The Art of Summer Bags – 13 Editor Approved Picks
Imagine the gentle hum of cicadas as you wander a sun-bleached piazza, a cool gelato in hand and a bag dangling from your shoulder that feels as alive as your surroundings. This season, the most coveted accessories range from the rhythmic weave of raffia to the tactile drama of quilted leather, each of these thirteen bags is a reflection of the hands that shaped them. Whether you’re drawn to the carefree spirit of basket-weaves or the precision of Italian calfskin, our edit invites you to explore the artistry that defines Summer 2025.
Woven Wonders – Echoes of the Artisan
Christian Louboutin
Cabata Large Beige Raffia Tote Bag – £845
Hand-woven by artisans in Spain, the Cabata’s generous silhouette (50 cm wide, unlined for that sun-warmed ease) marries raffia with supple leather trim. Think market mornings in Provence, then slip on an oversized straw hat and toast rosé at sunset.
Farm Rio
Scarf-Detail Printed Toucan Green Basket Bag – £235
Bursting with Brazilian joie de vivre, this polypropylene‐weave basket is playfully finished with a detachable toucan-print silk scarf. Style it with a crisp white linen shirt and cropped denim for a pop of tropical rebellion.
Prada
Small Crochet Top-Handle Bag – £2,150
An artisan’s dream in cotton crochet, secured by a sleek zip fastener. Perfect for al fresco dinners beneath twinkling lanterns to pair with a slip dress in muted terracotta and strappy sandals.
Mulberry
White Raffia Basket Tote – £495
Crisp white raffia and gold hardware give this Italian-crafted tote a modern edge. Ideal for farmers’ markets or city escapes to team with neutral tailoring and leather sliders.
Hunting Season
Origami Medium Leather-Trimmed Fique Shoulder Bag – £300
Fique fibre folded like fine parchment meets warm leather trim and an organic tagua charm. Wear it with a flowing maxi dress and layered artisan beads for a summer moment.
Khaite
Simona Leather-Trimmed Natural Raffia Shoulder Bag – £1,450
A luxuriously raffia body framed by crisp calfskin that you’ll reach for on boutique-hopping days in sun-drenched coastal towns. Balance with tailored linen shorts.
Naghedi
St. Barths Medium Jasmine Tote Bag – £221
Hand-woven neoprene offers the structure of a tote with the ease of neoprene stretch. Lightweight and sturdy, it carries everything from sunscreen to souvenirs.
Leather Luxe – The Urban Nomad
Gucci
Gucci 73 Small Red Leather Bucket Bag – £1,660
A revival of Gucci archives in radiant red calfskin, set off by Half-Horsebit hardware. Let it inject instant swagger into a crisp white tee and high-waist trousers for city nights.
The Row
Sofia Black Leather Shoulder Bag – £3,700
Perfection in Italian calfskin, a discreet push-clasp, internal slots for essentials and a lean shape. It pairs as well with a silk blouse as it does with a pared-back jersey dress.
Dragon Diffusion
Leather Nova Luna Shoulder Bag – £374
Artisanal basket-weave leather meets a crescent style. Slip it over a breezy midi skirt for an effortless gallery-hopping look.
Prada
Medium Galleria Animal Printed Tote Bag – £4,150
Animal-print calfskin framed by enamel-triangle hardware. Its commanding presence turns a simple black dress into a statement outfit ready for gala evenings or sunset yacht cocktails.
Quilted Classics – Evening Glamour
Saint Laurent
Logo Quilted Black Wallet-on-Chain – £815
Chevron-matelassé leather and a detachable chain strap create a compact powerhouse. Ideal for star-studded evenings, style with a slinky slip dress and minimalist mules.
Pinko
Lovebird Quilted Black Shoulder Bag – £165
Affordable and utterly chic, this quilted number sparkles with signature Love Bird plaques. Perfect for a rooftop rendezvous, team with tailored culottes and a silk camisole.
Summer Styling Tips
- Texture Mix-and-Match Pair a woven bag with crisp suiting or tailored separates to balance artisanal charm with structural polish.
- Monochrome Moment Let a white or neutral raffia tote pop against an all-black or all-white ensemble for a modern, editorial contrast.
- Metallic Accents Slip on gold-tone jewellery when carrying quilted or metallic-trim bags to echo hardware details.
- Day-to-Dusk Transition Swap a large tote for a compact wallet-on-chain at sundown—no need to compromise on style when the evening beckons.
- Casual Glamour A bold-coloured leather bucket or printed tote will instantly uplift relaxed denim and a white T-shirt, making every errand feel like a fashion moment.
See our latest article on seasonal handbag colour trends! “Top Handbag Colour Trends for 2025“
*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
