No, raffia accessories aren't too casual - Duchess Sophie just styled hers to perfection with her go-to midi dress at a garden party
She brought back her Sophie Habsburg raffia clutch for the first garden party of the season and it added a summery edge
One of the seasons I love the Duchess of Edinburgh's style so much is that she isn't afraid to have fun with fashion, especially when it comes to accessories. From her flamboyant feathered hats to her 'Wonderwoman' clutch, Sophie puts her own twist on things and she just did it again at the first royal garden party of the season.
These parties inspire summer wedding guest dress purchases, though I found myself looking more at the Duchess's raffia clutch and hat. Woven accessories can be deemed too beachy or casual, but it doesn't come much more formal than a Buckingham Palace event and hers fit in.
Shop Raffia Accessories
This is a summer take on ME+EM's wide belt and is crafted in Italy from hand-woven raffia. Due to the natural holes in the fabric, the piece can be adjusted easily to suit you, allowing it to be worn at the waist or the hips. It’s elevated with a square buckle with a brass finish.
Featuring a grab handle and practical internal zip and slip pockets, this neutral paper beaded bag is a beautiful option for spring/summer events. It fastens securely with a zip at the top and it's roomy enough for your essentials without being too bulky.
Also available in chocolate brown, this clutch is made from natural woven fibres and has an inner lining. You can carry it as a clutch or attach the long, removable chain strap if you want to wear it as a shoulder or crossbody bag.
Made from tan-toned woven paper, this Panama hat also has a striped ribbon trim for an extra touch of detail. It's a stylish and functional addition to an accessory collection for sunny days ahead. Pop on with everything from a midi dress to jeans and a T-shirt.
Mules and wedges are both classic summer shoe styles and the Kea sandals combine them in such a wearable away. They have a chic slip-on style and the low wedge adds subtle height, making them a versatile choice for the day and night.
This small bag is made from natural fibre fabric and features double hands and a long detachable shoulder strap. Inside there's a fabric bag to keep your belongings secure and the gold-toned hardware and tan details add a chic feel.
Aside from this it's entirely neutral and woven items are a big spring/summer handbag trend for 2026. The smart shape of the bag elevated the raffia material and made the clutch the perfect pairing for her favourite coral frock.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has the Beulah Yahvi dress in five colours and this is one of her most-worn shades. The orange on the bag continued the sunset shade theme of her outfit and it was a new way of styling it for her.
We'd usually see Duchess Sophie reach for plain leather accessories with this dress but the raffia added some contrast. She also chose an angled hat that had a similar texture to the clutch, with tiny cut-outs and vibrant coral feathers.
This headpiece was formal yet fun and you could easily recreate this kind of ensemble with a woven sunhat instead. It just goes to show that raffia isn't only for summer holidays or low-key outings - it can be made more elegant too.
Structured, classic bag designs like clutches or top handle bags are going to look naturally smarter and these would be wonderful for events like garden parties, weddings or special gatherings. If you did want to keep things on the relaxed side, I'd advise picking slightly slouchier shapes like a bucket bag or roomy tote.
Although the Duchess didn't wear matching raffia shoes on this occasion it's easy to imagine them as part of this outfit instead of her patent beige heels. Woven heels, wedges and even flats like ballet pumps are everywhere right now and with a raffia bag you've got yourself a versatile pairing.
These items tend to come in primarily neutral shades which means you can mix and match them with so many different pieces. Duchess Sophie has worn her raffia clutch with a very different outfit before, when she visited Golspie in Scotland in 2024.
On this occasion she stepped out in a camel blazer, olive tailored trousers and a striped top and once again the raffia clutch wasn't too casual. She also owns a fabulous raffia Capri bag - also by Sophie Habsburg - with a metal bracelet handle and turquoise crocheting. The Duchess of Edinburgh wore this with a floral ME+EM dress last summer for a smart-casual look.
