Why A Raffia Bag Isn’t Just For the Beach

As summer heats up, it’s time to swap your spring accessories for the season’s hottest bag: the woven tote. Often exquisitely handcrafted from natural materials, a basket bag – whether raffia, straw or even leather – is the It accessory everyone is reaching for right now. A firm favorite of the late Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, it’s synonymous with French Riviera style and conjures visions of days spent wandering local farmers’ markets, enjoying long picnic lunches and diving into the sea as the sun goes down. However, if you’re not lucky enough to be escaping to the South of France this year, a Saint-Tropez-inspired tote will deliver the same sense of effortless ease to your summer-in-the-city wardrobe.

If you need proof, look to ultimate cool-girl Alexa Chung, who stepped out in London styling a raffia shoulder bag and timeless off-duty staples. Recreate her laid-back look by pairing an oversized shirt, straight-leg jeans and ballet flats with a tote from Loewe’s latest collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza – this season’s iteration is handcrafted by artisans in Madagascar and arrives with artichoke-flower embroidery. Likewise, Dragon Diffusion specializes in handmade leather bags that borrow from centuries-old basket-weaving techniques. We’ve spotted the brand’s signature designs slung over the shoulders of fashion insiders year-round, but they look especially sophisticated in summer with a silk scarf tied to the handles.