Earlier this year, Lyst reported that the most popular bag of the first quarter of 2023 was the most unlikely It-bag of them all. Costing no more than $20, Uniqlo’s Sling Bag was one of the most-searched, most-wanted, and most-purchased items of the start of 2023.
Pretty crazy right?
The Body-Hugging Bag
While the cost and the material almost certainly played a factor in this underdog’s rise to the top, its ease of wear, both in its shape and material, are also major selling points. Sometimes referred to as a banana bag, thanks to its rounded silhouette, it’s often defined by its curved, body-hugging shape, and suddenly this shape is picking up major steam. Offering a casual, relaxed silhouette, the banana bag is perfect for daily wear, the ideal everyday carry that isn’t too big and isn’t too small.
A Hybrid Bag
A relatively new shape, the banana bag takes elements from other popular bags, combining them into a modern silhouette that feels wearable and fresh. Part hobo, part sling bag, and sometimes, part fanny pack, the banana bag is ideal for those 2010s hobo lovers who now prefer a crossbody bag but don’t love the look of a true belt bag. Equal parts fashion and function, everyone from Hermès to The Row and Khaite seem to be picking up on the trend. This hybrid bag is here to stay; we have found the best so far!
