When a new season rolls in, I love to indulge myself with a fresh work bag to accompany me throughout the year. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one since the start of the year, seeking a bag that balances practicality with style. After three months of searching, I’ve finally found the ideal one from Uniqlo. The exact one is the Soft Puffy Shoulder Bag, retailing at £24.90. I chose the utilitarian olive green colourway, but the bag also comes in black, brown, and a trendy red shade (which I was very tempted by!). This shoulder bag is part of the Uniqlo: C collection, an edit curated by Clare Waight-Keller, the acclaimed British designer (and the creative mind behind Meghan Markle’s Givenchy wedding dress), who now holds the position of Creative Director at Uniqlo. Clare’s minimalist and elegant style is evident in this collection, and this chic shoulder bag is no exception, reports the Mirror. As soon as it arrived, I immediately swapped out my old work bag for this fresh alternative and headed off to work. Within minutes of arriving, I received so many compliments that I knew I’d made the right choice.
Available in four different colourways
(Image: Grace Salmon)
Pros Surprisingly spacious and fits everything you need (including a laptop) Pockets on the outside to hold your water bottle Drawstring detail secures everything inside Adjustable strap so the bag can be a shoulder bag or crossbody Cons Colour options are a bit wintery What I adore about this shoulder bag is its surprisingly spacious size, which isn’t immediately apparent from the outside. It’s often a hassle to carry around a massive tote bag when heading out to meet friends or for dinners after work. Thankfully, Uniqlo’s bag accommodates everything I need for a day at the office, from my laptop to my 1L water bottle and makeup bag, all while maintaining a sleek and compact exterior. The bag’s puffy, slouchy material is another plus point for me. While a structured bag can appear chic and professional, it can be challenging to fit everything in. This bag is entirely adaptable to accommodate all your essentials, making it the ideal long weekend bag (and it meets the size requirements for Ryanair, EasyJet and British Airways).
I’ve swapped my work bag for Uniqlo’s puffy shoulder bag
(Image: Grace Salmon)
I’m particularly fond of the olive colour. It’s a slight deviation from your standard black handbag but still neutral enough to match everything in my wardrobe. I was tempted by the red but felt it wouldn’t be as versatile. My only critique is that the colour options lean towards darker/winter-style. This does align with Uniqlo’s aesthetic, which features many beiges, creams, blacks, and khakis. However, it would be fantastic if Uniqlo introduced a more spring-ready powder blue or sage green colourway. If I were to choose another work bag, I’d opt for Topshop’s ruched nylon tote, priced at £32, which offers ample space and comes in a spring-ready off-white shade.
