The “IT” bag of summer… and the rest of the year! 

I grabbed the Lululemon belt bag in blush pink two years ago after TikTok’s algorithm sold me on it. I instantly loved it. It easily replaced my errands purse whenever we went out. 

Then, last year, TikTok’s algorithm sold me the Uniqlo moon/crescent bag so I grabbed it in light pink. From then onwards, I was switching between the two depending on my mood, activity, what I was carrying, and my outfit. 

Eventually, I wanted to clean my wardrobe, so I contemplated which one to keep. They’re both very similar but each has its pros and cons. I eventually nailed it down to one. Check out my review below on both bags and find out which one I kept!

The Material

The exterior of both bags is made of 100% nylon and the interior is made of 100% recycled polyester, making both bags water repellant, so perfect for the whole year. Although both bags are made of the same materials, Lulelemon offers a smooth finish, and Uniqlo’s bag has a wrinkled finish look. Additionally, Uniqlo states that the water-repellent finish is not permanent – how much rainwater it can handle before the finishing wears off is unknown.

The Size

	Dimensions (in)	Dimensions (cm)	Capacity
Lululemon	7.5″ x 2″ x 5″	19cm x 5.5cm x 13cm	1L
Uniqlo	11” x 7” x 4”	28cm x 17cm x 10cm	/

Even without the dimensions, you can tell which bag is bigger just by looking at them. With the Uniqlo bag, the width of the bag depends on how many items you’re carrying, whereas the Lululemon bag is fixed in width so you’d have a hard time zipping it shut if you put too many items. 

What Fits

Inside the Lululemon belt bag, you get one mesh slip on the inside and on the back of the bag, you have a zippered pocket.

In the Uniqlo moon bag, you get two interior pockets and none on the outside. 

For reference, my errand essentials are keys, a cardholder, my phone, and 80% of the time, my headphones and lip balm.

When I carry my Lululemon belt bag, it’s stuffed perfectly with my essentials. Maybe I can squeeze in a business card or two but I wouldn’t be able to carry anything for Dan. Whereas, my Uniqlo bag can hold much more – all my essentials, plus a reusable grocery bag, and if needed, Dan’s wallet, keys, and phone. I have stuffed my Uniqlo bag to the rim and never felt it to be too bulky. 

For a vacation, I would bring my Uniqlo bag without hesitation since you would want that extra carry space, just in case.

The Look

Granted, a belt bag is called a belt bag for a reason. You wear it around your waist like a belt! But, I also like to wear it as a crossbody, especially in crowded places. So, you sort of get two ways to wear the Lululemon belt bag. The Uniqlo bag only has one – crossbody. 

I feel the Lululemon belt bag gives an overall sporty and casual look. The Uniqlo bag gives a very casual look, but I wouldn’t say it gives off a sporty vibe. I find the Uniqlo bag to be easier to work with compared to the Lululemon bag since the belt bag gives off such a sporty look. 

The Price

The Lululemon belt bag is currently priced at $44 CAD, and the Uniqlo bag is priced at $24.90 CAD at the time of writing this post (August 2024). I’ve purchased both of these bags on sale; Lululemon can drop down to $30, and Uniqlo can drop down to $20.

The Winner

I loved the Lululemon bag when I had it, but after experiencing the Uniqlo moon bag, I believe the Uniqlo bag is the winner for me! In almost every aspect, the Uniqlo bag performs better than the Lululemon bag. It’s cheaper, well-made, spacious, and easy to wear. I’m a light packer but the option to have the extra space in case I grab something small is very useful. I can wear it close to my body during crowded events, or when I’m travelling (especially when you’re travelling, you’ll want the extra room!). Most importantly, the bag pairs well with almost every casual outfit which is important to me since I like to travel lightly. 

The belt bag ultimately gives out a sportier vibe and doesn’t fit much, so I find it to be less versatile. Not to mention, the price point is higher. If you’re a fan of the belt bag, I would recommend grabbing the Lole belt bag which is around $15-19 CAD at Costco.