Puffer Bags in Singapore: From Bottega Veneta’s Runway to $65 Everyday Bags (2026 Guide)

Puffer bags in Singapore went from a luxury runway curiosity to the most common bag on the MRT in about four years. The padded, pillowy shape first took off at Bottega Veneta in 2019, then reached Singapore in a big way in 2023 through home-grown labels such as The Paper Bunny, at a price that made it an everyday purchase instead of a splurge. This guide covers how that happened, what puffer bags cost at every level, and how to choose one that suits you.

Prices and details checked October 2026 from retailer pages and press coverage. They change often, so confirm before you buy.

The short answer

Image via British Vogue

No single designer invented the puffer bag, but Daniel Lee’s soft Pouch and Padded Cassette at Bottega Veneta in 2019 did the most to make the shape a fashion obsession. In Singapore, The Paper Bunny’s Puffer Swing, launched in January 2023, turned it into an everyday bag at about $65 to $85. If you want one now, your choice comes down to price, size, and how well the bag handles rain and a laptop.

How the puffer bag trend started: a timeline

Why puffer bags took off in Singapore

• They suit the weather. Water-resistant nylon copes with sudden showers better than most leather bags.
• They’re light. A padded nylon bag weighs very little, even when it’s full.
• They carry a lot. Many fit a bottle, an iPad and in some cases a laptop. Singapore roundups note that the Puffer Shopper fits a 16-inch laptop.
• They’re affordable. At around $65, a puffer bag costs a tiny fraction of its luxury cousins.
• Scarcity made them a status item. Queues and sell-outs pushed demand. One launch led to resale listings on Carousell at about $95, nearly 60% above the retail price, according to The New Paper.
• They became a local look. TikTok trends even described dressing like a Singaporean girl as wide-leg pants, a crop top and a puffer bag.

The price ladder: from luxury to $40

That’s roughly an 80-fold difference between a luxury puffer and a $65 swing bag. Prices come from retailer pages and a Honeycombers roundup, and they were listed at different times, so use them as a guide.

How to choose a puffer bag

1. Check the fabric. Look for water-resistant nylon or a similar coated fabric. “Water-resistant” isn’t the same as waterproof, so protect electronics in heavy rain.
2. Pick the size for your day. A swing bag suits a phone, wallet and bottle. A tote or carryall is better for a laptop and a change of clothes.
3. Look at the strap. An adjustable strap lets you wear it on the shoulder or across the body, which matters on crowded trains.
4. Check the pockets. Zipped outer pockets are good for your phone and cards, and inner pockets keep small items from sinking.
5. Look at how the padding holds up. Padding that keeps its shape after months of use looks better for longer.
6. Read the care label. The Paper Bunny’s own care notes, for example, say no machine washing, no soaking and no drying in direct sun. Most puffer bags need similar gentle treatment.

Puffer bag alternatives in Singapore

The Paper Bunny is the best-known name, but it isn’t the only one. Singapore shoppers also look at:

• Beyond The Vines and Good Totes, two local labels often mentioned alongside The Paper Bunny.
• The Sophia Label, which makes a puffy tote with plenty of pockets in water-resistant nylon.
• Uniqlo, whose faux-leather puffy bag gives the look without the extra volume.
• Simplecivet’s Puffer Cloud Tote, a puffer-style tote with an adjustable two-way sling, designed to fit a 13-inch laptop. It’s built for the same Singapore days: commute, work, errands and the gym. 

The right one is the one that fits your routine and budget. If you carry a laptop, compare tote sizes first. If you mostly carry a phone and wallet, a smaller swing bag is enough.

Is the puffer bag trend over?

The Straits Times asked in March 2024 whether the craze had peaked, and nobody can say for certain when a trend will fade. What’s clear is that the features behind it, light weight, water resistance and room for a laptop, solve real problems in Singapore’s weather and commutes. The sensible approach is to buy for how you’ll use the bag, not for the hype. If you like it and it works for your day, it will keep earning its place even after the trend moves on.

Caring for a puffer bag in Singapore’s humidity

Padded bags can trap moisture, so they need the same care as any bag in a humid climate. Empty it every day, never zip away anything damp, and air it out in a ventilated spot. For a full routine, read our guide to stopping mould and smell in your bag.

FAQ

Is The Paper Bunny a Singapore brand? Yes. It was founded in 2013 by Jaime Lee and Justin Tan, started out selling stationery, and moved into bags and apparel in 2018.

How much does a Paper Bunny puffer bag cost? The Puffer Swing is listed at $65 to $85 depending on the material and colour, and the Puffer Carryall at $129. Check the brand’s site for current prices.

Who started the puffer bag trend? No single designer did, but Daniel Lee’s Pouch and Padded Cassette at Bottega Veneta in 2019 are widely credited with making soft, padded bags a fashion obsession.

Is the puffer bag trend over? Nobody knows for sure. The Straits Times asked whether it had peaked in March 2024. The practical features, light weight and water resistance, are why many people still use them.

Are puffer bags waterproof? Most are water-resistant, not waterproof. They handle light rain but aren’t designed to be submerged, so protect electronics in heavy downpours.

What is the cheapest puffer bag in Singapore? One of the lowest-priced options in a Singapore roundup was Uniqlo’s faux-leather puffy bag at about $39.90, with several local labels around $65. Prices change, so compare before you buy.

Where this information comes from

• The Straits Times, “Has the puffy bag craze reached its peak here?” (29 March 2024)
• The New Paper, report on The Paper Bunny’s Ngee Ann City launch queues
• FZine, interview with Paper Bunny co-founder Jaime Lee
• The Honeycombers, roundup of puffer bags in Singapore
• The Paper Bunny product and care pages
• PurseBlog and other Bottega Veneta histories for the Pouch and Padded Cassette timeline