5 Off-White Bags That Went Viral — And Not in the Way You Might Expect. Bold, bizarre, and talked about.

Off-White, the brainchild of the late Virgil Abloh, is renowned for its boundary-pushing designs that blend streetwear with high fashion. However, not all creations have been met with universal acclaim. Some pieces have stirred controversy, drawing criticism for their impracticality or perceived lack of originality. Here are five Off-White bags that made headlines for reasons beyond their price tags.​

1. The Meteor Bag: A Hole New Level of Design

Debuting at Off-White’s Spring 2020 show, the Meteor bag featured large, perfectly circular holes punctured through its leather body, rendering it virtually unusable. Designed to be “unfunctional,” the bag challenged traditional notions of utility in fashion. Despite its $1,665 price tag, many questioned the practicality of a bag that couldn’t hold items securely.

​https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/a29250820/off-white-hole-meteor-bag/

2. Jitney 2.8 “Cash Inside” Bag: An Invitation or Irony?

The Jitney 2.8 bag boldly displayed the words “Cash Inside” on its exterior, a design choice that sparked debate. While some viewed it as a satirical take on consumerism, others saw it as an open invitation to theft. The juxtaposition of high fashion with overt messaging left many divided on its intent and appeal.​

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a28508658/off-white-cash-inside-bag

3. Alleged Copy of 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Alix Bag

In 2018, designer Phillip Lim accused Off-White of copying his Alix bag design, particularly its distinctive oversized paperclip hardware. Lim highlighted the similarities between his 2016 creation and Off-White’s newer release, sparking discussions about originality and inspiration in the fashion industry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxK9b0rtmnr/?hl=en

4. The Binder Clip Bag: Office Supplies as Luxury

Off-White’s Binder Clip bag incorporated an actual binder clip as a central design element. While innovative to some, others criticized it for elevating mundane office supplies to luxury status without a substantial design transformation. The bag’s concept raised questions about the boundaries of creativity and commercialization.​

5. The Paper Bag Tote: Literalism in Luxury

Taking minimalism to an extreme, Off-White released a tote resembling a standard brown paper bag, complete with the words “Paper Bag” printed on it. Priced significantly higher than its grocery store counterpart, the design was seen by many as a commentary on consumer culture, though others dismissed it as lacking substance.​

https://theluxurycloset.com/blog/2021/03/12/off-white-binder-clip-bag/

Off-White’s daring designs have undeniably left a mark on the fashion world, pushing boundaries and challenging conventions. While innovation often invites criticism, these controversial pieces have sparked essential conversations about the role of functionality, originality, and satire in modern design.