An easy way to make your outfit more interesting
You know that…thing, where something catches your eye (or thoughts) and then you start seeing it everywhere? (Sometimes referred to as “frequency illusion.”) Woven leather bags and shoes aren’t a new phenomenon, but I’ve been noticing an uptick of styles shown recently on social media and in current collections.
Above: Bottega Veneta is the Grande Dame of woven leather, and priced accordingly. 😆 Left | right.
One of the attributes of French style I mentioned here is a preference for simple, classic shapes with interesting details. This applies to accessories too. And if you prefer simple and straightforward styles like I do, incorporating some texture can be an easy way to add visual interest. Woven leather (and faux leather) bags and shoes count as texture (and in some cases, pattern).
👉 Style tip: if you wear a lot of black or other monochrome outfits, mixing textures can break up the look and keep it from appearing as a solid block.
Woven leather bags and shoes (and some faux leather too)
Here are a few styles I thought were interesting. If your style personality is more classic and refined, look for simpler, symmetrical weave patterns, and smoother finishes. Those with more Bohemian, natural, or casual style can go a bit rougher. Woven leather also tends have a lighter look than solid, so can be a good choice for spring & summer.
Let’s start off with a good-looking and sensible little crossbody bag. This one has a zipped compartment and two outside pockets. The strap is adjustable. I’ve shown black here, but there are other colors available.
Clare V. bags so often hit that perfect balance between simple and stylish. This “midi sac” camera style crossbody bag is a good size for everyday, running errands, or lunch with friends. There are several colors and finishes available, but I thought this blue in woven leather is a fun choice.
If you need a larger bag, this budget-friendly faux leather tote has an interesting shape, and is also available in black and bone.
And this one’s a bit more spendy, but just look at that color 💙 and fabulous contrasting weave in the design!
This slouchy messenger bag has both a shorter shoulder strap and longer cross-body strap. And it has plenty of room for all your essentials.
I’ve read lots of raves for these slip-on sneakers, and am really tempted by this metallic peachy color! There are plenty of other colors available too.
Ballet flats are seeing a resurgence in popularity. This style is offered in 4 different metallic shades.
These splashy loafers might not be everyone’s cup of Darjeeling, but they’re just so fun, I couldn’t resist sharing them!
Here’s a more subtle (but still interesting) option. Also available in black and gold.
Back to sneakers, here’s a platform style that will let your feet breathe on warmer days. Three colors available, and if I remember correctly, this style sold out quickly last year.
More woven look bags and shoes to elevate your look…
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I love a different looking bag, and these are great to get the imagination going. I have grey, navy, and black woven bags and just love them, as well as a great pair of blush slip on sneakers that I discovered when a local store was going out of business. I really like the texture in the finishes since I have curly hair and it sort of goes with my natural textures. There is a fine line for me however as I like to keep a feminine vibe in my outfits.
The Faux woven tote is cute, and seems like an affordable in-between seasons bag. The tan has a suggestion of a straw bag, so you could segue into Summer from Spring carrying it. It would probably weather Spring showers much more successfully than straw!
I like the Tory Burch loafers, but have to wonder whether the woven strips would rub on your toes. The propect of shoes rubbing against the sides of my toes and feet, particularly after almost three years of comfy sneakers, is not one I want to spend that much to discover.
I love woven things. I just never thought about woven leather in shoes. . I’ll be looking out for those for summer.
Those Vince Camuto woven sneakers are already mostly sold out 🙁
Sorry about that! They were still mostly available when I prepared this list over the weekend.
Woven shoes are good for summer. You get shoe support but with some ventilation.
Wow, I have wanted a Bottega Venata bag for 25 years, never will be in my budget. Thanks for your alternates. My sis Terri and I and our husbands are taking a Viking river cruise from Paris to normandy
In July, not great time but only time that works. We have also rented an apartment afterwards for 4 days in Paris. It’s a first visit for all. We could use wardrobe and siteseeing suggestions. We are staying in the Maria’s district. Thanks, Dale
Just saw your post (I’m a week behind in my reading). My husband and I took the Viking Paris to Normandy river cruise in 2019 and LOVED it! So many wonderful little towns, and the trip to Normandy was beautiful. Very respectful and so very interesting to visit sites seen in the movies. You will thoroughly enjoy. That was our second Viking river cruise and they will spoil you. Excellent river cruise line. We are hopefully cruising the Mediterranean this October on a regular Viking cruise. That will be a new thing for us.
That is a good post and helpful for me in another way than you intended. I now know I am not “a woven bag person”. I have one pair of woven summer slingbacks. They will suffice.
Nice, but not for me.
Greetje
Christi,
Thanks for your comment! We are looking forward to our trip. We are just hoping that we don’t have a heat wave. Enjoy your trip in October. Dale