Wellness

PSA: It’s Farmers Market Season—And You Need a Cute New Tote Bag

Romanticize your grocery run.

By Brittany Chatburn
best market bags 2023

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One of my favorite sources of sartorial inspiration is when photographer Jamie Beck goes to the market. Jamie left the hustle of New York City for an achingly beautiful life in Provence, and every weekend she visits the market with her daughter, Eloise. They go in search of the most delicious local cheeses, fresh-baked baguettes, and juiciest produce the land and its people have to offer. All the while, greeting vendors with a “Bonjour!” and always—always—with a romantic market tote bag in hand.

woman holding apolis market bag with produce

image via Apolis

Now, I’m not moving to Provence anytime soon. But I sure do have a thing for romanticizing my life. And one day as I watched Jamie taste-test Provençal cheeses, it hit me—the reusable plastic grocery bags I keep wadded up in the trunk of my car are cramping my style. I may not have a cheese guy or French doors that overlook a charming little town, but I’ve got a farmer’s market and I’ve got a daughter with an equally timeless name (Adaline, she’s adorable). All I need now is the perfect market bag to gather our bounty.

fresh produce cut cantaloupe

What to Look For in a Market Bag

I’ve done the research and whether you’re looking for a tote to carry your groceries, produce, or flowers, I’ve got you covered. There are a few key factors to consider when choosing your perfect market tote. First, you want sturdy, comfortable straps. The tote needs to be cute, yes, but it also needs to haul everything from lemons to melons without wearing down the strap—or your shoulder.

Second, the material matters. Personally, I love a tote made from natural materials like straw, canvas, or cotton. And ultimately, when you’re shopping for produce and pantry items, you need a material that’s easy to clean.

Finally, the design and style of the tote are obviously priorities, here. We want a market tote that matches style with utility and thankfully, there are many market bags that fit the criteria. The only question is… which one feels most like you? Let’s find out.

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Best Crochet Market Bags

You need a set of these mesh cotton grocery bags as a baseline. They’re less of a market tote, per sé, but they are very French-inspired (if, like me, you happen to care about that). Most importantly, they serve as incredibly convenient ways to sort produce—and these babies can hold a LOT. They’re machine washable to boot!

Essential Crochet-Style Market Bags

u003cpu003eTalk about a killer Amazon find. These bags were made to expand—and they’re strong enough to haul it all. Pack a bushel of apples, bunches of kale, or blocks of chéve. u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e 100% cottonu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 14u0022 L x 13.38u0022 Wu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Yesu003c/pu003e

Reusable Cotton Mesh Grocery Bags (Set of 3) $11

Best Market Bags With Compartments

If your first order of business upon getting a new purse is to count the pockets then you’re going to love a compartmentalized market tote. There are sections for your wine, produce, bread, eggs, and flowers. And let’s be honest—what more do you need in life?

Midsize Canvas Bag With a Cooler Compartment

u003cpu003eThat strap on the left is purely to carry your flowers which is too charming to handle. But the utility of this bag is its secret sauce. There’s a cooler in the middle for your fresh yogurts and bone broth plus 8 pockets for everything from milk to eggs.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e heavy-duty canvas with vegan leather base and handlesu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 11u0022 W x 11u0022 L x 13u0022 Hu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

CapaBunga Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote $70

Large Capacity Tote Bag With Compartments

u003cpu003eThis is the bag you want for those big grocery hauls—or picnics! Pack up your (very organized) goods and go.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e canvas, faux leatheru003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 10u0022 H x 13u0022 W x 21u0022 Lu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Terrain Large Canvas Market Tote $88

squash at the farmers market

Best Washable Tote Bag

It isn’t every tote bag that can stand up to the machine wash and last. And even if it does, rarer still that it’ll keep any structure after the fact. But I’ve got good news for the clean freaks among us: there is a bag that can do it all.

A Durable Bag You Can Throw in the Wash (17 Colors)

u003cpu003eThis is a bag you will LOVE. It’s sustainable (as in, made with nearly 618 grams of marine plastic otherwise bound for the ocean), it’s been tested for handle durability (150-pound capacity, to be exact), and it washes good as new again and again. A great bag for the market—but it might just become your Everyday.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e knit with a combination of thread made from marine plasticu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 13.6u0022 H x 6.7u0022 W x 12.8u0022 Lu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e You betchau003c/pu003e

Rothy’s The Lightweight Tote $170

Best Classic Canvas Market Bag

You’ve seen this bag on the shoulder of many for good reason. As far as canvas bags go, you can’t go wrong with a well-made classic. It’s versatile in looks and those handles are all about durability. The only question—which color will you choose?

An Iconic Bag That Will Last Decades (6 Colors, 4 Sizes)

u003cpu003eListen, this tote was tested and proven to carry 500 pounds. So stash all the squash you want, there’s no fear of loose threads here. It’s a classic bag that’s been around since 1944—clearly, this is a tote that’s here to stay.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e Heavy-duty 24 oz. cotton canvasu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 17u0022H x 19u0022W x 10u0022Du003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote®, Open-Top $45

tulips in buckets market

Best Woven Raffia Market Bags

I have to admit, woven bags are a look. A good one won’t unravel under pressure—which means it’ll be an investment. Well worth it, if you ask me.

Large Corchet Raffia Bag (2 Colors)

u003cpu003eThis large woven bag features wide-loop handles for an easy carry, no matter where you’re off to. Might I suggest, market to beach?u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e Raffiau003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Jenni Kayne Woven Raffia Tote $175

Large Raffia Bag With Compartments (2 Colors)

u003cpu003eThis tightly (hand) woven raffia bag is the masterpiece of market totes. A clean design with natural materials? Find me at the market DAILY.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e Raffiau003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 13.4u0022 H x 12.4u0022 L x 3.1u0022 Wu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Sézane Paloma Basket $250

Best Structured Canvas Bag

I love my stash of canvas bags until it’s time to carry milk. Or jarred sauce. Or anything with weight and structure. A canvas bag that can stand up to the task is a winner. Add pockets? Damn near perfection.

Easy-Carry Canvas Bag With Pockets (5 Colors/Prints)

u003cpu003eYes, Hill House is home to u003ca href=u0022https://camillestyles.com/beauty/fashion/work-from-home-clothes/u0022u003emy beloved Nap Dressu003c/au003e and yes, it might be a little much to match my bag to my outfit. u003cemu003eHoweveru003c/emu003e, I can be convinced due to the sheer utility of this bag. It’s bigger than it looks in the photo and it’s full of storage compartments for literally every item—there’s even a zippered pocket for keys and valuables!u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e 100% Cottonu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 17u0022 L x 15u0022Hu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Hill House The Market Tote $95

best woven market bags

Best Market Tote Bag Kit

Why have one when you can have six? The minimalists will cringe but hear me out—there are bags for produce, a large tote for pantry items, mesh bags for artisan bread—plus, it’s the perfect eco-friendly starter kit for a major grocery haul.

A Set of Market Bags That Do It All

u003cpu003eYou had me at, u0022no more plastic produce bags.u0022 This kit will get your groceries home with ease—no licking fingers to open bags (ew) requried.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e Organic cottonu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e Vary by bag—details u003ca href=u0022https://rstyle.me/+uySOt9PhplaW-w4q3ztLagu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener nofollowu0022u003ehereu003c/au003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Small bags are machine washable and line dry, large bag is spot cleanu003c/pu003e

Etsy Farmer’s Market Tote u0026 Produce Bag Set $26

Best Customizable Market Tote

Apolis is the brand behind The Bag. You know it when you see it—rectangular jute and leather construction and often bearing a brand logo or clever saying. You can customize this bag to your liking or keep it clean. Either way, it’s a beautiful bag that creates a fair wage for mothers in Bangladesh.

The Classic Market Bag That Never Fails

u003cpu003eIf I truly want to channel my girl-crush Jamie, I’m reaching for this bag. Aside from the classic look and proven durability, this bag has a liner that’s easy to wipe clean. Style, meet function. u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e 100% natural golden jute fiber harvested in Bangladesh, 100% polyurethane lining, leather, antique nickel rivetsu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 13u0022 wide, 18u0022 high, 8u0022 deepu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Apolis Market Bag in Natural $62

Best Foldable Market Tote

Three cheers for a bag that can do it all—and then be tucked away without creating clutter in and of itself. This bag takes it one step further by including pockets in its structure. Now, that’s some kind of magic.

A Surprisingly Hard-Working Tote

u003cpu003eIt’s a well-known fact that if anyone has nailed the laid-back style, it’s the Aussies. Naturally, I love everything the Aussies create (including my husband… okay, I’m a little biased). This market tote comes from a Certified B Corp who set out to make the bag of all bags. The capacity is stunning considering its structure and the color pops are the dopamine boost your grocery runs need.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e 100% recycled PET plastic bottles, leather freeu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e 340 x 430 x 150 mmu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Nou003c/pu003e

Bellroy Market Tote $39

purple market flowers

Bonus: Best On-the-Go Tote Bag

Sometimes you just need a bag in a pinch. Throw this one in your purse or keep it in your favorite market tote above for those days when you can’t contain all the kale in a single bag. Amazingly, it’s treated with antimicrobial technology to keep groceries fresh and clear from bacteria and viruses. This is the bag I keep in my own purse and it gets the job done perfectly.

A Tote For All Times

u003cpu003eGrab this non-smelly bag that folds down to nearly nothing which is surprising, considering it’s capacity. And major points for its water-repelant, sustainable material.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eMaterial:u003c/strongu003e 100% recycled polyester and 100% nylonu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eDimensions:u003c/strongu003e H: 15.5cm/6.1? W: 11cm/4.3? D: 4cm/1.6?u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMachine Washable:u003c/strongu003e Yesu003c/pu003e

Arinum Tote Bag Lite $39

Now that you’re perfect market tote it in tow, it’s time to fill ‘er up! Get some inspiration for the farmers market this weekend—you can’t go wrong with any of these produce-packed recipes.