Straw Bags
Filter by color:
- BeigeBeige 20
- BlackBlack 8
- BlueBlue 5
- BrownBrown 4
- Dark BrownDark Brown 1
- FuchsiaFuchsia 3
- GoldGold 2
- GrayGray 4
- GreenGreen 3
- Light brownLight brown 4
MulticolorMulticolor 4- MustardMustard 1
- Natural 3
- OrangeOrange 4
- Pastel PinkPastel Pink 1
- PersianPersian 1
- Piggy PinkPiggy Pink 1
- PinkPink 5
- PistachioPistachio 6
- PurplePurple 1
- RedRed 3
- TanTan 1
- TurquoiseTurquoise 4
- WhiteWhite 3
- YellowYellow 2
- Light pinkLight pink 1
- ThistleThistle 1
A handwoven straw bag is made by interlacing natural plant fibers — palm leaf, raffia, doum, or seagrass — by hand around a structured form, producing a lightweight, rigid-sided bag with far more longevity than it looks. Properly made, a palm-fiber bag will handle years of daily use: the natural fibers compress slightly with wear but don’t fray, split, or lose shape the way machine-woven synthetic alternatives do. This is a bag designed for the market, the beach, and everywhere between.
Every bag in this collection is made in Marrakech by Dounia, known in the medina as the “Heart-Weaver of Marrakech.” Dounia sources dried palm leaf, raffia, and doum fiber from suppliers in southern Morocco, softens and splits each strand by hand before weaving begins, and builds each bag around a wooden form that gives it its distinctive round or structured shape. Leather handles and trim — sourced from Marrakech’s tanneries — are added at the end, joining two of the city’s oldest craft traditions in a single bag.
The collection covers six distinct styles:
- Market totes — large open-top bags with double leather handles; ideal for groceries, beach days, and farmers markets; from $73
- Round crossbody bags — the collection’s bestseller; compact circle shape with a leather fringe strap; from $74
- Straw backpacks — structured woven rucksacks with leather shoulder straps; great for day trips and travel; from $83
- Embroidered & sequin totes — hand-embellished statement bags with cotton embroidery, sequin detail, or tassel trim; from $80
- Mesh & open-weave bags — lightweight lattice-woven totes perfect for warm weather and beach carry; from $87
- Mini bags & personalized sets — small woven clutches and custom embroidered sets; ideal as gifts or wedding favors; from $87
All bags pair natural straw with genuine leather handles or trim — a deliberate design decision that adds structure, durability, and a warm contrast to the natural fiber weave.
Everything ships free worldwide. For care instructions, see our leather care guide — the leather trim on these bags benefits from the same occasional conditioning. For the full leather bag collection, visit Moroccan Leather Bags.
How to Choose the Right Straw Bag Style
All 34 bags in this collection are handwoven by Dounia in Marrakech from palm leaf, raffia, or doum fiber. The difference between styles is shape, size, and carry occasion — here's how to match them:
| Style | Size | Best For | Handle Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Tote | Large (14–19" wide) | Groceries, beach, farmers market, travel | Double leather handles | $73 – $107 |
| Round Crossbody | Small-Medium (circle, ~12" diameter) | Brunch, casual outings, festivals, errands | Leather fringe strap | $74 – $83 |
| Straw Backpack | Medium (structured rucksack) | Day trips, travel, hands-free carry | Leather shoulder straps | $83 – $97 |
| Embroidered / Sequin Tote | Large | Statement carry, beach, summer events | Leather or cotton handles | $80 – $97 |
| Mesh / Open-Weave | Medium-Large | Beach, poolside, produce shopping | Leather handles | $87 – $94 |
| Mini Bag / Personalized Set | Small | Gifts, wedding favors, essentials-only carry | Wrist strap or clutch | $87 – $94 |
Styling a Handwoven Straw Bag
Straw bags work across more occasions than most people expect. The large market tote — our most popular style by units sold — handles a farmers market run just as well as a beach day or an afternoon in the city. The natural palm-and-leather color combination pairs with linen, denim, cotton sundresses, and resort wear without effort. For a more dressed-up look, the embroidered and sequin-embellished totes add visual texture and color that reads as intentional rather than casual.
The round crossbody is the collection's most versatile single piece: compact enough for a brunch or evening out, sturdy enough for a full day of travel, and distinctive enough to work as a focal point in an otherwise simple outfit. The leather fringe strap adds movement and warmth — it's become the style most frequently photographed by customers on holiday in Morocco and at home.
Looking for something to pair with leather goods? These straw bags complement any piece from the leather bag collection — many customers carry one of each for different seasons and occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Handwoven Straw Bags
The collection uses three main plant fibers, all sourced from southern Morocco. Palm leaf (doum palm) is the primary material — it's strong, slightly flexible, and produces the crisp structured shape most market totes and crossbodies have. Raffia, harvested from the raffia palm, is finer and more pliable, used in softer weave styles and embellished bags. Doum fiber gives a slightly coarser, more rustic texture. Dounia sources all materials directly from Moroccan suppliers and softens each strand by hand before weaving begins.
Yes — a well-made palm-leaf bag handles daily carry reliably for several years. The key is the weave density and how the leather trim is attached. Dounia builds each bag around a wooden form, which creates tight, even weaving that resists pressure and keeps the bag's shape under load. The leather handles are stitched rather than glued, so they don't separate with use. Avoid overloading beyond the bag's size and keep it away from prolonged moisture, and it will last.
Wipe the exterior with a barely damp cloth to remove dust or surface dirt — do not saturate the fibers with water. For the leather handles and trim, apply a small amount of leather conditioner once or twice a year to prevent drying. To store, stuff the bag lightly with tissue paper to hold its shape, and keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can bleach and dry out natural fibers over time. Do not fold or compress for extended periods.
Yes. Several bags in the collection are available with custom hand-embroidered names or initials — including the Personalized Mini Straw Bag Sets, which are popular as wedding favors and group gifts. Custom embroidery is hand-stitched by Dounia's workshop and typically adds 3–5 business days to production time. If you're looking for a larger custom order for an event or retail purpose, contact us at wholesale@marrakeche.com for options.
Genuinely, yes. Palm leaf, raffia, and doum fiber are renewable plant materials that require no industrial processing — Dounia's workshop produces near-zero waste, as offcuts are used in smaller pieces or returned to natural composting. There are no synthetic dyes, plastic components, or chemical treatments in the weave itself. The leather trim uses naturally tanned hides from Marrakech's tanneries, free from synthetic coatings. Packaging is plastic-free. The bags are also built to last for years, reducing the cycle of replacement that disposable fashion bags create.
More than just the beach. The large market totes work for farmers markets, grocery runs, picnics, and travel carry-on use. Round crossbodies are popular for brunches, casual city days, festivals, and summer travel. Straw backpacks handle day trips and light travel well. Embroidered and sequin styles suit summer evening events and outdoor dinners. Mini bags work for evenings out or as clutch-style carry for essentials. The common thread: any occasion where you want lightweight, natural texture, and a bag with a story behind it.