Summer can feel like it belongs to the young. Summer break, summer romance, summer camp, it’s all for them. They get an entire season off from life and move through it unbothered by things like sun damage or the absolute wasteland that is supportive swimwear. The beach feels particularly youth forward. It requires immaculate skin that won’t go haywire while sweating, along with the ankle stability of a Navy Seal. Yes, it’s hard to feel you’re winning at the beach over 40 sometimes.
But there is one corner of summer/beach culture where a woman of a certain age can confidently stake her claim: the beach bag. Our younger counterparts, unconcerned with practicality, rarely rise to the occasion. Their priorities begin and end with keeping beer cold and lip gloss intact, not really setting the stage for a grand display of style. They reach for any old gift with purchase shopping tote or school backpack, regardless of size, durability or appearance.
Here is where the power of the purse and a fully developed frontal lobe comes in handy. Experience taught us exactly what a day at the beach requires: sunscreen that won’t leak, a book that won’t warp, snacks, water, a proper towel, diversions for the kids. A veritable life in a bag. And we apply this knowledge to choose a chic, polished bag that still does the heavy lifting.Yes, the right beach bag is no afterthought. It is the main event for us seasoned gals.
Here are some of my favorite grown up forward bags that are pretty but will also carry everything that you need.
Clockwise from LeftÂ
Duo Tote Bag, Saks Fifth Avenue
Mesh Beach Bag, Little Miss Muffin
Bianca Raffia Bag, Pied Nu
Raffia Bag, Judy
Straw Tote, Tyler & Tate
Natural Woven Tote, Lucy Rose
Other fun bags:
Camino Carryall, Phina
Cabana Tote, Em’s Boutique
Large Metro Tote, Febe
Neoprene Tote, Lucy Rose
