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If you were as obsessed with Disney’s Halloweentown as I was as a kid, then you likely have a vivid memory of the bottomless pit that was Aggie Cromwell's magical purse. I have one scene burned into my memory, which involves her pulling spooky Halloween decorations from it—a toy skeleton at least 3 feet tall, a garlic clove necklace, a giant jar of eyeballs, carved pumpkins, and a bunch of costumes. “This bag defies logic!” Aggie's grandson yelled in amazement, “How does all this stuff fit in here?!”
I ask myself the same thing about Baggu’s Crescent Bag every day. It went viral on TikTok for how unexpectedly roomy the somewhat small bag is on the inside. Using the “What's In My Bag?” format (a trend where content creators show off what they carry daily), people have been showcasing the obscene amount of stuff they can pack into their Baggu. The results were hard to believe.
These TikToks were appearing on my For You page just as I got tired of carrying all my stuff. None of my purses seemed to work, so I resorted to shoving everything in my jacket pockets or carrying things in my hands. I wanted a bag that checked off all the boxes: big, but not too big, stylish but minimalist, comfortable to wear for long periods, and affordable. The minute I slung the Baggu over my shoulder, I knew it was a match made in handbag heaven.
Customization Station
Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
BAGGU Medium Nylon Crescent Bag$52 at Amazon$52 at Baggu$52 at Urban Outfitters
Based on style alone, the Baggu wouldn't have initially caught my eye. It's not glossy or sparkly, and there aren't fancy buckles or clasps. Made of recycled heavyweight nylon on the outside with a recycled ripstop lining, it has a more rugged look and feel to it.
The solid color options look fairly plain too. While I'd typically go right for the Cross Stitch print, I decided to go for the black color for two reasons: I wanted a bag that I could easily match with my outfits, and I was heavily influenced by how people were decorating their solid-colored Baggus. While some TikTok videos proved how much stuff can be crammed into this bag, others showed off how fun it is to accessorize with keychains, patches, pins, ribbons, and more.
I haven't gotten around to adding any cute pins or patches to mine. (I prefer to collect them organically—while on a trip, for example—so there's more meaning behind each one.) I did, however, clip this Amuseable Coffee-to-Go Bag Charm from JellyCat onto it. I purchased it after going down a rabbit hole of Baggu TikToks and stumbling upon a viral video of someone who added the same keychain to theirs.
It's a minor addition, but it does make a huge difference. It showcases my personality a bit and brightens my mood every time I look at the adorable little coffee cup. But having a blank canvas to decorate feels exciting. It allows me to transform my Baggu into a one-of-a-kind piece, which is important when it feels like everyone has one of everything these days.
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There are other notable features too. There's an adjustable strap, so you can wear it as a shoulder bag or a crossbody. The ability to switch up styles feels like you're getting two bags in one and minimizes shoulder strain when the bag gets too heavy. The strap is 37.5 inches long, allowing the bag to reach just below my hips when I let it all the way out, which is ideal for my 5'3" self.
I also love that there are not one but two pockets inside (one on each side of the bag), which help to keep me organized. I'm the type who will throw smaller things—my wallet, car keys, AirPods—into the bottom of my bag, leaving me scrambling to find it again. By always having a pocket handy to throw tiny things into immediately, I no longer have to empty my bag in a panic when I can't find something.
A Bottomless Pit
To perfectly encapsulate the Baggu, I have to take a page straight out of Tom Wambsgans' book. In the season premiere of HBO's Succession, Tom describes a woman's slightly large Burberry bag as “ludicrously capacious.” But the hilarious (and viral) monolog didn't end there. “What's even in there, huh? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail?” he asks. “I mean, Greg, it's monstrous. It's gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job.” The Medium Crescent is a ludicrously capacious bag. But you'd never be able to tell from the outside.
It's too small to fit a lunch pail, but you can certainly throw in some flats and still have plenty of room for more. In the top-liked TikTok for the “What's In My Bag?” trend, someone managed to fit a water bottle, card holder, wallet, notepad, makeup, sunglasses, a Nintendo Switch, over-the-ear headphones, an iPhone, and a charger. Every other video is some variation of this.
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Since I work remotely, I don't have to carry my essentials around whenever I leave the house. But it's become my permanent go-to when I know I'll be gone all day and need to bring items to keep me busy. Most recently, I threw in a copy of The Nantucket Hotel (a fairly thick book), a journal, a compact makeup bag, and a pair of Anker over-ear headphones. Before that, I used it to carry an iPad Air (5th-generation), my Kindle, a toiletry bag, my AirPods, apartment keys, and a planner (5.5 by 8.3 inches). I can confirm that it fits a Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 too—this is the bag I carried the 2-in-1 in while testing it.
The Baggu also comes in handy when I'm running errands. When I'm shopping in New Jersey while visiting my parents (a state that has banned plastic bags from grocery stores), I usually have to shamefully purchase a reusable tote because I always forget to bring one in. The Crescent Bag has saved me from having to do this so many times.
On a trip to CVS, I crammed in two cartons of ice cream, three bags of candy, and a pack of Tylenol. While at the grocery store, I stuffed in three bags of produce (apples, pears, and avocados), a few packs of cold cuts, and a small bottle of syrup. One night, when I went to pick up pizza for dinner, I threw in a 2-liter soda—which kept me from having to juggle multiple pizza boxes and a heavy bottle while getting into my car. It's been six months, and I feel like I'm still pushing the boundaries of how much it can fit. So much so, that I've been keeping a running list on my Notes app.
The best part of all is that the bag manages to keep its crescent shape on the outside, even if the inside is packed to the brim. I hate it when a bag is noticeably bursting at the seams. It's just not very aesthetically pleasing, even if the bag itself is. The Baggu never looks overstuffed.
Always Ready
I know that Baggu's capabilities aren't anything a standard large handbag or tote bag can't do, but I've never been a huge fan of either. They often feel bulky and unwieldy. I always find myself adjusting the straps on my shoulder to find a comfortable position. Even when it comes with a crossbody strap, it never rests quite right on my hip. I also don't always need such a big bag, but when I do, I have to swap all my necessities (wallet, keys, chapstick, etc.) from one bag to another and then back when I'm done with it.
The beauty of the Medium Crescent Bag is its discreet versatility. I can rely on it to carry an entire day's worth of stuff, or I can trust that it will hold all the random stuff I accumulate throughout the day while I'm out. It's worth mentioning there's a large version too. I haven't tried it, but it might be the better option for those who need a bag to carry a laptop around or for overnight trips.
For now, I'm sticking to the medium version. At just $52 a bag, I not only plan on buying another (I've been thinking nonstop about the Cross Stitch bag), but I'm also planning on gifting them to a few friends this holiday season. Maybe I'll also throw in the large one for myself while I'm at it.
