Big Handbags Are Back—Brattier and Bigger Than Ever Before!

The era of minimalism has officially been overthrown, and the maximalist movement is back with a vengeance. We’re living in the age of more, where bigger really is better—and bags are leading the charge.

Social media is buzzing with people proudly "Jane Birkin-ifying" their bags, stacking accessories upon accessories, and fully embracing the over-the-top style that once ruled the early 2000s.

The trend of oversized bags isn’t just a fleeting TikTok moment. It's a full-fledged resurgence seen on the runway at top-tier brands like Balenciaga, Burberry, Fendi, and Miu Miu, who are all embracing bags that are so large they might just be considered luggage.

An oversized Bottega Veneta bag spotted in Milan in 2024 (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

This trend is about more than just the size; it’s about making a statement—loud, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore. From slouchy totes to bags big enough to double as pillows, the runway has turned into a giant, fashionable playground where no accessory is too extravagant. And when these bags hit the street, they’re as much a personality statement as they are a practical carry-all.

Gone are the days when a bag was simply a bag. Now, they're not just holding your essentials—they’re holding your vibe.

For those in the know, the Cambon is unmistakable: boxy shape, oversized double-Cs, and a quilted exterior that screams “luxury.” And those double Cs? They’re huge, practically a parody of themselves, making even Juicy Couture tracksuits seem reserved by comparison.

The Cambon was one of the It bags of the label-obsessed 2000s, an era defined by excess.

Paris Hilton reigned as the celebrity queen, Fergie’s “Glamorous” blared from every radio, and the economy was still holding strong. It was a time of “more is more” and luxury brands capitalized on it. Chanel's Cambon tote was one of those bags you couldn’t miss if you ever glanced at TMZ's paparazzi shots of celebrities—think hungover partygoers clutching Starbucks Frappuccinos, hiding behind their oversized Dior shades.

Lindsay Lohan in 2013 via Daily Mail Online

This was the era of bottle service, Britney Spears, The Devil Wears Prada, and Von Dutch trucker hats. And, of course, if you were carrying a Chanel bag, you weren’t shy about it.

The Cambon’s true cultural dominance was solidified in 2006 on MTV’s The Hills. Lauren Conrad, the poster child of noughties fashion (and the intern who made “cool” look effortless), revealed to her then-roommate Heidi Montag that a Chanel bag was at the top of her Christmas wish list. “I’ve always wanted a Chanel bag,” Lauren said flatly. “Then it would just be a merry Christmas.” And sure enough, her boyfriend gave her an all-black Cambon, sending her into a squealing frenzy—her joy more real in that moment than any other scene in The Hills—even when she fulfilled her dream of Paris.

Lauren Conrad and her Chanel Cambon bag in 2007 (John Shearer)

But the Cambon wasn’t the only oversized bag stealing the spotlight back then. Alongside it were slouchy Balenciaga Motorcycle bags (arguably the most photographed bag of the era), the Yves Saint Laurent Muse, and Fendi’s Spy bag, among others.

L to R: Rashida Jones and Nicole Richie (Chris Weeks), Mary Kate Olsen and her Fendi Spy bag (Gregg DeGuire)

The one thing all of them had in common? They were massive. In fact, some were almost comically large. If you saw Nicole Richie or Mischa Barton carrying their Balenciaga bags, you might have wondered if they were in fact dragging around a small apartment. Those bags were as big as the stars carrying them—and just like those celebrities, they had a lot of places to be.

These party girls were constantly on the go—The Ivy for lunch, Chateau Marmont for drinks, or Kitson for sweatpants—so they needed a bag large enough to house everything. The Chanel Cambon tote wasn’t just a fashion statement, it was a utility tool. It could hold everything from water bottles to your digital camera, your iPod, your Blackberry, extra clothes, and cigarettes, all while looking chic. Whether sweaty from a night at Bungalow 8 or rushing between LA hotspots, they had it all in their bags—ready for any scenario.

But no Big Bratty Bag moment made as big an impression as Mary-Kate Olsen in 2005, lugging around her iconic mint green Balenciaga Motorcycle bag. Paparazzi photos show the bag practically slipping off her shoulder, its bottom stained with red wine—a now-iconic mark of the early 2000s. Olsen, cigarette in hand and face partially hidden by bubblegum pink nails, looked unfazed, no doubt because her trusty bag was ready for anything—even the mishaps of an LA night out. The bag was durable, reliable, and always prepared for the chaos of the party scene.

Big handbags weren’t just practical back then—they were a form of armor. They were a way to “block out the haters” before that term even gained mainstream popularity. And Olsen’s wine-stained Balenciaga is a testament to the power of these bags: rugged, reliable, and effortlessly cool.

Fast forward to 2023, and absurdly large handbags are back. Runway shows for 2024 saw brands like Burberry, Fendi, and Miu Miu featuring models carrying oversized bags—some even spilling out with clothes for dramatic effect, in true Y2K fashion.

L to R: Burberry Fall 2024 & Fendi Spring 2025

The return of this "loud luxury" aesthetic is a full-circle moment, bringing back the chaotic, extravagant style of the early 2000s—think Paris, Nicole, and Lindsay.

Pop star Charli XCX's “Brat Summer” album has played a huge role in reintroducing that party-girl mentality to the public. She’s even been spotted on stage with a giant Gucci bag slung over her shoulder, perfectly in tune with the trend’s resurgence. Since the album's release, it feels like we’ve been living in a never-ending party.

NBC/SNL; Gucci

So, it’s no surprise that we’re moving away from minimalist, Barbiecore micro-bags to slouchy totes that can double as pillows when you’re heading home from a late night out.

With “loud luxury” taking over in 2024, it won’t be long before one of these new Big Bratty Bags becomes as iconic as Mary-Kate’s infamous wine-stained Balenciaga.