Hello friends! It’s time for the May’s Signature Style with the super stylish Cindy and this month’s focus is spring and summer bags. I love switching out my bags for something woven or a basket as soon as the weather warms.
An airy bag is an instant mood booster and telegraphs a holiday mindset without having to say a word! Raffia bags and baskets are also practical and can double as storage.
During the winter months, my Mersea tote is in my office holding magazines and I use my other straw totes for tennis (almost better than a sport bag) and for groceries. I keep another in the back seat of the car to hold things, and it works when I’ve forgotten my canvas grocery bags. I even have one bought for $9 at Homegoods on the front bench so people can drop packages.
I styled up my bedroom console table with some of my straw bags. I think they look cute with some shells and woven and bamboo frames as we go into summer. They also hold scarves, extra sandals and things.
I’ve collected woven bags and they really seem to last over the years for many seasons. I have small and large handmade ones from trips to Hawaii I treasure. ( One above is with my grandmother’s pin on it, and the others on floor. ) I also splurged a few years ago and bought a Claire V. honey pot bag, a Tory Burch woven bag, and a few others.. I seem to add about one new one a year to my rotation.
A few bags I have or similar ones and styling ideas…
My most favorite bag has to be my Claire V. Pot de Miel bag. It’s a charming piece that makes an outfit, and perfect if you are going out in the evening, or to a special event. It actually holds much more than you would think, ( I can get a small wallet, water bottle and large iPhone ), and I’ve added a crossbody strap to it and worn it during the day on vacation trekking around. I pack it in my suitcase stuffed with socks and it comes out great. I just bought this blouse in black after getting the white I like it so much. The earrings I found at H&M and the white jeans are very flattering.
It now comes in a darling bamboo handle and a few other colors too..
This year I bought an MZ Wallace small tote back in February. I know I was a bit ahead of summer, but I loved the size and the cute patent handles that are cushy like the MZ bags. It is also light and holds a lot. It also comes larger sizes and other colors.. I’ve been wearing this new Madewell camp shirt a lot with my Rails jeans cuffed ( I used super hold tape) and the Madewell Mary Jane with studs. I added the Claire V. resistance scarf I bought last year and haven’t changed it out it looks so good with it. They won’t get more of the scarves until August, but have a pretty new floral one.
My Mersea Medina Medium Market Basket is going on three years now and still looks like new. I appreciate the coated handles and the cute leather trim on the edges. I take it when I have a busy day as it’s a good shopper bag, and of course by the pool or for a holiday. I tied a neck scarf I have had for ages with lemons on it to give it a summer in Mediterranean vibe. It’s perfect with my new J. Crew dip-dyed shirtdress I shared last weekend. The bucket hat I bought back in January is packable and current and with these Ray-Bans, the lucite earrings work! The J. Crew leather slides are from a past season, but a Birkenstock rubber pool side would be cute too.
I added a few similar pieces for the scarf and sandals and earrings..
I fuse this crochet tote a ton and it is so easy to fold for travel. I found my last season’s version of this Tory Burch tote at Zappos and there is also a newer version that’s slightly smaller with more structure.. I put options in a few price points for things here and another crochet tote in tan..
More Pretties..
There are SO many great summer bags and so many retailers.. Oh this post took some serious time. It was hard to choose what to share, but I picked a few more below that stood out to me that are unique in design and pretty! All the pictures have links, so you can click on them.
Love this Longchamp tote , this Berti drawstring bag (crossbody)by Reiss, the DeMellier Capri Tote, the blue Mar y Sol striped tote, Mango double strap bag, the Bembien straw tote is sooo cute, the MZWallace Med Tote with silver straps, this shoulder bag from Mango, Carrycot bag, and J. Crew’s canvas bucket bag which is gorgeous in person and a classic, a pretty Gerard Darel bag, -the Rag & Bone Camera Case, Banana Republic’s straw and leather camera bag, and their made in California (yes that is not a typo) mini-slouch bag in white, and lastly a beautiful green in a Dragon Diffusion leather tote, which I would use all year long.
I’m so glad you stopped by here for our monthly style chat! Are you a handbag lover? Do you change our your bag with the seasons or have a great summer bag you always use ? I’d love to hear in comments.
Please stop by Cindy’s and see what she has about bags! I always love what she is thinking.…
Thanks so much for being here,
Kim
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So many cute bags but I had to make the switch to smaller, lighter crossbody bags a few years ago. It narrows my choices but the bonus is I’m hands-free when out and about.
Barb so agree crossbodies are so great! I also love being hands free on a busy day out.. That is why I added some here too. Love the Rag & Bone one especially.
Love this roundup so much! Many fabulous options. In the Northeast, our season for raffia bags is short, which is sad as they are a favorite. I have the Claire V bag and look forward to wearing it every summer. Always garners a compliment! Recently ordered a fabulous small Etsy tote similar to Dragon Diffusion and that’s been the most perfect spring bag and will also transition into early fall.
Hi Laura ! Thank you. Claire V. bags are so cool. I bet that Etsy bag can take you through more seasons! I love the braided leather looks like Dragon Diffusion.
My choices for bags these days are for smaller size and easy to carry so I appreciate the recommended cross body camera bags. The majority of the time I have no need for large open totes. When I need a large open bag for shopping I keep them in my car.
As always, thank you for researching this topic as well as all of your other fashion posts.
Carolina, I know cross bodies are so easy! Totes are great for the shopping days and the pool and beach, but everyday, I see the easy choice is a crossbody if it can fit everything! Oh gosh thank you for reading.
Hi Kim,
So many gorgeous things thank you for the summer inspiration! I bought the Madewell top in black it’s perfect, nice find. I like McLaughlin raffia bags and bought a good one a couple of years ago perfect for weddings with gold features and Cindy recommended a fantastic Bali inspired basket bag on Etsy which always gets compliments. Garnet Hill’s Mar Y Sol Augusta was a real winner when l went to Europe last year. Thanks Kim this was fun on a Tuesday !
Hi Francesca! Oh I’m so glad yoou like the Madewell top too. It’s so pretty. You know I meant to add a J McLaughlin bag. They always seem to have really chic ones. Cindy finds the coolest things too.. You sound like you have a nice collection !
You always have such great ideas!! Love your style!! I thought I had seen every summer bag known to man, but you found some fabulous ones!!
Cindy so did you! Love how you categorized them! All were lovely!
Kim … you look fabulous in the J.Crew linen popover! Thanks for a photo of it on you! I loved this post … so many cute stying ideas and great bags.
Judie, I have you to thank for the dress! I’m so glad I ran to try it on. It really is flattering! I think I might even get another color..
Oh thank you this was a fun post to do.. Hard not to buy a bunch!
Love them all! I always switch to a summer bag and I too love to tie a pretty scarf around the handle(s). I never met a straw bag I didn’t love. Thanks for sharing all of these.
Karen I love that scarf on the summer bag vibe! Ha, you and I are similar.. I have a love affair with straw bags going way back!
Kim! Your Claire V. Pot de Miel is my favorite of favorites of all your woven and basket bag collection. I get so much use out of the Mersea tote that I bought from your blog a couple of years ago. And it’s already had several putting this spring. What a great idea to keep magazines in it … I’m always looking for places to stash magazines. You’ve given me so much inspiration for summer … and an upcoming trip. By the way, your linen caftan is gorgeous in you. Love! xo
Juliet, That little bag has paid for itself with all the wear it has gotten. I adore the Mersea tote and it never loses it’s shape even after a lot of storage and use! It looks wonderful. I can’t wait to see what you wear to Italy! Thanks I love that caftan. xo
Hi Kim,
So many bags, so few days in the summer to use them all! I like the idea of using them in the car or home for extra storage. That’s how I’ll justify my next purchase!
I don’t switch out my purses or bags that often and I have plenty , just need to remember to change them more often. And as soon as summer is officially here I’ll start carrying the Ralph Lauren straw tote I’ve had for years.
Great post, I always want one of everything!,
Xo Heidi
Heidi, Yes they can be used so many ways!! Unexpected home decor.
I love that you have a RL tote!! SO cool you found more in your closet! xo
You should not tempt me this way! I already have a dozen or so straw bags and now you have me wanting the Medina small to replace an old favorite that might only have a couple of seasons left!
As always, I am inspired by your post!
Mary Ellen, I love that small Medina! Well, it is a good investment. Those bags are beautifully made!
Aw thank you. xo
I love every one of the raffia/straw bags you shared. I have a weakness for bags of all kinds, but like someone else has posted, I have had to go to small ones. And my favorite, the backpack purse. I actually found a raffia backpack purse a few years ago and will be getting it out soon. You look great in the JCrew dip dye dress….contemplating it for myself. 🙂
Hi Kim! I’m a bag person too. Oh so cute a backpack purse in raffia! I love that.
The dress is so easy and I think it’ll go fast.. I am thinking of getting a red one too. x
So many great bags and outfits Kim! I love that you put your grandmothers brooch on your bag, a wonderful way to carry her and her spirit with you.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim! See you on Saturday!
xo
Thank you Elizabeth! I think of her so much when I use her things! xo
Hi Kim – great post! The natural bags are so quintessential summer! I love that you use them in the off season as decor. It certainly makes the investment well worth it. Thank you for sharing so many great bags. I’ll be taking more time to look at them all. Meanwhile, I’m loving the woven frame with the family picture in it! I’d love to find a frame like that.
Janet, Thanks so much! I know fun using them for both purposes!
The frame I had I think I bought in Hawaii, but this looks like the same frame here:
https://rstyle.me/+tWWVwoA3I1XUX0GSiBHuyg