The Best Summer Bags Under $200: Several on Sale This Memorial Day Weekend
My general approach to bags is to invest in something mid-range if it can work across most seasons. A good leather bag in a neutral color earns its price tag over years of use. But a strictly seasonal summer bag is a different calculation. I want something fun, I want it to look good, and I don't want to spend a lot on it.
These are seven bags I've been eyeing this summer, all under $200, several of which are on sale this Memorial Day weekend. A few are the kind of understated, well-made pieces that could easily go year-round. Others are purely seasonal and priced accordingly. I'll let you decide which is which.
Madewell Signature Woven Mini Zip Shoulder Bag - $158
This compact woven leather shoulder bag with a zip closure and a rolled strap caught my eye because fo the beautiful color. The weave and the color both feel very upscale but at a steal of a price.
Madewell Caning Tote, on sale from $168 to $149.50 (+ extra 30% off with code LONGWEEKEND)
This cane and leather tote has a very modern but distictly summer feel. And I love that is open feeling without being a straw bag. I think this will last beyond the summer season and well in to fall because of it. With the extra 30% off this weekend it's a genuinely great deal on what looks like a quality piece
Coach Barrel Small Shoulder Bag - $195
This barrel bag (especially in clay) is a really beautiful warm tone for summer and the shape is fun without being impractical. It fits more than you'd expect for its size. At $195 it's the kind of Coach piece that represents real value for the quality and the name.
J.Crew Berkeley Hand-Knotted Bucket Bag in Raffia, on sale from $198 to $118.50
This raffia bucket tote is such a fun one. I love the textures of this bag and it looks like it can carry everything you need for a summser outdoors. At $118.50 on sale it's easy to justify as a seasonal piece you'll reach for constantly from June through September. This is the bag for the farmers market, the beach, the outdoor dinner.
COS Saltwater Tote Bag in Straw - $189
COS does minimalism really well and this tote is a great example. This black woven straw with clean leather handles and leather trim is the elevated version of the classic basket bag. The black colorway makes it feel more versatile than a natural straw and a little more polished.
Rouje Domi Woven Raffia Basket - $195
Rouje is a French brand and this basket bag exemplifies how the well the French do straw bags. The Domi comes in a bold red and stripe shape patterns to make a fund summer statement.
The Horse is an Australian brand that doesn't get nearly enough attention. I have two bags from them that I love and this just might become the third. The Mini Lottie is a soft pebbled leather shoulder bag with a clean, slouchy shape. It sits right at the $200 mark but feels like it is worth more. This is the one on the list I'd consider an all-season bag — the dark brown in particular would work straight through fall.
