While there are elements of the fashion industry that are vapid, I genuinely believe clothes are among the most authentic methods of self-expression. They can hold significant cultural meaning, or can be a powerful political or social device. I also just freaking LOVE how certain outfits make me feel.
Nonetheless, when the micro-bag trend hit social media after Jacquemus' show at Paris Fashion Week, I thought it was pretty ridiculous.
When I started seeing them in street style photographs, it was clear this was becoming a trend. But what, if any, practicality was there? I decided to find out.
I used to be one of those women whose handbag contained everything but the kitchen sink. But a sore shoulder and a subsequent downsize a few years ago led me to carry the essentials plus a bit extra. My handbag carries my phone, sunglasses, wallet, notebook (like the good journo I am), pens, a few loose tampons, travel-sized hand cream, and a mascara sample. That's about it.
Because I wasn’t going to spend the $500+ on the OG Jacquemus Le Chiquito, I scoured the internet for one that was tiny, yes, but also pretty outrageous. Hey, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it properly.
I finally found the perfect one for about under $30: bright pink in a mock croc with a gold chain. Fantastically tacky and eye-catching. Sold.
When it arrived, it was MUCH smaller than I thought. Comically smaller. It was as, er, bold, as I expected, but this thing wouldn’t even fit my phone. I stared at it for a minute, wondering if there was a point to a bag that can’t even fit a smartphone.
As one friend suggested, it looked like I was transitioning into life as a fashionable drug lord, aka Illegally Blonde: Speed Dealer On Campus.
What will fit into this bag is the absolute bare minimum, i.e. house keys, my staff card, credit card, oh, and a hair elastic! How novel.
Luckily, I keep a supply of hand cream and lip balm at my desk but I had to stow my phone in my back pocket and if I needed sunglasses throughout the day? Tough.
It takes about 15-20 minutes for me to walk to work, so my exposure to the general, traffic-laden masses is high.
I’m going to be honest here, I was embarrassed to be carrying this thing around. I could just imagine what people were saying in their cars as they drove past. Yeah, I’m judging me too.
I arrive at work to the laughter of my colleagues, who all want to take photos with the bag. I find out the next day word had spread to colleagues’ partners (who I’d never met before) thanks to social media.
I had to explain to them that no, I had not just become another fashion victim, but this experiment was all in the name of #science.
Needless to say, the use of this bag is super limited. I had to ensure whatever I was wearing throughout the week had adequate pockets so I didn’t have to hold my phone all the time.
While the ridiculousness of this trend is pretty clear (it’s grossly impractical for someone who works Monday to Friday, I will say I appreciate how this low maintenance it is. I couldn’t fit anything frivolous in this thing if I tried.
I can’t help but think some designers are making a comment on mindless consumerism when they design a $500 bag that carries little else but loose change or $695 DHL cotton t-shirt. But there are people out there who buy these products. Perhaps the joke's on us?
This piece was published on whimn.com.au on April 10, 2019.