Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

A Holiday Essential & WIWT

Now I don't know about you but my thoughts are firmly on summer holidays (less than two weeks & counting!!!!) & one must have is a stylish beach bag.  One that's big enough to hold all the family's essentials but doesn't compromise on style so not too much to ask!!!  Plus of course not too girly so hubby & son are happy to carry said bag, which of course rules out any pink flowery numbers in this household, leopard print I can just about get away with ;-)

So here's a round up of the ones currently on the high street that are tempting me to click the button.

First up is this lovely dip dye bag from Accessorize.  I love the colour, which is very neutral & for us the darker bottom is quite handy for disguising when said bag gets wet from water trickling from pool & somehow finding a trail to your belongings.....of course this might just be me but no matter where we sit/put said bag it always gets wet by the end of the day!






Although this next bag from Accessorize is totally calling to me.  A bit of bling to keep my inner magpie happy but still neutral enough to be carried by hubby & son.  Plus it's neutral colours mean no matter what colour your beach attire it's going to go.  In fact this is a real classic for summer, one that's never going to date & it's in the sale too, so be quick if you're tempted!!!






Another timeless design is this bandana chambray number from Gap.  This would look so stunning teamed with a simple white beach dress & panama & again isn't too feminine.  Plus it would make a great family day out bag or even shopping bag when back home too.






Of course we all know you can never have enough stripes in your wardrobe, again a great classic & perfect for being carried by both sexes without the male members of you family feeling as if they're unleashing their inner Louie Spence!!!  So this Gap one is perfect & I love the leather handles.






Or this striped number from John Lewis which has a handy matching zipped purse, just perfect for storing loose change & your hotel key.  The fact that it comes attached to the bag is genius as we (well when I say we I mean the males in my life!!!) are always 'loosing' our key/wallet & it usually results in a declaration that said key/wallet is no where to be found until they tip entire contents of beach bag out onto sun lounger!!! 






Another beach bag classic that's great for doubling up for shopping once back home is a straw basket or tote. I'm totally loving this one from ASOS looks great & has extra long leather straps meaning the beach towels could be balanced on top!






If you prefer a hand held basket then how about this one from H&M, which would also be perfect to double up as your travel bag not to mention the supermarket run for the essential water & biscuits for keeping in your hotel room.






Another favourite for me when looking for a beach bag is metallics.  Although it has to be said the ones I usually like are just to expensive to be used as a beach bag but they're great neutrals that I still look at them longingly.  Although this first one from Mango is a great price & may just need some further investigating!!!






I'm loving the look of this Warehouse leather shopper too but at £75 I think I'd want a sun lounger & parasol just for the beach bag to protect it from any damage!!! Although having said that I bet it's the sort of bag that with a bit of wear & use would probably get better with age.









But with this H&M shopper if it only lasted the one year I wouldn't be too disappointed as it's such a great price.






Something a little bit different with this next metallic one might be going a step too far if I'm hoping son & hubby will carry it.






Unleashing the boho vibe with this lovely one from New Look.






Or how about this long strapped number also from New Look.






Or how about this one from Topshop.  The fact that it's called a 'luggage bag' has got me thinking that maybe even the beach towels would fit in, as I don't know about you but I struggle to find a bag that holds all our books, sunglasses, suncreams, water, snacks, bats & balls, iPods not to mention suncreams.






Or for something a little less busy then Topshop also do this one.






Finally what about this colourful one also from Topshop.  The design reminds me of decorative tiles that you often seen on your travels abroad & is just that little bit different to your standard beach bag.






Finishing with what I'm wearing today.




Top - Zara
Bracelets - Banana Republic 
Bag - Boden
Jeans - Zara
Ballet Pumps - Bought in Majorca


Red & White


Jeans - Boden £49
Ballet Pumps - Mango Now £19.99


So are you on the look out for a new beach bag or have you got an old faithful?  Perhaps you have a couple of bags you take to coordinate with your different pool/beach looks.  Or do you purchase when you're away opting to buy one of the gorgeous baskets that you can generally find abroad & use as a stylish shopping basket once back home?  I'd love to hear what you use.

I'm still tempted by the Accessorize sequinned number & the Mango & Warehouse metallic leather ones.....off to investigate further!!!!

Enjoy the sunshine & see you in the morning.

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10 comments

  1. Ooohhh, I love the warehouse gold one and the sequin/gold one. Gorgeous choices here, Jane. Lynne xx

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    1. They're great aren't they Lynne & you can never go wrong with metallics for summer holidays!
      Jane xx

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  2. I love the Gap ones Jane and yes I am in full time holiday mode, 3 weeks Tuesday but I do have an old faithful, I use my LV Neverfull now it's old and I am no longer precious about it! x

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    1. Wow Sharron that's a stunning beach bag....I don't know if I could ever be that un-precious about such a bag, but then whats the point of having such a stunner if you only use if on special occasions?!!! Three weeks is going to fly by.....let the countdown commence :-)
      Jane xx

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  3. I bought a couple of bags when we were in Majorca at Easter but I love the Gap & Accessorise ones! Primark are also great for cheap beach bags & I have one that I use for the kids stuff when we are away (& I don't get too upset when it's covered in suncream or sticky hand prints!). x

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    1. Last year there were some stunning metallic baskets on holiday in Majorca that I was tempted by but they seemed really expensive so I'm hoping that there may be more around or the price has come down as they were gorgeous. The shopping list is growing & I'm not even there yet!!!
      Jane xx

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  4. I love a straw bag for holidays.....I have an old faithful from Warehouse, you would approve as it has a leopard print lining ;0) I've really hankered after the New Look black ethnic print one but never got around to buying it!! There is still time though like you I am counting down the 12 days just like you Jane!! xx

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    1. Loving the sound of your leopard lined basket Michelle & I can so see you rocking the New Look ethnic print one. Not long to go :-)
      Jane xx

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  5. I love the large ethnic one from New Look but have my eye on a super sized basket from a local boutique as it would literally hold the kitchen sink! Ax

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    1. Loving the sound of your super sized basket Andrea, after all there's always so much to take down to the pool/beach isn't there especially if you have younger children.
      Jane xx

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