From mini bags to oversized tote bags, what are the coolest bags of the moment?

When we talk about mini bags, there's one image that has been imprinted on our minds by the ubiquity of pop culture, and that is, of course, Lizzo on the red carpet at the 2019 AMAs with the smallest bag you have ever seen, except - perhaps - the Polly Pocket doll accessories. The accessory is a very limited Valentino edition, of which there are actually only three. This gesture was meant to despair the popularity of micro bags, which were depopulating among celebrities at the time. No one would have thought that from that moment on, to quote Lizzo, a bag big enough to give my fucks would become an undisputed trend for years to come and be revisited by numerous luxury brands. In recent months, even stars like Beyoncé and Dua Lipa had shared some photos on Instagram where the real star was the Chiquito Bag by Jacquemus. With a height of 8.5 cm and a length of 5 cm, it has become very famous and also thanks to its low price compared to the accessories of the most famous designers, it soon crossed the borders of Hollywood to stroll on the ordinary streets.

We certainly did not expect such an uncomfortable trend to last so long. Indeed, the collaboration between Tiffany & Co. and Fendi also included the Nano Baguette, a model reminiscent of the iconic baguette designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 97, but, as the name suggests, in a decidedly reduced size. Fendi has not let itself go in recent years, consistently coming up with designs that follow the new mini bag trend, even going so far as to create pendants that can either be worn over the shoulder, attached to standard-sized bags or fastened to a belt with the clasp.


Mini bags have not completely disappeared from the limelight, but they have made way for a new trend: maxis. As with the mini skirt, we know we do not like half sizes. Maxi bags seem to fit every aesthetic, which is perhaps why they take up so much space on social media. Try to find an element that matches all the cores that have been popping up lately, or almost, yet spacious bags seem to be close to what we are looking for. We start with the old money aesthetic and immediately recognise the obsession with Goyard's very classic and hyper-exclusive Saint Louis Bag. Synonymous with privacy, the Parisian brand uses only Goyardine, an iconic canvas that remains unchanged for each collection. The brand does not sell online, although it has its own website, and has never advertised its brand. Another much-discussed maxi tote that is perfect for female students who do not want to sacrifice elegance on their way to class is Longchamp's Le Pliage in size L, an ultra-light and foldable yet sturdy bag with leather trim that is very different from classic canvas bags. It is described on TikTok as the quintessential London student bag and has been photographed several times over the years with the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.

Kendall Jenner, who famously loves to go plus-size, especially with pouffes and bags, totally got the fashion trend of the moment and after a few snaps, demand skyrocketed for the Maxi Jodie by Bottega Veneta, the brand that never disappoints when it comes to accessories. The weave and knot on the handle are distinct enough not to go unnoticed while we enjoy the comfort of a roomy bag. During the last Milan Fashion Week, Jil Sander was one of the brands that supported this philosophy, upgrading a less minimalist FW 2023 2024 collection than usual with maxi shoulder bags with tone-on-tone drop inserts and maxi handbags that almost touch the floor as the models walked down the runway. Dolce & Gabbana, on the other hand, continues the line of mini bags that do not go unnoticed with golden material or distinct textures.


If you are still old school, and a bag that's neither too big nor too small is exactly what you are looking for, we are sorry to inform you that this is not the time. There are no half-measures any more than there are half-seasons, and in the world of fashion you have to take a clear stand to stand out from the crowd.