Looking for a summer bag to lighten your mind and body

Full-blown summer, when the heat leaves you sweltering.

It's the season when fashion turns lighter, and we want the bags we carry to feel lighter too.

Since it's summer, why not choose something that lifts your spirits just by looking at it?

Let's search for a summer bag that will

make both your mind and body feel lighter on your days off.

An introduction to summer bags

A summer bag can add a touch of seasonal flair to your usual style,

and make your outings feel lighter and easier.

Let's look at the key points to keep in mind when choosing one.

1. Something stress-free

Summer is hot enough as it is, and it's easy to get tired quickly.

Light in weight, easy to take things out of, leaves both hands free—

choose a bag that lets you go out comfortably.

2. Colors and materials that heighten the feeling of summer

A bag you can use all year round is wonderful too,

but for grown-ups who enjoy each of the four seasons, it's worth having bags

in colors and materials suited to the season.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a favorite that says "summer" the moment you see it?

Now, let's take a closer look at how to choose a bag.

A stress-free bag

What's stressful about your bag?

The bag is unbearably heavy. It digs into your shoulder or arm, leaving a red mark.

Your pass case won't come out right away, so you get stuck in front of the ticket gate...

For situations like these, it's a smart move to decide on a [total weight] for the bag and its contents beforehand and choose only what you need,

or to pick a bag that helps you keep things neatly organized.

[Taking out only what you need from a heavyweight bag]

With a bag you use all year round, you tend to prioritize "capacity" no matter what,

but that ends up being a bit too much for a day off in summer.

A good guideline is around [1kg to 2kg].

1kg might not mean much to many people at first,

but it's roughly the same weight as a 1-liter carton of milk.

At 2kg, it's like carrying a 2-liter bottle of water on your shoulder.

Carrying a bag heavier than this for a long time can be quite a burden.

A smartphone with a case weighs about 200g,

and if you figure a long wallet at about 300g, that's already 500g.

Add your keys and a towel (or handkerchief) for about 600g,

and a makeup pouch, which varies by person but let's estimate around 500g.

At that point, you've already gone over the 1kg guideline,

so it's best if the bag itself weighs around 500g or less.

For example, here are a few options.

GOAT Mesh Bag S / REN

A mesh leather bag made from tannin-tanned goat leather, woven using a technique called ishidatami-ami (cobblestone weave).

The cool-looking mesh keeps the weight down to about [350g], making it wonderfully light.

*Texture and weight vary slightly from bag to bag.

When you hear that leather is woven into a mesh, you might worry it will stretch out of shape,

but the staff at REN say that even after putting relatively heavy items in it and using it for a while, it holds up sturdily without stretching.

That means you can use it with peace of mind.

On your days off, it's also worth switching to a different wallet to match your bag.

Coin Case / ZUTTO

A wallet like this lets you carry a pass case, a coin case,

credit cards, and a few bills all together.

The coin case itself weighs a light [50g],

and when we actually put in coins and cards and weighed the contents, it came to about [100g]. *This varies by individual.

It doesn't take up much space and keeps the total weight down, so this coin case is handy to have on hand.

It comes in 2 colors, both of which go well with any outfit or bag.

[Thoughtful design that makes items easy to take out]

For instance, on a hot day when you're thirsty and want to buy a cold drink from a stall,

your wallet won't come out right away,

or your pass case goes missing inside your bag just as you're about to board the train...

You might end up regretting your choice, thinking "this is inconvenient, I shouldn't have picked this bag."

Especially in summer, when you tend to be out and about more actively, look for a bag that lets you grab things quickly.

・One with multiple pockets

・One that stands on its own

・One with a shoulder strap that frees up both hands

are all recommended features.

With multiple pockets, you can store your pass case and keys

separately according to their use,

and with fabric sturdy enough to stand on its own, compared to bags that can't,

it's less likely that the contents will shift around and go missing inside.

Also, with a shoulder strap freeing up both your hands,

it becomes much easier to take things out.

Take this bag, for example.

2WAY Shoulder Bag / ZUTTO

The canvas fabric stands sturdily on its own, and leather is also used on the bottom,

so items are unlikely to go missing inside the bag.

There's just one pocket, but since it's on the outside, it's perfect for holding a smartphone, pass case, or keys.

It comes with a shoulder strap, but you can also remove it and carry the bag by hand.

A bag that heightens the feeling of summer

A versatile bag that goes with any outfit and can be used all year round is great,

but it's also worth having a bag in colors and materials that heighten that summer feeling.

There's something special about having a bag that makes you think, "I can't wait to use it," as the season approaches—

It really is a wonderful feeling.

【Choosing Summery Colors】

When we think of summer colors, we often imagine bold, vivid tones,

and some of you may feel that these are difficult to match with everyday clothing.

At times like this, we recommend choosing vivid colors that seem to capture a summer scene.

For example, here are some colors like that.

These colorful summer hues, so full of imagination, are vivid enough to give you a real energy boost.

HEBE tomato／Mimi

From Mimi, a Made in England brand highly popular in Japan as well, comes the HEBE series.

True to its name, "Tomato," it features a striking, vivid red with strong yellow undertones.

It can be used as a hand-carried bag or as a shoulder bag,

and at about 400g, the bag itself is lightweight for a leather bag.

Although the color feels summery, since it's a leather bag you can use it year-round,

and it should also come in handy as a contrast against subdued winter clothing.

It looks beautiful even from behind.

It also pairs nicely with handsome khaki pants.

Basket S/BL／TOINO ABEL

A blue striped pattern reminiscent of a coastline gently swaying in the waves.

Natural straw sticks are woven together with fabric,

giving it a texture that's a bit different from the raffia or rattan often seen in basket bags.

The handle is secured with willow branches, and using natural materials throughout,

this is a bag that looks as if it emerged straight from nature.

It comes with a leather interior pocket.

【What We Want: Summer Materials】

When you happen to spot someone on the street incorporating a season's distinctive material into their fashion,

you can't help but admire how stylish and lovely it looks.

When it comes to materials unique to summer, rattan and raffia—representative of basket bags—

come to mind.

There's also akebi, made from natural vines dried in the sun,

and supple elephant grass grown in the tropics of Africa.

These light, sturdy, yet seasonally expressive natural material bags are

items that any grown woman would want to add to her wardrobe—

pieces that let you enjoy the season.

Fringe RAFFIA BAG／Sans Arsidet

This bag uses top-quality raffia harvested from raffia palm leaves grown

in Madagascar, the raffia palm's country of origin.

A bag with fluffy fringe like this might just make you exclaim,

"How adorable!" without even meaning to.

Made from extremely lightweight raffia, it weighs only about 234g.

Although it's compact in size, we had an interior pocket added as a ZUTTO custom order.

We've put thought into details so you can use it for as long as possible.

This raffia designer bag is one you'll want to pair with a cool shirt or dress.

Reed Handbag with Leather Handle／CANDRIA TOMMASO

Ashi (or yoshi), a perennial grass in the grass family.

In Japan, it's said that reed harvesting once took place after the rice harvest,

and this was a familiar seasonal sight in various regions.

Light yet sturdy, this reed is woven with a twisting technique,

and when made into a bag, it takes on a distinctly summery look.

With its round, charming appearance, you might think it would be

difficult to use as a bag, but the opening is wide, making it easy to check what's inside.

Though the coloring is understated, it carries a dignified, refined charm.

For Summer Events, Too

Summer brings with it summer festivals, fireworks displays, trips to the beach, camping, and

all sorts of other events waiting to be enjoyed.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if a bag you got for everyday use

could also come in handy for these events?

To avoid lamenting at the last minute, "I've decided what to wear, but I have no bag to bring!"

or regretting once you're out, "I wish I'd brought a bag like that,"

it may be a good idea to choose with the occasion in mind.

【Yukata and Basket Bags】

A basket bag you'll want to pair with a yukata.

What we'd recommend is one designed so it won't tire you out even after carrying it for a long time.

An akebi basket with a specially finished leather handle should serve you well.

【Custom Order】Akebi Basket (Regular Weave, Guni Handle, with Shoulder Strap)／Miyamoto Kogei

This akebi basket was made for us by a craftsman in Aomori.

The akebi basket, which evokes a certain nostalgia, pairs beautifully with a yukata.

Akebi vines, harvested in spring and autumn, are said to be dwindling in number year by year.

The weave is tightly packed, and the material is surprisingly supple and sturdy.

The handle is finished with leather, a thoughtful touch that keeps your hands and arms

from tiring even after carrying it for a long time.

For summer festivals and fireworks displays, we tend to reach for small basket bags,

but between your wallet, a towel, your phone, a makeup pouch for touch-ups after sweating,

and a drink to stay hydrated,

a size like this actually turns out to be both practical and charming to carry.

For everyday use, attaching a shoulder strap is convenient and works well too.

The black leather gives the whole look a crisp, polished finish.

【A canvas bag that suits your leisure time】

A versatile canvas bag you'll want to have on hand.

One theory holds that the word "tote" in tote bag comes from the meaning "to carry,"

and that the term originally referred to large, boxy carrying bags

made from canvas and similar materials, used for carrying water and ice on camping trips.

These bags became favorites among campers using ice outdoors and people enjoying activities at the beach,

and it's said this is how the style spread widely—this seems to be the most widely accepted theory.

Utility Tote / Joshu＋Vela

For those leisure moments, a canvas tote bag

with plenty of pockets is just what you need.

This Utility Tote is a dependable bag made from

sturdy 18oz canvas fabric, with generous capacity you can count on.

It has plenty of room for a bath towel and

magazines or books you might read while soaking up the sun.

So far, we've introduced various ways to choose a summer bag.

A bag is like a companion for your outings.

We hope this helps you find a favorite summer bag—

one that brings you joy to be with, while also being one you can rely on.

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