If you think of a raffia bag, you’re probably thinking of a floppy, structureless beach bag, unfurled from a suitcase only when the coast swings into view from the car window, then promptly retired to the spare room the moment you get home from your annual getaway. Not so this season. The weaved tote has undergone a style renaissance, trading its reputation as a soggy towel receptacle for a versatile, wearable accessory to take you from city to beach and back again.
Case in point: Khaite’s Lotus tote, which translates the brand’s signature slouchy, fluid elegance into a beautifully woven structure that looks equally striking against a linen trench coat in London as it does poolside in Provence. The high street also shines this season – &Other Stories and Mango both have a selection of minimalist straw handbags with clean silhouettes, and COS has put out a raffia bucket hat, turning what is typically a beer-stained festival staple for covering grotty day-three hair into something very, very chic.
This summer’s raffia footwear styles are just as good. Predictable flat espadrilles are out, and its lovely rustic texture and bohemian charm has been deftly used to revamp more modern silhouettes. Alaïa’s bold Cube wedge sandals, with their geometric curved platform, completely banishes the traditional woven beachy feel. Then there’s the more casual looks, like Zimmermann’s Carousel slides and Loewe’s understated mules, which have that easy, throw-on charm that balances comfort and solid style credentials.
The secret to styling raffia for use away from the beach is to avoid pairing it with overly tropical prints or gimmicky tassels. But the real beauty of this material is in its versatility – simply put, it’ll look lovely with most summery materials, whether that’s your beach cover-up and sunglasses or a sharp poplin shirt and tailored silk trousers. Simply put, it’s the ultimate multi-tasking hero of the 2026 summer wardrobe.
Below, some of our favourite raffia accessories to shop now and love all season long.
Raffia bags
This season’s raffia totes range from roomy baskets to smart evening clutches finished with leather accents.
