The Loewe basket bag has officially been declared cult – here's why it's loved by editors and influencers every season
The Loewe basket bag has officially made it to the top of the designer handbag leadership table. Status being: an icon, up there – alongside the Dior saddle, the Hermès Birkin and the Fendi baguette – holding its own.
The Lyst Index report (which ranks fashion’s bestselling brands and products of April, May and June 2023) has declared it the hottest bag of the quarter, and the fourth-hottest product overall. Years after its initial release, the Loewe basket bag has secured cult accessory status, with demand for the Paula’s Ibiza editions spiking again thanks to smart seasonal updates on the timeless design.
No mean feat – considering how relatively recently it entered into the accessories game, and how increasingly crowded the market is – though hardly surprising. Basket bags have been summer dressing staples for decades, worn by everyone from Kate Moss to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Sure, they were once reserved to beach bag status – companions for picnics and low-key warm weather jaunts – but they've recently been elevated and become quite the everyday essential, too.
It was back in 2019 when Loewe's Creative Director, JW Anderson, adorned a classic French raffia shoulder bag with the label's anagram logo, encouraging an army of fashion fans to surrender to its handwoven appeal. What followed was a flurry of summers in which Loewe's basket bag was coined the IT bag of the season. Most notably: during the heat of 2020.
Now, returning for a fifth season (!) of sell-out success – in a plethora of sizes, multicolor shades and silhouettes, may we add – we can officially declare the Loewe raffia basket bag a summer bag icon.
It's success, in our opinion, lies in its versatility. The Loewe basket bag is best worn with, well, everything: from city denim to floaty summer dresses and dad sandals – to a wide-brimmed sun hat and bikini at the beach. The OG is the perfect size to store a rolled up beach towel, SPF and pair of oversized sunglasses.
Success also lies in its simplicity. Its lack off fuss. Which subsequently makes it such a smart designer investment (for less than £500, may we add, which is remarkably affordable for such an iconic designer bag). Inspired by French and Moroccan woven palm-leaf bags, the original comes in three sizes, and features only two adjustable tan leather handles, and the brand's logo on a leather plaque of the same colour on the side.
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Today, the original Loewe basket bag comes in a plethora of different colour-ways from yellow to aqua blue and red – and the label behind other sell-out styles such as the Loewe Puzzle, the Elephant, the Hammock and the Gate has released a selection of new-in contemporary silhouettes which are just as coveted. Think: the Ibiza Pochette, a cross-body bag with drawstring fabric inner, a small square basket bag and a woven Loewe tote. There’s even a limited edition elephant tote Loewe bag. Google it. Prices start at around £300 for the simplest iterations, and climb up to £1,300 for the larger, more limited or decorated versions.
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Although admittedly still quite pricey, a Loewe basket bag remains one of the best-value pieces in the much-loved Spanish design giant's repertoire, meaning loyal fans of the brand without the budget for its usual offering can snap up a slice of Loewe for a fraction of the price.
While the original Loewe straw bag remains the most popular, any one of the styles are undoubtedly top of every sartorially savvy person's ‘to-buy’ list, so - if you've also got a finger on the trend pulse - you know what to do.
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Ahead, more of the chicest basket bags from Loewe to add to your summer wishlist.
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