When Jonathan Anderson first stamped the Loewe anagram logo on a raffia tote bag for his Spring/Summer 2019 collection, it was almost an overnight success.
Of course, basket bags were nothing new, championned by the likes of Jane Birkin, who proved that the tote, worn with a Breton top and high-waisted jeans, could be so much more than just a beach bag.
But Loewe firmly put the slightly overlooked bag on the fashion map, and it's stayed there ever since. Fast forward to the Spring/Summer 2024 season and it is still a cult designer favourite that every fashion editor and influencer is obsessed with.
At £395 for the small size, it's also relatively attainable for those not having the budget for luxe designer handbags (FYI here are some other great styles under £500).
The likes of Browns, Selfridges and Net-A-Porter repeatedly sell out of the style every summer, and Loewe's collabs with Paula's Ibiza, full of raffia bags, are notoriously tricky to get hold of.
It's no surprise. The tote, which is still available in its classic iteration, but has since been re-interpreted in various silhouettes and colourways, is the ultimate way to update your outfit for summer in one quick move, no matter the weather.
I'm currently wearing mine with my favourite jeans and a white shirt, before I upgrade to summer dresses when the heatwave kicks in. If there is one that is.
