Maxi-purses have always been subject to ridicule in popular culture. The expectant journalist in Netflix’s Inventing Anna flaunts stylish Céline, Dior, and Prada bags, while Lauryn Hill’s character in Everything Is Everything contrasts her Fendi Baguette with a passersby struggling with an oversized tote. Even former Vogue writer Liana Satenstein confesses to lugging around a massive Louis Vuitton Multipli Cité during NYFW. But amidst all the glam bags and mini-bags, it’s the tattered tote that reigns supreme. Today, we celebrate the era of the messy bag.
The messy bag trend finds its roots in the legendary Jane Birkin and her infamous Birkin bag. Birkin, the rebellious Anglo-French singer, embodies the essence of 60s London and the playful Parisienne of the 80s. Her influence on fashion continues to this day, with tabloids dissecting her flirty fringe and French-style wicker baskets. However, it’s her Birkin bags, of which she reportedly owned only five throughout her life, that truly reflect her individuality. Stuffed to the brim with trinkets, prayer beads, and watches, Birkin’s bags defy the manicured image Hermès intended. Rather, they represent carefree disregard, serving as makeshift beds for her cat or even furniture haulers.
Although Birkin’s ethos may not resonate with those who insist on keeping bags off the floor, it does democratize her namesake carryall. It allows us to find luxury amidst our daily burdens and appear less frazzled. While the world has evolved, our loads have not gotten any lighter.
Now, we find ourselves amidst the “Jane Birkin effect,” as Marie Claire aptly puts it. This trend has been championed by the likes of Mary-Kate Olsen, Marc Jacobs, Francesca Eastwood, and more recently, Julia Fox. These tastemakers have shown us that handbags need not be treated with reverence, even if they cost a fortune. The messy bag has fascinated the TikTok crowd, garnered attention from the New York Times, and made its way onto the Spring/Summer 2024 runways.
At Miu Miu, models carried lived-in bowlers filled with wedges, clothes, and trinkets. Balenciaga took it further with artificially distressed maxi-flaps adorned with oversized padlocks, chains, and keys. Even Bottega’s Mathieu Blazy unveiled supersized totes with rolled-up newspapers. The appeal and elegance of a worn-out handbag that reflects everyday life were not lost on the audiences.
Vintage Moto bags, the original symbols of resilience, have made a comeback on the streets of Paris this season. This decimated decadence demonstrates that handbags are meant to be used and lived in, not just admired. It invites us to infuse personality into these inanimate objects. The wear and tear are a part of life and tell our stories to those we encounter—the triumphs, heartbreaks, and the fulfillment of a life well-lived.
In a world where perfection is unattainable, why should your bag be any different? Embrace the messy bag and let it be an extension of your imperfectly beautiful life.
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