15-05-2025
The high-fashion trick to elevate your summer wardrobe (from £39.50)
The woven accessory might just be the simplest – and chicest – way to add an on-trend touch of texture to your spring/summer look. From slinging a slouchy raffia tote over one shoulder to stepping out in braided ballet flats, there are many ways to channel this trend.
Take inspiration for how to accessorise with all things woven from Katie Holmes, one of the many high-profile fans of Dune's popular woven shoulder bags.
The British brand's outsize totes might be the celebrity favourite, but its ballet pumps (especially in lemon yellow) are equally worthy of consideration for a more wearable alternative to polarising mesh flats.
Under £100
Though they feel summery, the durable construction of woven-leather accessories means that they can be city friendly. Nowhere is this clearer than at Bottega Veneta, where its intrecciato ('intertwined') weave has become a signature style. It was a recurring feature of the label's spring/summer show, from tan and black to brightly coloured iterations.
'Woven leather looks and feels luxurious, you feel the craft before you even see it,' says Debra Bloom, chief brand officer of Dune. 'Pair a woven leather bag, ballerina pump or sandal with modern tailoring for a clean, refined silhouette. Or, for a more casual look, mix with linen, denim and relaxed jersey pieces.'
Under £200
Another name to know at a more accessible price point is Dragon Diffusion. Its hand-woven leather bags, which draw on a number of traditional techniques, including Japanese bamboo basketry and European wicker methods, have developed a cult following.
Meanwhile, a recent collaboration of bags and belts with Rixo has cemented their in-demand status. 'You can dress them up or down and they add a lovely texture to any outfit,' says Rixo's co-founder and creative director Orlagh McCloskey, who suggests personalising the bags by tying a silk scarf on the handle. 'They feel less try-hard than a branded luxury bag but still put-together and chic.'
A final woven sub-category to consider is raffia – picture Amalfi-ready totes that wouldn't look out of place in a Slim Aarons photograph. These have become hero items for high-end designer brands Prada and Loewe, but they're also infiltrating the high street at Cos and elsewhere. All are certain to weave some magic into your wardrobe.
Over £200
