Wait, Did the "Girl Grip" Trend Just Render Our Big, Practical Tote Bags Obsolete?

If you're as chronically online as I am, you won't have failed to spot the recent "girl grip" trend. The aesthetically curated pictures of women clutching all of their wares—phone, laptop, headphones, lip gloss, coffee, makeup bag, etc., were notable for the female juggle, all without a handbag in sight (if you don't believe me, see Gisou's perfect example of the vibe below). As both a fashion editor and a type B personality, this "frazzled" girl-on-the-go had my immediate attention (since when did my daily struggle become a trending hashtag?), but more importantly, how did we render one of the most important pieces in our capsule wardrobes obsolete?

Before I begin to sound overdramatic, there is something in the move from ludicrously capacious bags to carrying everything in our bare hands. The "quiet luxury' woman was immaculately presented and always prepared—her wardrobe? Monochrome. Her bags? Business class totes. Quiet luxury wasn't just about wearing a lot of beige cashmere, it was a lifestyle, and if you were ever guilty of bed head, stains on your top or leaving the house without an umbrella, it might have felt like an exclusive club that you weren't invited into. Then the Prada S/S '26 show sent everything spinning on its axis. Wrinkled shirts! Deliberate stains! That same season No. 21 showed jumpers strewn around necks and creased, messy layering, and the star of the Loewe show was an equally dishevelled offering, the Amazona, a sensible handbag deliberately carried by one handle and unzipped to the point of almost spilling open.

Suddenly being polished was no longer premium, and instead designers insisted the chicest thing that a woman could be was hurried and unprepared. This could well have led to the Tik-Tokification of the aesthetic, bringing forth the "girl grip", and a sudden influx of a tangled, wired headphones and balanced coffees. If anyone has ever put this into practice though, you'll know just how desperately unhelpful it is to have no bag whatsoever, and next season's runways make a compelling case for stacks of mini bags that still feel just as chaotic.

LVMH Prize winner Julie Kegels showed mini bowling bags doubled up and thrown over the shoulder, while Fendi almost acknowledged that although beautiful, the baguette doesn't quite boast enough room for everyday use, and stacked them over shopping totes reminiscent of the commuter who brings a comfy change of shoes to work. Sure, we could fit everything into one big bag if we wanted to, but where's the fun in that? After Jonathon Anderson's latest Dior collection showed a small quilted handbag with a string shopper, the implications were clear—mini bags are back on the agenda, even if it means carrying two to make it work.

Fed up of switching between big, boxy bags and clasping your essentials? Keep scrolling to see and shop some of the mini bags getting this fashion editors full attention in 2026. Fair warning though, they're so good you might want to get two to wear together.

Shop the Mini Handbag Trend for 2026