In my mind, trends are like waves in the ocean—unpredictable, sometimes turbulent, and constantly shifting. When you're wading through it all, you have to proactively choose not to ride every trendy wave and instead return to solid ground (aka those stable staples). That's an even more relevant sentiment during the summertime because practicality always wins out when push comes to shove. After all, who wants to be bothered by picking a cute outfit when it's boiling outside? Or who can buy into every summer trend when you're also trying to book a flight?
In short, having staples you can rely on to get you through the summer is a godsend. But that's not limited to clothing; numerous accessories lend themselves to being summer essentials. One of the prime examples? Straw accessories. No matter what's happening on the runway, you can always find women wearing various straw accessories, including bags, hats, shoes, belts, and more.
Accessories made from various woven materials (i.e., straw, palm leaves, and raffia) have moved past being a seasonal trend and have cemented themselves as a staple in their own right. To show the staying power of straw accessories, I've combed through hundreds of outfit ideas to identify three ways the fashion set has embraced them. Plus, I've rounded up the best straw, raffia, and woven accessories to shop online. If you've been looking for that item that can be your anchor every summer, you'll want to keep scrolling.
1. Straw Bags
Straw totes have always been a quintessential summer staple for a good reason! What has cemented woven bags as a perennial staple among the fashion set is their versatility. Not only can they be worn throughout the summer for various occasions (e.g., a day spent seaside or brunch in the city), but they look good with just about anything. Add in the fact that you can now buy many types of woven bags. Plus, there's no shortage of ways to carry a woven bag, from classic oversize straw totes to raffia clutch bags.
It's this innate versatility that makes it a continued must-have, year after year. But if you're not sold on this style yet, you'll want to keep scrolling as I've rounded up a few examples of how to wear straw bags (courtesy of the fashion set). Plus, I shopped some of the best woven bags available now.
Shop the style:
Look for a tote bag with multiple straps (like the one above) so you can wear it in various ways.
Prada's crochet straw tote is a cult favorite among the fashion set because of its spacious interior, recognizable moniker, and extensive colorway options.
It doesn't get more classic than a simple woven shoulder bag.
The hand-sewn 'Anagram' emblem on this Loewe tote adds a touch of luxury.
While this bag isn't technically made from straw, it has the same woven feel. Plus, the shape is on-trend for the season.
Oh, you thought straw bags couldn't be trendy? Think again. The addition of the silver beads on this straw clutch gives off the feel of the studded accessories we've seen everywhere as of late.
I don't know about you, but the subtle pop of color on this bag is what sold me.
Leave it to Khaite to make the coolest woven beach bag ever to exist.
What's great about this woven tote—besides the fact that it's made from sustainably sourced palm leaves—is that it comes in four other colorways, including flamingo pink, olive, cobalt blue, and black.
The scalloped edges add a fun touch to this straw tote bag.
Yes, this oversize raffia bucket bag will fit all your essentials. Plus, it will never go out of style, so it's a win-win.
Everything about this tote is sublime, from the oversize silhouette to the colorful interwoven straw to the beaded handle.
Raffia fringe? It's a yes for me, fam.
You can style this woven bag as an oversize shoulder tote or clutch based on your mood.
No, you're not hallucinating. This Miu Miu crescent shoulder bag is made from crocheted straw.
2. Straw Hats
Besides bags, there's another accessory that the fashion set wears throughout the summer: straw hats. Part of the intrigue of wearing a woven hat during the summer is practical, but it's also because, for so many, this is the season that you can get away with the more "campy" accessories. While most may think of wearing an oversized hat to a far-off destination or a local farmer's market as extra, during the summer is essential. The freedom to get a little more dramatic via woven accessories has given straw pieces staying power with the fashion set for so long.
But it also has to do with the fact that so many recent spring/summer 2023 collections feature far more statement hats. We've seen every form of woven hats bubble up on and off the runway again, from oversize woven hats to straw boater hats to crochet cowboy hats and beyond. There are so many ways to wear woven hats that this formerly "cliche" summer accessory feels cool again.
Shop the style:
The scalloped edges are sending me.
I dream of wearing this in Italy.
Now all you need is to book a vacation.
Style this with your favorite swimsuit or sundress.
The interwoven colorful raffia makes this hat all the more special.
Drama queens, apply here.
With western-inspired accessories trending, this hat is the ideal purchase for the summer.
While Cafe Society's hats are a bit pricey, it's a purchase you can feel good making because the brand is female-founded and is championing artisanal weaving practices with each hat.
Just add a bikini and denim shorts.
The way this hat just told me to book a vacation.
I love that this hat has straw that's been tinted pink woven into it. It's a fun touch.
The frayed edges on this visor will ensure you look dramatic in all your vacation photos.
You can shop this hat in five other colorways, including camel, black, and white.
Yes, this is the second Jacquemus woven piece in this story, but can you blame me? This hat is everything!
Oh, this color!
3. Straw Shoes
Lastly, the third way the fashion set is continuously adopting straw accessories is through its footwear choices. While there's always a slew of new shoe trends during the summer, without fail, you'll see women around the world stepping out in shoes made from woven materials. Though this footwear doesn't necessarily always use the same traditional weaving techniques other straw accessories use, the styles have nonetheless become synonymous with summer style.
The appeal woven footwear has with the fashion set has to do with the fact there are so many different types of shoes to choose from—e.g., wedges adorned with ropes made from raffia, slide sandals made from straw and leather weaves, or flats made from a material meant to mimic the look and feel of woven palm. The versatility of this shoe, much like the aforementioned other accessories, has allowed this style to weave itself into the foundation of women's summer wardrobes.
Shop the style:
Here's a pair of mules I can imagine spotting on the streets in Paris and London.
While I'm obsessed with the contrasting black raffia straps on these mules, you can shop this style in four other solid colorways.
Perfect for the summer.
Castañer's woven wedges are a fan-favorite among the Parisian fashion set.
Whoever said raffia shoes couldn't be elegant never saw these Saint Laurent mules.
The signature Tory Burch logo on these mules is a nice touch.
The addition of natural raffia to these dad sandals elevates the silhouette.
Meet your new favorite sandals.
I didn't know I needed woven ballet flats until now.
Simon Miller's woven flatform sandals are meant to be taken for a spin.
These are perfect for lounging by the water.
You can't go wrong buying a pair of black raffia wedges.
These sleek flats will match just about everything in your closet.
Obsessed. No notes.
Made from raffia and leather, these loafers can be worn well into the fall. Consider these shoes final proof of the staying power of woven accessories in every form.
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