I Finally Tried the Parker Thatch Belted Mimi—Now I Get Why Fashion People Can’t Stop Carrying It

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I've become surprisingly picky about handbags. Maybe it’s because I commute through Manhattan almost every day, or maybe because I’ve tested enough bags to know exactly what doesn’t work. Too structured, and I can’t fit anything inside. Too slouchy, and everything disappears into the black-hole of the bottom. Too trendy, and I’m already over it by next season. Finding one that actually earns a permanent spot in my rotation is rare.

So when I kept spotting Parker Thatch bags everywhere, I figured there had to be a reason. 

As a fashion editor, I spend pretty much my whole day looking at products, and still, the Belted Mimi was a silhouette I couldn’t stop thinking about…. so, I got my hands on it. Ahead, my first impressions and honest thoughts on the brand I’ve been seeing everywhere. 

Who Is Parker Thatch? 

Parker Thatch was founded by Irene Chen and Matt Grenby in 2001, though handbags weren’t actually where the company began. What started as an e-stationery business eventually evolved into the California-based leather goods and accessories brand it is today.

And if you’ve ever watched one of the founders’ PTTV videos, you’ll probably understand why the brand has such a loyal following. I watched one before writing this story and immediately felt like I was on FaceTime with them. They’re personable, funny, and refreshingly real – exactly how Parker Thatch feels as a brand.

Most customers discover Parker Thatch through word of mouth, according to Creative Director Joyce Lee. Someone sees a friend’s bag, asks about it, buys one for herself, and suddenly she’s the person recommending it to someone else. (I’ve officially become that person.)

What Makes Parker Thatch Different? 

During my conversation Lee, one phrase kept coming up: functional luxury. Luxury, she explained, isn’t about owning something so delicate you’re afraid to use it. It’s about carrying something that makes your everyday life feel a little more elevated. Parker Thatch designs their bags for real life: work, travel, errands, dinner, kids, coffee spills, and everything else that happens in between. Lee laughed as she told me about spilling an entire glass of wine on one of her own bags. She just wiped it off and kept going, stain-free! So many luxury handbags feel intimidating to own, but Parker Thatch is the opposite. The more lived-in it becomes, the better it looks.

You can see that philosophy in the details, too. The proportions are carefully considered, the straps are designed to sit comfortably on your shoulder, and even the hardware serves a purpose. The adjustable belt on the Belted Mimi, for example, gives you a little more flexibility when you’ve inevitably overpacked it. Nothing feels like an afterthought. 

And then there’s the personalization, which makes each Parker Thatch bag feel a little more like your own. Every bag can be customized with an assortment of straps, charms, and pouches, so you can change the look depending on what you need. Add a shoulder strap for a more polished look or a little extra length. The pouches are another smart touch: they keep smaller essentials organized inside your bag, but can easily be pulled out and carried on their own as a clutch later in the day.