9 completely impractical yet devastatingly cute bags

cute bags
(Image credit: Rex)
Penny Goldstone
By
published
in Features

People in the office take the piss out of me for my tiny and slightly ridiculous handbags. I have one so small that you literally can't fit anymore in it than a single credit card and tissue - no phone or anything, we tried.

I can probably count on one hand the number of normal-sized, practical bags I own, after all, that's why tote bags were made, to be able to carry around the stuff you actually need, right?

Just last week, I went on holiday and the security guards at the airport just couldn't get over my mini Mango picnic basket bag (obviously I got ALL the picnic jokes).

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I know they're technically a bit silly, but I can't help it, I just can't be unhappy when I see a little beaded bag, a pom-pom covered basket bag or a little velvet pouch.

And luckily the fashion world seems to agree with me, with my favourite designers and high-street stores offering up some wonderfully impractical bags that are so much more interesting than a black leather holdall.

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For AW18, expect more beads, lots of wooden details, and a dash of faux animal print and skin for good measure. Here are a few of my favourites below.

Shop now: Mini geometric bag for £39.99 from Mango

Shop now: TRANSPARENT BEADS CROSSBODY BAG for £29.99 from Zara

Shop now: COLOURED PLAITED CROSSBODY BAG for £49.99 from Zara

Shop now: SHRIMPS Una faux-fur bag for £375 from Matches Fashion

Shop now: Ganni Edison Polka Dot Beaded Clutch Bag for £240 from Browns

Shop now: TAYLOR BRONZE VELVET BAG for £99 from L.K.Bennett

Shop now: TOP HANDLE CLUTCH for £49 from Charles & Keith

Shop now: Link Shoulder Bag for £32 from Topshop

Shop now: WICKER WINGS Kuai rattan and leather tote for £320 from Net-A-Porter

See? Told you I'd make you smile. There will always be room for practical bags, but let's not forget the silly side of fashion. For a combination of practical yet slightly impractical bags why not check out our edit of Kate Spade bags here.

Don't be afraid, and wear your cute bag with pride, paired with a frilly floral dress or corduroy suit for autumn/winter.

Penny Goldstone
Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.

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