Clutching at straws: why a wicker bag should be your…

Clutching at straws: why a wicker bag should be your next purchase

As face masks have become the accessories du jour, our coterie of carryalls has been furloughed, relegated to relic status at the backs of our wardrobes as we feel out the new era of hands-free life.

Once upon a time you probably didn’t leave home without your beloved bag – holder of all your secrets - but now, thanks to Miss ‘Rona, you just never leave your house.

But I’m here to make a case for the humble straw bag; while real life requires a zipped closure and internal compartments, in the absence of said real life – and, sob, maybe even your annual sun-drenched getaway – why not channel your inner Jane Birkin and opt for a wicker bag to transport your anti-bac?

The wicker redux can largely be credited to Spanish brand Loewe, which launched its now-cult straw holdall in 2018 to rapturous applause from fashion insiders. So hotly-anticipated was the launch that the brand garnered a wait list of more than 1,000 before the totes had even launched. The revived trend is still going strong in 2020; searches for straw bags are increasing 12 per cent each month, according to fashion search platform Lyst.

For straw sacks with a conscience, turn to AAKS and Muuñ. The former’s bags are ethically hand-crafted by female collectives in Ghana using ecologically harvested raffia from local family farmers, while Muuñ’s all-vegan designs are also made in northern Ghana, in a village called Nyariga. On the high street, Scandi go-to & Other Stories boasts a selection of retro-inspired totes, as does its slightly-cheaper sister brand H&M.

Straw lover: Simone Rocha SS20 (IMAXtree)

If you’re really keen on embracing all-things-raffia, then take a leaf out of Irish designer Simone Rocha’s book. So committed is she to the trend that she opted out of just touting a straw tote and instead embellished her signature floaty frocks with straw at her SS20 show.

Simply snuggle your straw arm candy in the nook of your elbow and don your frothiest maxi dress/skirt for maximum style points. Et voila! A star in straw is born.