One low-cost crossbody is quietly stepping up to the chaos.
The rise of compact crossbody bags has changed the daily carry for parents and commuters. A new £5.99 option at Lidl now pits supermarket value against UNIQLO’s cult favourite, raising a blunt question for shoppers: when style and function cost a fraction, do you pay more for the label or pocket the change?
What’s behind the £5.99 frenzy
Lidl’s middle aisle has a habit of throwing out small surprises that punch well above their price. The Esmara Ladies’ Black Shoulder Bag is that kind of find: simple shape, wipe-clean fabric, and a strap you can wear close to the body on the school run or loosen for a weekend wander. It keeps pace with real life rather than pretending it doesn’t exist.
£5.99 gets you a lightweight, wipe-clean crossbody with an adjustable strap, a roomy main compartment and a quick-grab side pocket.
Shoppers highlight practicality first. Phones, keys and cards slide in without fuss. Wipes and snacks tuck away for little emergencies. The black finish blends into outfits rather than fighting them. No logos, no fuss, no guilt if you scuff it on a bus seat.
What you get for £5.99
The bag is made from 100% polyester, which keeps weight down and maintenance easy. A damp cloth sorts spills. The strap switches from shoulder to crossbody in a second. The interior is simple and therefore flexible: one main space for bulkier bits, plus a side pocket for items you need on the move.
- Adjustable strap for shoulder or crossbody wear
- Main compartment sized for daily essentials
- Side pocket for phone, travel card or keys
- Lightweight 100% polyester with a sleek, matte finish
- Wipe-clean surface for spills and mud
- Neutral black colour that pairs with casual and smart looks
It looks high street at a supermarket price, which is precisely why it’s flying off shelves.
Is it really a UNIQLO dupe
UNIQLO’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag has gone viral for its neat shape, surprising capacity and unfussy styling. In the UK, it typically sits between £14.90 and £19.90 depending on the drop and fabric. Lidl’s version tracks the same brief at a third of the price: compact, light, plain and practical. Both target hands-free, low-profile carrying that beats bulky totes on packed trains.
| Feature | Lidl Esmara shoulder bag | UNIQLO round mini shoulder bag |
|---|---|---|
| Typical UK price | £5.99 | £14.90–£19.90 |
| Material | 100% polyester (wipe-clean) | Nylon or polyester, often water-repellent |
| Compartments | Main compartment + side pocket | Main compartment + internal pockets |
| Strap | Adjustable, shoulder or crossbody | Adjustable, crossbody focus |
| Colours | Black (at launch) | Multiple colours, frequent restocks |
| Availability | Middle-aisle drop, limited time | Recurring staple, periodic sell-outs |
| Look and feel | Sleek, understated, no logo | Minimalist, rounded profile, no logo |
Who this bag suits
Parents doing the school run, commuters chasing the Elizabeth line, students hopping lectures, dog-walkers out in drizzle. If you want your hands free and your pockets unbulged, this shape earns its keep. It doesn’t shout. It works.
- Smartphone
- Cardholder or small purse
- Keys with fob
- Mini hand sanitiser
- Folded shopping bag
- Packet of wipes
- Compact umbrella
- Lip balm
- Inhaler or small meds pouch
- Pen and pocket notebook
- Snack bar or rice cakes
- Travel-sized sunscreen
That list won’t suit everyone, but it shows the point: small bags can carry more than you’d expect if the interior is simple and the opening wide.
Style notes for real life
Black goes with everything. With a puffer and leggings, it sits snugly for playground duty. With a blazer, it keeps office kit pared back. Over a knit dress, it adds a neat, functional line. On wet days, wear it crossbody and tuck it under your coat to keep the zip dry. For nights out, shorten the strap and let it sit higher on the torso for a cleaner silhouette.
Value, wear and care
Cost-per-wear is where this Lidl bag makes its case. Use it four days a week for three months and you’re at roughly 12p per use. Stretch that to six months of frequent wear and it drops below 7p. At that rate, scuffs and scrapes feel like use, not loss.
Care is simple. Wipe with a damp cloth after spills. Air-dry away from radiators to protect the fabric coating. A light spray-on fabric protector helps beads of rain roll off, which matters on long walks or pitch-side mornings. Store it stuffed with paper to keep its shape between seasons.
What to watch for
Middle-aisle stock varies by store and sells quickly. If you spot one, check stitching, zips and strap hardware before you pay. Pull the strap through its adjuster a few times to test grip. Zip and unzip with the bag full and empty. If you tend to carry water bottles or hard-edged gadgets, consider a small pouch inside to prevent rubbing at the corners.
Limited runs mean timing matters: once a drop clears, you may wait weeks for another shipment.
Security matters too. Crossbody carry keeps hands free, but keep the zip facing forward in crowded spaces and avoid leaving the bag hanging behind you on trains. The side pocket is handy, but don’t store your primary payment card there if you’re weaving through busy streets.
Alternatives if shelves are empty
UNIQLO’s bag remains a dependable buy when it’s in stock and you want interior organisation and more colour choices. High street own-label ranges often carry similar shapes around the £10–£15 mark. Charity shops and reselling apps can be fruitful for compact crossbodies; focus on light synthetics that wipe clean and simple interiors that don’t waste space on flaps and dividers you’ll never use.
How to choose the right compact crossbody
Try this quick test in-store: drop in your phone, keys and purse. If the bag still zips smoothly and your hand can reach the bottom without a struggle, it will work day to day. Look for a strap that tightens enough to keep the bag secure against your chest when you’re moving fast or wrangling a scooter at the school gate. If you carry a small water bottle, check that the base is flat enough to stop it rolling against the zip.
A good small bag earns space in your routine by saving time: one-hand access, quick zip, no rummage.
For shoppers comparing like with like, the split is clear. Lidl’s £5.99 option delivers the core experience—hands-free carry, simple styling, easy maintenance—at minimal cost. UNIQLO’s variant adds colour variety, more internal organisation and frequent restocks. Decide whether you want the cheapest route to convenience or the added polish of a pricier staple, and buy accordingly.
