A couple years ago, when I bought a Medium Prada Galleria Saffiano Tote in black, I quickly realized the bag had one major problem: the strap was way too long. I was frustrated at first and considered returning it altogether. A sturdy shoulder or crossbody strap is essential for me – and I was irritated that I failed to realize the strap wasn’t up to par in the first place. Lesson learned.
Anyway, I needed a solution – and fast. I scoured the web for bag straps, and at this point, there really wasn’t much out there. This was before the whole Fendi strap craze, and my options were pretty bleak. (I wouldn’t have paid $1,000 for a strap either way, though.) Ultimately, I took the long and awkward Prada strap and had it cut and re-sized at a local leather shop. The job was decent, but if you look closely, it’s obvious the strap was altered.
[sc_ic_ad1]About a year later, I was on TheRealReal and came across a Fendi strap severely discounted (from around $1,200 all the way down to $450). The condition, online at least, appeared impeccable, so I decided to take the risk and buy it. From that point on, I’ve been hooked on straps. This particular one is beige with multicolored accents, which means it automatically spices up whatever bag I put it on.
Bags I thought I’d barely use again immediately transformed, all by adding a different strap. Seriously – it’s crazy what a new piece of leather can do.
Lucky for you, we’re in an age of bag straps. It seems like every designer, from Fendi to Marc Jacobs and Valentino, has their own version. From the discrete and traditional to the downright quirky and weird, I’ve searched high and low for a handful of straps available for purchase right now.
Beware: Some are ridiculously expensive. I am in no way saying it makes sense to blow $1,000 on a strap when you could purchase a bag (or a few) for that amount. But this list would be incomplete without mentioning them.
Do what you will, but if I were you, I’d totally splurge on a strap. Trust me when I tell you it will most definitely give your favorite purse a totally new look, which essentially means you’ll have two bags. Yep, just a classic case of bag math.
Fendi Strap You Metallic Flower Leather Guitar Bag Strap ($1,250)
Anya Hindmarch Allover Sticker Guitar Bag Strap ($495)
Marc Jacobs Striped Shoulder Strap ($85)
Balenciaga Logo Shoulder Strap ($495)
Karl Lagerfeld K/Straps Round Logo Bag Strap ($63)
Delvaux’s Tempête Short Strap ($600)
Valentino Garavani Leather-Trimmed Canvas Shoulder Strap ($1,175)
Chloé Leather & Silk Shoulder Strap ($309)
Fendi “Strap You” Short & Long Shoulder Straps ($600)
Gucci Sylvie Detachable Leather Strap ($230)
Off White Twill Shoulder Strap ($289)
Longchamp Rayee Stripe Nylon Shoulder Strap ($70)
No Salt Strappe? Those are the best!
Where I’m from, Salt straps are associated with Moms 😀
Cool moms at least. right? Also that’s just marketing.
Just googled it- Salt is by FAR the most attractive straps out of this whole bunch!
The Longchamp stripe is the only attractive one. The other straps are overly branded. It’s obnoxious and a bit vulgar in my opinion.
Seriously? Longchamp is horrible!! The only attractive one is the Gucci Sylvie which is simple and sophisticated. #youneedastylist.
The Gucci Sylvie is okay.
#IHaveGreatStyleThankYouVeryMuchYouPeasant
The longchamp one looks like one of those straps that you put around you luggage so that it wont open during a flight… Extremely boring and unattractive.
I am sure you prefer the other ones with their big giant logos!
Over 1K for a STRAP?! PUUUHH-LEEEEEEZE! EYE ROLL!
I can’t get on board with this trend. All the bag straps I have seen, to my eyes, make the bags look cheaper..and I don’t like the straps themselves at all, at any price.
Hi, I lost the original strap to my bag and am now using this loud cheap yet overpriced guitar strap instead! Aren’t I sooo coool! Having a strap that actually matches your bag is not matchy-matchy or old ladyish. It’s the way the bag was or should be designed. All this deconstructed shabby chic is starting to look just plain shabby, to me anyway.
This article could not have been timed better. Not too long ago, I actually went through this debate for myself. I have a black LV alma in epi leather. It did not come with a strap which was no big deal years ago when I got it. I’m now a mom, and I have to be hands free when out with my child. So I looked online at LV for a strap. Very pricey for a strap. I discussed it with my husband, just to get his opinion. After talking it through, I realized that I could buy a black polene number one (my 3rd one actually; I luv them) for way less and have a reasonably priced everyday black bag for running around town. That was a much better decision. I now carry the LV when I’m out being fancy and childless!
I don’t like any of these. The prices are insane and I agree with those that day they’re cheap looking.
One word: Mautto
I just googled this as well- thank you!
Same! Thanks! @robert_goode:disqus @khuth89:disqus
There are tons of more affordable yet edgy, cool, beautiful straps out there – would like to see those in addition to the logoed/overly pricey ones.Lots of room in this space – there really is a strap (or twelve) for EVERYONE.
i already got the LC one which could get along with my balenciaga and prada pretty nicely. i looooove the off white one. it would be a nice touch over a plain black bag.
I actually just bought a medium indigo blue Dior saddle bag on Fashionphile after weighing the decision for a bit. Ultimately, I know I love the bag, trend or not. Another part of the decision was the strap. I ~knew I had to buy a separate shoulder strap for my lifestyle. I just need the option of a shoulder/crossbody strap. I did end up buying the classic stripe in blue on the Dior site, but it took a lot to complete that purchase. The main reason I went with Dior is the hardware. It matches the hardware on the bag AND the size allows me to clip it onto the bag. I realized not a lot of non high-end designer bags have the right hardware for each bag. I was looking at Clare V, but realized the clips were too small. This is the main issue I find with buying a separate strap. Hardware should match the bag or it just looks too sloppy IMO.
You’re missing Kate-Cate straps!
Gucci, Longchamp and Off-White are the only ones I like. The other are not only overly branded, but ridiculously pricey.