People from around the world recently met about the topic at the Sixth International Marine Debris Conference, and the United Nations Environment Programme leads a Global Partnership on Marine Litter which released a global resolution to reduce marine microplastics and litter in 2017. Scientists have even created an enzyme that can break down PET (polyethylene terephthalate, the plastic found in water and soda bottles). But as images from around the world document, oftentimes, plastic fails to move through a solid waste collection system, is improperly disposed of or simply littered, and we are now witnessing a massive accumulation of unwanted plastic in even the most remote corners of the globe. While plastic litter that washes ashore is an easy visual indicator of accumulation in the ocean, oftentimes plastic gets stuck out at sea. But the best bit has to be the zip-top closure for added protection when out and about. You never know when you might need sunscreen or a bit of moisturizer. While most straw bags focus on simple design and pared-back features, it’s always nice to add a bit of glitz to elevate things a touch. Amongst its features, this bag reveal its within built-in credit score cards slots, and a driver's license pocket with show window.
For beach lovers, it’ll be hard to find a better straw bag than this one. While the natural-based bags have been around in some variety for centuries - think wicker baskets or woven straw holdalls for fruit and veg - the trend really came into its own as a fashion piece in the 1950s, with Jane Birkin propelling it further, carrying a wicker basket in the Sixties. Genius. Attached to the bag with poppers for extra security, this is a simple trick to make us feel safer if carrying this around in busy streets. The top handles are long enough to wear on the shoulder, but there are also very long straps to make for easier carrying, too. If we could change one thing, it would be to make the straps a little longer for better shoulder wear. Personalised bags are having a real moment right now, and a beach bag is one of the most common options getting a good ol’ initial stamping. The scoop is good for moving dirt, small rock or scooping your litter box! And make sure the lids are on good and tight.
The real challenge is learning how to make a scarecrow to keep the crows away. We all sneeze. Wouldn't it be cool to have a scarecrow without straw? So, a few years ago, I decided to design my own allergy-friendly scarecrow activity for kids. Of course, the first thing we noticed was the standout design of cream pom-poms, fringing, wooden beads and shells in a sort of macrame-style design (given all these added elements, it is a tad on the weighty side). Inside, there’s a zipped pocket, plus two smaller pockets for easy access to essentials, which is incredibly handy given this bag’s depth of close to 40cm. As this “straw” bag is actually made from tightly knitted paper, it’s less scratchy against bare skin. We found a few bags that did close with zips or drawstrings, or had an inner pouch for safety, which earned them extra points. It’s large, and we mean large, at close to 60cm in length, making it perfect for holding towels, sunscreen, a change of clothes and more. The red leather crossbody strap can be adjusted in length, thanks to a large gold-tone buckle, but can also be removed, turning it into a sweet top-handle style, perfect for the wedding season.
For more formal occasions, such as a wedding, either the Ted Baker Appita appleseed embroidered straw bucket bag or Monsoon lemon embellished straw crossbody bag would work really well. There is also a wide variety of black straw bags, white straw bags, and pink straw bags. 😉 Today we fit in this cute straw bag : four beach towels, a huge bottle of sunscreen, extra swim diapers, two large bags of GF pretzels, and coverups for a family of six! So, we’ve been testing bags in all shapes and sizes to find the best straw or raffia bag options, from days at the beach to sundowners at the bar and everything in between, no matter what your style. I too have used this method for years, long before we even had zip top bags here in the U.K. For everyday use - whether going to the office, out with friends or even to the supermarket for a small shop - the M&S straw tote bag is hard to beat.
