Summer is on the horizon. It’s time to put away your thick sweaters, combat boots, beanies and rearrange the wardrobe with your favorite slip dresses, crop tops, shorts and chic sandals. And last but not least, finish your look with a stylish bag. There are so many shapes, patterns, colors and materials to choose from. Below we suggest four of the most sophisticated bag shapes for this summer and they are all made from a special material - jute.
What is Jute?
Jute is one of the most affordable, 100% biodegradable and pollution-free natural fibers. It is a long and shiny vegetable fiber that comes from the skin of the jute plant. It also goes by the name of “Golden Fiber / Gold of Bengal” in Bangladesh.
To grow jute plants, farmers scatter the seeds on cultivated soil in a warm season which usually lasts from the end of February to the end of May, when humidity in the air is over 70% in Bangladesh. About four months after planting, flowers grow on plants. The perfect time for collecting jute fiber is in the period between flowering and then the flowers turn into seeds. The stalks are cut off close to the ground and tied into bundles and soaked in water for about twenty days. This process softens the tissues and separates the fiber from the woody stick inside. After separating the fibers from the sticks, the farmers wash them properly and hang them in sunlight and dry them for about three to four days. It depends on the heat of the sun. After this process, the stack of dried fiber is ready to be used to make jute products.
Making jute strings
Jute strings of various thicknesses are spun manually or in the jute mills for using them in fabrics, floor mats and basket making, sewing, making twines and regular ropes. Our artisans usually process the finest raw jute fiber first and then, twist a few threads together and spin them to make threads or twines. Twines might have single or multiple plies of threads based on their required thickness.
Natural dying process of jute
After collecting the finest jute fiber from the supplier, artisans soak the jute stack into AZO-free color for a certain time. Then spread them on a hanger under shade (not in direct sunlight) for two to three days in a dry and cool place to get the perfect shine of each fiber. AZO-free color and jute both are eco-friendly.
Handloom Jute Fabric
Jute bags are the most common products made from jute fiber. After dyeing and drying of jute, artisans prepare wooden pit handlooms for weaving. The loom holds a set of vertical threads called “warp,” with a set of horizontal threads called “weft,” and repeating the process of interweaving weft over and above warp creates beautiful handloom jute fabric. These tightly woven fabrics are praised for their versatility and durability. In fact, jute bags can carry much more weight than polythene or paper bags. Since hand-looming is manually operated, there is no carbon emission generated in the process, supporting eco-friendly and sustainable production.
Ethical fashion choices you can choose from
Classic handmade jute shoulder bags are absolute must-haves for the summer season, curated into a beautiful jute braided bag design. Made with 100% jute, these bags can go with whatever clothing style you put on. Throw it over your shoulder, carry it in your hand, take it to the beach, the market, or for a stroll around the neighborhood, and never worry about being able to fit all your essentials.
Jute clutches come in many different accent colors and designs which can pop color into your summer outfit. Oversized clutches make the perfect go-to accessory when you are on the go. These are big enough to store all of your essentials in one place - phone, keys, wallet, make-up, notebook, vitamins, charger cords, a small tablet, you name it.
Make a statement with uniquely hand-loomed and naturally dyed jute totes. Made from an earth-friendly material, jute tote bags are stylish with colorful designs, functional, and ideal as a daily bag. If you are planning a weekend getaway to the beach, match your outfit with a striped jute shoulder bag which also can be oversized yet versatile, lightweight, and durable bag that is spacious enough to store your travel essentials.
Take an easy step in becoming a little more eco-friendly with jute market bags. Reusable jute bags are one of the best ways to reduce your plastic usage and contribute to building greener grocery or shopping habits. These bags are durable and sturdy, so they are good to load up at the weekend markets.
KORISSA’s gorgeous bag collections are sustainably handmade by Fair Trade artisans in Bangladesh. Whether you’re traveling, relaxing on the beach, going for an evening stroll, or catching the sunset, we hope you enjoy your summer with our eco-friendly bags that give back to nature, our planet, and Fair-Trade women artisans in rural Bangladesh communities.
