Stockholm chic

An iconic rattan tote with a colourful new spirit

In my never-ending quest for a handbag sans chains, buckles or brand names, I recently came across a chicly simple Swedish number that will carry me (or rather that I will carry) throughout the summer. The classic rattan tote by Stockholm-based Palmgrens (about £264) may have traditionally been associated with a more conservative clientele, but the label’s recent versions with brighter trims – in turquoise, bright orange and fuchsia – have made it something of an alternative “it” bag among the style savvy.

I have always been a fan of natural materials and hand-sewn finishes – especially in sturdy leather and woven rattan – and this 1950s design features some incredible attention to detail and fine workmanship. Palmgrens’ basket bag is by no means cavernously capacious, but being bijou and lightweight, it rather demands thoughtful packing, restraint and a bit of careful planning. I particularly like the zippered leather pouch in a matching hue tethered to the bag’s interior, which is handy for keys, cash and cards.

Mine is in a neutral beige shade, but I would love to own totes in the full kaleidoscopic spectrum, from brilliant yellow through to sea green. I love the bag’s basic square shape and whenever I have used it outside of Sweden (where it is iconic), it has garnered myriad compliments for its simplicity and originality. It isn’t widely available – in fact, Palmgrens is the sole distributor – which, in my mind, adds to its appeal.

Streamlined and tasteful, these statement bags have inspired noted Swedish furniture designers Mathieu Gustafsson and Niklas Karlsson to create an entire line of cabinets based on their design, which launched at this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair.

For me, this rattan bag is bling-free bliss and evokes something of the spirit of a sunny holiday in Capri – which couldn’t be further from the reality of my day-to-day New York existence. Heaven.