A straw bag is the must-have accessory of the summer.
Exceptionally stylish and extremely versatile, the basket bag is a must-have, and a great transition into your summer wardrobe.
The humble wicker basket bag has quickly evolved from a quirky holiday purchase to a high-fashion investment piece, with a price point to match. Take the Loewe basket bag, the cult status raffia bag has become an icon in its own right.
Often seen adorning the arms of celebrities and influencers all over the world (and not just in the summer months), the classic Loewe basket bag (seen below in influencer Emma Hills Instagram post) sells out every spring.
If you aren’t quite ready to splash the cash on a designer basket bag there are plenty more purse-friendly, yet equally stylish high street versions that will look great with your summer dresses. From supersized styles to quirky handles and personalised monogramming, there's a basket bag for everyone.
READ MORE: The most flattering jumpsuits for every body shape
The evolution of the straw bag
The art of weaving bags from natural materials – dried grass or bamboo, for example – is millennia-old, with basketry techniques dating back at least to ancient Egypt.
Jane Birkin – who inspired one of the best designer bags around, the Hermès Birkin bag – remains most associated with the basket style when she made a picnic basket her signature accessory. In the late 1960s and early 1970s her trusted lidded basket bag was teamed with every outfit - talk about the ultimate basket bag #inspo.
Our favourite basket bags to shop now
Mango Jute Basket Bag
£35.99, Mango
VIEW NOW: Mango Jute Basket Bag
Rae Feather Monogram Lucy Basket
£145, Rae Feather
VIEW NOW: Rae Feather Monogram Lucy Basket
John Lewis Mix Falka Straw Bag
£65, Becksondergaard at John Lewis & Partners
VIEW NOW: John Lewis Mix Falka Straw Bag
Zara Natural Raffia Basket Bag
£29.99, Zara
VIEW NOW: Zara Natural Raffia Basket Bag
Anthropologie Bali Classic Tote
£80, Anthropologie
VIEW NOW: Anthropologie Bali Classic Tote
Boden Cleopatra Straw Bag
£65, Boden
VIEW NOW: Boden Cleopatra Straw Bag
H&M Straw shopper bag
£22.99, H&M
VIEW NOW: H&M Straw shopper bag
LOEWE Palm Leaf Basket Bag
£350, LOEWE 40 euros for every product sold will go to educational projects for children affected by COVID-19 between April and August 2020 in LOEWE stores and on loewe.com.
VIEW NOW: LOEWE Palm Leaf Basket Bag
Mango Coconut Palm Leaf Basket Bag
£39.99, Mango
VIEW NOW: Mango Coconut Palm Leaf Basket Bag
John Lewis Raffia Straw Rectangular Bag
£51.75 (was £69), Jigsaw at John Lewis & Partners
VIEW NOW: John Lewis Raffia Straw Rectangular Bag
& Other Stories Braided Leather Straw Bag
£65, & Other Stories
VIEW NOW: & Other Stories Braided Leather Straw Bag
Whistles Selby Straw Half Moon Bag
£59.25 (was £79), Whistles
VIEW NOW: Whistles Selby Straw Half Moon Bag
H&M Round Jute Bag
£24.99, H&M
Hush Nissi Striped Tote Bag
£65, Hush
VIEW NOW: Hush Nissi Striped Tote Bag
Crew Clothing Round Straw Bag
£49, Crew Clothing
VIEW NOW: Crew Clothing Round Straw Bag
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