Why Summer’s Beloved Net Bag Should Be Your Spring Staple—And How

There is something undeniably charming about a netted bag; its open-weave an invitation to look a little closer. Perhaps it’s a bouquet of pink and orange ranunculus peeking through the mesh, a striped towel tossed in after a swim, or a sourdough baguette you picked up at the market—little details that imbue romance into the everyday.

For spring and summer, few accessories are as a beloved—or as ubiquitous—as the netted bag. A close cousin to the raffia basket, it’s a handbag style that returns each year, reimagined anew. It has a humble beginnings, dating back to Normandy in 1860 where it was originally used by fishermen to haul fish. (Its origin story is closely associated with the France’s most prominent fish net manufacturer, Filt.)

What makes the netted bag most appealing is its versatility, whether you carry it in its simplest form as a canvas-colored tote for a weekend farmer’s market run followed by an afternoon stroll, or choose a brightly-hued style one for the beach. Styling-wise, treat it as any other bag you own: Pair it with shirting and a silk lace skirt for work; capri pants and clogs for the weekend, or a bikini and pareo for vacation. (Pro tip: Hold smaller items in a colorful pouch to add a pop of color to those peeking holes.)

The original Filt bag remains a classic—these days it even comes in miniature sizes that seemingly hold little more than a trio of lemons—but on the runways, designers continue to revisit the netted style, each one more elaborate than the next. We saw many iterations this season, from Tory Burch’s handwoven chain-mesh totes to Erdem’s embellished style exploring the possibilities of craft to Michael Kors’s spirited leather take, accented with a long, swishy tassel at the handle.

Shop our favorite net bags for the season, below—with outfit ideas on how to style them out, too.

Texture on Texture

A mix of textures lends itself well to dressing for in-between weather. Bermuda shorts with a suede jacket and netted leather bag complement each nicely. Finish with a pendant necklace and minimalist leather loafers.