Recently in Beach Category

Now here is a tote that makes sense and has good value, unlike the Valextra canvas tote for $1060. Yes, it is true you can get a canvas tote for $20 but if you look at the construction the breakdown in quality is obvious. This One Language tote is beautifully made, has a great design and is functional. It is 100% natural canvas with tight seams, perfectly turned corners, is sturdy and maintains its structure. It has a super wide gusset so is the perfect beach / pool bag. There is a smaller compartment for your laptop (comes with a laptop case that can be used separately), or for wallet and personal items. The interior is full of pockets for phone, sunscreen, keys, etc and unlike most totes, there is a covered flap that zips closed. Comes in 4 cute designs, I love the bicycle - cute, whimsical and epitomizes the carefree days of summer. At One Language Label for $110.

OK, the weather is just pissing me off. I thought it was established that we were well into Summer (or at least Spring) and then the weather turns on us and it is now windy and freezing ass cold. I want to go to the pool and use totes like this (went to the pool this weekend and almost got sick from trying to brave the weather). To me, this beach / pool tote represents warm sunny days of leisure and fun. Big hat, sunglasses, flip flops, and a good book on my Kindle and I am happy. I love the bright bold Pucci prints but I can't really wear it without it looking clownish on me, I just can't pull it off, it is too fussy for me, but a tote I can definitely do and this way I get my Pucci fix without looking like a clown. This giant tote (16.5" L x 13" H) is perfect for travel or even the farmer's market if you're careful with berry stains. I prefer the east/west totes for the pool and beach because you can fit larger items and can find things easier. Emilio Pucci Print Shopper in Yellow Multi at eluxury for $660.

Top: Lanvin Toile Printed Tat Sac, $695; Louis Vuitton Galliera Riviera $1940
Bottom: YSL Washed Pin Print Canvas Tote. $170; Anya Hindmarch Canvas Shopping Tote, $85

The big trend this season is art on bags - graphic, print and genuine art like Stephen Sprouse. I like to keep art as art and bags as bags, call me a traditionalist but I don't like mixing mediums. The popularity of the Prada Fairy bag really set this off and it was of grave concern to me as people spent their life savings on a bag that would not last the season. Yes, for those who want it as a collector's piece, it might be worth your while but those who actually used it were punished with bleeding ink. Yikes! It is fun for under $100 if it is super kitschy like the YSL pin print tote (but unfortunately that is $80 over my caveat) or if it is super useful like the Anya Hindmarch shopping tote (these come in various themes, like laundry, etc.) which also has the right price. But for the Louis Vuitton, well, even if you are going on a cruise vacation with a proper Cruise collection, actually especially if you are going on a cruise vacation, this bag is either way too coordinated to a ridiculous degree or not at all appropriate with anything you wear. I do love the Lanvin satin print collection, as a tote instead of an actual structure bag, bags like these are great fun in the summer but for $695 I'll spend that kind of fun on an actual vacation at a nice resort.

Lanvin Toile Printed Tat Sac at Barneys New York for $695; Louis Vuitton Galliera Riviera at eLUXURY for $1940; Anya Hindmarch Canvas Shopping Tote for $85 and Yves Saint Laurent Washed Pin Print Tote for $180 at Luisa Via Roma.

This is the best thing I have seen in a long time. Now you can really be ready for the beach, I know I am. I just got the cutest hat today, it is big and floppy and has adorable colorful appliques. So, next thing I need is a bag and towel and lookie here, a two for one, bag AND towel. The bag unbuttons, unravels and becomes a giant beach towel. If you think about it, it does work out logistically, you just have to find a spot to put all your stuff while your towel is being transformed. I mean, usually, you empty everything out of the your beach bag anyways so like I said, it does work out eventually. This of course is for those who live close to the beach and frequents it on a regular basis. It not not meant for one of those family outing jobbers that involves coolers, tents and lawn chairs. It is great conceptually, super cute and surprisingly cheap, only $235!! At eluxury.

I am still in vacation mode, so when I saw this bag I thought, "wow--how perfect for the hot weather!" Cork is a very interesting material for bags, and we have seen it used more and more. Apparently cork supply is shrinking, (have you noticed a lot of wines now use that plastic cork or screw top?) and it has made the price sky rocket because this bag with just a little bit of croc trim is $2,700! What up?? I mean, an entire croc bag from Nancy Gonzalez is just around $3,000. And I wonder about the durability of cork. It always ends up in my wine, and I imagine that after years of use, this bag will have crumbled away leaving you with just the handles. Then, maybe you can sew canvas to it and fashion yourself a new bag. OK, I'm just rambling. The final verdict: cool for a few minutes, but in the end, this bag is ridiculously priced and probably will not hold up, trend-wise or in its integrity. At Vivre for $2,700.

I know summer is almost over but this is a Bottega Veneta so save this for next year and get it on sale NOW!! It is $500 for a Bottega, you are not ever going to see this deal again anytime soon. These kind of bags are so great for the summer for the beach, pool parties and travel. You throw in your magazines, sunblock, water bottle and hat and you are ready to relax somewhere nice. Of course this is also a great everyday tote - you don't have to be on vacation or be doing anything extra fun but just having a cute pink bag with you can make you feel like you are having fun and on vacation! How great is that? Isn't that why we love bags? It can make you feel good just because. Hurry before it sells out (you know it will in like a day). At Net-a-Porter.