I ditched viral Uniqlo bag for M&S version and one difference is far superior
For anyone looking for a budget-friendly, versatile and on-trend handbag over the last few months there has only really been one game in town - Uniqlo's round mini shoulder bag. But M&S has already upped their handbag game with experts predicting a Bottega Veneta-style braided top handle shoulder bag is set to be the brand's first accessory sell-out for 2024 and now the high street giants have moved in on another big bag trend.
I first learned of the existence of the iconic when a video showcasing exactly how much you could fit inside it went viral and . I wasn’t convinced it was worth the hype but it cost and seeing it coincided with a realisation I needed to downsize my day bag to minimise the amount of pointless rubbish I was carting around all the time.
I bought the and it has genuinely been one of my best buys of recent years and my mainstay of the winter. It’s the perfect size to fit all my essentials, goes with everything and I have already been eyeing up the .
READ MORE: I’m a fashion writer and I predict Marks and Spencer’s new summer-ready bag will sell out
But even with the weather, allegedly, starting to get warmer there has been one issue with my beloved bag and it has caused me regular faff over the last few months. While the bag is water resistant it is no match for the monsoon style rain my corner of the country has received recently and many afternoons have been spent with me drying my bag and its contents on a radiator after an unexpected downpour on the school run.
Best blood pressure monitors for quick and accurate readings at home
News this week that Uniqlo had - finally - released a of the staple bought me great joy, but then I realised it was actually considerably bigger than the original style it was modelled on, defeating the point somewhat, but even more significantly M&S had launched their own version of the crescent shaped bag - and it is glorious.
I ordered the and, having used it for a few days and put it head to head with my previous bag it has utterly replaced the Uniqlo in my affection.
My Marks and Spencer bag (back) beside the iconic viral Uniqlo bag (front) (Narin Flanders)The is two centimetres wider at the mouth than the but in style and shape they look very similar. It comes in four different colourways, I chose brown for a change from my usual goes-with-everything black, and the quality of the material is amazing.
It has a zip pocket inside and is fully lined and is, crucially, perfect for when the heavens open and you end up unexpectedly soaked.
It hangs really nicely when it’s filled, holding its shape well and with a more of a rigid structure than the softer material of the Uniqlo version. Meanwhile the gold zip and buckle on the strap make it look more premium in a way that makes it more versatile and means I’m going to get even more use out of it.
With the of their bag coming in at £24.90 and this M&S hero just ten pence more expensive it is worth every penny and I'm fully expecting to start spotting these out in the wild in the next few weeks now the bag has hit stores and M&S online.
I'm not the only person taken with this gorgeous bag. While it only hit the site this week, initial reviews are largely five star with an average of 4.5 stars from all shoppers who've bought so far.
One shopper said: "Lovely and soft material, can be dressed up or down. Good size and good value," while another added: "Gorgeous bag in faux leather, on trend slng bag shape with broad comfortable strap. I love it."
One less positive three star review however said the bag looked 'cheap' adding: "I can't get everything I would like to in it."
However, I very much agree with the final review: "Great little bag, I would definitely recommend. Get it before it sells out."
20 best air fryers to invest in for quicker, healthier and cheaper ways to cook
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
