Sisal Kiondo Tote, Navy and Cream Stripe, Leather Flap

A handwoven sisal kiondo tote in navy and cream stripes, with a tan leather flap that buckles shut and two adjustable leather shoulder straps. Most basket bags are open at the top. This one closes. A stitched leather flap folds over the opening and fastens with a long leather strap and a metal buckle at the front, so what you carry stays covered on a bus, in a crowd or in the rain. The shoulder straps have buckles of their own near the rim, so you can shorten them to carry it by hand or let them out to wear it over a coat. The stripes are three wide bands of navy between bands of natural cream sisal, a crisp, nautical look that suits summer, the beach and a plain navy or white wardrobe. If you want something softer and closer to the natural colour of the fibre, the store's cream and natural kiondo is the better choice. The body is twined by hand from natural sisal fibre, stiff enough to stand up on its own. The maker gives it as 32cm wide and 32cm tall, excluding the handles, and lists it as lined. Bags are flattened for shipping to keep the parcel small. This does no harm, as sisal springs back into shape once it is unpacked. Do not soak the bag. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth and store it somewhere dry.