There's a particular feeling that comes with summer on the Mediterranean coast. Salt in the air, warm stone underfoot, a market bag swinging from your shoulder. If you've ever stood on a beach in Catalonia or wandered a Turkish bazaar, you know exactly the kind of bag we mean — wide, woven, unhurried.
This summer, we're making the case for the straw tote as the only bag you need.
What Makes a Mediterranean Tote Bag Different?
Not all tote bags are created equal. The Mediterranean tote has centuries of craft behind it. Originally made by artisans along the North African and Southern European coasts, these bags were built for real life: carrying produce from the market, towels to the beach, a book and a bottle of olive oil home from the village shop.
The materials — esparto grass, palm leaf, seagrass — are harvested and woven by hand. The result is a bag that breathes, that ages beautifully, and that gets better the more you use it.
Unlike synthetic totes or mass-produced beach bags, a handwoven straw bag is never quite the same as the one next to it. Each weave carries the mark of the hands that made it.
Why a Straw Tote Bag Is the Ultimate Summer Bag
1. It Goes Everywhere
From a rocky cove in Menorca to a rooftop dinner in Istanbul, the straw tote transitions effortlessly. Pair it with a linen dress, a swimsuit and a sarong, or even tailored shorts — it works with all of it.
2. It's Sustainably Made
Natural fibres, local artisans, no plastic. A Mediterranean tote bag is one of the most sustainable accessories you can buy. At Her Name is Rita, every bag is handpicked from workshops that prioritise traditional craft over fast production.
3. It Has Real Capacity
A good straw tote fits more than you'd expect — towel, sunscreen, water bottle, book, keys. The structured weave holds its shape without collapsing, and the wide handles sit comfortably on the shoulder.
4. It Ages Like a Fine Material Should
A little sun, a little salt, a little life. Straw bags don't deteriorate with use — they develop character. The colour deepens, the weave softens slightly, and the bag becomes unmistakably yours.
How to Style Your Mediterranean Tote This Summer
At the beach: Throw in your essentials and carry it loose. The bag is the outfit.
At the market: Wide enough for a baguette, strong enough for a watermelon. The original purpose, still the best use.
For travel: Carry-on friendly, eye-catching, and a conversation starter in every airport.
In the city: Pair with a simple linen set and sandals. Effortless, always.
Caring for Your Straw Bag
- Keep away from prolonged moisture — let it dry naturally if it gets wet
- Store in a cool, dry place, ideally stuffed with tissue to hold its shape
- Avoid overloading — natural fibres are strong but not indestructible
- Spot clean with a dry or barely damp cloth
The Her Name is Rita Difference
At Her Name is Rita, our straw totes are sourced directly from artisans on the Mediterranean coast. We visit the workshops. We know the hands behind the weave. Every bag arrives with a story — not a barcode.
We believe the best accessories are the ones that last a decade, not a season. A handwoven Mediterranean tote bag is exactly that.
Ready to find yours?
Shop our straw bag collection →
Her Name is Rita is an independent brand born in Barcelona, curating handmade objects and clothing from the Mediterranean and beyond.
