This major handbag trend has finally returned, and we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief
If you're looking for a handbag update and have been wondering where to begin then look no further, because the good news is that right now there's nothing chicer than practicality when it comes to what you're toting…
You'd have to have been very pre-occupied over the last few years not to notice the huge increase in demand for mini bags. Our appetite for the teenies seemed to know no bounds, with even the smallest - which fit quite literally nothing more than single credit card and lip balm (there was no way you were squeezing even a phone in these) - selling out in seconds.
We're very happy to report, however, that the fashion world has finally woken up to the occasional (very occasional, mind you) need for practicality, and with that realisation has come the very welcome, much-anticipated, return of the oversized bag.
No doubt taking its cue from Louis Vuitton, whose spring/summer 2023 runway zoomed in on the style staple in the form of some seriously oversized handbag moments, the accessory industry is putting a real focus right now on size; and, it seems, bigger really is better.
Of course, never far behind the catwalk trends, the street style set are already falling for the allure of a bigger bag, with everything from totes to shoulder bags and even clutches having been given the XXL treatment outside before being papped outside this season's fashion week runways.
Libby Page, Market Director at Net-A-Porter, revealed exclusively to GLAMOUR UK that it's not just influencers and designers who have been reeled in by the trend; with many of the e-commerce giant's signature oversized styles selling out rapidly thanks to its savviest shoppers.
“The ‘XL’ tote has made a comeback and is the perfect practical and functional bag to carry around all your essentials from work to gym to weekends away."
“We’ve seen these super elevated styles dominate the SS23 runways of Prada as designers embrace the ‘more is more’ trend with gigantic, over-the-top proportions.”
"The Saint Laurent Icare tote [below] worn by the likes of Hailey Bieber and Angelina Jolie is sold out at Net-A-Porter and we continue to see a high demand for practical and chic tote bags such as the Loewe Flamenco, Gabriela Hearst knotted tote and the Métier Market Weekend tote. We’ve also seen this on the runway for FW23, Loewe’s puzzle tote is next season’s It bag.”
This season - and hopefully beyond - we're seeing big things in all corners of the handbag world.
So much so, in fact, that there's even an Instagram account dedicated to the art. The Big Bag Club came into our lives via a Milan-based graphic designer with a penchant for bags, who swells and enlarges the bags on original street style, campaign and runway imagery to such an extent that it's comical. And also strangely tempting... Who knew we'd ever be on the look out for a 1 metre X 1 metre Bottega pouch?
Okay so that might be a tad heavy - on both the eye and your biceps - but there is a (very!) happy medium.
Here are the 14 oversized bags thrilling the fashion set this season...
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
ACNE STUDIOS
TOPSHOP
