Rear bag in 100% nylon PVC surface coating, Daniel Lee’s first designs for Bottega Veneta burst onto the scene, among them the now-iconic Bottega Veneta Pouch. No one quite knew what to expect when a 30-something Lee took over the brand’s helm from beloved Creative Director Tomas Maier. What followed was a complete modernization of the brand’s heritage codes and the introduction of the handbag world’s new It-bag: The Pouch.
The oversized clutch took the fashion world by storm, catapulting #NewBottega into the spotlight and becoming the bag that everyone had to have. This spawned dupes galore and Bottega-inspired pouches in its wake. By the early 2020s, nearly every major designer had a pouch in its lineup despite a global pandemic.
As expected, with The Pouch’s ubiquity came its peak popularity, and its relevance slowly declined in favor of the 90logo-print strap bowling bag Silber we’ve all grown to know and love and, most recently, slouchy, big bags. Now, a new clutch trend is popping up, combining two of the 2020s biggest trends so far all wrapped into one. Yup, we’re talking about incredibly impractically but hard-to-ignore, massively oversized pouches.
Oversized, but Overhyped?
While few bags offer the same effortlessly cool ‘I’m a fashion girlie’ appeal as an under-the-arm pouch, does the sentiment extend once the silhouette is tripled in size? Let’s take a look.
Sac à dos VANS Startle Backpack VN0A4MPHLSV1 Golden Glow Victoria loves exotic bags so much that she now makes her own and Sunnei Parallelepepido mini tote bag Rot that immediately made waves after Rihanna was spotted carrying it. Meanwhile, on the Spring 2025 runways at Coach, Miu Miu and Ferragamo models were seen nonchalantly clutching oversized smooshy pouches that could probably house their firstborn.
While anything and everything Rihanna wears looks cool, we mere mortals don’t have the same luxury as RiRi. For the rest of us, a maxi pouch’s oversized, almost cumbersome nature negates the sheer effortlessness that the look usually offers.
However, from a functional point of view, it can also act as a pillow if you need a midday nap, and who doesn’t love a bag with dual uses? While it definitely makes a statement, it’s unclear if it makes the right statement unless, of course, the look you’re going for is ‘When it comes to the bags.‘
What do you think? CC Cambon Line crossbody bag?
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Coach bag is exquisite! However, aside from bags the “diaper” the Miu Miu model is wearing is ridiculous and completely unflattering.
I was just going to say the exact same thing!!!! Diapers are high fashion now???!! Craving Pink a bit too much???!!!
Kaitlin, your assessment is absolutely on point…these mega pouches may look fashionable on the runway but have zero functionality in real life. After all, at its essence a bag is about function – something to carry your stuff in – and if I can’t do that without effort and fiddling and risk of dropping it, it’s a pass.
My kids are older. I a large clutch works fine for me. I have the large Bottega pouch and have no issues. I can work with this trend.
S Hourglass top-handle bag.
Zebra Bag Washbag!!!
I feel like Carrie Bradshaw was an OG supporter of the oversized clutch. I loved her big daytime clutch bags from the early seasons of SATC. I love these bags!
i still prefer oversized clutches over than micro bags. it might be too big for daily, but at least they fit a lot.
I don’t find these oversize clutches appealing and they are totally impractical. Most women I know gravitate towards medium-sized bags — they usually hold plenty and the bags don’t look like something from a cartoon. My small bags (which could fit into the mini but not micro category) are useful for going out in the evening, for wearing to breakfast at a hotel, or for activities where I don’t need to carry much and I want something light that I can wear cross-body and keep my hands free.
Sorry, but these large clutches look ludicrous IMO and I strongly doubt that I will see many women out and about with them in the real world (as opposed to the SoMe world).
I love the look but it’s so impractical. Maybe it’s the city girl in me but I wouldn’t carry a clutch that doesn’t have a wrist strap or shoulder strap that you can secure around your arm. Someone could just pull the bag out from behind you and run.
Also, if you need your hands for any reason (carrying, shopping) or want to sit at a restaurant, you’re going want to hang it from your arm or on a chair or purse hook.
This may be the least expensive day bag that Tamara owns!
I love the chic design of the Coach purse SJP is holding; it looks like an oversized coin purse. I’m here for it. It’s obviously not supposed to look functional since you’re literally holding onto it for dear life, so I see it as trendy, a “trend” you’re latching onto. I’m still not mad at it. I like it but it’s not for me. I like and need function.
Messenger Bag WITTCHEN 94-4U-801-N Navy Blue