“Big Bags Are Back And I’m Not Mad About It”
If you’re in the market for a bag that fits it all – laptop, makeup, umbrella, a change of shoes, and lunch – we’ve got you. The big bag is back for SS26, with noughties icons from the likes of Balenciaga and Celine making a return, and plenty of high street iterations following suit. Here, The Handbook’s Astrid Carter makes the case for why bigger really is better.
I’ve always had a thing for a big, roomy bag – the kind that fits it all. Think Mary-Kate and Ashley carrying Balenciaga’s cult-favourite Le City circa 2010, coffee in one hand, cigarette in the other. Or the kind of bag that might incur extra luggage fees were you to try and sneak it onto an EasyJet flight.
There is something beautifully dishevelled and chaotic about a big bag –it certainly speaks to my Type B personality.
There’s something about a behemoth tote that feels effortlessly undone, boho, and cool, even with a four-figure price tag. The fact that it’s impossible to find your headphones amidst 15 lip glosses rolling around the bottom gives the whole thing a beautifully dishevelled and chaotic vibe. It certainly speaks to my Type B personality. Or maybe it’s the possibilities it offers; while I might not actually need my entire makeup bag or a change of flats, I find comfort in knowing I could. An emotional support bag, if you will.
Let’s hope the teeny-tiny bag trend is finally over. I’m talking about those Jacquemus keychains masquerading as actual accessories, with proportions suited only for a pack of chewing gum and a bank card. While they might be cute, they’re a false economy. A bag costing upwards of £500 and the size of a Labubu is ludicrous. If you’re going designer, go big or medium-sized at least – or settle for a well-made, wearable, and practical mid-market alternative instead.
Now we are officially back in the big bag era, and there are plenty to choose from regardless of your budget. On the high street, H&M offers brilliant suede options for under £100, while Massimo Dutti and COS are my go-tos for something elevated yet accessible – perfect if you’re in the market for a new work hero.
For a mid-range investment, Polène Paris has been at the top of my wishlist for a while. They craft beautiful, buttery leather bags in timeless shapes: no naff logos, just understated palettes and pieces that genuinely work with your wardrobe.
Finally, if you’re looking to splurge, the OGs of the OTT trend have to be Balenciaga’s Le City – a gloriously pretentious take on dishevelled boho – or Saint Laurent’s Le 5 à 7 Bea in rich chocolate brown suede, which might just be the most perfect, generously sized tote in existence.
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