Basket bags are the ultimate summer accessory. From Brigitte Bardot to Sienna Miller, celebrities have long been fans of the straw bag given its effortless glamour and versatility. Yes, it’s the perfect accessory for hazy beach days and sun-filled picnics in the park, but it’s equally as suitable for days out in the city (I’ve even been known to use mine at the airport). The Loewe basket bag has been on my dream wish-list for some time, arguably the IT girl of the basket bag world, but with a price tag of as much as £495 for the largest size, it’s very much out of my own budget.

For the uninitiated, Loewe is a Spanish luxury designer known for its leather goods and high-quality accessories. The basket bag has been a recognisable hit from the brand in recent years, spotted slung over the arm of celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski, Claire Foy, and Sienna Miller. It’s also become something of a hit online (my own Instagram feed seems to be filled with glamorous women donning the bag for their European summer trips every year).

The bag follows the classic basket woven bag shape and open top, though it is elevated with calfskin leather handles and detailing, plus a drawstring interior to protect your belongings, along with a traditional bag elevated with a classic handwoven body and calfskin top handles. Each of the bags is made in Spain using handwoven raffia leaves that originate from Morocco. 

The most recognisable part of the bag, though, is the embossed Loewe Anagram. It comes in four different sizes: Mini (£475), small (£395), medium (£450) and large (£495).

While you won’t get one of the lusted-after Loewe bags for under £390, the bag’s popularity has inspired several high-street retailers to launch their own take on the retro-look wicker bags. The likes of H&M, Marks and Spencer, and New Look have all launched their own woven accessories in recent months, though at much more affordable prices.

But there’s one in particular that has caught my eye for its noticeable resemblance to the high-end luxury basket bag.

Spanish high-street fashion brand Mango’s double-handle natural fibre basket shares some significant similarities to the Loewe bag. Both bags have the same classic basket bag shape with an internal drawstring pouch to store belongings. The Mango bag is woven from organic fibres, and has a brown leather double handle with contrast stitch detailing – a small touch you won’t see on the Loewe bag. A detachable long strap also makes the Mango bag a versatile option, taking it from a handbag to a shoulder bag with ease.

The tan leather front pocket emulates the Loewe calfskin logo placement, though rather than being embossed with a design, it is outlined with gold studs. 

The bag comes in a small and a large version, retailing for £49.99 and £59.99 respectively. The small version is also available from ASOS for £49.99.

The main difference between this large Mango basket bag and the aforementioned natural fibre basket bag is the lack of a leather front pocket. However, much like the Loewe bag, this vast woven bag is made from natural fibres and has leather detailing. It has two short handle straps for carrying it as a handbag and a removable long shoulder strap. 

Like its designer counterpart, the bag comes with a pouch for safely storing belongings, and an additional knot fastening provides additional security. However, the tan leather panel that runs around the base of the bag sets it apart from the others. 

The large bag is available for £55.99 at Mango. 

The H&M straw shoulder bag is a budget-friendly and contemporary take on the woven bag trend. Though the H&M bag has a similarly classic shape and woven design (made from paper straw) as Loewe’s much-sought-after accessory, there are a few aesthetic differences. Notably, the H&M bag swaps tan for black in its coated fabric handles and flap, accented with contrast stitching.

The bag is unlined and fastens with a concealed magnetic closure, making it suitable for casual outings and summer events

New Look’s woven tote bag is a casual take on the classic basket bag. Though the bag is made from woven fibre and has an open top, the high-street tote has a deeper body for more storage. Its woven design, cream handles (decorated with French writing), and open top make it a versatile accessory for summer outings.

The contrast between the light handles and the woven straw texture adds to the bag’s summery, relaxed aesthetic.

The New Look bag is a practical and stylish option for those seeking an everyday take on the basket bag trend, without the price tag, retailing for just £27.99. 

Basket bags are the ultimate summer accessory. From Brigitte Bardot to Sienna Miller, celebrities have long been fans of the straw bag given its effortless glamour and versatility. Yes, it’s the perfect accessory for hazy beach days and sun-filled picnics in the park, but it’s equally as suitable for days out in the city (I’ve even been known to use mine at the airport). The Loewe basket bag has been on my dream wish-list for some time, arguably the IT girl of the basket bag world, but with a price tag of as much as £495 for the largest size, it’s very much out of my own budget.

For the uninitiated, Loewe is a Spanish luxury designer known for its leather goods and high-quality accessories. The basket bag has been a recognisable hit from the brand in recent years, spotted slung over the arm of celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski, Claire Foy, and Sienna Miller. It’s also become something of a hit online (my own Instagram feed seems to be filled with glamorous women donning the bag for their European summer trips every year).

The bag follows the classic basket woven bag shape and open top, though it is elevated with calfskin leather handles and detailing, plus a drawstring interior to protect your belongings, along with a traditional bag elevated with a classic handwoven body and calfskin top handles. Each of the bags is made in Spain using handwoven raffia leaves that originate from Morocco. 

The most recognisable part of the bag, though, is the embossed Loewe Anagram. It comes in four different sizes: Mini (£475), small (£395), medium (£450) and large (£495).

While you won’t get one of the lusted-after Loewe bags for under £390, the bag’s popularity has inspired several high-street retailers to launch their own take on the retro-look wicker bags. The likes of H&M, Marks and Spencer, and New Look have all launched their own woven accessories in recent months, though at much more affordable prices.

But there’s one in particular that has caught my eye for its noticeable resemblance to the high-end luxury basket bag.

Spanish high-street fashion brand Mango’s double-handle natural fibre basket shares some significant similarities to the Loewe bag. Both bags have the same classic basket bag shape with an internal drawstring pouch to store belongings. The Mango bag is woven from organic fibres, and has a brown leather double handle with contrast stitch detailing – a small touch you won’t see on the Loewe bag. A detachable long strap also makes the Mango bag a versatile option, taking it from a handbag to a shoulder bag with ease.

The tan leather front pocket emulates the Loewe calfskin logo placement, though rather than being embossed with a design, it is outlined with gold studs. 

The bag comes in a small and a large version, retailing for £49.99 and £59.99 respectively. The small version is also available from ASOS for £49.99.

The main difference between this large Mango basket bag and the aforementioned natural fibre basket bag is the lack of a leather front pocket. However, much like the Loewe bag, this vast woven bag is made from natural fibres and has leather detailing. It has two short handle straps for carrying it as a handbag and a removable long shoulder strap. 

Like its designer counterpart, the bag comes with a pouch for safely storing belongings, and an additional knot fastening provides additional security. However, the tan leather panel that runs around the base of the bag sets it apart from the others. 

The large bag is available for £55.99 at Mango. 

The H&M straw shoulder bag is a budget-friendly and contemporary take on the woven bag trend. Though the H&M bag has a similarly classic shape and woven design (made from paper straw) as Loewe’s much-sought-after accessory, there are a few aesthetic differences. Notably, the H&M bag swaps tan for black in its coated fabric handles and flap, accented with contrast stitching.

The bag is unlined and fastens with a concealed magnetic closure, making it suitable for casual outings and summer events

New Look’s woven tote bag is a casual take on the classic basket bag. Though the bag is made from woven fibre and has an open top, the high-street tote has a deeper body for more storage. Its woven design, cream handles (decorated with French writing), and open top make it a versatile accessory for summer outings.

The contrast between the light handles and the woven straw texture adds to the bag’s summery, relaxed aesthetic.

The New Look bag is a practical and stylish option for those seeking an everyday take on the basket bag trend, without the price tag, retailing for just £27.99. 

Beauty buffs are singing the praises of a ‘superb value’ set from Boots, and one product inside has been hailed as ‘the best ever’. The must-have No7 Lift and Luminate Collection 5 Piece Gift Set, valued at an impressive £137.75, is now discounted to £62.96 on the retailer’s website.

This sought-after collection is brimming with everything one needs for a complete skincare routine: day cream, night cream, eye cream, facial oil, and triple-action serum – all in full sizes that promise to deliver value for money. No7 says the range is “clinically proven to even-out skin tone, visibly reducing wrinkles and creating a firmer-looking complexion”.

For instance, the Lift and Luminate Day Cream, with its vitamin C and hyaluronic acid formula, helps firm skin and even out skin tone. The Night Cream, with a blend of shea butter and hyaluronic acid, works overnight to support skin renewal.

Meanwhile, the Triple Action Eye Cream uses ginseng extract to assist with puffiness. Earning high praise, the gift set boasts an impressive 4.6 out of five star-rating based on 67 independent reviews on Boots’ platform. Delighted customers have been raving about it, with one satisfied shopper saying: “Love all these products, No7 is the best on the market. Best product ever.”

Meanwhile, another customer enthused: “Great products and excellent value for money. I’m a convert, having just switched from L’Occitane, which is much more expensive.”

But some shoppers have been left underwhelmed, with one noting the facial oil “reacted to my skin and wasn’t a welcome addition” and another expressing confusion over its place in their skincare routine, saying they “don’t understand what the oil is for and how it fits into the serum and moisturiser routine.”

However, others are raving about the set, with one review highlighting: “Luxurious beauty products that deliver their promise.”

Another satisfied customer shared: “I love No7 and particularly like the lift and luminate range which matches the age of my skin. This set is great value for money, too, and contains full-size products; it’s a no-brainer.”

The coveted No7 Lift and Luminate Collection 5-Piece Gift Set is now available for £74.80 less, but shoppers need to act swiftly as it’s unclear when this deal will expire.

In the realm of beauty bargains, LookFantastic is offering The Dermatological Edit for £50, boosting a value of over £170 and packed with 11 science-backed skincare heroes, formulated to target skin concerns including a full-size Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 to fight against wrinkles and boost collagen.

Alternatively, Next’s Rest & Renew Skincare Edit is available for £25 with a box value of £133, featuring four indulgent shea butter products designed to deeply moisturise the skin. With no less than three full-size items, this kit has a beautiful blend of masks, cleansers and eye gels.