Uniqlo’s sell-out bag that looks like designer brand is back

Last year, a £24.90 bag from Uniqlo caused quite a stir, selling out quickly after shoppers started comparing it to a designer version that costs almost £600 more. It wasn’t a one-off moment, either. Uniqlo has built a reputation as a go-to for stylish, sturdy and affordable basics, and its bags have become a particular talking point. You’ve probably seen the viral Uniqlo crossbody shoulder bag, the £15 half-circle pouch that took off thanks to its versatile design and its surprisingly roomy interior.

The same kind of buzz surrounded the unisex rectangular shoulder bag when it first landed. Now, it’s back, and Uniqlo has added a new colour to the mix.

I first heard about the bag from my partner, who’s into streetwear and, admittedly, has a soft spot for designer labels. “I spotted the Uniqlo item in a sponsored advert on Instagram before it had been released,” he told me. “It looked like the type of thing I was after and reminded me of a bag by the brand Porter.”

For anyone unfamiliar, Porter is a Japanese brand under Yoshida & Co., best known for bags inspired by military MA-1 bomber jackets. They’re typically made from nylon and often finished with a small rectangular patch stitched on the front bearing the name “Porter”.

My partner, who has asked to remain anonymous, summed up the appeal and the problem neatly: “I’d always liked them, but they seem way too expensive.”

With Porter Tanker bags retailing anywhere between £200 and £620, it’s easy to see why the £24.90 Uniqlo version caught his attention. There’s also the small issue of availability. While UK retailers like END and Ssense do stock Porter, the bags sell out fast, and if you miss out, you’re usually left trawling resale sites such as eBay and Vinted.

The Uniqlo bag hasn’t exactly been immune to sell-outs either, but right now it’s in stock in all three colours. The khaki is the closest match to the Porter style, while black is a safe, versatile option. There’s also a new beige colour, which feels particularly well-suited to a clean, minimalist look.

Shoppers seem just as pleased to see it back. One reviewer on the Uniqlo website, who bought the bag in beige, wrote: “I saw this bag when it first came out online and was desperate to get a hold of it, but just couldn’t as it was always sold out. It’s the perfect work bag and fits my 13-inch laptop with ease. Looks well made, I love it!”

For its size, the bag is impressively spacious. Like the designer alternative, it has a zip opening and an adjustable cross-body strap. “I like the cross-body style over a tote bag so I can have my hands free, making walking comfortable or even cycling to work,” my partner said. “It still isn’t as comfortable as cycling with a backpack, but it’s a lot more stylish.”

There are a few differences if you look closely. The Uniqlo bag’s hardware looks cheaper, and in khaki, it’s a slightly darker shade than the Porter version. Still, even if you’re not interested in the comparison, it stands on its own as a genuinely versatile bag that works just as well for the office as for a casual day out.

“It can fit a 13-inch MacBook, has good compartments and would fit all my daily essentials,” my partner explained. He uses it every day for work, packing in his MacBook and charger, along with his wallet, a book, lunch, aftershave, and his wallet. Handy dividers in the main compartment help protect tech items like a laptop or hard drive, while internal side pockets are useful for smaller bits and pieces.

Keys, a phone and headphones fit neatly into one of the front zipped compartments, and a water bottle almost slots into the side storage area. Even then, there’s still room to spare. “Perhaps the only downside is that I wouldn’t be able to fit in anything from the supermarket on my way home,” he added.