The New Mini Messenger.

don't miss sample sales for Thursday, March 11: On Gilt/Gilt Fuse: Pauric Sweeny and Devi Kroll handbags, . On Rue La La: Final sale, Act 2 (multi-designer, worth checking out). On Hautelook: Free People.

I will always be a big-bag girl – I love the way bigger bags look on most women, but they’re also much more practical for daily use. I personally carry mostly BIG bags, but I do have one smaller bag (a Chloe Paddington camera messenger bag) that I use when I need a small bag (which is hardly ever…). Messenger style is really the only way I like smaller bags – it’s a more flattering way to wear small bags than tucked under your arm, and way more fashion-forward.

My all-time favorite mini-messenger bag was the mini Billie by Mayle, which are all gone by now, but luckily this season, the mini-messenger is making a huge comeback.

Here are some of my favorites:

I love See by Chloe’s new perforated leather bags, especially the bright colors. And the Miu Miu is just gorgeous…

This West/Feren bag is so tiny, I can’t imagine what it would even carry, but the ethnic pattern and simple style is very cool:

West/Feren at Ravinstyle: $172

This is just a great, easy, inexpensive weekend messenger bag. The leather looks so supple, and while the hardware looks a little fussy in the picture, I think in real life, it works:

Topshop Leather Dogclip Satchel: $100

This Vanessa Bruno bag would be totally acceptable as a fancy schmancy evening bag, but would also work to give some edge to a pair of distressed jeans and white t-shirt. And the Wendy Nichols bag is so fantastically simple, easy, and clean.

Vanessa Bruno Cuir Glace: $513

Wendy Nichol: $395

I always love a good Hayden-Harnett bag…this one is a bag and wallet in one, with a long strap. Genius. Save 15% at Hayden-Harnett through June 1 with code “loyal.”

Hayden-Harnett KOKO: $298

I actually nearly bought this Jill Stuart bag in black when it was on sale for about $100 at Shopbop…there was just something about it I loved – although I can’t say when I would have ever used it…

Jill Stuart at Bloomingdale's: $298

I ADORE this variation on the Trigger by Botkier. (Use code “luckybreaks12″ to save 25% off off the next two bags & more at Luna Boston!)

Small Botkier Trigger Cross-Body: $395

And this is the only mini-messenger I’d actually consider buying (unless I can find a cute Mini Billie on ebay or something…). I have a Morning After bag in tangerine and the color is more versatile than you think. This bag looks big enough to hold my essentials, and I’m a sucker for Rebecca’s hardware.

Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch: $330

And finally, the roundup from shopbop…the Marc by Marc Jacobs turnlock style is sticky – I love it in this small messenger bag. And you KNOW my love for Jerome Dreyfuss – this Steve bag is so cool. But…you can never go wrong with LeSportsac!

Marc by Marc Jacobs: $198

Jerome Dreyfuss: $488

Lesportsac at Shopbop: $48

Which one is your favorite? do you favor small or big bags? are you going to be carrying a mini-messenger this season?