Raffia is having a resurgence this summer.
Bags, espadrilles and hats, woven and fabricated in some form or other are out and about; girls have swapped the leather for the woven and the tote for the basket.
Jane Birkin was the queen of the basket – she carried one winter and summer. Birkin made them look appropriate whether she was arm in arm with Serge Gainsbourg on the streets of Paris or running around in Saint Tropez.
I have always loved a basket and if there is one item I search for in local markets, it is a basket. If you are doing the market rounds in southern France this year be sure to pick up one of the circular styles proving popular. They are super cute, come in a variety of sizes and perfect for this season’s look. My lovely friend Valerie had one, decorated with a pretty scarf around the handle when I saw her in Saint Rémy last week.
Which brings me to this.
Fashion is fickle and I realise more and more how important our spend is.
I will adopt the basket and raffia trend but not in an expensive or enduring way. It is not investment dressing and nor is it a look I will want to keep forever. I like it and it’s an ideal chance to relax into summer mode but on a cost per wear basis, it won’t make it. All things woven are beautiful and there are many to love but they don’t need to be at the higher end of designer prices.
A woven piece – a basket handbag or a pair of slides – can bring up to the minute the most classic of outfits and this is where I think this season’s weaves come into their own.
Wear last decade’s dress with this year’s fad. That’s what I’m doing. xv
All Things Woven
one of each please
benny string shopper || nannacay rafia || nannacay stripe || snail straw || carrie forbes raffia || cult gaia round || straw circle
makes a great change from my sneakers
marlowe loafer || soludos raffia mule || lucky brand mule || sophia webster raffia slide || bora bora pom pom slipper
images jane birkin and serge gainsbourg
