Beach style: Sometimes it seems like an oxymoron.

How to make a statement in nothing but a few strips of nylon, some shades, a heck of a lot of sand and a pair of flip-flops?

With the tote.

For a big impact grab one by the Story of Louise. Fun, functional, and wonderfully bright, each style is made with high quality, stain-resistant cotton canvas and leather handles.

The line comes to you from Nora Mirick Guerrera, who started making bags casually as a college student and while working at Donna Karan in New York. She has returned to her Minnesota roots this year and launched "Louise," which is the persona of a more put together you.

Throw one of these adorable numbers over your shoulder with your towel, magazines and iPad and you can be certain of one thing: You'll make a splash on any shore.

The Story of Louise totes, $50 to $55 each.

E-mail Rock the Tote to your friends