A designer beach bag can be made of various materials, including synthetic materials, natural materials, and proprietary materials. Synthetic materials like nylon or polyester are practical choices for a day at the beach because they are light, thin, strong, water-resistant, and easy to clean. However, sand and water can easily get into the little holes of mesh beach bags, making it harder to clean the items inside the bag. Rubber and plastic are also lightweight and waterproof, but they tend to heat up quite a bit when left in the sun and dont look as stylish as natural materials. Natural materials like cotton canvas and straw are also popular choices for designer beach bags. Canvas bags for women feature two straps that are long enough to be worn over the shoulder and an interior pocket to store pens, jewelry, and more for quick access. Straw-style beach bags for women are made of proprietary Squishee® material, which provides the convenience of effortless packability and shape retention while echoing the aesthetics of natural straw.

Positive and negative reviews of designer beach bags are available on various websites, including Amazon. For example, a Kate Spade New York Canvas Tote Bag with Interior Pocket is described as a "great thick well-made kate spade tote". On the other hand, some customers may not like the style or the price of the bag. Similarly, Eric Javits presents a vibrant line of straw-style beach bags for women that masterfully marry durability with style. However, some customers may not like the proprietary Squishee® material or the price of the bag.

Innovative features or technologies found in modern beach bags include waterproofing, added durability, and creativity shown by some designers in adding pockets to almost every available surface. To keep a beach bag organized and prevent sand from getting inside, waterproof nylon, canvas, or polyester are good options, as is neoprene, although the latter tends to have a strong scent at first.