The Best Women’s Woven Bag
Our Review Process
Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.
Our Picks For The Top Women's Woven Bags
- 1. YYW Rattan Tote Women’s Woven Bag
- 2. Ayliss Polyester Lined Straw Purse Women’s Woven Bag
- 3. Natural NEO Leather Straps Rattan Women’s Woven Bag
- 4. Dailyacc Straw Envelope Clutch Women’s Woven Bag
- 5. Novum Crafts Circle Shape Wicker Women’s Woven Bag
- 6. Freie Liebe Magnetic Closure Clutch Women’s Woven Bag
- 7. Molodo Zip Closure Straw Women’s Woven Bag
- 8. FENBEN Straw Half Moon Women’s Woven Bag
- 9. FARVALUE Lightweight Straw Clutch Women’s Woven Bag
- 10. Epsion Straw Beach Tote Women’s Woven Bag
This roomy rattan bag is versatile enough for everyday use, but you can also choose an option with a pendant or scarf. The straw color has a subtle pink hue to make it stand out. The size is 38-by-32-by-10 centimeters, with a handle height of 6.3 inches, offering plenty of room for all your belongings.
Extra RoomyThe larger size of this rattan straw beach bag gives you plenty of room for all your belongings, including a laptop.
This bag is made from handwoven straw and lined with polyester. The bag measures 18.9-by-15.6-by-14.6 inches, with an 11-inch strap. Its design makes it great for a variety of uses, whether you need a laptop bag or you're heading out for a day at the beach.
Comfortable DesignHandwoven straw makes this bag both practical and comfortable to toss over your shoulder as you head out for the day.
This rattan bag is small but roomy, giving you enough space for your most important belongings. It has a magnetic closure and a fully adjustable strap, along with an interior pocket for storing valuables. The design is round and it’s available in both brown and white.
Unique LookThe round look of this rattan bag gives it a chic appearance.
Handwoven straw and a lining make this both a classy and useful addition to your wardrobe. It has a small electronics pocket inside and a 37.8-inch shoulder strap. A decorative fuzzy ball on a string further dresses up the purse.
For Everyday UseThis bag is both roomy and lightweight, making it great for everyday use.
Buying Guide
Handbags are available in a wide range of materials: leather, denim, canvas and nylon, to name just a few. But there is another classic option that uses material sourced from the Earth. Straw handbags offer a lightweight but durable build while also giving you a unique look.
For decades, straw bags have been popular for use on the beach and poolside. The material is ideal for carrying items like magazines and books, electronic devices, keys and sunglasses. It also has the tendency to maintain its natural temperature even when exposed to extreme heat. That means, unlike other fabrics, it won’t absorb ultraviolet rays, potentially keeping the internal contents cooler than with cotton or leather.
But one of the best things about woven bags is the style’s versatility. Whether you’re on vacation or heading out to dinner with friends, a woven bag fits the occasion. You can keep it casual with jeans or shorts or pair it with a suit or dress. Some woven bags even come with leather trim and straps to add a little style.
If you prefer a more eye-catching approach, you can find woven bags that are rounded or come in a hue that adds a little something to the natural tan color that straw bags traditionally carry.
Durability is an important feature in any woven bag. Some are woven by hand with meticulous attention to detail, but you’ll want to make sure there are no gaps or weaknesses, particularly if you’ll be carrying valuable items or heavy ones. A woven bag that will be used to carry sensitive but weighty items, like laptops, should probably have some reinforcement at the base for extra support.
What to Look For
- Some straw bags include a vinyl lining that protects the material from spills or leaks inside. Check to ensure this cloth lining is high quality and won’t easily rip or tear.
- Woven bags come in a variety of designs and sizes. Consider what you’ll be toting in yours and make sure you choose the right format to fit your needs.
- Carrying method is also an important consideration. Some woven bags have handles, while others use straps. You’ll likely have preferences. If you choose one with a strap and it isn’t adjustable, check the length to determine where it will hang.
- You’ll likely find the dimensions of each bag listed. Measure and compare those to purses and tote bags you already have to get a feel for the actual size. Pictures can be deceiving.
- Like other bags, woven bags will occasionally need a thorough cleaning. Dust and debris will lessen their luster over time. Unfortunately, you can’t just toss a straw bag in the washer. You’ll need to hand-clean your straw bag. First, use a dry toothbrush to remove any particles that have become lodged within the weave. Then, dip a clean cotton cloth in cold water and wipe your bag using soft circular motions. Promptly dry your bag to prevent the moisture from setting in. Do not use soaps or detergents on your woven bags.
- You don’t have to sacrifice convenience with a woven bag. Some have pockets for storing electronics and other valuables. You may even want to look for a straw bag with a zipper pocket for extra security, especially if you’re taking it to a public pool or beach.
- Woven bags have become popular due to their natural materials. If this is important to you, make sure your chosen bag is hand-woven using natural grasses and that the trim and handles are also built with natural materials. Lastly, if it has a vinyl lining, check to ensure you won’t have exposure to dyes and chemicals if this is important to you.
More to Explore
Carrying items around using woven straw is not even close to a new concept. The use of wicker baskets dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, after all. To get the durability needed to carry heavy items like food and infants, baskets were made using stronger natural materials like willow, rattan, reed and bamboo.
But the use of straw for purses didn’t become trendy until the 1950s, when style icons like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot were photographed with them. Soon, they became the must-have fashion accessory. They quickly faded in popularity, only to return in the 1970s thanks to French actress Jane Birkin carrying them. It was one of those straw bags that caught the attention of a chief executive at Hermes during a chance encounter on a flight in 1981.
Birkin said she’d had a tough time finding a leather bag she liked. During the plane ride, she and the executive reportedly sketched the style she was looking for, and the Birkin Bag was soon born.