What Is Raffia and Why Is It So Hot Right Now?

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2 days ago

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Dependable signs of summer: Poppy print fashion. Fresh haircuts. Dressing like you're going to Lisbon (when you're really bound for the Lower East Side). I'm feeling all these, along with noticing more social posts and style influencers—as well as retailers—buzzing about the raffia trend in fashion accessories. I did a deep dive into the background of and latest craze for this material, and now I'll never dismiss something as 'just a straw bag' again. Here's what you'll want to know and shop re: raffia now and forever.
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Raffia is the fiber harvested form the Raphia Farinifera palm (commonly known as Raffia Palm). These fronded wonders grow wild and are farmed all across Southeast Asia, South and Central America and in the coastal valleys of Madagascar. That last is where luxury hat maker Helen Kaminski grows its raffia. 'Raffia harvesting is considered a sustainable practice, which means that the plant is not harmed during the process and can continue to grow and produce,' according to the brand. 'Once harvested, the leaves are stripped, and their strands are dried in the sun. As they begin to dry out, the strands shrink in size and change from a green color to a beautiful and natural earthy sand color.' While in appearance, it can look like straw, it's very different. Straw is the dried product of rice, rye, corn, oats and barley plants, and is much less durable than raffia because it's stiff and can grow brittle over time. By contrast, raffia is more supple, so it can be woven more intricately than straw, and raffia contains a natural resin that keeps it from cracking over time.
The raffia trend for summer 2025 is a throwback to Euro chic and beachy beauty of decades past—think of British-French tastemaker Jane Birkin with her straw tote in the '60s. On recent runways, Chloé and Jacquemus showed raffia handbags and Gucci and Michael Kors wove it into clothing. Megs Mahoney Dusil at Purse Blog traces the first groundswell of the recent raffia redux (!) to the now-iconic Prada raffia tote: 'Prada majorly influenced this trend a few seasons ago when they first highlighted the Prada raffia tote. Suddenly, this simplistic design became the bag that made raffia a fundamental material— the must-have for summer. It's not groundbreaking, but it was also monumental, if you know what I mean.'
Additionally, woven raffia shoes are showing up from Bottega Veneta to Target. 'There are a lot of woven pieces. Everything from woven bags, slides, visors—you name it. They actually seem to be everywhere. I love that these woven pieces add texture, but they also add a real holiday vibe to your outfit. So think of some of your more classic pieces in a more woven style.' says Leonie Barlow, Auckland-based editor of The Style Insider. Personally, I think the sustainability of raffia harvest, as well as its performance as a material that will withstand years of use, as tying into a movement away from fast fashion and overconsumption and toward sustainable, quality purchases.
Madewell
A hallmark of modern raffia designs are mixed materials—here, the crocheted body of the shoe is paired with a leather strap.
$148 at Madewell
Reformation
In natural raffia with an on-trend wavy leather edge, this 12 x 13 inch bag is big and strong enough to carry your laptop.
$348 at Reformation
Dolce Vita
Paging '90s Carrie Bradshaw—this corded shoulder bag recalls the classic Fendi Baguette. And in white, it can be a bit dressier than natural-hued raffia bags tend to look.
$128 at Dolce Vita
J. Crew
Full disclosure: These affordable babies have a polypropylene/polyurethane upper and aren't made of actual raffia. But with their natural look and durability, that's a totally cool substitution. (I'm a sucker for a sexy ankle strap with a chunky heel.)
$148; $70 at J.Crew Factory
Helen Kaminski
This soft shoulder bag has the ease of a crossbody but the security of a drawstring top to secure your valuables. It comes in black, grey and natural raffia.
$265; $140 at Nordstrom Rack
Aritzia
I'll always go for a classic wide brim, but hand-made in a rich camel shade from Aritizia. Note: the style is also available in short-, medium- and adorable mini-brim raffia iterations.
$88 at Aritzia
Tuckernuck
Leather lining and raffia uppers combine to make a summer shoe that's as easy to wear as a pair of flip-flops but will elevate everything from shorts to sundresses to be a whole look. And I love the barely-there heel.
$185 at Tuckernuck
Sézane
This French brand is known for its big belts which cool girls snap up to update whole outfits, so it's no surprise that this striking belt with an eye-catching raffia-wrapped buckle is their summer 2025 offering.
$95 at Sézane
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