In the defence of the oversized tote

In the ever-evolving landscape of trends, oversized tote bags have truly made their mark this year. These chic accessories have become runway staples, thanks to their visual appeal and ability to meet the needs of today’s busier-than-ever lifestyle. With their bold size, these totes effortlessly marry fashion and function, becoming essentials for those with packed schedules. In a world that demands versatility, oversized totes prove to be more than just a passing trend; they’re a smart, practical choice. Case in point: not only does Louis Vuitton’s iconic Neverfull fit all your essentials, but it also boasts an inside-out design—making it a chic and versatile pick, and further justifying its high price tag (girl math, anyone?).

 

The ‘XL’ tote made a striking return on the Spring/Summer '25 runways, with brands like Chloe and Louis Vuitton embracing the oversized bag trend once again. This revival of spacious bags begs the question: why did these roomy accessories ever fall out of favour? While they’ve consistently graced the off-duty celebrity scene—especially at airports—now the street style has fully embraced the appeal of larger bags. From totes to shoulder bags, it’s an undeniable "bigger is better" moment. Amid economic challenges, functional fashion is gaining importance, with accessories that merge style and practicality. So, it’s no surprise that oversized handbags are back in the limelight, relishing their role as the season’s fashion focal point.

Global it-girls have been flaunting their favourite totes as well. From Hailey Bieber’s YSL for a weekend stroll to Sonam Kapoor’s furry alternative at a fashion week. The Row’s Margaux is another example. Now a signature of the luxury brand, which was founded in 2006, retailers often struggle to keep the bag in stock, while its starry fanbase continues to grow: Kendall Jenner, Zoë Kravitz, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Jennifer Lawrence, to name but a few. Some are even going as far as calling it ‘a Birkin in the making’. In other news: our favourite fashion it-girl—Bella Hadid was sporting the Coach Brooklyn tote all summer, contributing to the resurgence of the brand.

 

When the final season of Succession aired last year, it swept the cultural zeitgeist, especially with the term “ludicrously capacious bag.” This fashion misstep referred to an oversized Burberry bag—yet the large size is something many of us can appreciate. After all, most people need space for items like flat shoes and packed lunches in their bags. Fortunately, the runway trends are embracing this “ludicrously capacious” style. Over the past few seasons, there’s been a gradual but noticeable shift towards roomier accessories. But a sudden surge of blown-up proportions of accessories on the A/W24 and S/S25 runways have made their mark recently. 

 

Say goodbye to structured, zipped-up micro bags that only squeeze in emergency boob tape and lip gloss and say hello to oversized, slouchy bags that can carry your whole life. The movement has been in the works since late 2023—at the Miu Miu show, bags were spilling over with chic heels and extra clothing, while Bottega Veneta’s XXL bucket bags had rolled up newspapers stacked inside. As models walked past, you couldn't help but wonder what their day looked like. Was the spare clothing for a secret gig later? Were the heels for a quick train station switcheroo? Surely, the newspapers were for the daily crossword?  The power of the tote bag can’t be underestimated, according to the Instagram account Data But Make It Fashion, the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag revived the brand’s popularity by 74 per cent since its release. The humble tote bag has a chokehold on fashion and can drive significant sales for brands—while also acting as a personal billboard.

 

The verdict is in: size matters and bigger is better when it comes to totes this season. Whether you’re looking for the perfect work bag or a casual beach tote, below are some of our favourites.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM Tote, ₹1,58,000

Loewe Large Paseo Basket Tote, ₹3,01,000

Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag, ₹25,000

Goyard Saint Louis GM Tote, ₹1,70,000

The Row Soft Margaux 17 Bag, ₹4,70,000

Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote, ₹16,000

Bottega Veneta Large Parachute Tote, ₹4,95,000

Polene Cyme Camel Tote, ₹44,000

Miu Miu Leather Hobo Bag, ₹2,31,000

Nappa Dori Reed Tote, ₹22,000

Feature image: id8 Media Solutions 

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