Rihanna's Massive Clutch Is Here to Tell You: Tiny Purses Are Out

Rihanna has spoken: tiny purses are out. [Insert dramatic gavel slam here.] On Oct. 9, the Fenty Beauty founder was spotted grabbing dinner in New York City carrying an enormous red clutch that could practically double as a duffle. The woven Bottega Veneta bag was impossible to miss as the mom of two made the sidewalk her runway in a gray Dries Van Noten coat, black Balenciaga "pantaboots," Gucci sunglasses, and a diamond necklace.

With no top handle to grab or slip over the shoulder, Rihanna wedged the oversize pouch under one arm, leaving us to wonder what on earth was hiding within. Did she stash a week's worth of takeout from the restaurant she dined at? (That's our kinda meal prep, if so.) Perhaps the singer went on a pre-dinner shopping spree to score some new 'fits for her two-month-old son Riot, or maybe she packed a hoodie to avoid stains on her fancy wool coat. With a bag of that size, all three options are plausible.

Hypothetical contents aside, Rihanna's larger-than-life clutch eschews the micro handbags that've saturated the accessories scene for the past few years. Roomy totes are making a steady comeback, popping up on the spring 2023 runways for labels like Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, and Altuzarra. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are clearly on board with the return of carryalls; this past week alone, the latter lugged around two different brightly colored Bottega Veneta totes while celebrating his birthday in NYC. What Rihanna and A$AP Rocky say, goes — we don't make the rules.