A case for beach bags when you’re nowhere near a beach

It hasn’t been backed by science, yet, but I think beach bags have the power to cure any bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With bright, colourful appliques, tropical materials (the only other acceptable bags with bobbles are Christmas ones), fun silhouettes, a straw beach bag will, in an instant, quell the negative side effects of our prolonged, bleak winter. Practical for holiday wear, easy to keep clean, versatile and an alternative way to indulge in vintage fashion, the straw beach bag has suddenly found itself as a serious contender for summer’s most essential bag. But don’t just take my word for it; Insta feeds are full of quirky straw bags from the industries biggest names (See below).

On today’s bright side: this bag

A post shared by Leandra (Medine) Cohen (@leandramcohen) on May 1, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

flore ? @sandery_paris

A post shared by @ labauhinia on May 3, 2018 at 12:26am PDT

Don’t be put off a beach bag by their cutesie appearances; these bags come with a ton of attitude and the perfect balance of femininity that isn’t too easy to execute. While you wait patiently for the weather to turn, kickstart your summer early with a cheerful beach bag sans annoying sand.

Going ’round in circles at Topshop

Black straw circle tote bag, €42 at topshop.com

Barking mad at Farfetch

Straw clutch bag by Serpui, €554 at farfetch.com

Big and functional at Mango

Jute bucket bag, €39.95 at mango.com

Neo-traditional at UrbanOutfitters

Straw structured crossbody bag, €40.91 at urbanoutfitters.com

Seeing red at Net-a-porter.com

Nilsa woven raffia shoulder bag by Sophia Anderson, €348 at net-a-porter.com

Bright and fresh at UrbanOutfitters

Slouchy straw tote, €39 at urbanoutfitters.com

Cool blue at The Outnet

Straw tote by Kayu, €88 at theoutnet.com

Cuet ‘n’ sweet at Zara

Raffia strawberry backpack, €17.95 at zara.com

Channelling Pacha nightclub at Monki

Cherry beach bag, €20 at monki.com

Refined and sophisticated at The Frankie Shop

Ceramic centre round rattan bag, €141.10 at thefrankieshop.com

While you’re here, have you listened to our new podcast The Spill? This week’s episode kicks off with an examination of Janelle Monaé’s PYNK, which features her and her fellow dancers in opulent pink vagina trousers. Sophie and Rhona go on to discuss if people are treated differently because of their level of beauty and finish by helping a reader who can’t stop fantasising about women.