“Fashion accessories like bags influence how others perceive me. I don’t want to adorn myself with a bag that everyone else carries,” Lee Soo-young, a 25-year-old college student, said.

“I buy unique and special bags without much hesitation. I also coordinate them with my outfits,” Han Chae-yeon, another student in their 20s, said.

These were the responses college students gave when asked about the bags of their choice.

Their pride was palpable as if they were referring to luxury bags from famous brands. But no, they were talking about eco-bags, often free as promotional items or available for just a few thousand won.

Eco-bags, or eco-friendly bags, are usually made of fabric to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags or animal leather.

Once a symbol of ethical consumption, eco-bags have become a must-have item. Recently, there was a buzz in the United States about the eco-bag from the grocery store Trader Joe’s, causing a sell-out frenzy. What’s happening with eco-bags?

Bags are a powerful means of self-expression and can function as indicators of status and wealth. People spend several months’ salary on a single bag and even line up before store openings to buy them because bags represent more than just an accessory.

How can we explain the recent scarcity of the $2.99 (approximately 4,000 won) Trader Joe’s eco-bag in the United States? Trader Joe’s limited edition eco-bag, released in February, sold out so quickly that they had to impose a purchase limit per person.

The resale price of these eco-bags on online auction sites soared to $500 (680,000 won). Despite the sturdy, non-stretchable material, this is an unusual price for a canvas bag, indicating that the frenzy isn’t about the practicality of these bags.

One TikTok user in the U.S. posted a picture of the Trader Joe’s eco-bag alongside a high-end Goyard bag, commenting that the 토토 $2.99 Trader Joe’s bag gives off the same energy as a Goyard mini bag. The Goyard mini bag sells for about 3 million won in Korean department stores.

Eco-bags have long since moved beyond their original purpose of being environmentally friendly bags.

The history of eco-bags dates back to 2007 when British fashion designer Anya Hindmarch introduced a white canvas bag with the message “I am not a plastic bag.” Since then, companies and organizations keen on attracting environmentally conscious customers and cultivating a green image have produced and distributed eco-bags.

The trend of valuing experiences as a symbol of status, along with financial assets, has also boosted the popularity of eco-bags.

Eco-bags bearing the names of specific organizations, locations, or brands can indicate the carrier’s travel history, tastes and hobbies.