Straw bags have always been popular beach bags. You can put all your beach needs into a large tote, and not have to worry about damaging the fabric. Straw bags now come in so many different styles that allow you to use them to places other than the beach.

Straw bags can consist of corn husks, regular straw, or crocheted paper. This contributes to the sturdiness of the bag, and how creative the basket weaves can get. Most straw bags are made of Raffia, which is more associated with beachwear. Materials like bamboo can also be used as a substitute for straw.

The 1950s &1960s By the 1950s, picnic baskets had shrunken down to purse size, and become the must-have, quintessential handbag of the decade.

The lightweight nature of paper straw bags does not compromise their durability, making them a practical choice for day-to-day activities.

Therefore straw has the next advantages when it comes to building applications:

• THERMAL INSULATION.
• SOUND INSULATION.
• DURABILITY.
• VAPOUR PERMEABILITY AND NON TOXICITY.
• AVAILABILITY AND LOW COST.
• LOW IMPACT OVER THE ENVIRONMENT.

Straw bales, produced as a co-product of cereal crops such as wheat and rice or hay bales produced for either large grazing animals raised as livestock or for small domestic animals, they both have a low environmental impact, sustainable supply chain, and good thermal insulation properties.

It's a fact: a good straw bag is a summer staple. Whether you're headed to a tropical island or just running to your local farmer's market, there's no better companion than a straw bag. Often made from straw, raffia, or rattan, these bags have been around for decades.

Favourite companions on and off the beach, straw and raffia summer bags or totes are a timeless trend.

1970: Shoulder Bags More bohemian and casual styles gained traction in the '70s, like shoulder bags with wider, longer straps. They were also larger and usually featured buckles, like this one on Candice Bergen.

Gently rub the stained area with the soapy toothbrush following the grain of the straw. Wipe the area with a clean white cloth that has been dipped in water to remove any soap residue and loosened soil. Don't wet the straw too much. Allow the bag to air-dry away from direct heat and sunlight.

There are many sustainability benefits to using straw as a material resource. Like any organic material it is environmentally benign and it sequesters carbon. Like wood and other biomass it is carbon neutral if it's burned as long as it is grown back.

Straw is a natural fiber that is rich in silica and can last for hundreds of years in favorable conditions of humidity, oxygen, and heat, conditions that can be guaranteed easily through good design, execution and maintenance of the building. Therefore, straw has successfully passed the test of time.

Straw is a bi-product of the food growing industry. For thousands of years it has been used in house construction, as stuffing for mattresses and upholstery, for basketry, as a fuel and as bedding and feed for horses, cows and pigs. There are many sustainability benefits to using straw as a material resource.

Straws are commonly made from plastics but environmental concerns and new regulation have led to rise in reusable and biodegradable straws. These straws are often made of silicone, cardboard, or metal. A straw is used by placing one end in one's mouth and the other in a beverage.

"Straw bags have come a long way since the traditional styles," Gabriela Pacini, cofounder of handbag line APAYA, agrees. "For this summer, straw bags are coming in unexpected shapes and sizes, giving them a fresh new look. Designers are also incorporating more vibrant colors that remind us of summer."

If you are planning to store the bag in your closet or handbags box, BE SURE to put your straw bags in a cotton or fabrics bags. Using cloth bags, will protect the fibers from dust and mold. Let your straw bags out of storage every 2-3 months to let them breathe.