Can a straw handbag really go with everything? Turns out, yes.

There was a time when straw bags were firmly filed under “beach-only”. You brought them out once a year, filled them with suncream and paperbacks, and left them gathering dust for the remaining 11 months.

But lately, things have shifted.

Straw, raffia, wicker - whatever you want to call it - has quietly become a year-round staple. And the key twist? It somehow works with absolutely everything.

Think of it as the basket equivalent of a white T-shirt: understated, neutral, but oddly transformative. It softens tailoring, lightens dark denim, and adds a sense of ease to just about any outfit. You could be wearing the simplest black dress or the loudest printed trousers, and a straw bag still feels like the right answer.

So yes, you can carry one to brunch, to work, even to a wedding (depending on the plus-one and the dress code). It’s practical, seasonless, and a clever way to make your wardrobe feel fresher, without having to change much at all.