Absolutely London

The Mini Bag: Meet this Season’s Small Yet Chic Accessory Trend

Say hello to the new season mini bag trend storming both high street and high-end this year

Words Joy Montgomery

They say size matters, and in the case of this year’s hottest accessory trend, the saying couldn’t be more accurate. Please be upstanding for the mini bag.

If hem lines are a signifier of a rising or falling economy then perhaps the shrinking of womens’ handbags reflect the changing of our spending habits? Indeed, with cash becoming an increasingly archaic concept, perhaps the age of the Mary Poppins-Tardis handbag is long gone. Don’t we all secretly enjoy the freedom of fitting our life into one small clutch on nights out? How many hand creams does one need, after all?

Designers are clocking onto the accessible appeal of mini bags. Fendi and Chloé have both released miniaturised versions of their sellout looks. Fendi’s mini masterpieces were packed with elaborate detailing: pom poms, studding, embroidery and everything in between. Very much quality over quantity. Chloé, on the other hand, cleverly stuck to their iconic, much-Instagrammed styles simply rendered on small scale.

Not only are they chic, but these mini accessories offer an access point for aspiring designer-bag owners. Can’t afford the big daddy? The baby will do the job just as well. Meanwhile, lesser-known designer Simon Miller has hit the it-bag jackpot with his mini Bonsai bucket bag. This look was spotted on the arm (well, in the hand) of countless show-goers at fashion week and has gone on to spark a million copycats.

From baguette and bucket to cross-body and satchels, SS17 mini bags come in a plethora of styles and shapes. Size rather than style is the key theme in this trend, so feel free to be generous with the scope of your shopping search.

Don’t have the budget for designer offerings? Worry not, for the high street has delivered on mini bags this season. We love & Other Stories’ classic mini leather saddle bag, which will last you season-after-season. Meanwhile, Mango’s dusty pink iteration is a pretty (and purse-friendly) interpretation of Miller’s bucket silhouette.