The 9 Bags We're Still Thinking About From The White Lotus
by The Candidly Team
It’s hard to watch The White Lotus without getting sidetracked by the shimmering rainbow of designer clothes that flash across the screen episode after episode. It’s a wardrobe that could only belong to vacationing characters of mega-wealthy proportions. And yet, our eye kept going to one very specific place - the bags.
No spoilers, we promise, but let’s just say bags are a theme in White Lotus - from the green sack that famously went missing in Season 1 to the magnitude of Tanya’s luggage in Season 2. But the real stars are the eclectic mix of non-plotty, oft-breathtaking handbags carelessly swinging off the weighted shoulders of each decked-out guest.
If you know us at all by now, and we sincerely hope you do, we really like finding the things we find exceptional. Like Naomi Watts’s clothes from The Watcher. Haven’t seen them? You must! Or all of the best outfits worn by Rachel from Friends. Or every iconic coat that’s ever been in a movie.
So, when we started following the bags in White Lotus like a beam of light in an eye test (I know, we’re old), we decided to find them.
The trouble is that most of them are extremely high-end designer (naturally) and most of them cost zillions of dollars. However, many of these bags have characteristics we lust after - not just because they’re Louis Vuitton - but because they’re the perfect size, shape, or color-scheme. And so, in addition to the literal bags from the show (because this may just be your moment to invest in something you truly love), we were sure to include way more affordable dupes that are gorgeous for the same reasons and in their own right.
Alright, away we go…
1. daphne’s chic basketweave bag
We’re not trendy, we swear. But this look from Louis Vuitton made us do about 37 double takes in the course of its screen-time. And it’s not just the classic LV embellishments (though it’s not not that), but rather the brilliant mix of leather and basketweave, high and low, rich brown and buttery tan. It’s a beautiful bag for a sunny day…and we found two others.
Louis Vuitton Raffia Calfskin Monogram Giant Onthego MM
Daphne’s exact glorious bag, but in a more tote-like shape.
Price: $3505
Bembien
Benna Bucket Bag
There’s something supremely chic about mixing leather details with a soft rattan that looks as if it were lifted from a Cesca chair.
Price: $290
Pink Haley
Madison Cane Webbing Leather Tote
Nothing beats the romance (and practicality) of a basketweave tote. This is the one you’ll take to the beach and to the market and pretty much anywhere you need to carry a bunch of crap while still wanting to look like you’re strolling the Sicilian coastline.
Price: $198
2. tanya’s little pink purse
Oh, Tanya, the operatic heroine herself. You could call some of her looks a little, ahem, over the top. But not this perfect pink bag that’s classic while also being statement.
Marc Jacobs The J Marc Shoulder Bag
Such a fun, sliiiightly more modern version from Marc Jacobs. A pop of pink to brighten everything we wear.
Price: $395
Coach Morgan Shoulder Bag
And a classic version from Coach. Pair it with any of your usual staples of any price, and you’ll instantly lift your whole look to new levels of chic.
Price: $150
3. Rachel’s patterned green tote
Though patterned and a bold-ish green, this one is actually from one of the more classic French brands on this list - Goyard. Not that Rachel’s outfits lacked “color” already, but for us, the idea of a patterned tote in a shade other than black or brown seems like a smart way to brighten up our own more subtle poolside look.
Goyard Goyardine Saint Louis GM Green
Imagine pairing this with the chicest one-piece (aka the only swimsuit we’ve ever actively adored) and a breezy cover up. An utterly unconquerable vacation look.
Price: $3275
Tory Burch Basketweave Canvas Tote
Same idea. Different pricetag.
Price: $398
4. harper’s slouchy yellow bag
We all need that slouchy, oversized, carry-on-esque bag to kick around with. So why shouldn’t it be gorgeous (and yellow!!!!)? Especially in order to dress up the other exclusively cozy things we’d actually wear on a plane…aka not any of the starchy things you see in the above photo.
Bottega Veneta mini Arco Intrecciato tote bag
A very similar version of Harper’s Bottega Veneta bag, and let’s just say, we’re more than a little taken with the shape.
Price: $2094
5. The black and white tote
Another Louis Vuitton that made us Goyard-bag green with envy. Mixing a neutral shade onto an otherwise black tote makes it even more wearable, less dark, and less boring. There is nothing we could wear that wouldn’t look 27x chicer with this bag by its side. Throw it on over any denim, your favorite leggings, or anything you wear to work, and truly, you’ll be the best dressed person around.
Louis Vuitton Empreinte Monogram Giant Onthego MM
A very similar version to Daphne’s.
Price: $3085
Marc Jacobs Colorblock Logo Leather Tote
Ok, we admit this is a different approach, but it’s the same idea. Blending neutral tones on a black tote just makes it come to life. Eye-catching but still classic French-lady chic.
Price: $220
8 Other Reasons Criss Cross Tote
A playful, casual, and deeply practical way to keep the black and white aesthetic alive and well, but in a material that won’t be ruined by a real-life, non-5-star-beach-club day at the beach. You know the ones where your kid throws a half-eaten banana in your bag without a word, and you find it six hours later while digging for your wallet?
Price: $94
6. tanya’s mini bucket bag
You can barely see it in this photo, but Tanya’s itty bitty bucket bag is one of the prettiest, most practical bags we’d actually carry with us on vacation…or really anywhere. Totally lovely, and the cinched top makes it blessédly easy to reach in for lip balm. So no greasy prints leftover from clumsily trying to unzip after applying your millionth layer of sunscreen.
Tory Burch T Monogram Jacquard Mini Bucket Bag
The exact bag. The print, once again, is an easy way to dress up whatever else we’ve thrown on, most especially the skirts we love to wear when we’re out and about.
Price: $368
Sézane Mini Farrow Bag
Sézane makes such a pretty selection of petite bucket bags that we’re wild about. Just go look at the selection of colors and textures. It’s deeply satisfying but very hard to choose just one.
Price: $250
Parker Clay Mini Topa Bucket Bag
A perfect size, shape, color… and price!
Price: $128
7. portia’s crochet backpack
As unhinged as Portia’s wardrobe may seem, it honestly reminds us of way too many things we wore in high school. This rattan backpack is just an example of a less fancy, designer-y item that we’d actually use on vacation. We included a classic for those not as inclined to go bold. But we definitely also included the bright, stripey Portia-esque one we would have worn in the 90s.
Aimee Kestenberg Tamitha Raffia Backpack
We love the idea of a soft raffia bag we can wear as a backpack. The zipper locks, so in addition to being cute and convenient, it’s also secure.
Price: $149
The Sak Sayulita Backpack
Admit it. Is this not a fun way to brighten up our otherwise super elegant and grown-up swimsuit looks?
Price: $129
Monique Women Straw Handmade Crochet Backpack
And then, there’s this little gem for under $30.
Price: $25
8. harper’s jacquard shoulder bag
Again, you can’t quite get the whole feel for it from this photo, but the Loewe bag Harper wears throughout the season is actually the ideal size and shape for a shoulder bag. It’s jacquard and printed. Hers even has flowers woven in, so it livens up the neutral things we wear but also looks excellent with every single dress we can imagine wearing.
Loewe Flamenco clutch in Anagram jacquard and calfskin
Harper’s purse in the flesh, minus the flowers.
Price: $2200
Tory Burch
T Monogram Jacquard Bell Bag
A pretty similar version with the same cinched top. While not cheap (it’s Tory Burch after all), it has the same chic effect as the Loewe bag at less than a quarter of the price.
Price: $498
Kate Spade Market Medium Spade Flower Jacquard Tote
If you have to have the jacquard in floral, we got you.
Price: $268
9. nicole’s classic tote
Do we even need to say words about this tote? It’s the ultimate emblem of understated elegance. It’s the Louis Vuitton Neverfull that matches everything and makes even a boring navy blue cover-up sing. Yes, the bag exists, and you can buy it. But there are also other equally neutral and lovely totes out there. So we picked a couple of our favorites in addition to the classic.
Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Neverfull MM
L’origine.
Price: $980
MCM Medium Liz Reversible Shopper
Still an investment bag. But one that elevates and matches gloriously with all the inexpensive things we wear. And, admittedly, with all the other things we splurge on.
Price: $695
Rothy’s The Essential Tote
Hear us out. It’s chic. It’s washable. It’s made from recycled marine plastic, but it’s flexible, durable, and comes in a bunch of colors and patterns that you honestly need to just see for yourself.
Price: $279
BONUS: THE “INFAMOUS” canvas BAG
We kid, but we did actually find the best canvas travel or just lug-all-your precious stuff around bag. And it’s $34.
Baggu Duck Bag
It’s the absolute ideal size and shape. It’s well within our budget. And it comes in a slew of colors and prints we’re fairly wild about.
Price: $34
Pennies4MyThoughts White Lotus Resort And Spa Canvas Tote Bag
And just in case you lose your bag en route…
Price: $20
Cover image: PopSugar
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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