You know summer is around the corner when London’s trendsetters dust off their summer accessories collection and bring out the basket bags.
Suitable for a number of occasions, from South of France frolicking to kitsch picnic parties, basket bags are the most romantic of silhouettes. The wicker pieces are inherently nostalgic, conjuring up images of gingham summer frocks and fairytale weekends out-of-office.
Hence why the basket bag has evaded the trend cycle altogether. The ancient Egyptians are recorded as the first civilization to use first baskets. Distinctive weaving materials such as raffia, straw and seagrass have been used across the globe, stretching from China and the original natives into native communities in America. Timelessness personified.
Only in the 1950s did the holdalls adopt their glamorous reputation. Straw bags became a must-have piece for the affluent jetting off to luxurious resort holidays and were famously popularised by style icon Jane Birkin later on in the 1960s.
Luxury is still synonymous with basket bags. Fashion houses Loewe and Jacquemus have championed hand-woven basket bags into their spring/summer collections, available in a diverse range of sizes and styles - from nautical striped designs to petite bucket silhouettes. Celine, Coach and Marni followed suit, offering playful takes on the Mediterranean-inspired arm candy.
Naturally, London’s It-girls took note. Alexa Chung’s Instagram feed is flooded with twee wicker wonders, typically paired with boyfriend jeans and slouchy summer knits that form the foundations of her Anglo-French style. Sofia Richie Grainge jetted off on honeymoon with her raffia Prada tote to hand. Emma Watson owns the £50 Mmaa Rita Yellow Market Basket bag.
The high street was quick to catch on. In March 2024, Monsoon reported a 106 per cent increase in searches for straw beach bags. Loveable labels such as Rouje, Mango, Damson Madder and Jigsaw saturated their store shelves with embroidered, leather-bound and au naturel alternatives, ensuring all can update their beach bag arsenals.
Whether sashaying in the city heat or gallivanting across southern Europe this summer, a basket bag is firmly on the sartorial agenda.
Discover the most covetable basket bags up for grabs and shop the edit below.
Rouje Martin Basket Bag
When life gives you lemons, wear them. Rouje’s adorable embroidered basket bag is a sunny choice for summer basking. Handmade from natural raffia, the covetable piece features a rounded structure and a metal medallion with the Rouje logo inside.
Buy now £160.00, Rouje
JW Anderson Large Popcorn Basket Bag
Establish yourself as a seasoned fashionista with JW Anderson’s Popcorn bag. The popular piece is a regular at fashion month due to its charming cottage-core appeal. Invest now and the heart-eyed compliments will follow.
Buy now £490.00, Farfetch
Jacquemus Le Petit Panier Soli Tote Bag
New season Jacquemus! We repeat, new season Jacquemus! Hop on the bag bandwagon and add the cult brand’s basket tote to your summer collection. Buttery cream leather detailing and a hand-woven straw profile draw upon the designer’s dreamy provincial roots to create this arm candy comrade.
Buy now £360.00, Harrods
Damson Madder Fruity Straw Tote
Damson Madder is a Gen-Z sartorial hub. Gingham frocks and kitsch sets are imbued within the brand’s DNA. The same goes for picnic-perfect basket bags, and this fabulously fruity pick is not to be missed.
Buy now £65.00, Fenwick
Anya Hindmarch Small Paper Eyes Basket Bag
Anya Hindmarch has encouraged adventurous dressers for years. The designer’s surrealist eye designs have garnered a cult following among women of all ages and for good reason. This beach babe basket crafted from seagrass is ready for holidays and chic office days in. Fill up with the essentials and allow all eyes to fall on you.
Buy now £425.00, Anya Hindmarch
Marni Small Basket
No brand exudes Mediterranean longing like Marni. The fashion house’s azure blue basket bag is kryptonite for fashion followers jetting off in style this summer. Featuring a lined interior with a zipped pocket, the valuable piece offers the perfect pop of colour with the embroidered Marni logo on the front
Buy now £595.00, Fenwick
Jigsaw Straw Bucket Bag
Keep it simple with Jigsaw’s Straw Bucket Bag. A classic design to be worn day in, day out, the shoulder style is a capacious bucket bag made from earthy straw strands.
Buy now £130.00, John Lewis
Loewe Small Elephant Basket Bag
Fresh in from Loewe, this candy-toned pink bag is set to be a summer hit. The adorable elephant silhouette is married with a small structure, the house insignia and a raffia leaf construction that has been cultivated, harvested, sun-dried and handwoven by artisans in Madagascar.
Buy now £775.00, Loewe
Whistles Tillie Striped Mini Tote
Featuring monochrome vertical striped detailing, Whistles’ mini raffia number is a halfway house between minimalism and maximalism. Allow the eye-catching raffia design to take you from day to night with ease, thanks to striped double handles and space for the essentials.
Buy now £69.00, Whistles
Anine Bing Palermo Raffia Tote Bag
If you want a more subtle style than a Loewe or Jacquemus piece, look to Anine Bing. The brand’s raffia tote is functional minimalism defined. Compactly interwoven and fitted with shoulder straps and top handles, the hold-all can be enjoyed all summer long.
Buy now £400.00, Farfetch
Arket A World of Craft Small Raffia Bag
Inject a dopamine-inducing pop of colour into your holiday wardrobe. Arket’s affordable woven bag boasts a zesty lime green checked print with zigzag detailing across the hems and double leather hands - all made in Madagascar from the leaves of raffia palm.
Buy now £29.00, Arket
