nothing says simple pleasure quite like a picnic. There’s something timelessly romantic about leaving the comfort and convenience of the dining room behind, and instead, taking the best bits of it with you outdoors. A picnic is not just a meal eaten en plein air; it’s a curated experience that makes sitting on the ground feel glamorous.
Well-chosen picnic gear can bring a healthy dose of luxury to the unpretentious park, the beach, or your own backyard. And the single element that can make or break the entire outing? The picnic basket. The ideal selection blurs the line between function and fashion, but pays critical attention to both. It’s genuinely delightful to pack, (and unpack…and worst yet, repack), comfortable and stylish to carry, and the crown jewel of all your picnic photos.
Sure, you could toss your fragile dishes haphazardly in a tote, and then shoulder three more to transport your lunch and libations to the blanket. But here’s a better idea: Invest in a luxury picnic basket in which everything has its place, and no detail is forgotten. Whether you’re hoping to serve a small party, or seeking a personal picnic kit that could double as a designer bag, we’ve rounded up the best picks on the market.
The fashion-forward picnicker will appreciate the attention to detail in this basket, especially the accent bandana which elevates the traditional checkered picnic blanket motif. It’s the centerpiece of La Vie En Rose, a new capsule collection by Bitossi Home and Tamu McPherson that celebrates gathering around simple joys.
This best-selling picnic basket from Williams Sonoma is so dreamy and dainty, you’ll have a hard time believing how functional it is. An insulated compartment is tucked behind the vintage-inspired floral fabric liner, and it neatly packs place settings for up to four Jane Austen enthusiasts.
This Serena and Lily pick is straight out of a storybook. Sometimes simple is best, and this option has plenty of room to customize your look to each picnic.
Your go-to cooler has never been so quaint. This Mark and Graham basket prioritizes the essentials, and couldn’t be easier to pack up on the go. It’s lightweight and includes a comfortable canvas shoulder strap, making it the perfect choice for spontaneous, scenic meals.
If you prefer a picnic that feels more coastal than country, this Crate and Barrel pick is the ideal seaside companion. Its weathered tone, leather straps, and interior blue accents give it a sense of New England charm, and it includes all the fixings for wine and cheese at the beach.
Not every picnic requires garden party undertones, and this West Elm selection gets the job done with no fuss. This practical, Swiss army knife of picnic baskets efficiently compartmentalizes everything you’ll need, including the neatly rolled blanket.
If you’re a natural-born host whose fantasy picnic is a full dinner party in the park, you deserve this industrial investment. Harrods makes the mother of all picnic baskets, which neatly stows plates, cutlery, and stemware for 10, alongside a corkscrew, napkins, a cutting board, and a built-in cooler bag. (You might need an extra hand carrying it.)
If you like to elevate even casual picnics (and most other things in life), this comfortably luxe basket-bag hybrid from Anya Hindmarch is for you. Its soft leather and seagrass construction makes it flexible and easy to carry (and ensures it won’t snag your dress). For an extra step above the other baskets, you can opt to customize this hamper with a leather monogram.
This tote epitomizes the “anywhere, but always in style” approach to picnicking. It combines the rustic charm of the traditional picnic basket with the laid-back feel of a beach bag. The design is a versatile upgrade to your favorite canvas tote, but it’s primed for a picnic date with only the essentials: minimalist plates, utensils, tumblers, and caviar.
Grace McCarty is a freelance Associate Digital Editor at ELLE Decor, where she covers design trends, shopping, and culture. She previously held a staff position at SELF Magazine, where she focused on beauty, style, and wellness. Her work has also appeared in Glamour and Parade.
