How to Pack the Perfect Beach Bag: A Preppy Packing Guide

Summer means sand, sun, and one very important question: what actually goes in your beach bag? Whether you're headed to the coast for a day or a full weekend getaway, a good beach bag should be lightweight, water-resistant, and roomy enough to hold everything without weighing you down. Here's our guide to packing smart — the preppy way.

Start With the Right Tote

Your beach bag is your foundation, so it needs to work as hard as it looks good. Look for a packable, lightweight tote made from water-resistant fabric — one that can handle sunscreen spills, wet swimsuits, and sandy feet without missing a beat. Our Canvas Tote is designed exactly for this: durable enough for daily beach trips, washable when the day's over, and finished with our signature bamboo handles.

Keep Essentials Organized With a Cosmetics Bag

Sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray — beach essentials multiply fast, and a loose bottom-of-the-bag situation gets messy quickly. A small cosmetics bag keeps everything contained and easy to find, and doubles as a rinse-proof pouch for wet items on the way home.

Don't Forget the Wine Tote

Sunset on the beach calls for a little something extra. Our Wine Tote is built to carry a bottle safely in sand and sun, so you're ready the moment golden hour hits.

Why Bamboo Handles Matter

Every Bourbon & Bamboo bag features sustainably-sourced bamboo handles and zipper pulls — a small design detail with a big impact. Bamboo is fast-renewing, durable, and naturally resistant to the wear and tear of sand, saltwater, and sun, making it a smarter (and better-looking) choice than plastic hardware.

The Preppy Beach Bag Checklist

• Packable, water-resistant tote
• Cosmetics bag for sunscreen and essentials
• Wine tote for sunset drinks
• Crossbody bag for hands-free essentials on the go
• A little bamboo charm, because details matter

Ready to build your beach bag? Shop the full collection of preppy, sustainable totes and resort accessories.