Why are Singaporean men obsessed with this not-so-new bag trend from 2022?
The obsession with lightweight fabric bags is real. Here's where to buy them in Singapore, from Uniqlo and COS to The Paper Bunny, The Everyday Club and Beyond The Vines.
Let’s face it: Singaporeans love their bags. Just look at the number of “It” bags being carried along Orchard Road. And in the past couple of years, there's one particular trend that has been gaining popularity – lightweight fabric bags. Case in point was the viral Uniqlo mini shoulder bag (affectionately dubbed the “moon bag”) that has taken over TikTok.
No one at Uniqlo could have predicted how far the bag, introduced in early 2022, would take the brand. Thanks to “customers sharing their positive experience on social, highlighting the compact bag’s ability to store all of their daily essentials and more, it led to a boom in user-generated content as more fans hopped on the trend to post unpacking videos”, shared a Uniqlo spokesperson.
The result: A global surge in demand, which led to the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag being named the 2023 top fashion item by the Lyst Index (the fashion industry’s quarterly report ranking the hottest brands and products).
More brands have since followed suit, from COS’ quilted bag (also known as the cloud bag) to The Paper Bunny’s puffer range and even Thai fashion label, GentleWoman’s latest dumpling bag.
And it’s not just women; the guys are equally invested too.
THE MEN GET IT TOO
“Men also need good, practical, functional and aesthetic bags. Our male customers equally love our pieces and share their outfit posts and reviews on their social platforms. We’ve also seen many male customers come to the store to try the bags on for themselves,” shared Jaime Lee, co-founder and creative director of The Paper Bunny.
Explained Furqan Saini, fashion stylist and creative director of fashion creative agency, Major Minor Agency: “Lightweight bags come in different sizes and bigger ones, like the COS cloud bag, are perfect to dump everything in. Even from a form perspective, lightweight bags don’t look bulky and don’t add weight to your silhouette.”
Photographer Walter Tan is one such fan. In fact, he owns several Beyond The Vines lightweight sacs and likes switching them for different occasions. “I was using the Pocket Poofy Bag when I went to Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January for work. This was especially important because I was away for close to two weeks so I really had to pack a few versatile bags that were lightweight and flexible in shape due to my limited luggage space for winter clothing.”
For CNA Luxury’s Boon Tan, his COS bag is a practical purchase. “It’s lightweight and the shoulder straps don’t cut into my skin. I can also dump everything inside – laptop, water bottle and books. Though the downside is that it’s too roomy and I find myself having to dig hard to get what I want.”
THE EPITOME OF FUNCTION + STYLE
So what’s the allure of these bags?
“After season upon season of structured bags, the lightweight fabric bag trend is a welcome respite. Structured bags also tend to be heavier so having lightweight bags does make carrying them a whole lot lighter. Lightweight bags also mean there's ease of comfort to wear here in tropical Singapore. I think there's also a certain tactility to lightweight bags, especially if they're puffy. It feels like hugging your favourite 'chou chou' (or smelly comfort pillow),” said Furqan.
“The trend marries the perfect combination of functionality and aesthetic… Our pieces are practical, thoughtful in function on top of looking good, and are relevant across ages, gender and style preferences,” added Lee. Plus, they are “easy to maintain, lightweight and comfortable to carry, and make a great every day and travel bag”.
THE TREND CONTINUES…
With the continued demand, the brands are taking their customers’ needs, both women and men, into consideration with their new launches.
“We consider taller physiques, longer straps and more unisex shapes when we create our bags,” shared Lee.
At Uniqlo, the brand has introduced other lightweight bag options, such as the Drawstring Shoulder Bag and Drawstring Backpack that been well-received by both male and female customers. In addition, its Round Mini Shoulder Bag gets updated every season with special editions in different sizes, fabrics and prints.
And lest you think that men would only prefer darker colour options and bigger bag sizes, think again. “It’s 2024 and rigid notions of gender in fashion should be abolished,” said Furqan.
On his recent trip abroad, Tan carried his passport, fabric travel wallet, portable charger and phone in his small neon orange Pocket Poofy Bag. “A lightweight statement bag like this also helps to brighten up the look,” he added.
So while the designs might change and evolve, it sure looks like this lightweight fabric bag trend is here to stay.
UPDATE YOUR BAG WARDROBE WITH THESE
1. Uniqlo Round Mini Crochet Bag, S$39.90
Each bag is hand-knitted, lending a distinctive style, and like its predecessor, remains lightweight and durable. And its convenient size is great for everyday use and even has a handy inner pocket to stash your keys and valuables.
Available in www.uniqlo.com/sg/en/
2. The Paper Bunny Puffer Carryall, S$129
A workhorse of a bag, it’s thoughtfully designed with multiple compartments, including a holder for your water bottle and a padded slot for your laptop, and still has room for more. The strap sits comfortably on the shoulder and is adjustable, going from sporty sling to shoulder tote with ease.
Available at www.thepaperbunny.com
3. COS Quilted Bag, from US$45/S$60
Despite Blackpink’s Jennie’s luxury brand endorsements, she has been seen carrying her COS quilted bag everywhere, especially on her travels. Today, you can find the bag in a variety of sizes – from micro to oversized, and materials – from nylon to leather, which means there’s always one for any occasion.
Available at COS stores.
4. The Everyday Club Cushion Bag, S$74.90
Made from the same nylon-cotton blend as the brand’s Signature Urban Sling, this puffy version is soft and lightweight yet large and sturdy enough to fit a 14-inch laptop. With three pockets on the outside and an inner pocket flap, it’s good to stash all your daily necessities and more.
Available at www.theeverydayclub.co
5. Beyond The Vines Crunch Carryall, from S$79
Structured but not rigid, this nylon bag features an inner pocket for your water bottle and a laptop compartment in the larger sizes. The short handles and long adjustable strap allow you to carry it any way you like. The zipper closure also ensures that your valuables stay safe. Comes in three sizes and in a variety of colours.
Available at www.beyondthevines.com