Do You Love the Mini Handbag Trend or Are You Sticking with Your Oversized Bag?

Lizzo might have captured the world’s attention with her upbeat, feminist lyrics, but she definitely caught everyone’s eye when she carried the teeniest purse we’d ever seen to the American Music Awards recently. It was clearly a statement piece – there were a lot of statements made about it – but it wasn’t exactly functional.

Fashion Magazine suggests, “While most mini bags aren’t big enough to fit an iPhone, and some a credit card, they definitely make a statement, and guarantee a shower of compliments. Is this fashion’s way of telling us we should stop carrying so much stuff?”

That got me thinking. I am all about the mini bag and assumed it was because of my fashion sense. But what if there is something more to it?

Oversized Birkin Style Bags are Old News

In the last couple of decades, it seems like our bags got bigger and bigger. The popular Birkin bags were all the rage. But did you know that even the namesake of the Birkin bag is over the oversized bag trend? This is what she said to BBC News:

“The French luxury fashion house Hermes designed what became known as the Birkin bag in 1981. But Birkin, 70, has told the BBC that if, like her, you fill the bag with ‘junk... and half the furniture from your house, it's a very, very heavy bag.’ She said: ‘Now I fill my pockets like a man, because then you don't actually have to carry anything.’”

And that’s so true! How many of us (especially moms) ended up putting way too much stuff in our oversized bags simply because we could? I know I did! At some points, it was like I had my own Mary Poppins magical bag.

The Surprising History of Mini Handbags

You may also be surprised to discover that mini handbags have been around for a long time, and they have a history that goes against the idea that the bigger the bag, the bigger the wallet.

According to CR Fashion Book, “It could be argued that a bag’s size is indicative of status: The smaller it is, the more it functions only as a form of ornamentation, implying that you have hired help to lug your belongings. […] In fact, from the 1900 to the 1920s, ‘reticules’ were in fashion, while working-class women were often seen bearing larger shoppers.”

Fashion gurus also argue that this is the reason you never see royalty with anything larger than a clutch. They have no reason to carry a large bag!

Plus, Small Purses are Better for Our Health

Given the number of things we can stuff inside an oversized bag, Jane Birkin is right. These bags become very, very heavy. According to Forbes, “Experts find that carrying around a large, heavy tote can cause back pain, neck pain, and even headaches.”

PHOTO: Cosmopolitan

What Size is Too Small? What Size is Too Big?

So what size is right? Ultimately, to each, her own! You choose the right size bag to meet your needs. For example, I don’t know a single mom who would carry Lizzo’s minuscule purse since it doesn’t fit an iPhone or a credit card. At the same time, if your oversized bag is causing you pain and you catch yourself carry more than you need, maybe it is time to downsize.

Don’t Worry, Moms, Your Time Will Come

Now, I know I have some moms reading this that can’t imagine a day when they leave the house without a giant diaper bag stuffed with anything and everything their child could ever need. To these ladies, I say: your time will come. You will one day return to the land of cute handbags and purses, and the diaper bag will be given to charity. And, when the time comes, the littler, the better!