Gone are the days when the humble raffia bag was relegated to the back of the closet for 50 weeks a year. This summer, the hottest item of all is the modern take on the wicker basket.
Ever since Jane Birkin and Audrey Hepburn sported the simple charm of a straw bag, the wicker bag has acquired iconic status. Beloved by the bohemian and artistic crowd, it was the pinnacle of laissez-faire style and the carefree attitude of the French girl.
But now, in 2024, the humble raffia bag has seen a makeover. No longer limited to the classic basket design, you can now find straw bags in all sorts of shapes – from structured mini bags to slouchy totes, from clutches to small handbags.
What’s more, this summer they are far from just a leisure look: they are now the latest fashion in chic city offices, on city outings, on trips to and from school and at weddings.
If you’re looking for inspiration, start with the spring/summer 2024 collections. Bottega Veneta presented the perfect oversized style on its latest catwalk: a bag so spacious you could probably fit your weekly shopping in it (and much more stylish than a Tesco Bag for Life).
Can you tell the difference between a £15 bag and a £695 one? Our fashion expert reveals the best raffia bags for summer and 3 key tips to make yours last longer
For many fashion lovers, a luxury straw bag is an affordable way to purchase a designer brand item, simply because they are often more affordable than the leather bags created by these brands.
Loewe’s basket bag, which comes with leather handles and is stamped with a leather logo, starts at £395 for the smaller styles and is already a cult staple, spotted everywhere from Ibiza yachts to London parks.
Meanwhile, Prada’s crocheted raffia bags, which range in price from £1,240 to £2,000, are a favourite with celebrities – from model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to pop icon and Glastonbury headliner Dua Lipa, posing on social media with hers.
If paying over £1,000 sounds like too much, fear not – the high street has woven its magic. From oversized styles to fit all your essentials to structural designs that look like works of art, you can pick up some real bargains.
A word of caution though: When you’re shopping around, make sure you pay attention to quality. When it comes to natural fibers, it’s all about craftsmanship.
Real leather straps will certainly last better than plastic ones, and if you’re using delicate fabrics, avoid more rustic designs with bits of straw sticking out, as these will rub against the material and can cause snagging.
A good tip to make them last longer is to store personal hygiene items in a separate bag, to avoid possible leaks.
But with so many designs on the market, how do you choose the right one for you?
Left: Dress, £139, whistles.com; mules, £159, penelopechilvers.com; knotted bracelet, £70, ring, £55, oliviaburton.com; bracelet, £250, monicavinader.com Right: Dress, £32.99, sandals, £49.99, zara.com; chunky bracelet watch, £149, oliviaburton.com; bracelet, £138, monicavinader.com
Left: Dress, £99, mintvelvet.com; sandals, £195, bobbies.com; bracelet, £375, monicavinader.com Right: Dress, £149, ghost.co.uk; sandals, £35.99, mango.com; bracelet, £138, ring, £150, monicavinader.com
To help you out, we’ve curated a selection of the hottest styles, from designer to supermarket. But can you guess, at a glance, which of these is the most expensive, at £695, and which is the cheapest, at just £15?
Zara’s handbag is a sure-fire fool. Its sculptural shape and faux leather strap could have come straight from the catwalk, but it’ll set you back just £49.99.
You can even get one at your local supermarket, with a faux leather straw bag from Tu at Sainsburys (£18). This one is perfect for the office and comes with a detachable shoulder strap if you want to keep your hands free while shopping.
Primark’s clever fringed shopper bag taps into the growing bohemian trend, and even has a zip that will keep all your belongings safe and private. (Letting the world see the contents of your bag can sometimes feel like the fashion equivalent of walking down the street in your knickers.)
At £15, this is the cheapest here and a real bargain, even if you lose a few tassels along the way.
Left: Asymmetric fringed dress, £258, rails.com; wedges, £95, dunelondon.com; bracelet, £49, mintvelvet.com; bracelet, £250, monicavinader.com Right: Skirt, £400, motherdenim.com; wedges, £95, dunelondon.com; bracelet, £138, monicavinader.com; ring, £29, mintvelvet.com
Left: Midi dress, £415, wiggykit.com; sandals, £129, thewhitecompany.com Right: Cotton poplin midi dress with cinched waist, £288, rails.com; sandals, £195, russellandbromley.co.uk; bracelet, £89, boss.com; rings, £256, monicavinader.com
And now, the high-end version that tops our poll. At £695, the Mulberry mini bag may be a luxury, but it could also prove to be the most versatile addition to your wardrobe.
Whether you wear it crossbody, with the detachable strap, out to lunch, or by the handles, with any special occasion outfit, this chic bag is one you’ll reach for season after season. From the gorgeous sand-colored raffia to the real leather handles, it’s the epitome of understated luxury.
Plus, it’s logo-free, giving it a subtle appeal. (For those who prefer labels to be visible, Mulberry has larger bags where the famous logo takes pride of place.)
Like any light-coloured bag, this one will get dirty if not looked after. But if, for some reason, yours does get damaged, Mulberry has a great repair team on hand to restore your bag to like new condition.
Of course, if you have a straw bag in the back of your closet, still full of sand from last year’s vacation, now is the perfect time to dust it off!