The one bag to see you through the summer and beyond

The humble basket bag – a linchpin of beachside markets and bustling souks – has found itself transformed in recent years. These days, it’s high fashion fodder with designers looking to raffia styles to populate their summer accessory collections. 

The soaring popularity of this born-again beach bag makes a lot of sense. It’s an incredibly versatile accessory that works not just as a staple of your holiday wardrobe, but as an everyday essential. You’d be hard pressed to find a breezy summer look that isn’t complemented by a companion of the straw variety.

The possibilities are vast with a host of brands offering updates of the classic this summer. And the best around are versatile and designed to go with anything. On the high street, there’s also a renewed focus on quality where accessories are concerned, which means it’s possible to find a wicker bag that’s been designed to stand the test of time. There’s also variation in colour so if wicker in its classic guise isn’t your thing, you won’t be left out.

A recent brand that's caught our attention is A A K S. As well as having beautifully bold and intricate pieces, it handcrafts each of its baskets in Ghana while creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. 

For those who veer towards the flamboyant, a straw bag with a vibrant trim is a nice option. Or you can try your hand at a spot of customisation. A printed scarf can be woven round the handle and knotted to add interest to the most simple of basket bags. The craftier among us may even wish to experiment with pompoms and embroidery.