Raffia bags are everywhere this summer – these are the best ones to buy

Raffia bags are everywhere this summer – these are the best ones to buy | Freelance Editor Published August 1, 2026 7:00am The chicest beach bags to buy this summer, from oversized totes to stylish raffia shoulder bags.(Picture: Metro/Getty) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more For the few weeks of the year that visiting the beach is a possibility, you’ll know how important it is to have a decent bag to carry everything you need. Whether you’re at a resort on holiday, or heading to Brighton beach for a day trip, the right tote bag is essential. A soft, unstructured design is key, as you’ll want to shove as much in them as possible, from towels and water bottles to a good book and suncream, which is also why you’ll need them to be super spacious. There’s your classic crochet, soft, fluffy towelled materials, but this year, we’re also seeing raffia everywhere, with the woven material showing up all over summer accessories. It’s the perfect slouchy material that you could even get away with using for the commute or as a gym bag. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Either way, there are plenty of options, whatever your style preference, and we’ve sourced eight of the chicest beach bags to shop this summer. Whether you’re after a structured top-handle style for the office that can still do double duty on a coastal weekend away, or an oversized tote built purely for sand between your toes, this is what we’re adding to our basket. The best beach bags to shop this summer Damson Madder Orla Oversized Raffia Beach Bag Damson Madder's take on the raffia trend comes in delicious green and beige stripes, with a handy front pocket and rope handle. It’s an oversized style that can fit absolutely everything and will add a pop of colour to any outfit – it will be just as at home on a Monday commute as a Saturday beach trip. Buy Now for £48 (was £68) M&S Large Mesh Tote Bag This M&S mesh tote is built for the practicality of a beach trip. The two long handles make it easy to sling over the shoulder, while a secure magnetic fastening keeps everything in place. Inside, there’s an interior pouch for smaller valuables like keys and your phone, so nothing gets lost among the beach towels, sun cream, and paperback books. Buy Now for £30 Katie Loxton Siena Canvas Oversized Tote Bag If you fancy something different to raffia, this tote is a mix of durable canvas with vegan leather trims and contrast stitching, which makes it more polished than your average beach bag. It’ll fit everything with room to spare, and the internal elasticated pockets and a luggage handle make it ideal for travel days, too. Buy Now for £64.99 Tbco. Terry Cotton Tote Bag Finished in a soft blue-and-brown stripe, this bag is made from terry cotton towelling that dries quickly and looks the part. Perfect for by the beach or pool, getting it wet won’t be an issue, and the front pocket allows you to easily find your sunglasses, phone or euros for a trip to the beach bar. Buy Now for £42 Next Lemon Embroidered Raffia Tote Bag Next's raffia tote leans into the trend with cheerful lemons embroidered across the front. It will maintain its shape no matter how full it's stuffed, but has sturdy enough thick handles to make sure it won’t break, whether you're planning a shoreline walk or lounging in the sun for hours. Buy Now for £38 White Stuff Crochet Tote Shopper This White Stuff design has a fun colour-block crochet finish that stands out from the usual plain totes, with a silhouette that's easy to carry all day. It comes with a matching detachable coin purse, which adds a practical touch for keeping loose change or credit cards separate from wet towels, making this an easy throw-on-and-go option. Buy Now for £29 Oliver Bonas Joni Blue Floral Quilted Tote Bag We love this quilted tote, not just for its pretty floral print and contrasting striped trims, but it’s functional for beach trips as it is for weekends away. The interior is fully lined with a slip pocket and magnetic closure, so it’s safe, secure and won’t dig into your shoulder. Buy Now for £35 Arket Raffia Shoulder Bag Arket's raffia shoulder bag is as chic as it gets, which can be paired with everything from a tailored co-ord to a mismatched bikini set. It’s a versatile pick if you want something stylish and durable, and the warm brown tone will match every outfit you wear it with. Buy Now for £52.20 (was £85) Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below Arrow MORE: Dunelm shoppers can get this clever fold-out travel bag for under £20 in huge sale Arrow MORE: Fashion fans are swapping raffia totes for colourful jelly bags this summer Arrow MORE: The best carry-on bags that fit Ryanair and easyJet cabin rules Puzzles Newsletter Get your favourite puzzles when they are ready to play on the website sent directly to you every day and track your daily streak!