Marks and Spencer’s must-have summer accessory

Marks and Spencer have brought back their popular £45 Straw Tote Bag for spring, much to the delight of many shoppers.

The return of raffia accessories signals the arrival of spring, and this Marks and Spencer’s (M&S) accessory is a must-have for the upcoming months.

The beloved Straw Tote Bag, priced at £45, is back for another season and is already being snapped up by fans who missed out last time.

Crafted from a light straw material with tan details, this affordable accessory is the perfect addition to your spring wardrobe. Plus, it bears a striking resemblance to Loewe’s Basket Bag (£450) – an accessory that fashion lovers have been coveting year after year.

Just like the designer version, the oversized M&S tote has tan faux leather handles and an external pocket that resembles the branded leather patch on the front of the luxury bag.

It’s also made from a woven straw material and has a 100 percent cotton lining, making it light to carry around and ideal for running errands.

The bag is sturdy enough to carry your belongings in and is surprisingly spacious, measuring 28.5cm high, 50cm wide and 15.5cm deep, giving you plenty of room for all your spring essentials, such as an umbrella, lightweight jacket, and sunglasses.

The bag features a drawstring closure that secures the top, and an internal zipped pocket to keep your belongings safe. It also has an external slip pocket for easy access to items like your phone or keys.

But it’s not just about its practicality, this bag is also a hit with customers. One shopper said: “This is my second purchase of this straw tote shopper.

“The first purchase (tan) is still in use but I liked the black version with black lining so I will keep the tan model in my car for ad hoc shopping. I have received a good number of positive compliments about the black tote.”

As the fashion enthusiast noted, there are multiple colours to choose from. The black version has the same natural-coloured woven straw exterior but with black faux leather straps and pockets.

If you’re a fan of the black and beige colour combination, the Biba Straw Beach Bag (£44) from House of Fraser is similar in size and style to the M&S version and features an embroidered filigree design on the front for a luxurious look.

A raffia bag is also incredibly versatile and easy to style, suitable for a casual trip to the beach (abroad or at home), for everyday use, and for a picnic in the park.

Style your new straw tote with anything from straight-leg blue jeans and a chunky knit while we wait for warmer weather, or pair it with denim shorts and an oversized T-shirt in the summer for a relaxed, beachy look.

Shoppers may want to hurry, though, as it’s very likely that the M&S £45 Straw Tote Bag probably won’t be around for long. 

While we wait for balmy evenings, the tote bag can begin as an everyday tote bag and, with any luck, it can turn into a beach bag for that holiday you may have booked. 

If you take good care of the tote bag, then it’s more than possible that you can make use of the tote bag for many more years to come.