My biggest complaint with the typical woven crochet bags was always that they’re made from wool or some cloth material, which wears and tears with time. A bag is meant to protect things from the outside, not the other way around.
The trending crochet or woven beach bags are cute, especially the embellished ones with sequins attached to them. But again, they only work in theory. The second they get in contact with some liquid, not only do all your belongings get sopping wet, and your bag turns into a wet pile of threads, glitter and lost hopes. The current crochet bag trend has progressed to different materials such as macramé and jute. Among them, our beloved koodai has emerged into the spotlight.
Woven from palm leaves or recycled plastic by Tamil artisans, these bags were everywhere during our childhood. Stuffed in kitchen corners brimming with veggies, toting around the market, this alternative to plastic bags was not just a more practical and sustainable solution, but also versatile and everlasting.
The koodai bag was your best friend at the grocers, it was what your clothes came home in freshly tailored and fitted. It was the bag that held all your random belongings, secrets, spices, and everything else that makes up a typical Indian childhood.
Also Read: Someone call Fashion Police. The retro fringe trend needs to die
A koodai revolution
But the koodai renaissance has been revolutionised. Koodai by Saras has emerged as the MVP this season. Their line is filled with a plethora of unique bags of all different sizes, colours, designs and patterns. Other brands like Koodaikind and Malai Eco have turned it into an elevated tote bag, complete with a clasp on top to give it a polished feel. Knots Bag has a variety of cute designs, styling some with words like “meow” and “wow” or even fruit designs. Koodaikind has turned a traditional Indian staple into fashionable, quirky clutches and sling bags. And of course, this piece wouldn’t be complete without mentioning iconic Koodai Kadaii’s heart totes and Madras check bags.
Even the luxury fashion designer, Prada, has jumped on the trend. Their neon orange raffia tote bag is just one famous example. The New York-based brand, Khaite, entered the chat with their Olivia shoulder bag. Loewe, Chloé, Staud, Miu Min and famously Bottega Veneta, all proudly partook in the trend.
Personally, I’m loving the rise of Koodais into the mainstream fashion world. They’re not only unique, fun and colourful but also bring a huge wave of nostalgia along with them. With Gen Z fashion trends mainly leaning towards only looking at the aesthetics of things with often no regard for the practicality of it all, it’s refreshing to see one that’s durable, practical and sustainable.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)