Antler’s New Raffia Tote Bag Is the Ultimate Plane-to-Beach Chameleon

Packing for a tropical vacation requires some thought. You’ve got to fit in your beach gear , workout clothes, casual outfits for heading into town, and a set of smarter looks for fancy evening dinners. Even short trips require a lot of stuff, with multiple outfit changes a day a certainty. When I booked an eight-night Caribbean vacation to St. Lucia, I knew I needed to be savvy when packing so I could avoid the nightmare of lugging multiple suitcases through small airports and onto tiny planes. Plus, I was hoping to avoid any eye-watering overweight baggage charges (one time I was hit with an unexpected $100 additional fee at check-in, ouch.)

But packing light isn’t typically synonymous with bringing an extra, bulky beach bag in your carry-on . They’re always massive and take up plenty of valuable suitcase real estate. For my upcoming trip, my dream was a single companion that could handle both the airport schlep and look entirely sophisticated the minute I stepped onto the resort. My prayers were answered when I discovered Antler’s new Raffia tote bag .

Antler's Raffia tote accompanied me everywhere on a recent Caribbean vacation

Woven bags often lack the structure needed to both protect your belongings and fit under the seat during transit, but that’s not the case here. Antler's new tote was designed with airport days in mind, featuring firm sides and a flat base that make the bag more sturdy. Best of all, the bag includes a removable trolley sleeve, so it can be slipped right on top of your suitcase, immediately making it more travel-friendly than your average beach tote. As a frequent flier, this is always a feature I look for with any tote , duffel , or backpack.

As such, it worked perfectly as my personal item on the plane. It fit comfortably under the seat on my British Airways flight, keeping essentials within arm's reach. Inside, the spacious main compartment easily held a heavy travel wallet , an oversized scarf, a water bottle , and my headphones with plenty of room to spare. The internal zip pocket kept small valuables, such as my passport, Kindle, and lip balm, accessible without need for rummaging. The secure fastening also offered peace of mind whilst moving through bustling terminal.

The flat base and trolley sleeve allow it to sit comfortably on top of a suitcase

The bag has a roomy interior and a clip fastening to prevent items spilling out

But it was upon arrival in St. Lucia where this bag really impressed. It transitioned seamlessly into resort life, holding its own as a style statement at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (which is a very stylish place to be). Because the leather trim and minimalist branding give it such a tailored look, it didn't feel like a lazy beach sack, I could carry it straight from a morning on a sun lounger to a casual lunch at the beachfront restaurant, and then onto evening drinks without feeling underdressed. It looks and feels like a premium piece, not just something utilitarian.

Raffia can sometimes feel brittle, but this weave is very soft, so it didn't snag on fine silk dresses or sundresses. The earthy tones of the natural raffia and rich leather trim felt entirely at home on the beach, too, and it held a full-sized towel, sunscreen , and a water bottle without losing its shape or bulging awkwardly.

There is more than enough space for a full day's worth of activities

The bag fit right in at the smart Sugar Beach resort in St. Lucia

Back home, I’ve continued using it, the wide base means that it’s a great work tote (yes, raffia has officially left the coastline this summer), and can comfortably house my lunch box flat, so leftovers arrive in the office intact. If there is any critique, it is that a light natural weave requires a modicum of mindfulness, you won't want to place it directly onto wet sand or damp poolside tiles. However, the leather piping on the base does offer a small buffer of protection. As the trolley sleeve is removable, it did once pop open when I trundled over a particularly bumpy pavement too, so be careful if you’re lugging it on your suitcase away from the smooth floors of the airport.

Ultimately, Antler has designed a practical yet gorgeous piece that eliminates the need to pack a separate, bulky beach bag in your carry-on. By doubling as a sleek airport personal item and a sophisticated resort handbag, the Raffia tote justifies its place in any curated summer capsule wardrobe . It's stylish, incredibly hard-working, and the perfect companion for a beachy escape, wherever you’re headed.