PERFECT PICNIC TOTES
The picnic bag is just as important as the spread!
With the warmer weather, gingham prints popping up everywhere, and stylish straw handbags dominating street style, I’ve got picnics on the brain! Nothing beats a day spent on a lush lawn or beautiful beach with a spread of gourmet snacks, treats and maybe (er, definitely!) some wine. But the bag you pack your picnic in is almost as important as the goodies inside the basket. Here are a few baskets, bags and totes that are sure to make your picnic picture-perfect!
Balenciaga Bazar Striped Textured-Leather Tote - As the name suggests, this bag is ideal for browsing bazaars, but the textured-leather, bold stripes, and spacious interior make it an ideal picnic tote, too.
Cult Gaia Ark Bag - Say “hello” to the season’s hottest bag! This sculptural, Japanese-style bamboo tote is utterly nostalgic and yet oh-so-modern. Throw in some cheese, wine and a baguette and you’ve got instant picnic perfection.
Eugenia Kim Flavia Bag - The hat queen is no stranger to stylish, innovative, and often playful designs, so it’s fitting that this "upside down hat" straw bag with black grosgrain and wood handles brings fun flair to a picnic.
Kayu Belle Tote - This brand makes the most adorable picnic-ready totes, all hand-woven from natural straw with leather-wrapped handles, carefully crafted by women cooperatives in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They use indigenous techniques that have been passed down through generations. I love this one that is adorned with removable pom-pom garland!
Mark Gross Grace Box Rattan - This luxury picnic box comes with a big price tag, but it’s incredibly versatile and made with the finest Italian Saffiano leather, 18k gold-plated brass hardware, and lined with Italian cotton twill -- picnic-chic at its finest.
Muun Cabana Mini Straw and Striped Cotton-Canvas Tote - Ok, you may not be able to fit a ton in this too-cute straw bag, but I love that it’s hand-woven and dyed using traditional herbs in a Parisian atelier. And, the playful red and white striped pouch is beyond charming!
Truss NYC Oversized Weekender Bag - Blending fashion, function and philanthropy, a percentage of the sales from this bag will aid in the development of Oaxacan communities from which it’s created. The simple, yet stylish oversized weekender is available in white, black, yellow, and pink stripes that make it feel especially festive for an alfresco feast.
And for those of you wondering...
Tall totes and oversized bags are often a point of storage struggle for my clients! No one knows how best to protect and store these staple pieces. I always recommend using under-mounted purse hooks to keep bags up off the ground and protect against wrinkles and creases (which are a real concern with bags of this size!)
Another great solution is to stuff these bags to help retain their shape! A great opportunity to maximize space, many woven totes can be folded flat for easy storage. However, for softer leathers and fabrics, I recommend an XL purse pillow, like this one we designed specifically for the challenging taller tote!