This bag does not look like much. It is very plain, very basic. Nondescript. It costs $19. Yet Lyst named it the hottest product of the first quarter of 2023
Uniqlo’s shoulder bag is the hottest product of the quarter. Retailing at under $20, it’s the cheapest product to ever be featured in The Lyst Index. After going viral on TikTok and generating over 59 million views on the platform, it sold out multiple times across multiple colorways.
It was then named Lyst’s Bag of the Year.
Uniqlo’s shoulder bag enters the handbag hall of fame. Retailing at under $20, it’s the cheapest product to ever be featured in The Year in Fashion, and Uniqlo’s best selling bag of all time. Versatile, practical and genderless, the half-moon bag did not benefit from an influencer push, but instead went viral through old-fashioned word-of-mouth, generating over 119M views on TikTok and selling out multiple times across multiple colorways. In September, it benefitted from a faux-leather upgrade as part of Uniqlo’s designer collaboration with Clare Waight Keller.
I have been looking to replace the bag below for a while now. I have used it so much over five years that it has started to fray and is looking rather sad.
I did look at the Kipling Gabbie bag, but it was between $80 and $100. I need one that is cheap and that I can throw into the saddle bag on the bike.
I decided on the Uniqlo Sling Bag (aka banana bag) because it is decently priced, roomy, is water-resistant and very lightweight. There were new spring colour-ways of the Sling Bag, a crochet version, a puffy version, and cosy corduroy. I got black because it doesn’t show dirt or stains. You can wear it as a crossbody bag, a shoulder bag, and I have seen someone wearing it around their waist.
This video shows how much it holds!
@caitlinphillimore
You can have Uniqlo items customised with embroidery and patches, for an extra charge. There are so many options that I a) suffer from paralysis by analysis and b) don’t want to spend extra money on something cheap that I don’t want to baby.
Sling bags are very popular these days.
I am finally in fashion!
I bought one when they had the Keith Harring collection (of two) and I absolutely love it! I love the fact that the bottom is roomy. I have another one of these bags and it’s roomy at the top and whenever I open it, everything almost spills out but not with the Uniqlo one. They really have some lovely products there!
I loved the Marimekko collaboration but was not quick enough to get one! The Haring ones are lovely. Which colourway did you get?