Whether as an elegant office bag, fashionable statement piece or practical everyday helper – large bags are setting the tone for spring/summer 2023. But what makes them so special? How can they be best used and which models are right for your individual needs? Find out everything you need to know about this season’s biggest trend in our blog article.
The last time big bags were so popular was in the early 2000s when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were spotted frequently carrying enormous jet-black patent Chanel Cabas or tan Hermes Birkins. Even today, the siblings’ iconic style has been emulated by countless influencers and celebrities. But it is only now that oversized accessories are making their way back into the spotlight, with bags by Loewe, Celine and Saint Laurent all pushing roomier shapes. The trickle-down effect, however, is a slow one and it may take quite some time before they are truly back in fashion.
In the meantime, 23-year-old Milan-based designer Virginia Rolle has started a digital movement called ‘The Big Bag Club’ to bring the trend back into fashion. The online concept sees her superimpose bags of varying sizes onto pictures of celebrities, influencers and models. The result is surreal imagery that celebrates the accessory as “the real protagonist of the outfit, enriching and defining it”. The concept is so popular that brands like Tory Burch and Alexander McQueen began commissioning Rolle to create artwork for them.
But when it comes to using large bags, safety must come first. For example, it is important to ensure that the bag has not been damaged and that the discharge chute has been sealed properly. It is also vital that a large bag is only lifted using hooks, fork lifts or bars that are specifically approved for handling FIBCs. Furthermore, it is vital that the securing method is tested and that any bags are not packed too tightly. This is because it can reduce the safety margin of a load to such an extent that it no longer complies with SOLAS Chapter VI, the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing and the Carriage of Cargo.
To ensure that the correct securing methods are in place, it is advisable to conduct dynamic tests on a FIBC. This involves loading the bag with a product, weighing it and measuring its deformation. These results are then compared to the load stability standards of EN 12642 Code XL. In order to carry out this test, a trailer must be used that is suitable for transporting large bags. In some cases, transport companies will use curtainsider trailers that are specially designed for this purpose.
To reduce the volume of rejected big bags, it is common practice to compress them into bales. But this does not mean that the used FIBCs are completely clean. There are often residues, dust, dirt or foreign objects such as stones, sand or metal in the bales and this must be sorted out before shredding. This can be done using a WEIMA shredder that is adapted to the specific material.