The Patou Bucket Bag, Raffia and Wicker Explained

The bucket bags are the summer half of Patou leather goods, and the most recognisable thing
the house makes after Le Patou Bag. There are three families, and
they are not interchangeable.

The raffia bucket

The Iconic bucket in 100 percent raffia, made in Madagascar, around 550 euros at source. A
braided top handle, a fabric lining with a ruffle and a grosgrain drawstring, and a gold-tone
ornament at the front drawn from the Bocca della Verità, the Roman mouth of
truth, which is the same motif that turns up on the jewellery. It comes in vanilla, white and a
run of seasonal shades.

The wicker bucket

Handmade in Spain in 100 percent wicker, around 490 euros. A top handle with a sliding lid
and the same gold ornament. Because it is handmade, the house notes that irregularities are
normal, which they are: it is a basket, and the point is that it looks like one.

The couture buckets

Larger raffia shapes in GM and PM sizes, which is French luxury shorthand for
grand modèle and petit modèle. If you see GM and PM in a Patou
bag name, that is the size, not a style code.

And the charms

The raffia GG bucket charm is a miniature of the bag on a JP-engraved hook with a grosgrain
bow. It clips to a handle. One is enough; three looks like a keyring.

How to carry them

The raffia and wicker styles want a linen shirt and a flat sandal on holiday, then a blazer
and straight trousers to bring them into the city. They hold a towel and a book without
complaint, which is more than most designer straw can say. Keep them dry, store them stuffed so
the shape holds, and use a specialist cleaner rather than water.

Shop designer bucket bags, designer totes and designer bags, and see the
Bocca motif on the jewellery.

More Patou guides

• Is Patou a Luxury Brand? An Honest Answer
• Patou vs Jacquemus: Which Paris Label Suits You?
• La Patou Blouse: How to Wear the House Blouse
• The JP Monogram: Jean Patou and the First Designer Logo
• Patou Knitwear: Merino, Cashmere and the Jacquard Logo
• Where to Buy Patou: Stockists and Shipping

Frequently asked questions

What is the Patou bucket bag made of?

The Iconic bucket is 100 percent raffia, made in Madagascar, with a polyester, sometimes fabric, lining. The wicker bucket is 100 percent wicker, handmade in Spain.

How much is the Patou raffia bucket bag?

About 550 euros at source for the raffia Iconic bucket and about 490 euros for the wicker version.

What is the gold ornament on the Patou bucket bag?

It is drawn from the Bocca della Verita, the Roman mouth of truth, and is engraved with the Patou logo. The same motif appears on the house jewellery.

What do GM and PM mean on a Patou bag?

They are French sizing shorthand: grand modele for the large version and petit modele for the small one.

Sources

• Patou product pages and compositions, patou.com

Written and fact-checked by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Last reviewed September 2026.