Ever since shooting for The Devil Wears Prada sequel began in 2025, the costumes have been pored over and, if the latest film is anything to go by, micro bags are a key part of the fashion story.
History would suggest that TDWP2 is likely to influence our wardrobes. After all, this is the movie that gave us a newfound appreciation of cerulean blue, and made us question ever wearing florals for spring again. Patricia Fields’ artfully put together looks became memes in their own right. Having watched the much anticipated sequel, they don’t disappoint, masterminded by costume designer Molly Rogers, who worked on Fields’ team for TDWP1. Miranda’s statement jackets speak to soft power and Andy’s Annie Hall-influenced tailoring is the perfect evolution of our heroine’s style. Emily, now a PR powerhouse at Dior, wears the most directional pieces, from embellished bomber jackets to corsets over shirts. In terms of accessories, bags on the smaller side steal the show – a stark contrast to the roomier, more practical bags that gained traction over the past 18 months.
(L-R) Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling in 20th Century Studios’ THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
We see Andy in a compact Stella McCartney Ryder Flap, a slim Khaite Kye shoulder bag and a Rabanne 1969 Nano and Miranda is seen with a vintage Pinel et Pinel violet clutch, a Dolce & Gabbana leopard Marlene and a compact gold Roman design from Italian brand Della Luna Venezia. Each bag was loaned by luxury pre-loved destination, Fashionphile, in part because Meryl Streep (who plays Miranda), had a hankering for narrow clutches, and partly for budget reasons.
“Smaller silhouettes photograph incredibly well on screen,” says Fashionphile founder and president Sarah Davis. “In this film in particular, every single accessory needs to feel deliberate. Micro bags are a no-brainer. They align with where high fashion has been heading and they also don’t compete with the rest of the ‘costume’ when so much of that is part of the storyline.”
Costume designer Molly Rogers had worked with Fashionphile before, namely on sourcing the bags for Sex and the City spin-off, And Just Like That. A collaboration for The Devil Wears Prada 2 felt like a natural, fitting step – and micro styles became an overriding theme. “A small bag can be the ultimate power move,” says Davis. “There’s an ease and confidence to it that we see reflected in how our clients shop at Fashionphile. For the fashion girls in The Devil Wears Prada world, it signals a curated life; you’re carrying exactly what you need, nothing more. There’s also something aspirational about it. If you can fit your life into a Chanel mini, it can suggest a level of control and intention that feels very aligned with that world.”
The rise of the micro bag goes beyond the fictional offices at Runway. The Princess of Wales is a fan of DeMellier’s Nano Montreal, Timothee Chalamet was seen wearing a bijou orange Hermès Kelly bag last autumn and The Row’s mini bucket style is a regular sighting on the arm of Hailey Bieber. Global fashion shopping platform Lyst reports that Chanel’s reinvented maxi flap bag was the most desirable bag of Q1, which despite its maxi name, measures a diminutive 19.5 by 10cm. Over at Net-A-Porter, smaller designs have been rising in demand. “We’ve seen a growing appetite for smaller bags, particularly top-handle and clutch styles that are increasingly being worn during the day rather than reserved for special occasions,” says Lydia Zacharis, Net-A-Porter Buying Manager. “Loewe’s relaunched Amazona bag has performed especially well in its smaller size so far, alongside styles such as Khaite’s Audrey bag, The Row’s Peggy Bag, Savette’s Slim Symmetry Bag, and Bottega Veneta’s Drawstring Pouch.”
Micro bags are all very well and good, but most of us still need room for a laptop, umbrella and keys – and the shopping statistics represent a duality in need. Zacharis reports that capacious designs such as Gucci’s Giglio, The Row’s Marlo and Balenciaga’s Rodeo continue to be bestsellers. “There continues to be a clear polarity in demand,” she explains. “Larger, practical bags with a strong fashion point of view and signature details are performing well, and smaller styles are also gaining momentum. They resonate with our accomplished customer, who value bags that transition seamlessly from day to night while also serving travel needs.”
Bags on the smaller size service a different need. “The micro bag isn’t replacing functionality; it’s becoming a second bag, almost like jewellery,” says Davis. “There’s your functional bag for work, travel, daily life – and then there’s your expressive bag. Smaller bags are about mood, identity, and styling. The most modern approach is owning both and using them intentionally, depending on the moment.”
So – if you have the space – pack a mini inside your maxi for your next trip away. It’s what the Devils at the top are doing.
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
Lead image: 20th Century Studios
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