For the ultimate sunny days touch, raffia, wicker and straw bags are the perfect way of injecting both style and fun, as well as a handcrafted charm into your look, involving your favorite oversized shirt and jeans or that floaty dress you were so looking forward to wearing again.
Fashion editors and influencers all around the globe have proven that these bags became a super versatile, year-round staple, so you don't have to wait until summer, and luxury designers, including Chloé, Loewe, Stella McCartney or Celine (we could go on), offering woven wonders rendered in raffia in natural and earthy hues, are making it super easy for you.
All hand-crafted with love, all combining traditional techniques (past), trend (present, which also means more jobs) and eco-conscious focus (future).
You can go for just about any silhouette of your preference or linking but if you plan to add just one and are not sure whether a tiny top-handle, clutch, hobo, or a tote, we would suggest the latter.
Before we dig deeper into our picks, have you ever wondered about the process behind your hand-woven raffia bag?
The Art and Craft of Raffia Weaving: An Insightful Look into the Process
Raffia is a natural fiber derived from the tropical regions of Africa (especially Madagascar) and South America-native Raffia palm tree leaves. It's an über versatile and eco (also wild-life in particular) friendly material used in fashion, especially in bags, shoes and other accessories because of its sturdy yet soft and very pliable, lightweight and durable nature (with the potential of keeping your bag intact for 10 - 15 years at least).
Raffia is sustainable, as it is biodegradable and can be grown and harvested without using any chemicals, and also a renewable resource since the Raffia palm tree regrows its leaves after they have been harvested.
After cutting the largest leaves and hand-splitting the fibers to maintain the thickness consistent (some of them can have up to 1.3m in length), these are cleaned, air-dried, dyed with natural, plant-based dyes such as indigo, madder root or turmeric, among others, and air-dried again.
Same as the weaving part of the process, the preparation requires skills and expertise to ensure the highest quality of the fibers.
How long does it take to hand-craft a raffia bag?
The weaving and braiding are a craft, an art. It depends on the complexity of the design and the structure, so it can take a master artisan (with months of training and years of practice) anywhere between several hours (think +6) to a day to make, the more intricate designs with thousands of stitches can take several days.
Since the entire process is manual, you may observe slight size variations versus published, and color variations and irregularities, inherent to raffia fiber.
It's quite a "journey" from the moment the bag is conceived and sketched, mocked up, approved as a prototype, the raffia leaves are harvested, until it's carefully packed. In total, a few hundreds of actions are required since the very beginning until your precious baby comfortably lies in its labeled box or dust bag.
Once the part of the woven wonder-making process is finished, the bag still needs more love and attention (the magic is in the details, right?) before its completion, final, thorough examination by quality control inspectors and packaging: sewing and assembling, lining, pockets, hooks, rings, buckles, clasps, magnetic fastenings, zippers, embroidery, embossed leather patches, canvas or crochet accents, crystals, studs, fringes, tassels, chains, authenticity or hologram stickers... depending on the approved prototype.
And how do you take care of your woven wonder?
Store it in a dry, cool place when not in use, and fill it with tissue paper to maintain its shape. While wearing, don't overload it with heavy items that could cause the fibers to stretch or break. Keep it away from rain (moisture in general; should it get wet, dry it immediately with a soft cloth) and direct sunlight, as this cause the fibers to weaken and fade over time. Clean it with a very soft-bristled brush or a dry cloth. For stain removal, consult your dry cleaner before proceeding. Maybe they'll suggest just cold water and mild soap but still, better safe than sorry. Due to their slightly abrasive surface, try to avoid contact with delicate materials.
Our silhouette of choice?
Seen on most of the SS23 Fashion Weeks runways, the practicality-meets-style, nothing-beats-their-utility tote bags are, hands down, the absolute winner. Roomy enough for all your essentials, plus the odds and ends.
Seven Raffia Tote Bags You Need for SS23
There are plenty of options this season, these are only 7 picks from our favorite list. Why seven?
And why not? One for each day of the week! 😜 The order is random (let us know which one makes your heart beat faster).
#1 LOEWE: A4 RAFFIA TOTE
Strikingly clean silhouette with one main compartment, crafted in raffia with contrasting logo embroidery, calfskin top handles and matching detachable and adjustable shoulder strap. This beauty with open top was made in Spain.
Measurements: 36 x 28 x 7.5 cm, strap drop: 43 - 49 cm
#2 STELLA MCCARTNEY: LOGO-PATCH RAFFIA TOTE
Woven raffia stunner with snap closure made in Italy, accented with perforated logo patch and matching handle trims, shoulder strap (adjustable and detachable for hands-on or hands-free styling) and removable pouch.
Measurements: 31 x 21 x 13 cm, strap drop: 47 cm
#3 CELINE: TEEN TRIOMPHE TOTE
A fusion of raffia with textile trimmings and calfskin accents. Silver is this season's most popular metallic touch, a fact we love as much as her shoulder and hand-carry versatility. Handcrafted in Italy.
Measurements: 20 x 19 x 10 cm, strap drop: 35 cm
#4 CHLOÉ: CHLOÉ SENSE MEDIUM TOTE
Crafted in Spain from hand-braided raffia, accented with logo-embroidered handles in smooth calfskin leather and matching leather belt securing the open top. Styling options: arm and shoulder.
Measurements: 40 x 28 x 18 cm, handle drop: 26 cm
#5 LA MILANESA: ERICE RAFFIA TOTE
Woven raffia with matching feather appliqué and two bamboo handles. Her canvas-lined interior features one slip pocket. Finished with gold-tone hardware, this heads-turning glam in the city baby was made in Italy.
Measurements: 40 x 37 x 12 cm
#6 KHAITE: THE MEDIUM LOTUS TOTE
Rendered in raffia and black calfskin leather, this richly textured, scarf-inspired wonder for "life in motion" was crafted in Italy. Her clever design includes rounded base for added stability, string closure and a detachable interior pouch.
Measurements: 57 x 50 x 44 cm, handle drop: 28 cm
#7 SAINT LAURENT: PANIER RAFFIA TOTE
Sunny days in the French Provence with a nod to Paris urban attitude via contrasting studded leather straps. Vacation, staycation, running errands or a day in the office, you can take her just about anywhere. Open top, one main compartment.