By this point, some of you who are not keen on raffia bags will be throwing mini internet daggers my way at yet another post about raffia bags. I know it’s not the most practical material to use for a bag, but the heart wants what it wants, and raffia bags for summer are on my list.
Prada majorly influenced this trend a few seasons ago when they first highlighted the Prada Raffia Tote. Suddenly, this simplistic design became the bag that made raffia a fundamental material— the must-have for summer. It’s not groundbreaking, but it was also monumental, if you know what I mean.
I have shared my Prada Raffia Tote that I bought a few seasons ago, and I still love the bag – the color is what drew me in, I put a bunch of pouches inside, and living in Florida, it is a bag I will use far more often than if I lived elsewhere.
A New Version Alongside the Original
The natural color was the original Prada Raffia Tote that got everyone in a handbag tizzy. I also want to note that the material is listed as crocheted raffia effect yarn, making this bag hold its shape and not fray as much.
It’s soft, deconstructed, and pays homage to the Prada triangle with the brand name atop. The Prada logo is in an offset color to help it stand out, which I like.
A new iteration for this summer season is this Prada Crochet Tote bag, which comes in two sizes.
The smaller size is pictured here. The nice thing about this bag is that it holds its shape because of the more structured and secure bottom.
It’s rounded, which gives pretty lines. This also means you don’t need to worry as much about tossing some small items inside and having them fall out or poke through as easily as its predecessor. Another difference is that the Prada logo sits atop, which is embroidered and offers an added effect.
If you, like me, keep a soft spot in your bag closet for crochet and raffia bags, Prada is always a great place to look.
Ugh another raffia bag with a giant logo. No thanks.
I prefaced the post by saying I knew it wasn’t for all of you! I love it though – have since the first day I saw it!
Prada makes so many items in China and then turns around and charges thousands for them. Even some stamped “made in Italy” are made in Asia by people who receive minimum wages and work in bad conditions—then the final assembly takes place in Italy and voilà… you can stamp the product with “made in Italy.” Horrible and deceptive business practices.
Even “made in italy” isn’t as it seems. There are many chinese-owned factories in Italy now that operate a fast-fashion type business model, but because it’s made in italy, they can still slap that label and people assume quality.
I don’t get the hate, this bag is fun! Thanks for sharing!
I’ll always consider the Prada raffia one the original too!
I don’t think Prada is the first designer to make raffia bags.
If this bag didn’t say LOEWE in giant letters, nobody would want it. This is just a bag designed to show off one’s spending power. That’s not style and that’s not fashion. These was your comment one month ago. You may not like Loewe, I understand that but I don’t understand the arguments you give in the comments. How many small should the logo be for you to consider it elegant and original?
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I put some quotes to the original phrase that have not appeared in the post.
You are correct. If this bag didn’t say Prada on it, nobody would want to buy it. Just like the Loewe tote. Just cheap items sold for high prices because they have a prominent brand name on them. We are not naive.
I can agree with you. What characterises Loewe and makes him great is his work with leather craftsmanship. Brands usually make money with raffia (Loewe, YSL or Prada), cotton (tote Book by Dior) or even with plasticised canvas (LV or Celine). But what I don’t think is right is that you have an argument for one brand and for another the opposite, showing the same thing.
I would buy Prada over the lvmh and kering crap any day ❤️
😂 I would buy a small company or true artisans bags over the LVMH, Kering, Prada and Chanel 😂
love raffia in summer. these new prices are over the top. so glad I got a while back.