I Finally Bought the Summer Bag Every Fashion Person Owns, and I Don't Regret it
Yep, it's a designer basket bag. Scroll on to see the best styles worth investing in now.
Emily Dawes
As a fashion editor, the majority of my job is to discover, write about or style new trends. It’s exciting to see what’s coming up next and also rather tempting, to say the least. The thing is, though, it's the classics that always seem to find their way into my wardrobe—especially when I'm investing a lot of money in designer pieces. I like to have confidence that my luxury buys are going to get a lot of wear, and one piece that's proved it's worth, and garnered my full support over the last few years is a designer basket bag.
Style Notes: The carry-everything bag can be used as a handheld or shoulder bag just like Francesca Saffari's Prada. I love it with the green shorts and strappy sandals.
Far from an impulse 'trending' buy, this is an investment I've been considering for a long time. To be honest, I don't know why it's taken me this long to take the plunge, since I've been watching my fellow editors and fashion friends sporting theirs proudly summer after summer over the last seven years or so.
Yes, believe it or not the now iconic Loewe basket bag has been a hit since the summer of 2019. And while basket bags have, of course, been around much longer, it was the overnight success of this Loewe piece that rocketed basket bags into the luxury market. Now, pretty much every major designer bag brand offers a raffia or straw option for summer, and Loewe themselves have become known for including not just one, but a plethora of different woven basket bags in their spring/summer collections—and I'm not mad about it.
Basket bags themselves tick so many boxes, it's no wonder the demand for beautiful iterations is still as high as ever. Practical, versatile, effortless and eternally chic—not to mention a surefire way to elevate any simple outfit into summer-ready territory. A wise investment, that's for sure.
While on my own hunt for the perfect designer basket bag this summer, I came across so many gorgeous styles worth your attention. Keep scrolling to see my favourites to invest in for summer 2026.
Shop the Best Designer Basket Bags for Summer 2026:
Loewe's newest iteration for 2026 was my personal choice. A twist on a classic that feels wholly fresh. I adore the red version too.
Having been spotted on Zoe Kravitz, its unsurprising that The Row's Estelle basket bag is already selling out.
A really stunning style if you're looking to invest in something with year-round appeal. It comes in many beautiful colours, too.
A basket bag that effortlessly works for the office or the city.
I love the idea of throwing this over my shoulder.
Another new-in Loewe buy, sure to be a cult hit in 2026.
A dreamy new addition from Toteme.
Oh, hello...
A bag you can wear to work or to the beach.
So unique.
The chicest little outfit addition.
One of my personal favourites.
Sorry, but how cool?
This chic style can be used as a handheld or shoulder bag.
I love how roomy this one it, perfect for travel.
Love. Love. Love.
That's right—one of 2025's biggest designer bags is now available in raffia.
For a dose of French-girl chic.
A supremely refined iteration.
A beauty.
A timeless buy.
Still a cult favourite.
One of Net-A-Porter's bestselling basket bags.
Be still my beating heart.
So chic.
This story was originally posted at an earlier date and has since been updated.
