The Old-School Bathroom Item That Deserves A Comeback (It's So Cute & Functional)

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We're always on the lookout for vintage trends that are ready for a revival — like the '80s mirror wall trend that is poised to make a comeback in 2026. One other old-school mirror that we're hoping to see a lot more of is the compact mirror, which is still just as cute and functional as it was when it first made its appearance in powder rooms and purses a century ago.

For the uninitiated, a compact mirror is a small, portable mirror that's designed to either swivel open or close, or open and shut like an oyster shell. While handheld mirrors have been around for thousands of years, the compact mirrors we're familiar with today became popular in the 1920s. That was when wearing makeup became not only acceptable but chic and fashionable, and portable products that you could touch up in public (such as tube lipstick) became ubiquitous.

Today, it's true that you can always check your reflection or do touch-ups using your phone's selfie camera, but there are a ton of reasons why we think compact mirrors should once again become beauty staples in our purses, bathrooms, and back pockets. After all, compact mirrors are tools that are both pretty and practical, coming in countless styles and colors with multifunctional purposes that allow them to double as containers, mini flashlights, and thoughtful gifts — as well as an easy way to get a sneaky peek of yourself when you need it.

While compact mirrors may seem like a fairly straightforward item, there are actually plenty of options out there, with a seemingly endless selection of materials, shapes, and styles to choose from. These range from simple and sleek to elegant vintage designs to quirkier avian-inspired silhouettes and even mirrors that look like your favorite fruit. For a style that harkens back to the early days when pocket mirrors were used as calling cards to advertise products like Coca-Cola and even promote presidential campaigns, you can opt for a compact mirror that displays your favorite brand. Exhibit A: this quirky little 1930's Campbell's Soup Mirror on eBay. Many compact mirrors can also be customized to give them a unique, individual touch. Some can be personalized with photographs — resembling large, timeless lockets that also serve practical purposes — while others can be engraved with initials or a special message.

And while you can get the vintage look if you wish, remember that these aren't your grandma's compact mirrors. Today, many compact mirrors do double-duty as travel-sized, multifunctional tools — like this AsAlways Lipstick Case with Mirror on Amazon or this Anthropologie Compact Mirror Charging Case that also charges your phone (yes, really!). Some even come equipped with LED lighting, which can give you an even clearer view of your own lovely visage in the mirror. As a bonus, you get to repurpose your compact mirror as a mini flashlight when you need to find stuff in your purse or other dim places.

If you've watched a lot of spy or detective movies, you might think of compact mirrors as being used for nefarious purposes — maybe as makeshift periscopes for peeking around corners or to send and receive hidden messages as a secret agent. But there are plenty of innocent, practical ways to use these pretty little instruments. In addition to taking a quick peek at your reflection in public, you can use compact mirrors in your own bathroom for more detailed tasks, such as tweezing your eyebrows or applying eyeshadow and eyeliner. With the help of a second mirror, such as your main bathroom mirror, compact mirrors also offer an easy, flexible way to get a good look at hard-to-see areas, like checking the back of your head while styling your hair.

And of course, let's not overlook the aesthetic appeal of these handy little items. Compact mirrors make lovely, thoughtful gifts or party favors for loved ones, especially if you opt for one of the personalized options with engravings or photos. In fact, the incomparable fashion authority Vogue singled out compact mirrors (or more specifically, designer compact mirrors, if your budget can accommodate) as "the ultimate beauty gift." And in your own bathroom, decorating with mirrors is always a chic choice, so when they're not in use, try displaying one or more compact mirrors on shelves, cabinets, or your bathroom cabinet to add a taste of classic old-school charm.