The 16 Best Beach Bags and Totes for Summer 2024

"The perfect beach bag doesn't exi—"

woman wearing orange dress and carrying beach bag
(Image credit: fashion)

The beach is always a welcome escape, especially during the warmer months. But a trip out to the surf isn't as low-key as it lets on—at the very least, you'll need SPF and a towel—which means it is time to start shopping for summer's most versatile accessory, the beach bag.

While basket bags and netted bags can often do double duty as beach bags, there are a few specific qualities innate to look for. So, in addition to sharing our own picks, we reached out to Rickie De Sole, women's fashion director at Nordstrom, and Nana Yaa Ansah, fashion and lifestyle content creator, to chat about their favorites.

“I’d like for [my bag] not to get wet, and if it does, it should be able to dry quickly,” says Ansah. “I look for something that’s going to be sturdy enough to hold all my beach items and won’t be a hassle to clean,” she adds. In this case, Ansah shares that water-resistant raffia bags and durable canvas bags are most ideal.

In addition to boasting quality fabrics, the beach bags listed below will hold everything you need while keeping your most prized possessions safe, courtesy of practical features like spacious designs, inner pockets, and hidden pouches. We've also made sure to keep style in mind, of course. "The ultimate beach bag needs to be two things: fun and practical," says De Sole. She suggests livening up your collection of beach bags by playing into textured details and pops of color (you'll find more on that below).

So, pull out your cutest bikini or one-piece swimsuit, find your favorite pair of sandals, grab your best sunglasses, and submit an official out-of-office request: it’s time for a beach day. Or, if you can’t get to the beach right now, feel free to settle for your nearest pool (just don't forget your sunscreen).

The Best Beach Bags

More Beach Bags That We Love

What to Look for in a Beach Bag

  • Practicality

"Beach bags, by nature, need to hold lots of stuff: suntan lotion, books, magazines, sunglasses, water bottles, towels—the list goes on! You'll want to look for something roomy that you can pile your belongings into," explains De Sole. "I look for totes that have pockets inside or a coordinating pouch to keep important items like my wallet secure."

Ansah notes that in addition to featuring interior compartments, your beach bag of choice should also have a lengthy handle if you plan on carrying it over your shoulder: “This feature is important because you want a bag that’s going to be comfortable enough to carry long or short distances.” She also shares that you should prioritize practicality above everything else while shopping for a beach bag. "Make sure your bag can accomplish the goal it needs to before [you invest in it].”

  • Fabric

Ansah tells Marie Claire that she prefers durable fabrics like raffia and canvas that can withstand salty seawater and sand stains. “[Raffia bags] are water resistant, durable and lightweight which makes it a no-brainer for a beach accessory," she says. "If you’re environmentally conscious like me, you’ll also appreciate that raffia bags are eco-friendly.”

The content creator explains that canvas bags are also durable, eco-friendly, and best of all, convenient: “[They're] easy to wash, easy to tote, and [they] get the job done."

With regard to choosing canvas over raffia, or vice versa, Ansah shares that it really depends on the occasion: “If I’m going for a very casual look and there are tons of activities for the day, I might just do a large canvas bag,” she says. “If it’s more of a social event or something like a Hamptons outing, I might want to wear my structured raffia tote bag for a more luxe aesthetic.”

  • Fun Designs

"A day at the beach under the warm sun calls for color," de Sole says. The Nordstrom fashion expert encourages you to seek out playful design details like crochet, woven straw fabrications, and striking patterns. "I love a brightly-printed tote or a raffia bag with vibrant trim," she specifically shouts out.

How to Style a Beach Bag

Woman wearing orange dress and carrying beach bag

Take your beach bag from day to night by way of a flattering maxi dress.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

For the social butterfly who has dinner plans lined up after a day at the beach, transition your seaside look to the table by pairing an elevated raffia bag with a chic maxi dress. To really enhance your outfit, experiment with vibrant colors like saturated shades of orange, and make sure to accessorize with bold gold jewelry and a nice pair of heeled sandals.

Woman wearing pink dress and carrying beach bag.

Play into color coordination to make a bright statement.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're looking to make a statement, there's no better way to do so than by pairing a brightly-colored beach bag with a coordinating dress. To take things a step further, layer your dress over a matching bikini and expect to make heads turn by the shore.

Woman carrying beach bag and wearing blue sweater, white T-shirt, and black pants

For a chilly day at the beach, pack a snug set of layers in your beach bag.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Not all coastlines are bright and sunny. Prepare for potential temperature drops by packing an extra set of warm clothes in your spacious beach bag—just in case you need to throw on a few layers over your swimsuit. We would recommend a cozy cardigan, linen trousers, and a pair of comfortable slides.

Meet the Fashion Experts

Rickie de Sole
Rickie de Sole

Rickie de Sole is the Women's Fashion Director at Nordstrom.

Nana Yaa Ansah
Nana Yaa Ansah

Nana Yaa Ansah is a first-generation Ghanaian-American fashion and lifestyle content creator who helps her followers to elevate their personal style.

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen. 

With contributions from