THE EDIT: The Woven Raffia Tote for an Australian Summer
Every summer has one bag that ends up on your shoulder for everything. Our pick is a handwoven raffia tote with a fringe that swings, and is surprisingly easy to style.
Every Australian summer has one bag that quietly takes over. It goes to the markets, the long lunch, the beach walk and the airport, and by February it looks like it has lived a little. This year, our pick for that job is a woven raffia tote with a fringe that moves when you do.
It is the Zimmermann Goldentime Medium Fringe Tote in natural, and with a price tag of $925, I think I can justify it to myself knowing there are 92 days of summer.
Why this one gets our vote
Plenty of straw bags are stiff little baskets that look gorgeous on a hook and awkward on a shoulder. This one is soft, handwoven raffia and it is unlined, so it slouches into its own shape and there is nothing between you and the weave. The long rope-style handle drops over your shoulder easily, and a gold detail on it ads a little luxury, and helps elevate the look.
Then there is the fringe. Hand-cut raffia swings along the bottom and gives the whole bag a sense of movement, like it is mid-stride even when it is sitting on a cafe chair. It is a showy detail, but because the colour is so natural it never feels over the top.
It also has real room. The shape is wide and deep enough for the usual pile of goodies you need to carry when heading to the beach, or markets, with space left over for the thing you pick up along the way.
How it plays with linen and swimwear
This is where raffia earns its keep. Natural straw is the easiest neutral going. Put it with a crisp white linen shirt and tailored shorts and it looks polished. Put it with a faded sarong and a one-piece and it looks like you planned the whole beach day. A tonal outfit in oat, sand or white looks classic and easy, while a bright swimsuit or a bold printed shirt gets a calmer offset.
This bag beats the alternatives for us because it does two jobs. A canvas tote can look a bit gym bag by the time dinner rolls around, and a structured basket can feel too precious for the sand. A soft woven tote in a natural shade goes from the water to the table without an outfit change.
One small note: Zimmerman says natural fraying and variation are part of a handwoven raffia bag, and recommends a gentle spot clean with a damp cloth if an accident happens. Remember, it is a bag with character, not a perfectly uniform product.
From Runway to Everyday
Raffia did not become the summer bag by accident. Many notable brands have been playing with Raffia on the runway and we've seen it popping up in shop windows more recently, and labels closer to home have created some lovely pieces. Getting my fix, below are some of the other alternatives if your budget can stretch, however I think the bag above is still my pick.
Louis Vuitton does it with some structure. Its Summer Shopper Tote MM is natural beige raffia with the name stitched across the front in black and a little nod to its leather heritage with a tag adding an extra detail.
Saint Laurent goes sleek. The Le 37 leather-trimmed raffia bucket bag is woven raffia with brown leather trim, a top handle and the gold monogram clasp, which makes straw look like it belongs at dinner.
Gucci keeps the mood playful. Its woven straw tote this one with lemon-yellow leather handles and the GUCCI name in glassy, sweet-shop colours across the front, sadly this is nolonger available at GUCCI, but if you know where to look they are still available online.
The Hermès Mini Kelly Picnic is a little wicker Kelly basket with a sunshine-yellow Swift leather flap and palladium hardware. With a price that only Hermes could justify, this one is available for £54,000 (~$102K AUD) at Love Luxury. That is a wild amount of money for a bag inspired by a picnic basket, but this is where ideas like this begin.
Loewe also has its take on raffia. The Small LOEWE Font Tote in raffia is a compact beige weave with the name spelled out across the front.
Put them side by side and the thread is obvious: natural weave, a pop of leather, a strong shape. That is the template the Zimmermann pick follows, with its own fringe and a good deal of Australian ease. We think that is the best way to wear the trend, because it keeps the idea and loses the fuss.
At a glance
- Pick: Zimmermann Goldentime Medium Fringe Tote, natural
- Price: $925 AUD at zimmermann.com
- Material: handwoven raffia, leather trim, unlined
- Size: 50 cm long, 34 cm high, 25 cm deep, with a 37 cm handle drop
- Carry: shoulder or by hand
- Stockist: Zimmermann online and boutiques
- Also in the story: Louis Vuitton Summer Shopper Tote MM, Saint Laurent Le 37, Gucci woven straw tote, Loewe Small Font Totem Hermès Mini Kelly Picnic
Verdict: Our pick for the summer bag. The one we would buy.
