It is, interestingly, not ‘quilted’

Starbucks has been putting out seasonal bags that score well with their customers or those for whom a Starbucks bag is a must-own. Their lastest is a small, oblong crossbody that captures the essence of what is still popular—the puffy bags, but minus the ‘quilting’ seen on many others that have taken this island by storm. Thankfully, it is also unlike that one massively popular bag in a half-moon, even crescent, shape, but is known as “round” (we think there have been too many lookalikes, including Shein’s very uncanny version. With the latest release, Starbucks has also moved away from totes, such as their “classic” Siren tote or last year’s nifty cotton-canvas shopper, that sold very well for them.

This time, they offer a smart and neat package of a padded satchel that is dubbed ‘Pufflet Sling’, which the coffee chain touted as a bag that offers “cloud-like comfort with that perfect puffy feel”. Slightly bigger than a typical hardback novel, the bag is capacious enough to fit a book (but who carries one anyway?), a smartphone, attendant charger, and anything else that is required for your daily commute or weekend jaunts. Inside, there is, unfortunately, no pockets or other useful details, such as the straps affixed to the interior side seams to secure beverages (cup or bottle), as seen in the recyclable totes that they now sell to encourage shoppers not to ask for a bag.

Through their marketing images, Starbucks indicates that the ‘Pufflet Sling” is a unisex bag and, at 29.5cm X 8cm X 17.5cm, does not look too small or inconspicuous against a male body. It comes in a quartet of colours: Periwinkle, dusty blue, coal, and icy grey. When we were at a Starbucks store in the east today, a staffer told us that she took out the “black (she was not aware that Starbucks prefers ‘coal’)” a moment ago, and “they were all sold out”. Starbucks has scored another hit bag. If only the strap is not saturated with the logotype. But as the crossbody sports no logo, perhaps over-branding on the strap is in keeping with what even luxury brands do. Therein, we believe, lies the Pufflet Sling’s veritable appeal.

The Starbucks ‘Pufflet Sling’, SGD29.90, is now available at all Starbucks stores. The bags are sold out online. Photo: Zhao Xiangji