Mini and Micro Bags to Make You Feel Fancy
If you saw Lizzo’s tiny bag at the 2019 AMAs and want to have your own iconic Barbie moment: here are 10 mini and micro bags to make you feel precious and trendy.
Small bags are not just for celebrities on the red carpet. Haven’t you heard? We can wear them to parties, in pictures, for a quick run around town, a date, or even an all-day event. The possibilities are limitless. Their small size makes them light and allows you more freedom to move. What’s more, because they don’t need to carry a lot, their greater style range allows you to use them as statement pieces to express yourself. Elevate your style with some of these choices.
Fluffy, fun, streetwear chic. The Snapshot Bag by Marc Jacobs is the modern it-girl bag. A long adjustable wide strap detaches, and a smaller chain strap allows you to wear the bag cross-body and on the shoulder. These features make the bag perfect to go with many looks and for travel. Its size is compact yet roomy enough to fit the essentials, so you never have to worry about leaving important things behind. Pick up this staple piece for $375. There’s also a gorgeous version of this bag that looks like a fluff monster which you can find here.
She’s classy but also likes to have fun. If you prefer a more structured bag, especially the look of the BOYY bags, then this is a great affordable option. The Kuei Convertible Tote by Brandon Blackwood makes a colorful statement as a mini big. The structured square shape, dainty top handles, and protective metal feet are classic elements of classic handbags. The metallic colors, available in blue or purple, give it a youthful twist. The overall look is very bubbly and adds energy to any look, day or night. Try out this fun and affordable day-to-night bag for only $150.
Make no mistake: she is the life of the party. The Hera Nano Shoulder Bag by Cult Gaia is bright and timeless. It has the glitz of the 1920s, the slouchiness of the 2000s, and the effortless minimalism of the 2020s. The metallic shimmer guarantees that this bag will be seen wherever you go, undoubtedly gathering compliments too. It includes one main zippered compartment that is spacious enough for your night-out necessities. It’s so elegant, too, that Revolve even categorizes it in their “wedding” section. Social butterfly and bride, get yourself a purse that can do it all, and pick up this bag for $428.
This one is for those who like to play it simple but not safe. The Little Brown Bag by Bloomingdale’s is very charming for its subtle yet not-so-subtle statement. A little brown bag that says “little brown bag” is very meta, and it feels fresh like Off-White’s cheeky branding. It’s funny. And if you don’t believe that, just look at the bag’s 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 460 reviewers. This beauty is a cult classic and it’s only at Bloomingdale’s. It’s even part of a larger collection of matching accessories. The glossy neutrals are endearing and the plastic finish makes it easy to clean and suitable for everyday use. Pick it up for yourself and a friend for an easy $32.
This one’s for those who missed out on the Telfar Small Shopping Bag drops but still want to get the look. The Ella Micro Metallic Tote by Tory Burch is a modern showpiece in a classic silhouette. It features the shopping bag shape, faux leather, and a three-dimensional logo like Telfar’s bags. However, it has the added design benefit of a detachable crossbody strap and a zippered closure. These design elements make it a better and more versatile bag for everyday use so that you can travel easily and carry more. And, right now it’s on sale at a better price for only $138.60.
Despite the name, this one is practically the definition of a micro bag. The Alix Mini Cardcase Crossbody by 3.1 Philip Lim is 4.5 inches wide by 0.75 inches deep by 3.5 inches high. If you think that you’ll fit your phone in this, then you have not understood the assignment. The reason you get micro bags like this is so that you can have the bare essentials with you and look unreasonably put together while you do it. Everyone who sees you will wonder how you could be so effortless. For those who like to carry their phones in their hands anyway, this bag will do the rest. Lip gloss, key, cards, this bag carries all you need for a night out and does it in a sleek leather. Aside from this fiery, burnt orange it also comes in a dark, brownish olive. Carry less and enjoy more with this luxe micro bag for $325. (It also comes in a cool-toned smooth-leather blue for $195.)
Smooth, plush, buttery-soft leather makes this bag like a dream. That’s why this Coach bag is called the Pillow Tabby Mini Leather Crossbody. It has been a social media sensation ever since it came out in 2021, with a star-studded campaign of new faces promoting it. The bag itself is a modern reimagining of a 1970s archival classic from Coac, and is the perfect chic and comfy accessory for today’s new world. Customizable features like a removable crossbody and handle allow the bag to be worn even alone as a clutch. It also comes in four beautiful colors: buttercream, black, candy pink (pictured above), and an ivory color which makes the bag look like a cute marshmallow. There are also other colors in silver and gold which are on sale now starting at a hundred dollars less. If you like a cute and comfy vibe, pick up the mini Pillow Tabby for $395 (or the larger version for $495).
This bag is for those who admire the look of the Louis Vuitton Capucine bag but don’t have thousands to spend on it. The Michael Kors Karlie Small Signature Crossbody offers a similarly classy yet understated look. It is very approachable, as it can be dressed up or down for the occasion. She’s basically the girl-next-door. A neutral PVC exterior means that it pairs well with most clothes. And, while this could easily be an everyday bag, the braided top handle also means that you’ll look extremely chic if you wear it in the crook of your elbow. There’s never been a better time to try it out while it’s on sale for over a hundred dollars off. Pick it up now for $214.80.
For those who like a little more flair in their bags, and especially for those fans of the $500+ Le Chiquito bags by Jacquemus, this is the perfect alternative. Marge Sherwood is a brand known for inventive and playful silhouettes, and the Bessette Mini Leather Tote is no different. Like the Le Chiquito, the Bessette is a leather micro bag with a detachable crossbody strap and exaggerated handles. What sets the Bessette apart as a better buy is its glossy finish, zippered closure, and double handles. These additional design elements not only give the Bessette its own unique charm, but also make it more practical for actually carrying things. If you’re into that kind of thing, anyway. It also comes in an eye-catching sky blue, too. Get the look, but stand apart from the trend with the Bessette bag 40% off for $138.
Our final bag is a perfect mix of nostalgia and new attraction with its chunky briefcase shape in a corduroy-like finish. The Pashli Mini Leather Satchel is the most expensive bag on this list but for good reason. It is has a very high-quality cotton lining and a leather exterior with an embossed, corduroy-like texture. Its design is unique and complex with zipper gussets for added volume, a linking double top-handle, and a flap with a push-lock in gold to keep contents secure. Finally, the Pashli is the biggest bag on the list, 9 inches width by 3 inches depth by 8.5 inches height. And still, this bag looks gracefully compact and feminine, despite the traditionally masculine silhouette. This dynamic makes it so chic and interesting to look at. This is a signature bag. Seal your style and get this bag for $695.
That concludes our list of micro and mini bags trending now. To see more of our favorite bags in general, check out our list of colorful and neutral luxury bags here.
Fashion lover and writer.
