I believe a good summer bag should be light in weight and color, made of an organic material, and not cost a fortune. (Straw totes that cost $1000–I just don’t get it, they have no inherent value.) My favorite summer bags happen to also be the designs of three talented women I’ve profiled here whom I admire, and I have pieces from all three (that’s me bottom left). Bembien‘s Yi-Mei Truxes almost exclusively makes woven leather and straw bags for “slow summer living”, working with artisans around the world and her average price point is around $200. Heidi Wynne‘s straw and wicker summer bags all come in under $200–I love the new Lucia with Cowrie shells, plus she has cashmere wraps. Kendall Conrad works mostly with leather and her bags are the kind you need beyond the beach (they work year round), for running around the city, evenings out, and beyond (plus she makes modern, bold jewelry). Please don’t ask me to choose, because I love them all.
Clockwise from top left: Bembien Jeanne bag, $260; Kendall Conrad Nina bag, $525; Heidi Wynne Lucia bag, $195; Kendall Conrad Khadija bag, $590; Bembien Isla bag, $260; Heidi Wynne Marella satchel, $175.
These are all beautiful choices! And I love that you called out the Emperor-who-has-no-clothes that is the Loewe straw bag with its giant leather logo’d patch. (And then Celine did one too, so they must be selling.)
I saw one in the wild in Cannes last year, which is pretty funny, given that the straw ones are for sale everywhere for no more than 12E (and are toted by very elegant French women.)
Jennifer that is you in the bottom pic? I’ve admired that cute image and have long wanted to know where you secured that gorgeous eyelet blouse!
Straw bags with designer logos are just plain silly.