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3. From Bardot to Birkin: The Timeless Allure of the Basket Bag

Wicker baskets are having a high-fashion renaissance. From Loewe to Hermès, these summer accessories blend artisanal craftsmanship with Birkin-inspired nostalgia and effortless bohemian charm. Their resurgence marks a new era of elevated design – sustainable, luxurious and undeniably chic.

For several seasons, wicker and raffia baskets have shed their humble beachside and market origins, transformed by top designers into must-have summer staples. This trend is rooted in dual heritage: the laid-back practicality paired with the sun-drenched glamour of the Riviera. Once a simple everyday item, the basket bag has become a style icon – a perfect harmony of natural charm and refined sophistication.

H&M & Chloé. © This is Beirut

The basket’s rise to style icon didn’t begin with Jane Birkin. Long before her, Brigitte Bardot gave it its first fashion flair. In the 1950s, she was often seen wandering the sunlit streets of Saint-Tropez, a round wicker basket slung casually over her arm, worn with breezy polka-dot dresses, tousled hair and strappy sandals. At her seaside retreat, La Madrague, the basket was a constant companion – unpretentious, yet unmistakably chic. Bardot’s effortless elegance forever linked the basket to the spirit of the French Riviera.

Brigitte Bardot & Jane Birkin. © This is Beirut

Then came Jane Birkin, who made the basket entirely her own. More bohemian and quintessentially London, she carried baskets everywhere – from markets to film sets, parties and strolls – tossing in baby bottles, lipsticks, newspapers and cigarettes in a delightfully carefree jumble. This effortless, slightly undone style became iconic.

Vanessa Bruno & Mango. © This is Beirut

And in a twist of fashion history, one such basket helped inspire one of the most coveted luxury bags of all time. In 1981, on a Paris-to-London flight, Birkin sat next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès. When her basket spilled its contents, she sighed, “Why is there never a bag that’s practical enough?” Amused, Dumas sketched a design on a napkin. A few years later, the Birkin bag was born – now the ultimate symbol of luxury. The irony? This iconic bag began as a humble basket, one without zippers, pockets or pretense.

True to herself, Jane never prioritized the Birkin over her beloved baskets. She adorned her Hermès bags with stickers, charms and doodles – infusing them with the same free-spirited irreverence that defined her style.

The Most Coveted Accessory of the Summer

The basket bag is back – and bigger than ever – gracing the runways of the world’s top fashion houses. Leading the trend is Spanish brand Loewe, with its handwoven raffia and natural wicker baskets. Their signature Anagram and Paula’s Ibiza collections retail between €800 and €1,000 ($860 and $1,080), depending on size and detailing.


Bottega Veneta & Gucci © This is Beirut

The numbers speak volumes: searches for “Loewe raffia basket” on Net-a-Porter have surged by 1,600% in just a few months. Saint Laurent, Prada and Jacquemus followed suit with versions featuring leather trims, crossed handles and soft washed-linen linings. Even Chanel presented a rigid basket with a jewel clasp during its cruise show – proof that basketry has earned its place on fashion’s most prestigious runways.

Yet this trend extends beyond aesthetics. The basket bag symbolizes a deeper shift toward thoughtful, a slow fashion ethos rooted in craftsmanship. Materials like raffia, straw, wicker and dwarf palm are not only natural but demand patient hand-weaving techniques passed down through generations.

Craftsmanship and Heritage

At Loewe, many baskets are crafted in collaboration with artisans from Morocco, Colombia and Spain – regions where basket weaving is not just a skill but a living tradition. In some areas, this ancestral craft is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The basket thus becomes more than a fashion accessory; it carries memory, identity and artisanal dignity.

Each piece reflects the work of skilled hands, embracing irregularities and the imperfect beauty of handmade goods. In its simplicity lies the sense of comfort and continuity. Each basket is one of a kind, embodying the uniqueness luxury seeks.

At its heart, the basket remains a practical tote. Two main styles prevail: the market shopper – soft with leather handles – and the fisherman bag, stiffer and often oval-shaped – the very style Birkin favored. Loewe’s contemporary variations include mini sizes, crossbody styles and long-handled versions, with prices ranging from €395 to €775 ($425 to $830).

How to Wear the Basket Bag

Stylist Sarah Corbett-Winder, who owns “at least 40” basket bags, swears they pair with everything – from breezy dresses and espadrilles to oversized shirts and linen trousers. Fashion historian Tony Glenville sums it up: “It signals creativity, a love of picnics, and perhaps a country home.”

Jacquemus & Loewe. © This is Beirut

Whether in the city or at the beach, basket bags pair perfectly with natural fabrics like cotton, canvas, linen and hemp – the effortlessly chic “just-back-from-vacation-in-Paris” vibe that never feels forced. For a bolder look, baskets now complement fluid suits, oversized blazers or monochrome tailoring, softening sharp lines with artisanal warmth.

Some purists argue the basket is strictly a summer bag. “You don’t bring it out after September or before Easter,” Glenville insists. Yet many fashion insiders now carry theirs well into autumn, blending them with neutral palettes and light outerwear. Styling is key. Come winter, fashion influencers line their baskets or mix them with textured woolens, giving the classic accessory fresh soul – proof that style rules are made to be reimagined.

Accessible Style for All

While Loewe’s coveted baskets can reach €1,000, high-street brands have been quick to offer more affordable alternatives. Mango, Zara, M&S and New Look now feature chic versions priced between €50 and €150 ($55 and $160). M&S’s £45 basket (approximately €49 or $53) has even earned a reputation as the “perfect dupe” for Loewe’s £450 model – proving that you can embrace the trend without breaking the bank.

Alémais & Anna Sul. © This is Beirut

Born in the fields and elevated by style icons, the basket bag is now enjoying a fresh chapter in the world of high fashion. It blends understated elegance with artisanal heritage and a carefree spirit. And every summer, it returns, without fail, effortlessly, timelessly – carrying not just style, but stories, traditions and a sense of place.