PICNIC BASKETS PURS(U)E A NEW LOOK
BY LIV LAUVRAY PHOTOS BY HADLEY FAIN
The picnic basket purse has been a fashion trend for ages. It was first introduced in the 1940s as an alternative to leather bags during World War II.
It was best known for being worn by actress and singer Jane Birkin; she first started carrying the picnic basket when she went on a trip to Portugal. Since then, the basket became an iconic piece of Birkin’s wardrobe throughout the ‘70s. The basket could be seen with her at farmers markets or at big events. Jane Birkin making such a statement started significantly influencing the fashion scene, especially in France, where women started to pick up on the trend and the picnic basket purse began being seen all over. The trend’s popularity dwindled until the early 2000s when Kate Spade and Hermes started putting their twist on the basket purse. After that, the purse started to come back into style.
This type of bag fits in well with the bohemian style that comprises a lot of earthy tones, flowy clothing, and bold patterns. The basket purse can be paired best with the cottagecore aesthetic that magnificently fits this style. According to The Good Trade, “Cottagecore is an aesthetic that celebrates simple living, particularly in the countryside. It encourages a lifestyle rooted in traditional skills—like baking bread, gardening, and sewing your own clothes.” The basket purse is not only fashionable with the cottagecore aesthetic but also useful because it can be used to hold flowers, vegetables, books, and fresh bread, among other items.
In 2018, the basket purse took a new turn and started being used less as a practical tool and more as a fashion statement. It started making its appearance in the summer and became an everyday bag. The basket purse is synonymous with a high social status because, like back in the ‘50s, these bags are worth a pretty penny today. A beautifully made picnic basket purse can range in cost from $100 to $2,000. These bags are a great accessory to add to any wardrobe; thanks to Jane Birkin and many more, this purse can be seen as an everyday item.
