This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue It’s no secret that famous silhouettes from the designer handbag hall of fame have shrunk in the past years. In fact, in 2024, totes that house everything but the kitchen sink are almost impossible to find, while smaller bags designed for a select few treasured possessions have been spotted across nearly every fashion house, from Saint Laurent to Balenciaga. Taking the luxury labels’ lead, it seems we have all retired our oversized totes in favour of wearing our phones crossbody in luxury leather holders or carrying petite purses perched in the nooks of our arms instead.
And if you needed any more persuading that we are all firm teeny-weeny tote fans, cast your mind back to Succession’s compelling villain Tom Wambsgans damning one poor woman’s “ludicrously capacious bag” as “monstrous” and “gargantuan”, before confirming that no billionaires would dare be seen carrying a tote big enough to fit in shoes for the subway. And with that, shoulder bags officially got the cold shoulder and mini bags quickly became the new status symbol of the accessory world..