What is it:
The mini handbag has unexpectedly emerged as a major force in the accessories arena, making waves (and making sales in stores) on the red carpet and runways alike. In recent years, more and more fashion houses have jumped on the accessories bandwagon, which seems to be all about sheer irony – just think of Balenciaga’s Ikea bags. Some of these ultimately contributed to the miniaturization of handbags, taking hearts and social media by storm, partly because of their impractical proportions. While the handbag itself has a complex and long political and cultural history, the mini handbag is simply a fashion statement, urging everyone not to take fashion too seriously and offering accessory-loving folks a comparatively inexpensive and fun change of pace.
Why you should order them:
The Mini Handbag is a quick and easy purchase option for customers who want a fun way to complement their outfit. With the endorsement of numerous celebrities, it has become the focus of pop culture and has evolved into an item that’s not just pointless. Especially on the catwalks, this season it has transformed from a frivolous accessory into a handbag with practical compartments for small everyday objects. Their newer variants also come in slightly more convenient sizes, enough for a smartphone and a few other essentials. This makes it the perfect practical purchase for the evening.
Where we saw them:
As well as making numerous appearances on the red carpet and on the shoulders or hands of celebrities such as Lizzo and Kendall Jenner, the mini handbag was also a prominent accessory on the FW22 catwalks. Jacquemus was undoubtedly at the forefront of this trend among fashion houses: his Mini Le Chiquito Bag arguably sparked the enduring craze for miniature bags. But Balmain also have a tiny bag for the coming season, albeit in a slightly more conventional size. Meanwhile, a number of other key ring brands have helped transform the mini bag trend. Fendi, Versace and Ulla Johnson each presented small bags with a series of even smaller compartments, essentially designed to store specific items such as lipsticks or credit cards. Many of these tiny bags are exact replicas of full-size products.
How to style them:
As previously mentioned, the miniature handbag is an accessory not to be taken too seriously. Often it just serves as an additional key fob. Depending on its size, it can be attached to full-size handbags or coats, either as a useful extra pocket or simply as a decadent addition. You can also refer to some catwalks that have combined multiple miniature bags of varying shapes and sizes, all attached to a central pocket for additional storage. However, some versions are large enough to function as one-offs. The practical sizes make them perfect for evenings and daily errands, so they can be styled with any look.
Those looking for a fashion statement will love the miniature handbag, as it’s both practical and a fun addition to any accessory selection. Her presence on the runway is undeniable and her popularity online has made her a staple of pop culture.
Similar items that you can (pre)order can be found on the FashionUnited Marketplace. Click here.
This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk. Translation and editing: Barbara Russ