A bag with a backstory will always stay near and dear to my heart (and my shoulder).

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By FP contributor, Gwendolyn Attridge.

Slowly but surely, the days of plastic bags are starting to dwindle (thankfully.) In turn, we’re all on the hunt for reusable bags that speak to our personal style, daily life, and so on. It’s hard to find one good bag that really checks all the boxes. From durability to design, to space and comfort, there is a lot that goes into picking your new tried-and-true, everyday tote.

After scanning our site, I found one that is a true winner, with an even more triumphant background. Enter: the Jenna Bee Sisal Large Tote Bag. Handmade with lots of love via an incredible mission, this bag is one I reach for time and time again, for anything from grocery shopping to beach days.

Bag Backstory

Made by beloved FP artisan brand Jenna Bee, this bag’s roots trace back to Kenya, where its components are prepared from scratch using local sisal plant: crushing its leaves, extracting the fibers, and naturally dying the material to prepare for weaving. The bag is woven into a basket style inspired by 1970s silhouettes. The artisans making these pieces are Kenyan women from remote rural villages, whose skills have been passed down through generations in their families. The stunning crafting of these totes uplifts this community while shedding light on their rich culture. The bag is then finished in Jenna Bee’s Southern California studio, where she adds high-quality natural leather straps for effortless carrying. Truly handcrafted with love, each bag is a true one-of-a-kind piece with an endearing story woven in every fiber.

Why I Love It

Beyond its backstory, this bag has even more to love. The large tote is perfect for fitting anything and everything (in true basket form.) I love the ode to the 70s, which adds just a touch of vintage flair to any look. The striped sisal material strikes a perfect balance between structured and flexible, so you can truly fit whatever you need, and the vegetable-tanned leather straps have withheld even my heaviest carrying and now boast a nice lived-in look.

How I Style It

I’m a person who changes my look on a daily basis, from sophisticated to beachy to even touches of edge. This bag truly keeps up with any pairing I picked for the day. One of my favorite combos of late has been a sundress and hiking sandals, for a totally breezy moment. When I’m going more casual, some comfy boxer shorts and a vintage tee always do the trick. And of course, all the denim, from cutoffs to wide leg and everything in between, for an absolutely timeless look. This bag basically elevates any outfit, which is what really sold me on it. Top that all off with your hat of choice and some sleek sunnies, and you are ready. to. go.

Where I Take It

This is the fun part, because the list is endless really. I’m a beach girl, so I’m picky about what I carry my towel and necessities in. Not too big, not too small, easy to carry, etc. This bag passed the test on the first beach day, accommodating my towel, sunscreen, book, and more. The next destination was the farmers’ market, and we all know sundries can be tricky to pack, especially as one moves from one stand to the next. That spacious interior and durable material made for an effortless(ly chic) trip that managed all of the vegetables, flowers, cakes…and will have me reaching for this tote again and again. Even through an overnight stay (and I don’t pack lightly, even for one night…) it managed everything triumphantly from my house and back.

Why have 5 bags when you can have one that does it all?