Once upon a time, it was the huge-oversized handbag that was bang on trend.

Now though, women are opting for smaller clutches and cross-body bags, a report from Mintel has revealed.

Last year, 31% of British women bought a handbag, and we're increasingly opting for smaller versions rather than enormous shoulder bags - something medical experts will be pleased about, given the link between heavy bags and bad backs.

What to read next

Here are 23 of our favourite small bags from the high street

Product, Brown, Bag, Textile, Red, Tan, Maroon, Leather, Shoulder bag, Luggage and bags, pinterest


£39.50, Marks and Spencer

Brown, Product, Orange, Textile, Red, Bag, Amber, Tan, Leather, Shoulder bag, pinterest


£29, Topshop

Brown, Product, Textile, Bag, Khaki, Amber, Tan, Leather, Shoulder bag, Luggage and bags, pinterest


£22, Accessorize

Product, Luggage and bags, Azure, Travel, Grey, Baggage, Bag, Material property, Hand luggage, pinterest

£145, Cambridge Satchel Company

Beige, Khaki, Material property, Metal, Shoulder bag, Silver, Leather, Coin purse, Wallet, pinterest


£12.99, New Look at ASOS

Bag, Shoulder bag, Beige, Rectangle, Wallet, Strap, Label, Buckle, pinterest


£32, Topshop

Product, Bag, Luggage and bags, Leather, Rectangle, Material property, Baggage, Wallet, Everyday carry, Pocket, pinterest


£135, Calvin Klein at ASOS

Product, Fashion accessory, Purple, Magenta, Violet, Pattern, Teal, Earrings, Body jewelry, Circle, pinterest


£75, Joy

Brown, Bag, Textile, Red, Pattern, Fashion accessory, Shoulder bag, Leather, Everyday carry, Wallet, pinterest


£15, House of Fraser

Product, Brown, Bag, Luggage and bags, Shoulder bag, Khaki, Leather, Beige, Baggage, Silver, pinterest

£99, Radley

Brown, Product, Bag, Textile, Style, Fashion accessory, Amber, Leather, Tan, Luggage and bags, pinterest


£25, Debenhams


Style, Bag, Black-and-white, Leather, Strap, Shoulder bag, Still life photography, Silver, pinterest


£26, River Island

Brown, Product, Bag, Textile, Style, Shoulder bag, Tan, Luggage and bags, Leather, Strap, pinterest


£16, Wallis

Brown, Product, Pattern, Camouflage, Carmine, Bag, Grey, Beige, Maroon, Silver, pinterest

£199, Hobbs

Blue, Green, Product, Bag, Textile, Teal, Turquoise, Aqua, Fashion accessory, Style, pinterest

£32, Oliver Bonas

Brown, Bag, Pattern, Fashion accessory, Tan, Khaki, Beige, Shoulder bag, Rectangle, Luggage and bags, pinterest


£39.50, Boden

Black, Rectangle, Plastic, Leather, Synthetic rubber, pinterest

£22.99, Zara

Bag, Shoulder bag, Metal, Leather, Beige, Khaki, Tan, Silver, Buckle, Steel, pinterest


£25, Oasis

Blue, Product, White, Turquoise, Teal, Aqua, Bag, Azure, Electric blue, Shoulder bag, pinterest


£25, Zatchels

Product, Brown, Bag, Fashion accessory, Style, Shoulder bag, Fashion, Leather, Luggage and bags, Metal, pinterest

£15.99, New Look

Eyewear, Product, Brown, White, Style, Fashion accessory, Bag, Black, Eye glass accessory, Grey, pinterest

£179, Ted Baker

Brown, Product, Bag, White, Fashion accessory, Style, Font, Shoulder bag, Metal, Tan, pinterest

£122.50, Karl Lagerfeld at The Outnet

Brown, Musical instrument accessory, Red, Pattern, Maroon, Carmine, Bag, Rectangle, Motif, Baggage, pinterest

£39.99, Mango