Summer totes earn Diva's love and affection
Come summertime, I like to lighten things up. Literally.
That means wearing lots of airy dresses and strappy sandals. Cutting excess weight from my lion's mane. And, most importantly, ditching my leather (okay, pleather) workaday purses for totes made of cotton, canvas or straw.
I don't want lots of bulk weighing me down when the heavy air is already doing a superb job of that. Besides giving my shoulders a break, cloth bags are often washable, so no worries if they get a little sandy at the beach or a bit sticky from sunscreen. Throw it in the wash, and the purse looks as good as new.
The best part? With a fabric tote, you don't have to spend oodles to bring a pop of color or pattern to your summer look. For proof, see Exhibits A, B, C and D.
Exhibit A: Merona print canvas tote, $12.99 from Target
Exhibit B: Mariposa Bag by O'Neill, $36 at Athleta
Exhibit C: Seaside tote, $45 from J.Crew
Exhibit D: Grey and gold Misha bag with adjustable strap by Deyitta, $56 at Etsy
Have you found the perfect summer tote? Do share!
Deal Diva Colleen
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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
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