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BAGS WOVEN from natural, readily available materials—usually dried grasses—have been a practical staple for centuries. “Basket-weaving goes back forever,” said London fashion curator Shonagh Marshall. (Traces have been found in Egyptian pyramids.) Like today’s plastic bags, these baskets were cheap and lightweight—a utilitarian way to carry goods.
In the 1950s, straw clutches gained popularity among fashion-minded women. Many featured appliqué or embroidery, and functioned as souvenirs, noted Jill Brady, founder of the…