$20 UNIQLO Bag Replaces Luxury Goods As ‘Hottest’ Fashion Product
Image via UNIQLO
With prices of goods by legacy brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton climbing steeply, consumers will be relieved to know that the number-one fashion product today is surprisingly attainable.
UNIQLO’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag, priced at just US$19.90, has skyrocketed into cult status, thanks to its affordability, understated appeal, and versatility. The unprecedented it-bag even crawled to the top of Q1 2023’s hottest product ranking by The Lyst Index, a list closely watched by fashion observers which names the most popular items per quarter based on data like web searches and sales.
The Japanese retailer’s astronomical rise comes wildly unexpected, since the ranking is usually dominated by luxury companies like Gucci and Prada, not fast-fashion brands. The bag owes much of its prominence to TikTok, where young shoppers are raving about its ability to meet both form and function.
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“Retailing at under $20, it’s the cheapest product to ever be featured in The Lyst Index,” the organization proclaims. “After going viral on TikTok… it sold out multiple times across multiple colorways.” A coworker tells this writer that she personally owns four different colorways of the model.
Screenshot via The Lyst Index
As of the time of writing, the #uniqlobag hashtag has drawn 63.1 million views on the social network, while #uniqlobagviral has 13.7 million.
The #uniqlobagchallenge, in which shoppers reveal all the essentials that they can fit in the bag, has amassed 630,600 views.
The bag is unisex, has an adjustable strap, and is roomier than it appears. On its website, the brand mentions that the shoulder bag is lined with piping to ensure its structure is maintained even with several items inside.
Not to mention, the bag is available in eight hues, which is a bonus for a generation fervent about self-expression.
The rounded silhouette has drawn comparisons with the iconic Dior saddle bag too, Gear Patrol reports. Plus, its barebones look makes it a pocket-friendly alternative to the rising “quiet luxury” trend.
Elsewhere, UNIQLO shares that the bag is built with activewear in mind, with the carrier “shaped to fit the body” during workouts. It is also coated with a water-repellent finish to be more outdoor-friendly.
With that said, although the shoulder bag currently takes the top spot of the ranking for most coveted fashion items, UNIQLO itself hasn’t made it on the list for fashion’s hottest brands, with the titles still being claimed by luxury retailers like Prada, Miu Miu, and Moncler.
[via Business of Fashion and Gear Patrol, images via UNIQLO]
