Best Straw Bags for Summer

Today I’m sharing the best straw bags for summer, including the styles I actually reach for year after year. Once warm weather hits, straw and raffia bags become some of my most used accessories. They feel easy and seasonal, but still work for everything from casual daytime outfits to summer dinners and vacations.

Over the years I’ve realized I don’t need a huge collection. I keep reaching for the same few styles depending on where I’m going: a tote for travel days, a basket bag for everyday outfits, a raffia crossbody for hands-free days, and a clutch for evenings.

These are the straw bags I think are actually worth owning and the ones I come back to every summer.

My Favorite Straw and Raffia Bags For Summer

I have quite a collection of straw bags, but I find myself reaching for the same few bags. I’ve owned each one for years and they’ve each earned their place for a different reason.

The Sezane Farrow in raffia is my go-to crossbody for warm weather days. It works just as well as a shoulder bag, and the size is perfect for carrying your essentials without feeling weighed down. I love how it moves from a casual errand day to a summer dinner without missing a beat.

The Eric Javits Biza is the one I pack for every vacation. What sets it apart from most raffia bags is the zip closure, which makes it so much more practical when you’re traveling or carrying valuables. It’s also structured enough to work with slightly dressier outfits, not just casual days.

The Sezane Justine basket bag is the one I’ve owned the longest, and it still makes every outfit feel a little more French. I carry it to farmers markets, casual weekend mornings, and anywhere I want that easy, relaxed feeling without trying too hard.

The Portofino clutch is my go-to dinner date bag. It goes with everything and is so easy to carry. This is another one I always take with me on vacation. 

Types Of Straw and Raffia Bags

Straw bags come in several different shapes and sizes, each with its own personality and styling purpose.

Straw Tote Bags

A straw tote is probably the most practical place to start if you’re buying your first summer bag. It’s the style I reach for most when I want to carry more than my essentials but still keep an outfit feeling light and seasonal.

I especially love straw totes for travel, market mornings, and days when I know I’ll be out longer. The best ones feel roomy without looking oversized and polished enough to work beyond the beach.

The Sezane June tote is the one I keep coming back to. It’s roomy enough for a beach or market day but the leather details keep it from feeling too casual. I’ve worn mine constantly and it holds up beautifully.

The J.Crew Como woven straw tote is another worth knowing. The structure is slightly more polished than a traditional market tote, which makes it easier to wear beyond just casual days.

Classic Basket Bags

Basket bags are one of the most timeless summer accessories. The iconic Jane Birkin made them famous, and they’ve never really gone out of style since.

The bag I’m wearing in the photos above is the Pamela Munson Isla Bahia basket bag. Mine is an older version with the pearl handle detail, but the current version has a simpler handle that makes it feel even easier to wear every day. I love the smaller size and structured shape because it’s a little more polished than a typical basket bag. It’s the kind of summer bag that instantly makes simple outfits feel more special.

For a more everyday basket bag with a very French feel, my other favorite is the Sezane Justine. I’ve owned mine for over five years and it still gets reached for constantly. The leather details give it more structure than a traditional basket bag, which makes it easier to wear beyond just the beach or market. It’s the basket bag I’d recommend if you want something that works across more of your summer wardrobe. You can read my full Sezane bags review for more on this one and the other raffia styles I own.

Raffia Crossbody and Bucket Bags

Raffia crossbody and bucket bags are some of the easiest summer bags to wear because they work with almost everything. I reach for this style on warm days when I want something hands-free that still feels polished. They work just as well with linen pants and denim as they do with summer dresses.

I own the Sezane Farrow bag in both the larger and mini size, and it’s the style I reach for most on warm weather days when I want something lightweight and easy. The raffia version in particular has that relaxed quality that I love in summer outfits. It’s casual enough for a farmers’ market morning but works just as well for a relaxed dinner out. If you want to know which size to choose, I break it down in my Sezane bags review.

I’m styling mine here with the Palm Beach block heel sandals, which have become a summer staple for me. You can use my code THEFASHIONHOUSEMOM10 . If you are in-between sizes, take the next size up.

Straw Clutch & Evening Bags

A straw clutch is one of those accessories that works surprisingly well for both casual and dressier summer outfits. I reach for this style most for dinners, vacations, and summer events when I want something that feels a little more elevated but still relaxed.

For a special occasion or when you want your bag to be the focal point, the Pamela Munson Minaudière is my pick. The craftsmanship is beautiful and the embroidered details make it feel like a piece you’d keep for years, not just one season. It comes in several different patterns so there’s usually something that works with your personal style.

For something simpler that still works for dinners and evenings out, the J.Crew raffia clutch is the one I reach for most.

 

Straw Top Handle Bags

A straw top handle bag is the style I reach for when I want something that feels a little more polished than my everyday summer bags. I love this shape for lunch, dinner, or occasions where I want something structured but still seasonal.

My favorite in this category is the Mme Mink top handle bag. It’s an investment, but the quality and the personalization details like the ribbon handle colors and an engravable gold charm, make it feel genuinely special. This is the kind of summer bag that feels special enough to keep reaching for year after year. If you’re looking for something more accessible in this silhouette, the widget below has options at a range of price points.

 

Building Your Straw Bag Collection

You don’t need every style on this list. If you’re buying your first straw bag, I’d start with either a classic basket bag or an easy raffia crossbody because those are the styles I end up wearing most.

From there, add a tote if you want something for travel or days when you need more space, and a clutch if you like dressing up in summer.

The bags I come back to most are the ones that work across multiple occasions: the Sezane Justine for everyday ease, the Farrow raffia for relaxed days, and the Portofino clutch for dinners and evenings out. Between those three, I have most summer occasions covered.

Straw Bag FAQs

Are straw bags still in style?

Yes, straw bags have never truly gone out of style. In fact, wearing them beyond vacation and beach outfits has become much more common. I especially love them with everyday summer outfits because they make an outfit feel a little more seasonal without changing much else.

Straw vs raffia: which should you choose?

Straw and raffia are often used interchangeably, but they do wear differently. Raffia is softer and more flexible, while straw is usually stiffer and gives more structure. I personally reach for my raffia bags more often because they have a little more give and feel easier to carry.

Are straw bags durable?

Yes, straw bags can be surprisingly durable if you take care of them. I would avoid overfilling them because the areas where the straps attach tend to wear faster over time.

What outfits work best with straw bags?

Straw bags work with almost everything in summer. I wear mine with dresses most often, but they also look beautiful with white jeans, linen pants, denim, and easy summer outfits.

If you’re building out the rest of your warm weather wardrobe, you may also enjoy my French Capsule Wardrobe for Summer, Best Everyday Bags for Women, guide to styling a straw bag, and chic straw hat outfit ideas.