From Redbridge to the Riviera, a roomy tote bag is a crutch to get you through summer. Big enough for towel and tome or a laptop and Asics, these shoulder staples are a surefire hit.
The Hampstead classic Daunt Books bag might well do the job, but for those wanting to elevate their arm game, plenty of bag brands have produced a serviceable crop for the new season. There are designer hits (whose totes aren’t as bankrupting as their leather goods) such as Isabel Marant’s very smart, Darwen striped canvas-trimmed nylon tote, which will easily survive the sand.
The best of the baskets come from from Marks & Spencer (a snip at £29.50) and well as AllSaints, whose dark, straw hold-all is a surprising front runner on the high street. Sezane’s slightly more expensive (£280) Justine basket is also an eye catcher, and comes in a bright green as well as neutral classics.
And for anyone wanting to inject a little more joy, Call It By Your Name is the bandana-bag label selling on Net-a-porter from Paris. They might not have made it into a Luca Guadagnino film, but would look great in the Italian countryside nonetheless.
The 8 best tote bags for summer:
Call It By Your Name, Maxi Cabas tote, £145, net-a-porter.com
The Large Capri, £350, demellierlondon.com
Isabel Marant, Darwen striped tote, £195, net-a-porter.com
Allington Straw Tote Bag, £119, allsaints.com
Justine Basket, £280, sezane.com
Straw Striped Tote Bag, £29.50, marksandspencer.com
Small Checkerboard Raffia Tote Bag, £309, sandro-paris.com
