned, natural straw and in olive, it’d also be a great summertime work bag.

Who It's For: Void of bright colors or splashy details, this is for those who want a sophisticated, simple tote. It’s also an ideal vacation bag because you carry it on the airplane, sightseeing, to the beach and pool, and out.

Material: Paper, cotton, rayon; polyester lining; synthetic leather trim | Dimensions: 19 (W) x 15.5 (H) x 5.35 (D) inches

Why We Love It: This vintage-inspired classic basket is elevated by the crescented leather handles, flat leather bottom, immense stature, and tight weaving. It’s exceptionally roomy and unlined, so it’ll work for the beach, day-to-day life, and weekend trips.

Who It's For: Those who, like me, are willing to forsake a bit of functionality for design. Because this bag is composed of braided natural strands of raffia, it shouldn’t get wet or be exposed to too much direct sunlight. When a bag is this beautiful, it’s worth making such sacrifices.

Material: Raffia, cotton, leather | Dimensions: 23.2 (W) x 14.8 (H) x 13 (D) inches

Why We Love It: In the world of tote bags, The American-made L.L.Bean Boat and Tote will forever have my heart. It’s as classic as it gets, durable, never feels stale, is available in twelve colors, and can be embroidered with your initials, name, or favorite words. As with many of the best things in life, it looks even better and cooler as it ages and lives. It’s also, notably, less than $40.

Who It's For: Everyone. The Boat and Tote is a no-brainer for those who want a multifunctional, durable, easy-to-care-for, clean-cut, archetypal bag.

Material: Cotton canvas | Dimensions: 17 (W) x 15 (H) x 7.5 (D) inches

Why We Love It: Netting is quintessentially nautical, summery, and beachy-friendly. This tote is all about negative space: it’s loosely knit, ventilating, and airy, so it’s perfect for carrying swimsuits and towels. It’s oversized and spacious but can be rolled or folded down to nearly nothing, making it extremely travel-friendly.

Who It's For: People who gravitate towards natural, neutral materials and colors, and anyone who lives out of a suitcase: this bag takes up very little cargo space and a pliable netted bag can also be used as an organizational vessel in your suitcase.

Material: Straw | Dimensions: 18.5 (W) x 10.5 (H) x 6.5 (D) inches

Why We Love It: With braided, deep brown handles and a geometric cut, this bag fuses the breeziness of straw bags with the sophistication of a structural tote. It’s roomy and functional, and chic enough to wear with a linen dress and sandals when not at the beach.

Who It's For: Straw bags are universally beloved, and this particular tote is a great option for those who carry a lot with them—it’s oversized, so it’ll hold more than just the necessities. Because of the semi-delicate nature of straw, the bag shouldn’t get wet or be exposed to too much direct sunlight—so this is better suited to those who, like me, prefer to stay dry and in the shade while at the beach.

Material: Raffia, leather | Dimensions: 55 (W) x 35 (H) x 16 (D) centimeters

Why We Love It: A Y2K-inspired translucent bag is equal parts daring and playful. Available in crystal clear with white piping and a watermelon-esque pairing of pink and lime green, it’s attention-demanding despite being partially “invisible”. It has a full-length zipper and several zippered compartments for organization and storage.

Who It's For: Anyone who, crucially, isn’t shy, carries their kids’ belongings, or wants something durable and easy to care for. This is also a great tote to take to concerts and other security-saturated events where translucent bags are required.

Material: Polyurethane | Dimensions: 29.5 (W) x 33.5 (H) x 20.5 (D) centimeters

Why We Love It: It needn’t be said that glowingly fresh strawberries, glass bottles of crisp sparkling water, and your favorite snacks will make any beach day much more delicious. Being bestowed with the task of carrying the cooler is less than ideal—they’re awkward, bulky, and typically unattractive. This simple tote is a cool solution: it looks like a classic canvas beach tote, and it just so happens to be insulated and waterproof.

Who It's For: Anyone who will be at the beach for a stretch of time, parents, and refreshment fanatics. Washington says, “I always look for multicompartment beach bags that are either waterproof if your main goal is to swim, or insulated if you want to include a picnic at the beach.” The Cooler Tote checks both boxes.

Material: Cotton, polyester, waterproof vinyl, leather | Dimensions: 20 (W) x 8 (H) x 16 (D) inches

Why We Love It: This sling is roomy, functional, and comfortable on the shoulder. Composed of raffia, it’s beach-appropriate and summery, but it’s also sleek enough to use as a day-to-day bag when you literally have a lot on your hands. The subtle silver hardware is a nice touch, and you can throw your keys and wallet in the hidden zippered pouch.

Who It's For: The shorter list is who this bag isn’t perfect for, but it’s especially great for those who love to take long beach walks—your hands will be free and you don’t need to worry about leaving your bag unattended as you go.

Material: Paper; cotton lining; leather trim | Dimensions: 25 (W) x 77 (H) x 14 (D) centimeters

Why We Love It: One of the best things about vacation—and summer in general—is the collective sense of ease that permeates getting dressed. It’s acceptable to go from the beach to dinner and out in a breezy dress, leather sandals, and a woven bag. This glossy, unlined bag is structural and sophisticated, so you won’t feel as though you’re carrying a beach tote. Each is made by hand, so no two are alike.

Who It's For: If you value multifunctionality more than storage capacity, this is the bag for you. It’s smaller than our other picks, but what it lacks in volume it more than makes up for in looks. The leather will patina over time and shouldn’t get wet frequently, so this isn't ideal for those who like to throw their wet suit directly into their bag.

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 11.8 (W) x 8.7 (D) inches; 5.3-inch handle drop

Why We Love It: This organic cotton fishnet sack is evocative of a seashell or flower petal. The white-to-grapefruit pink ombre is pretty and fresh, and the fishnet weave, detailed with subtle sequin trimming, is refreshing.

Who It's For: Those who don’t want to be too careful or precious with their bag—it’s durable, can be thrown into the washing machine, and can carry a good amount. It’s lined with cotton so it’s not as well-ventilated as other fishnet bags, but you also don’t need to worry about anything falling through the holes.

Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 11 (W) x 18 (H) x 4 (D) centimeters

Why We Love It: This tote is cool, barely there, and straightforward, without being boring. It’s available in slick black, lemon yellow, and bubblegum pink and has an attached pochette that will keep your phone, wallet, and keys protected from sand and water.

Who It's For: Anyone seeking a practical and minimalist tote. Mesh is breathable, strong, washable, and not finicky. It’s a ventilating material, so it’s optimal for holding wet towels and suits, but it’s only for those who don’t mind their belongings being visible.

Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 18.5 (W) x 21 (H) x 9 (D) inches

Why We Love It: Knit with stripes of sky blue and milky white, this crocheted tote is playful and bright but not goofy or over the top. Post beach, it’ll pair well with a sundress: Shapoff and Washington agree that a crocheted bag is ideal for carrying from the beach into the evening.

Who It's For: Color and print fanatics. The tote is bright and colorful but can still pair well with any swimsuit and beach cover-up.

Material: Raffia | Dimensions: Not listed

Why We Love It: It’s a cute way to make a trip to the beach feel even more effortless. This roomy, olive and ivory-striped tote folds out into a towel that’s plush and comfortable to lie on and carry, because even the handles are made of soft terry cloth.

Who It's For: Anyone who’s low maintenance, perpetually forgets their beach towel, and/or wants to carry as little as possible. This bag is all about ease. It’s best for people who bring minimal belongings to the beach, as you’ll need to take everything out to use the towel.

Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 64.5” (W) x 35.5 (H) inches; x 11.75-inch handle drop

Why We Love It: The glitzy gemstones and pearly orbs will capture the sun and reflect light. It’s sparkly and decked out, while still being neutral and relatively subdued.

Who It's For: Anyone who doesn’t believe in dressing down. It’s also a perfect bag to carry to pool parties, beachside soirees, and holiday weekends.

Material: Straw, faux leather, rhinestones, faux pearls | Dimensions: 17 (W) x 14 (H) x 7 (D) inches

What to Keep in Mind

• Size: There are two trains of thought in packing for vacations and for the beach. Some find bringing as little as possible to be freeing and relaxing, while others need the whole lot with them to feel calm. If you’re in the first camp, look for a smaller bag that’ll hold nothing but the essentials—it is technically possible to go to the beach with a very small, netted market bag or handbag, after all. If you’re in the second camp, the sky’s the limit—and a giant bag is no less chic. A bag that doesn’t have a closure will allow you to carry even more.
• Material: Do a brief survey of your needs, and make a selection according to the level of functionality that you require. What are you carrying, how close to the water are you getting, do you need insulation, will you be placing your wet swimsuit directly into the bag? Materials including cotton and canvas are durable and easy to care for, insulated bags tend to be synthetic, straw looks chic but shouldn’t get wet, netting is a ventilation and suit-drying cheat code, and so forth.
• Insulation: Look for a high-quality, nontoxic, and waterproof combination of an insulating material such as PEVA, foam, or aluminum, and a nylon or polyester shell. An insulated bag should be easy to clean and care for, durable, and roomy so that you can carry bottles, snacks, sun hats as well as your other essentials. Ice packs tend to have staying power and if you’re using fresh ice, note that more ice will lead to a longer chill. If an insulated beach bag isn’t for you, go with a mini cooler instead.

Your Questions, Answered

What makes a beach bag suitable for evening?

It’s all about the material. Washington says, “Woven paper, straw, and crochet are great day-to-night beach bag materials.” Shapoff agrees: “I love to carry a crochet, raffia, or straw bag to dinner while on vacation and during the summer.” As for what to wear them with, Shapoff notes that “Neutrals are always easiest to match with your outfit, but a pop of color can also be fun—especially in warm weather. I’d suggest a crop top, long skirt, and beach bag for a breezy night out look. Wearing a flowy sundress with your beach bag is an easy and pretty look for evening.” Washington says, “For post-beach outfits, I love a cute maxi or mididress, dressy shorts, a romper, or a two-piece set, worn with sandals or heels. Each of these pairs well with, and can elevate a beach bag.” When in doubt, go with a basket bag: it’s a summertime staple that translates well to situations beyond the shores.

Which beach bag styles work as year-round totes?

Shapoff says, “A great way to use a beach bag year-round is to consider the fabric and color choice. Black raffia or canvas is a great option for a more versatile bag that’ll work from winter to summer. Avoid beachy embroidery on the bag, as that will hinder the versatility. Canvas bags or coated canvas will make for a great work or travel bag year-round.” Washington agrees, noting that “Canvas, crochet, and woven fabrics are ideal for a seasonless, versatile bag. Look for a neutral color like black or brown—these work anywhere, at any time.”

What are the most important qualities to look for in a beach bag?

Giammalva says, “After making many purchases in the beach bag category as a buyer for Saks, I can promise you that practicality is undoubtedly the most important characteristic for this quintessential summer accessory.” Still, she adds, the versatility of the color is also essential. “Neutrals and shades of green will work with any outfit.”

Shapoff advises that you pay attention to the size of the bag, and make sure that the straps are long enough to be comfortable on your shoulder. Additionally, be sure the bag is either waterproof, easy to clean, or won’t get dirty easily, and that it’s packable. “Sand and sunscreen can easily scuff and affect your bag so you want to make sure it won’t be ruined by these factors,” she says. “And you’ll most likely find yourself frequently reaching for a bag that can easily be folded down without harming or squashing the material.”

Why Shop With Us

Alexandra Malmed is a contributing writer with more than 12 years of fashion writing experience for publications including Vogue, Man Repeller, Byrdie, and Coveteur. For this article, she consulted with the below experts.

• Gabriella Giammalva is a designer handbag and shoe buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Tracy Shapoff is a celebrity stylist who has worked with clients including Elizabeth Banks, Keleigh Teller, and Constance Wu.
• Aisya Washington is a stylist who has worked with clients, publications, and companies including Apple, Google, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Wall Street Journal.
  

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