The Simple Bag Style French Women Rely On to Look Chic in Summer

Basket-bag lovers unite—the rustic accessory is back for another summer. And this year, we're convinced the selection of woven totes and straw bucket bags is more fruitful than ever.

There's the ultra-covetable Loewe and Prada iterations on one end of the spectrum (a girl can dream), but on the other, we've been pleasantly surprised by the array of premium-looking basket bags in stores like Zara, M&S and Arket. If your budget sits around the £100 mark, turn to Sézane and Malina for your raffia needs. Basically, there's an option out there for everyone, whether you're embarking on a Mediterranean excursion or day-tripping to your closest coastline.

And the best part is that the right basket bag will work with all your summer outfits, adding a distinctly French flourish. After all, Parisians are particularly fond of this chic accessory (Jane Birkin herself is a fan). Be it a simple jeans-and-tee combo or a floaty floral midi dress, sling a basket bag over your shoulder or lower arm and your ensemble will feel doubly stylish.

Scroll on to see how some of our favourite influencers are incorporating this staple into their warm-weather looks, then check out our round-up of the best basket bags you can pick up this season, whatever your budget.

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(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

Julie shows just how effortlessly this accessory slots into a simple weekend outfit.

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Emmanuelle Koffi pairs her woven tote with another French girl favourite, a pair of mary janes.

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Take your basket bag on holiday and team it with all your summer looks, just like Franny.

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(Image credit: @tamaramory)

This classic bag style works with trending pieces too, such as Tamara Mory's vibrant shirt-and-shorts set.

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

The basket bag is a chic companion, whatever your plans.

The Best High-Street Basket Bags:

The Best Mid-Range Basket Bags:

The Best Designer Basket Bags:

Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.

A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.

In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.