MEGA Summer Wardrobe: The Locally-Made Tropical Bags You’ll Want to Carry

Not all bags are made equal. Some are a statement, crafted with the tropics in mind and an eye on your next outfit.

By Biel Arevalo April 16, 2025

Every city has its fashion fingerprint, and you can see it in its choice of bag. In Paris, it’s a Poléne; in Tokyo, a roomy tote; and in New York, something sleek and stylish. But travel far from these fashion capitals and you’ll land on a different kind of runway—one that smells like saltwater and coconut oil. Here, women traverse the streets with woven buckets, beaded bags, or pieces made retaso style by local artisans. This is what tropical Philippine fashion looks like, and no one packs a woman’s essentials in the tropics quite like these brands.

Aranáz

Aranáz bags are easy to spot—perhaps it’s the glint of gold hardware that gives it away, but more often it’s the harmony of natural materials and chic designs. Long before woven clutches and raffia bags were in, Aranáz already had them. These days, you’ll find them on the arms of Manila’s most stylish, especially en route to the coast.

ORIAS Essentials

ORIAS is all about celebrating Filipino design and inventiveness. The slow-fashion brand founded by fashion designer Vin Orias offers its signature solihiya bags in various sizes, shapes, and colorways. They even have one in the shape of a polo—perfect for the truly adventurous and quirky.

Rags2Riches (R2R)

They’ve been around since the early 2000s, offering bags made of their signature R2R weaves and indigenous fabrics. Its pieces remind a woman of her tropical roots and obligation to sustainable living, yet carry the pulse of the city. R2R is for the city girl who loves bringing her work bag to the beach, because truly, you can’t tell them apart.

Zarah Juan

If Pinoy pop culture had a handbag, it’d be by Zarah Juan. Each handcrafted piece, resembling the likes of jeepneys and box televisions, is made for the woman who collects conversations, not just compliments. You get to carry your essentials in style—and support local communities while you’re at it.

Capricho

Capricho is for the woman who picks flowers at the market like it’s a runway. Handwoven in Cebu, each piece is designed to carry the charm of the tropics and the polish of the city. The name capricho—Spanish for whim—goes against the grain of utility. But maybe that’s the point. You carry it because it feels good, not because you need to.

Carl Jan Cruz

Carl Jan Cruz is a go-to for the cool girls. Unique yet laid-back, his designs—like placemat-shaped, dumpling-inspired, and otherwise commonplace patchwork—add that understated appeal to any outfit.

As much as we rely on our humble supermarket totes to stow everything from sunscreen to beach towels, let these pieces elevate your next beach trip. They’re just as much a part of your outfit as your cover-up.

Featured Image and Photos: ARANÁZ, ORIAS ESSENTIALS, RAGS2RICHES, CAPRICHO, CARL JAN CRUZ (via website), ORIAS ESSENTIALS, CAPRICHO, CARL JAN CRUZ (via Instagram) and MEGA ARCHIVES