Breaking Down Fashion Trends: What Is It With The Mini Purse Trend? Is It Here To Stay?

Gigi Hadid walking in Brandon Maxwell’s runway show. If you squint and look at her right hand you might be able to catch a glimpse at her bag! Courtesy of Evening Standard.

Gigi Hadid walking in Brandon Maxwell’s runway show. If you squint and look at her right hand you might be able to catch a glimpse at her bag! Courtesy of Evening Standard.

Isabella Sullivan '24, Staff Writer

How did the trend start? 

Throughout fashion, evolution designers have been playing with the scale of clothes and accessories. In the 70s when sexual liberation was rising skirts became mini and shirts were cropped. This trend of cropped clothing continued from then on. Today, mini skirts and cropped tops are still in style. During the 70s, as well, bags became lightweight and smaller in size. But, the micro or mini purse isn’t necessarily a political statement. The originality of a small purse paired with a person is so contrasting that it draws a person in. For example, take Gigi Hadid walking the runway with her mini purse.

 

Who made the mini purse so big? 

Lizzo walked the red carpet at the American Music Awards in 2019, wearing an eye-catching orange dress by Valentino paired with a very very tiny Valentino bag. Courtesy of Elle.

Gigi Hadid and many other celebrities started wearing mini purses on red carpets, runways, and in everyday life. The mini purse isn’t just a runway accessory, many people started buying their own and using them in everyday life. Icons of today’s celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, the Kardashians, Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and Lizzo. 

 

What designers took part in the trend?

Kendall Jenner is photographed living her daily life while pairing her chic outfit with a classic Louis Vuitton bag but, mini! As well, a pink mini Chanel purse that was featured in their Spring 2021 fashion show. Courtesy of Glamour.

Once the mini bag’s started to appear in runways almost all luxury brands including, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Channel, Balenciaga, and many others made their own mini bags. All these brands have taken their most iconic purses and sized them down for this trend. Most of the micro or mini bags are out of stock in stores. 

Will this trend become a staple in fashion? 

Considering the number of celebrities and luxury brands that have incorporated the mini purse into streetwear and runway shows, I think this trend is here to stay. Many trends in the past have come and go and a majority of them receive no attention from major brands. But, the mini purse has received attention from almost all luxury brands. As well, taking into account how the mini bag first originated from the 70s, which also produced some of the fashion staples of today, such as, the mini skirt. Fashion does change daily, so it can be quite unpredictable. Whether the mini purse will continue on into the future definitely has made its impact on the fashion industry. In the words of fashion icon, Karl Lagerfeld, “Trendy is the last stage before tacky” (Karl Lagerfeld).

 

Resourceful Links:

  1. https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/bizarre-bags-new-york-fashion-week2018-ss19-a3931386.html  
  2. https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/celebrity-style/a29944352/lizzo-amas-2019-tiny-bag-meme/  
  3. https://www.glamour.com/gallery/tiny-bags-trend  
  4. https://www.spottedfashion.com/2020/10/10/chanel-spring-summer-2021-runway-bag-collection-featuring-super-tiny-bags/ 
  5. https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/a26832352/micro-bags-trend/