These Are the Best Raffia Shoulder Bags to Invest In This Summer, According to an Expert Fashion Editor

Nothing says summer quite like raffia. Bucket bag or tote, mini clutch or oversized shoulder bag, the raffia bag has become the go-to summer style ever since Jane Birkin was photographed wandering around the South of France with her own woven basket bag in the ’80s. This year, though, the cult raffia basket has a chic new rival: the raffia shoulder bag. Understated and yet extremely elegant, this sling-over silhouette is the summer handbag the most stylish people I know are reaching for right now, whether they’re heading to the beach or off for al fresco drinks.

If you’ve decided that this is the summer to finally invest in a raffia bag, you’re in luck. I’ve done some digging to find out what makes for a truly excellent design. From construction to aesthetics, I’ve drilled down into what makes a great raffia shoulder bag, and found the best versions that live up to the title. Scroll on to see what I discovered.

What to Look for When Buying a Raffia Shoulder Bag

Thanks to its immense popularity, there’s a plethora of raffia bags to choose from these days, ranging from classic styles to fresh interpretations with a playful, modern twist. So how to go about choosing which one to go for?

Here at Who What Wear, we’re advocates of investing in pieces that last—opting for styles you’ll turn to time and time again, not just for a single season. That doesn’t mean you have to go for simple, classic styles (although there are plenty of gorgeous versions like this to explore), as there are a number of twists on the originals that still have a charm that is sure to endure. But it does mean focusing in on quality, and making sure you opt for designs that are well crafted—even if they don’t come with a designer price tag.

Raffia is a natural fibre, which means that there are lots of variation in quality. You want to look for tight, sturdy raffia that isn’t already falling apart at the seams, and feels as though it’s up for being put through it’s paces. While we’re on construction, our editors really advocate for opting for designs that make use of other materials to reinforce the structure and sturdiness of the bag, such as leather trims and handles, or well-stitched fabric linings. These will protect the raffia from taking on too much wear through the years. Thankfully, it’s not only designers who’ve clued into the value of construction—high street favourites like H&M, & Other Stories and more have created styles that make use of leather, metal and more to support their raffia designs.