Your first basket bag. Revisiting materials, then selecting by size and use

―The case of Staff H―

Vitamin-colored tops, cool glass or silver accessories, a loose-fitting linen dress. There are countless ways to dress for summer, but the summery feeling a basket bag brings is truly one of a kind. Here, a staff member who has long had her eye on basket bags but never actually owned one has decided that this year, she'll finally get her first one. Since we're at it, let's take a look together at the basket bags she's been eyeing.

Contents

・Why basket bags now?

・Revisiting materials

・Choosing by size

・Choosing by occasion

Why basket bags now?

First, we asked Staff H why basket bags are on her mind "right now."

Staff H: I have about seven or eight bags in total, so I'd say I have more than most. I use different ones depending on my outfit, the season, and how much I'm carrying, but in terms of material, they fall into three types: "cotton," "leather," and "nylon." Since I wear a lot of cotton clothing in spring and summer, I often reach for nylon or leather bags instead. That's when I started thinking that having a natural-material basket bag would probably change up my everyday coordinates. I didn't do much shopping last summer, so this time I'm determined to get something summery before the real heat sets in (laughs).

Her key points were:

・It should pair easily with spring and summer clothes

・She wants to enjoy her everyday coordinates from a different angle

That's what she told us.

When we had her line up all the basket bags she'd been eyeing, they ranged widely in size and material. Let's go through them one by one, alongside her as she deliberates over which she likes best.

Revisiting materials

When we simply say "basket bag," there are actually many different materials involved. Let's briefly go over the characteristics of each.

The basket bags carried at ZUTTO are made mainly from the following four materials.

・Akebi:

A plant found in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan. Akebi baskets are woven from akebi vines that have been sun-dried for about a week and then soaked in water for several more days, resulting in a tightly woven, very sturdy finish.

・Raffia:

A palm-family plant common in tropical regions. Its high flexibility allows for delicate processing, and the beauty of its woven appearance is one of its charms.

・Ashi (reed):

A grass-family plant, a type of aquatic reed. Because the material itself hardens over time, it has long been used as a sturdy, lightweight material for things like sudare (bamboo blinds). It has a firm, solid feel to the touch and is resistant to losing its shape.

・Tou (rattan):

Also known as rattan, a palm-family plant that grows wild in the jungles of Southeast Asia's tropical rainforest regions. It is flexible and durable while also being lightweight, and the graceful curves made possible by its flexibility are one of its charms.

Each material has its own texture and place of origin, but they all share one thing in common: a dislike of humidity. For more on care, please also see this article.

>>Living with natural materials. Raising a hand-woven basket bag

Choosing by size

Left: Rattan handbag with bamboo handle (rattan flap), right: Akebi basket (tsudobari hora weave, wrapped handle) paired with Inner bag (L/Black)

Size is always something to consider with bags. A compact size feels light and summery, and since it's such a different material from the rest of an outfit, even a small bag makes a great accent.

Basket S/NAVY／TOINO ABEL (Material: reed)

A size that fits a wallet, phone, and even a paperback book.

This basket bag from TOINO ABEL is based on a traditional basket design unique to Portugal, hand-woven one at a time. All materials used are sourced within Portugal—vegetable-tanned leather (cowhide) for the handles and willow branches to secure them—so the entire piece is made from natural materials.

Staff H: The firm texture unique to reed really brings out that "basket" character, which I find really cute. It has a shoulder strap, so when you want to keep both hands free, you can carry it over the shoulder too, which is convenient. I think it would suit picnics and walks and other outdoor settings really well, and the blue line feels fresh and summery, doesn't it?

Rattan handbag with bamboo handle／CANDRIA TOMMASO (Material: rattan)

Shirt: FARMS SHIRT (WHITE is discontinued), Skirt: Linen Tiered Skirt (BLACK)

The rattan handbag with bamboo handle suits both casual looks and dressier styles alike. In 1974, CANDRIA TOMMASO opened a workshop in the town of Moriano, in Italy's Marche region, crafting distinctive handmade furniture and baskets from willow twigs and bamboo. Moriano, a hill town with a flourishing history dating back to medieval times, is known both within Italy and abroad as a center for rattan-weaving craftsmanship.

Staff H: I remember thinking "how cute!" the moment I saw it. The slightly larger leather flap has really lovely coloring too. The combination of the rattan texture and the bamboo material of the handle, plus the button as an accent point,It has an elegant atmospherethat's different from what you'd call a typical "basket bag," doesn't it?As someone new to basket bags, I've had my eye on this one for a while, thinkingthis shape might be easier to incorporate into my style. It's a flap type that's easy to open and close, has a fabric lining so you can put things in without worry, and comes with a shoulder strap, which is reassuring too.

Basket bags generally tend to be small to medium in size, but if you carry a lot of belongings, choosing a larger one is a good idea. If you usually carry large items like documents along with lots of small things, we recommend a bag that's fairly spacious and also flexible.

Border Raffia Bag / Sans Arcidet (Material: raffia)

Top: Brushed Jersey Pullover (PEACOCK BLUE)

Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean off Africa's east coast. Famous for the Avenue of the Baobabs that appears in the picture book "The Little Prince," this island is also known for its raffia, which is used in this bag by Sans Arcidet. The raffia used here is top-quality material taken from the leaves of raffia palms growing in a nature park in the Majunga region on Madagascar's west coast—the raffia palm's home region. Each bag is handmade individually by skilled craftspeople.

Staff H: When I hear "basket bag," I usually picture Japanese basket bags, so I remember being surprised to learn that a bag could have a story like this behind it. The fine raffia weave and the color combination feel wonderfully summery, don't they? With a size like this,you could even take it on an overnight summer trip—it's a versatile sizethat really appeals to me.

Akebi Basket (Tsumadobari Horaami, Rolled Handle) / Miyamoto Kogei (Material: akebi vine)

Skirt: Linen Tiered Skirt (YELLOW)

This akebi basket bag is made entirely by hand, without relying on machinery at any stage. Crafted by a long-established workshop founded in Taisho 9 (1920) in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, this basket bag lets you feel not only the charm of natural materials but also the vanishing handcraft tradition of Japanese artisans. It doesn't have much flexibility, so it isn't well suited to carrying a lot of belongings or documents, but if you find compact basket bags a bit lacking, this larger size is recommended.

Staff H: Among the many small to medium-sized basket bags out there,a bold piece like this really stands out and catches the eye, which I love. I was also drawn to the fact that it's Japanese craftsmanship. The subtle form—not just a plain round shape—is lovely too.Using an inner bag naturally makes it easier to carry things, but you can also change the accent color depending on your mood, so it's a luxury to be able to enjoy so many different looks with just one bag.

Choosing by Occasion

For everyday use, a bag for walks. Striped Raffia Bag / Sans Arcidet

This is the mini tote-sized bag by Sans Arcidet introduced earlier. The fringe and bold stripes give it a summery feel.

Staff H: Most of the bags I own are around this size, and they're really practical.It's not too small, not too big—just the right size for the essentials plus a little extra. Since I tend to wear fairly basic colors, I like being able to add a pop of color with just this one accent piece. It has a nostalgic texture that somehow reminds me of a straw hat.

A reassuringly big size with the gentle touch of linen: Raffia Tote Bag / Vlas Blomme

Sandals: M Sandal HYACINTH LEATHER NUT

This tote bag is from Vlas Blomme, whose name means "flax flower" in Flemish, the language of Belgium's Flanders region. The lining uses "Work Linen" fabric—100% Kortrijk linen woven softly with thick-gauge thread.

Staff H:It's large enough to fit an A3 size, and the inside is lined with linen—I haven't seen that combination anywhere else, so it caught my eye.There's an inner pocket too, so you can keep valuables separate, and it's also great for carrying a laptop or documents. The handles are linen too, so the texture is wonderful. I think it's a bag that combines the best of both linen and basketry.

Also handy as an inner bag: Karina Clutch Bag / HELEN KAMINSKI

HELEN KAMINSKI is a designer based in Sydney, Australia. Known for a wide range of hats, her hand-woven bags are also popular. This clutch bag is likewise made of raffia, using raffia sourced from Madagascar.

Staff H: I feel this bag would suit a more polished outfit. I don't normally carry clutch bags, but this one seems easy to pair with things. I was going back and forth on it, imagining how well it would go with a summer dress.Since it's also a size that works as an inner bag, it isn't limited to just one occasion, which I find appealing too.

So, which one did our staff choose?

After much deliberation, out of the seven options, Staff H chose the "Striped Raffia Bag."

Staff H: I decided on this one for its size, its straw-hat-like texture, and its summery coloring. It's close to the size I usually use, so I thought it would suit the way I carry things. It seems like it would make even a simple white T-shirt feel much more summery, and I'm looking forward to summer in full swing. Actually, I was torn right up to the end between this and the Rattan Handbag with Bamboo Handle (Rattan Flap), so I'm hoping I might be able to bring that one home someday as a second basket bag.

Even on clear days during the rainy season, the sun has been dazzling enough to feel like summer is already here. Before the height of summer arrives, it might be a good time to choose your companion for the season.

▼See our basket bag category here