They’re teeny, they’re tiny, both seemingly stupid and curiously cute at the same time, and they cost a pretty penny for a bag that’s not even large enough to hold our phones (most of the time), and yet our obsession with mini and micro bags is unmatched. Why?
While mini bags are fashionable they are the furthest thing from functional, forcing would be users to pare down their most practical to the bare necessities, while stuffing the phone that doesn’t fit into a back pocket or simply carrying it in one’s hand. Though some mini bags are big enough to carry a phone, small card case and a few other goodies, other minis and nearly all micro bags don’t allow room for a smartphone and yet we keep buying them. But what’s the point?
Season after season bags get smaller and smaller, but the joke is on us, because designers are laughing all the way to the bank, charging us an arm and a leg for a Barbie-sized bag. What is our obsession with these tiny carries and why can’t we get enough?
When it comes to shopping for bags, there’s an unspoken psychology behind why we buy what we buy, and it goes deeper than just the need to carry our belongings, so in order to understand why mini bags have become so ridiculously popular, we have to first explore why we buy designer handbags in the first place. And so before you scoff and think to yourself “I’d never buy a bag that doesn’t fit my phone” remember that someone out there thinks that luxury handbags in general, regardless of size, are superfluous. After all, aren’t bags just meant to house our stuff, taking us from place to place? Well…not exactly.
Handbags are in essence an extension of ourselves, our tastes and personal style and whether you want to admit it or not…a flex of sorts. So what does the mini bag, in all its micro glory, say to the world? While a designer briefcase, backpack or power bag may say something like I am a woman (hear me roar) and I can do it all with this bag in tow and everything in it, a mini bag says something else of sorts. It oozes an effervescence and a give no f***s type of attitude that can only come from a women who doesn’t need to carry anything at all. Someone whose bag is merely a showy accessory meant to be seen but not meant to do it, or really do anything at, all.
For now, it seems, that the mini bag is here to stay, so why not indulge in one for when you want that effortless, IDGAF vibe and save your big, power bags for the other 6 days of week. After all, a wo(man) can wear many hats.
I just can’t do mini bags. I’m a 5’10” grown ass woman who looks like I’m carrying a child’s bag. Plus, what’s the point if I have to carry my phone, lady products, makeup and mace in my hand? It’s not a good look!
My two Chanel bags, a mini square and a WOC, can’t fit my phone and keys at the same time. How dumb am I? ? …It’s just closet jewelry.
I like mini bags and own a few. However, they all fit my phone. Not fitting my phone is a dealbreaker as I HATE carrying my phone in my hand. I’m not on my phone that much.
I purposely went out and bought the iPhone 12 mini just só it wouldn’t be an issue when looking at smaller bags. However there still are bags that won’t fit my phone and that’s a no for me. Anything smaller than a micro baguette/peekaboo or a LV mini pochette/Prad nano re-edition is useless
Womems clothes don’t have decent pockets and there are women out there that just want to carry cards, cash and keys, like most guys but dont have the option of just shoving it in pockets. Mini bags are a fun solution that are light on your shoulders and back
Fun op-ed! No minis for me, sorry. My Note 8 needs to fit in all my bags.
Incidentally, there’s a typo in the quote in paragraph 4 – “I’d never buy a big that…”
Thanks for pointing it out!
?
I
LIKE
BIG
BAGS
AND I CANNOT
LIE
?
Lmao. You, Sir, are on a roll.
Very interesting! I do certainly get the appeal of mini bags, however, I think I will stay a lover of more medium sized bags.
Xx Janine
http://www.wantshoprepeat.com
if we are bombardrd time and time again on social media that we NEED something because it’s cool or trendy, we will eventually believe that lie and buy into it. Very similar to the battered wife who stays in an abusive relationship because she has been brainwashed that she cannot cope without her abuser.
My sales associate slaps me around every time I come in the store and don’t buy anything and if they catch me shopping at a different brand they send me death threats
My sales associate slaps me around every time I come in the store and don’t buy anything and if they catch me shopping at a different brand they send me death threats
With all respect, no similarities can be drawn from your analogy. Physical and/or mental abuse vs. a nudge by social media to buy a product grossly diminishes the pain & suffering these women experience. These are 2 separate mindsets & shouldn’t be confused, but must clearly be distinguished. I won’t go into detail re: my work with battered & abused women, but the differences between the two comparisons are staggeringly opposite.
I don’t go for those micro bags, like the chiquito but I love my Celine nano and other similar sized bags. Once I started working for a remote company over 4 years ago I dumped my large totes and never looked back and my shoulders have never been happier.
I truly adore bags but I personally don’t get the appeal of a bag that my phone doesn’t fit in. I already don’t carry that much – cardholder, keys, lip balm, & phone. So if the bag can’t carry the aforementioned its just not worth it to me. That being said I can look at them and find them cute but yeah..I still don’t get the appeal to trying to use one.
Interesting article!
Why I 100% agree with the whole “well any luxury bag isn’t necessarily as functional as its price anyway” point regarding the “why does it matter if it can have a phone in there”, but to me the issue if it can’t carry my phone is, well, my pockets are enough then. No pockets? Fine, I’m going to an event with a dress I guess, in which case I can live without having my usual calvi with wetnaps and such. It doesn’t just become impractical or too pricy to me, it becomes a chore to carry as there’d be *nothing* in it, most likely.
If you gave me those Jacquemus(sp) bags or any other tiny bag for free, I still wouldn’t carry them because that’s…just not how I accessorize. I’d go for fashion jewelry (which I almost never wear) before I dangle a tiny purse as a charm from my arm.
Now *mini* bags where you’re also counting mini halzan/LV trunk clutches/etc. where your phone goes in there then yeah, those I actually like, and don’t think they’ll ever fully go out of style. Tiny? Yup. Mini? I don’t think so.
I love my mini bags, but I only buy ones that fit my essentials including a small wallet, small pouch, phone and car keys. I don’t mind putting my phone in a pocket or holding it at times. However I need a bag that will hold it while shopping etc. I don’t see mini bags ever truly going out of style considering that they’ve been around for centuries.
Mini bags are so ‘in’ that they attach straps to coin purses and call them bags now. Some of them are basically thimble-sized. I don’t want any for myself but I am amused by the trend.
I agree with you! Micro sized bags are simply stupid! I bought a Celine Pico Belt bag the smallest size. Surprisingly, my Iphone 12 Max Pro fits! I love small bags but if my phone and some essentials doesn’t fit, N-E-X-T!!!!!!!!
I agree with you! Micro sized bags are simply stupid! I bought a Celine Pico Belt bag the smallest size. Surprisingly, my Iphone 12 Max Pro fits! I love small bags but if my phone and some essentials doesn’t fit, N-E-X-T!!!!!!!!