I’m Torn: Oversized Bags

March 16, 2009     Posted in Reality

Hill Duff Big Bag[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we hate getting up for early morning classes, but we love being done by 11. Or, we love how Spanx make us look, but hate how sweaty we get putting them on... Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!


By Liza

There are so many difficult choices in life (do we love or hate high heels??), so we thought we’d sort through ‘em right here. Every week we will discuss another issue we are torn up about. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!]

Big bags have been increasingly in style for the past couple of years. Designer oversized bags are often seen on the shoulders of celebrities as they appear in the pages of UsWeekly or on Perez. It’s only natural that this is a look we want to emulate. But is it worth it? I’m torn.

Love it: Most importantly, big bags let you carry ALL of your stuff wherever you go. Class? Party? Airport? Whatever! They are SO versatile, and look cute in practically any situation. You can tote your glasses, iPod, makeup case, wallet, magazine, camera, big sunglasses, Blackberry, ALL of it, anywhere, in style!

But really, let’s be honest–we really love them because an oversized purse make most girls look skinnier. There’s something oddly slimming about carrying a supersized bag, and body conscious girls tend to know this and use it to their advantage. A big bag almost always make their wearer appear more dainty in comparison.

Loathe it: Unfortunately all of this amazingness comes at a price. First, all of all, all of that crap you packed in there tends to get lost and create a mess in that bag of yours. Before you know it, you’re digging through your stuff and all of the things that have accumulated with it, such as gum wrappers and spilled eyeshadow, to get to the bottom of your bag to attempt to switch off your ringing cell phone in the middle of class.

Additionally, because you have your whole life in your purse, oversized bags tend to get very heavy very quickly. I don’t know about you, but if I’m out shopping or at a party, I don’t want to deal with a heavy purse weighing me down and getting in my way while I’m attempting to do my thing. Most unfortunate of all, however, has to be the fact that “oversized” is often synonymous with “overpriced.” Yes, you’re getting more fabric and more space, but this is not always worth the more expensive price tag, especially to many budget-conscious college girls.

So what do you think, girls? Are you a fan of the back-breaking-but-versatile oversized bag for a night out, or do you prefer a more low maintenance clutch or swing pack? I, for one, am torn!

23 Comments on "I’m Torn: Oversized Bags"

  1. Gwenivere says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 20098:24 am 

    I will always carry an oversized purse. I never really thought of it for slimming purposes though. I carry a lot of stuff. I don't know when I am going to need something, but I know as soon as I don't have that item, I will need it that day. I keep everything organized in my purses by carrying smaller cases inside my bag (ei: makeup case, case for lotion, hairspray, purel, bandaids, etc…) I also love an oversized bag because if anyone needs me to carry something I can just throw it right in my purse. To me, there is no downside to an oversized purse. I will always love all of mine.

  2. Danielle - Boston Un says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 20098:28 am 

    Love my oversized bag. It has lots of pockets, so it's always easy to find things. Plus, it fits my laptop, so I don't have to schlep around a backpack too!

  3. OMGLikeWow16 says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 20098:32 am 

    I've never even owned a small purse…growing up and even now my Mom has always had big bags around so I always get really big bags that can fit a lot of stuff in it…only thing is when i have to dig in it for a writing utensil while in class i make alll the noise in the world lol

  4. Amy says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 20098:59 am 

    I think there's a difference between oversized and ridiculous. If your bag is big enough to hide in (like the one in the picture) it just seems excessive.

    That being said, I love carrying normal oversized bags. I love that I can fit a magazine, my netbook, an umbrella, and my makeup bag with room to spare.

  5. Rach says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 20099:40 am 

    i'm all for larger bags, but i just hate that when i fill it up it gets so heavy!

  6. Emily says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 200910:31 am 

    My friends say I carry my life with me. I LOVE oversized bags! I've never carried a small purse, and I never will!

  7. Vanessa says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 200910:35 am 

    love oversized bags, but i agree that theirs a certain point where oversized goes tooo big and looks just ridiculous.

  8. Taylor says:
    Mon, 16th Mar 200911:48 am 

    i love big bags. i carry a lot of stuff on a normal basis, because i'm always off to do something and i like to be prepared. I keep everything in smaller bags like body stuff, school stuff, electronics and this keeps me organized but functional. I think that your bag should be proportional to your body size. Taller girls can get away with the bag in the picture, while a shorter girl looks like she'd drowning.

  9. Mo says:
    Tue, 17th Mar 200911:49 am 

    I like a bag of a manageable size that holds my wallet, Zune, book, and whatever else I need that day. At school I use a pocket of my bookbag, which is actually an oversized bag. I like to only use what is needed.

    Oversized bags can be convenient, but sometimes you put things you don't need in one and it becomes a hassle.

    I prefer a bag like above or my pockets because I like freedom of movement.

  10. angelabocage says:
    Sat, 21st Mar 200912:21 pm 

    Couple things I notice about the comments so far–first, we love our big bags, duh–for most of our lives, that's what works! Obviously, there are the times for tiny evening clutches, but even clutches have gotten more reasonably roomy, making them more versatile and popular. Second, many large bags have organizational issues. I'm a huge fan of Hayden-Harnett, especially their earlier collections, for some of the best organized large bags IMAGINABLE. Their cute-as-hell little Bowery clutches also hold more than you'd think and like all their work have a terrific balanced quality to hold.

  11. Belle says:
    Mon, 20th Apr 20099:15 am 

    I dont even have a backpack. Huge purses are great and but I agree if girls decide to wear horrible attire with them, ewww gross. Like in any outfit, everything needs to balance and matching. Its just a basic fashion rule.

  12. imabeautifulloser says:
    Sat, 25th Apr 20091:04 pm 

    Nothing looks worse than a small person with an overly large bag – fashinable or not. It's simply wrong.

  13. Shayla says:
    Sun, 26th Apr 20097:25 am 

    i love oversized bags! i have a few, but yeah, it sucks when you have to dig through it to grab your phone or something. bad times.

  14. Sasha says:
    Wed, 17th Feb 20103:18 pm 

    Any idea where to find a HUGE-SUPER SIZED tote like the one in the pic or anywhere…I luv em'oversized!

  15. Sydni says:
    Tue, 15th Jun 20105:36 am 

    I love oversized handbags! They are the bomb!!! And what's really funny is that I inherit that from my aunt, because she is a fashion/shopoholic!!!

  16. Hanna says:
    Sat, 14th Aug 201011:50 am 

    Which bag is this in the pic??? I WANT IT!!!

Tell us what you're thinking...