Rafe St. Kitts Straw Basket, Handbag of the Day

As easy as it is to picture the Rafe St. Kitts Straw Basket being carried during a stroll along the boardwalk on a lazy summer afternoon or through a seaside market on a crisp morning, the bag is basically limited to those uses. Take it away from the slightly touristy, summer-house atmosphere of many mainland beaches and just-slightly-offshore islands, and you are left with something that, while cute, looks like a souvenir. The basket is woven with natural wheat straw and has a dark brown deerskin trim and top tab closure. Bamboo handles give it a tropical touch and the seaside look is completed with a net overlay covered with nautical charms and shells. It measures 5″H x 9″W x 2 3/4″D. Price: $300.