Review: Loewe Basket Bag…was it worth it?
If you want to know how to authenticate a Loewe Medium Basket Tote click here.
Full disclosure: I bought my Loewe Medium Basket Tote new - definitely not my usual approach since I typically go for preloved items. But, this bag has been so incredibly popular, even after six seasons, that finding one secondhand was nearly impossible. Last year, I only came across one on my go-to resale platforms. It was listed on Sellier, and within an hour, it was gone. I hesitated, and it was too late! But, now in 2025 with the rise of newer styles from Loewe, Miu Miu and Celine basket bags. This bag is increasingly coming up on resale sites now - so you can definitely get one pre-loved.
The Backstory
The Loewe Basket Tote made its debut in Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe Spring Womenswear collection back in 2017 and it’s been a summer staple ever since.
If you’re eyeing this bag and concerned about counterfeits, the key detail to watch out for is the weaving. While much of the bag can be replicated with decent accuracy, the expert craftsmanship of the weave, done by artisans in Spain, is much harder to fake. So, always inspect the weave closely if you’re buying secondhand. But also read my post linked above.
[Review and Unpopular Opinion Alert!]
Now for the controversial bit: as much as I love the look of this bag, I honestly don’t think it’s worth the money. I was really excited to use it all summer, but the durability doesn’t match its price tag. I took it to Greece for just four days, and already one weave of the palm material split. Ideally, I wanted this to be my go-to summer bag, used on weekends and for casual outings, but I don’t think it would survive a week long trip to Greece without being rotated out with other bags.
This bag has come with me to Wimbledon, 4 days in Greece, South of France and trips to the British coast. I would say in total it’s been used between 10-15 times.
The issue, in my opinion, lies in the style of weaving and the palm. The Loewe Basket uses the 'plaiting twill' method (the palm lies flat, like flat pad Thai noodles), which gives it that iconic, airy look but compromises its durability. By contrast, I’ve found that bags made with the 'coiling' method hold up much better - way more robust and hard wearing. Check out all of Loewe’s artisans
Plaiting Basket Weaving
Coiling technique (I think this is the name - correct me in the comments if I am wrong :)
If I had to do it over again, I’d choose Loewe’s 'Slit Raffia and Leather Crossbody Tote' — it’s equally beautiful but more practical - annoyingly its £400 more expensive. I spotted a few on Vestiaire Collective recently, and I’m regretting not getting one of those.
That said, if you’ve got your heart set on the Basket Tote, and especially if you’ve found one on the resale market, here’s my breakdown of the pros and cons.
Pros
Classic Summer Style: It’s the ultimate summer bag that goes with everything, from beachwear to casual weekend looks.
Highly Coveted: A true fashion statement that will turn heads.
Timeless Design (ish): Even after five seasons, it’s still in demand.
You can fill it up This bag can carry A LOT. It fits so much: 2 x towels, sun lotion, makeup bag, water, book, flip flops - just everything needed for the beach.
Structured - I do like a structured bag.
Cons
Durability Issues: The palm material gets easily worn / splits, especially with frequent use.
High Price Tag: For the amount of wear you can get out of it, the price doesn’t feel justified.
Limited Use: Not ideal for long trips or heavy-duty wear, which can be a dealbreaker if you're looking for an everyday summer bag.
Trend: I think it became too popular on Instagram and will fade in popularity
No zipped interior pocket or leather card slot of any description
Final Thoughts: The Loewe Basket Tote is undeniably gorgeous and I love a bit of Loewe, but if you’re looking for a practical, durable summer bag, you might want to consider other options - and as I said buy the Loewe Slit Raffia and Crossbody tote. However, if you’re all about the style and don’t mind being extra careful with it, this might still be the perfect addition to your collection.
