A couple weeks ago, I read an article on Racked that noted straw baskets were all over Instagram. Even though I’m a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to that particular social network, writer Tanisha Pina was undeniably correct–the influencer set does seem to be favoring little basket bags at a rate higher than you’d expect of a set of people who generally like to flaunt their wealth. A lot of them are looking to indie brand Little Doe for $350 literal baskets, but big designer lines are also brimming with straw bags, ranging from actual wicker baskets to super-popular existing designs made from straw or materials that resemble it.
At first blush, straw might seem inherently non-luxurious, but the look works on the same principle as carrying a clutch during the daytime: if you’re doing it, your existence is one of capital-L Leisure, where toting a bag that’s a little silly or impractical won’t impede things. On top of it, as Pina points out at Racked, there’s a French-girl-at-the-market ease to a straw bag; it evokes ideas of someone whose whole life is chic without trying.
While a $4,000 designer straw bag might seem like a luxury made only for people who have run out of other things on which to spend their money (and, well: it is), the nice thing about the fancification of an everyday material is that there are still plenty of accessible options that achieve the same look. Below, check out both ends of the spectrum and start planning for spring.
Aerin Leather-Trim Straw Tote
$1,400 via Net-a-Porter
Balenciaga Bistrot Tote
$945 via Balenciaga
Chanel Crochet Flap Bag
$5,300 via Chanel
Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Wicker Basket Tote
$3,395 via farfetch.com
Edie Parker Jane Wicker Shoulder Bag
$2,195 via Net-a-Porter
Eric Javits Squishee Demi Raffia Bag
$450 via Bloomingdale’s
Fendi Peekaboo Floral Raffia Bag
$6,100 via Neiman Marcus
Kayu St. Tropez Pom Pom Tote
$125 via Net-a-Porter
Little Doe Praia Basket Bag
$350 via Little Doe
Loewe Straw Hammock Bag
$2,450 via Saks
Louis Vuitton Capucines Bag
$4,800 via Louis Vuitton
Mark Cross Manray Rattan Bag
$2,095 via Net-a-Porter
Michael Kors Santorini Straw Shoulder Bag
$495 via Neiman Marcus
Prada Midollino Garden Flower Straw Tote
$1,970 via Neiman Marcus
Saint Laurent Raffia Shoulder Bag
$1,850 via Neiman Marcus
Sensi Studio Toquilla Straw Tote
$285 via Net-a-Porter
Sophie Anderson Cinto Raffia Tote
$335 via Net-a-Porter
Tory Burch Kensington Straw Bag
$295 via Tory Burch
Truss Stripe Woven Tote
$195 via Net-a-Porter
350 for a wicker basket? lorddddddd
lmao
This literally is the French girl whimsically shopping look that has been brought to us by none other than the mother of the Birkin, Jane Birkin (pre-birkin era, obvi).
This is literally is the French girl whimisically shopping look brought to us by none other than French model Jane Birkin, mother of the Birkin (straw bags were pre-birkin era, obvi).
Yes the straw basket was indeed the original Birkin bag.
LOVE love love
I love them all. I love straw bags and I would buy every single one of these.
Off topic — anyone know on the boards where you can ask for help to identify a bag?
This is one of my favorite trends and always has been. I wish they held up better or maybe that I had taken better care of the ones I’ve had before. These are all beautiful. The Chanel is “omg tdf” haha.
Though I would not characterize that Chanel bag as straw basket.
Straw dries out breaks etc etc. Love it but don’t pay more than $50 please!!
So twee
Nope. Too many great straw bags for a teeny bag. Plus, you won’t be able to give these away in 3 years.
No thanks. If I want a straw bag, I’ll head down to the Fair Trade store. Little Doe’s is the most outrageous of this bunch — it looks absolutely no different from the baskets for sale at our local charity shop — and those cost about $2.
Great post! Most of these are very nice and a refreshing change from leather – especially for the summer. I ADORE that Chanel but can’t afford to spend that much on something so seasonal. I own many Eric Javits bags and they are FANTASTIC. Very good value and durable. I get a lot of compliment on them.
However – $350 for that ridiculous basket in #9. Please, its just stupid. Wouldn’t give $5 for it.
Exactly! I don’t think Little Doe even tried to make a real bag — they just scooped up a bunch of cheap baskets, plopped an equally cheap lid on them and then hiked up the price by 349%
The LV bag is lovely woven leather. I went to the LV site to see it in more detail and “elaborate” is spelled incorrectly. It cracks me up to see poor spelling in the description of a $4,800 bag.
By the way is something wrong with the site today? I keep looking for the weekly sales but that post is not there as usual.
🙂
There’s quite a difference between raffia and rattan though. The latter will last longer and they make actual furniture from it (think cane chairs at a French café). I adore Mark Cross bags and this rattan take on the trend for spring/summer is just perfect. That Chanel flap is not straw at all, but the crochet is clever. I want to like the woven LV Capucines but the colour combination just isn’t right for me.
I love Little Doe’s basket. Reminds me of Jane Birkin’s straw bags before her hubby ran over one with his car. A happenstance flight with the head of Hermes later and the Birkin bag was born.
Just like the bucket bag trend this straw bag fad/trend isn’t for me…. to the left to the left! 😉 hehe
Exactly how does one keep the Chanel crochet bag clean, or does she use it a couple times, and when it starts to look grimy, simply toss it in the pile of give-aways to ‘the help’?
Scotch Guard?
As a person who lives in the tropics, where straw/raffia/rattan is common, I shudder at these prices. That Balenciaga one is cute, though.