Suede Crossbody Bag — Handmade, Adjustable Strap

Description

A compact suede crossbody bag, cut and sewn by hand in Tbilisi from soft natural suede, on a slim adjustable leather strap, with a matching suede tassel on the zip pull.

What it holds

This is an essentials bag, deliberately. Phone, cards, keys, a lipstick, a pair of earbuds — it is sized so the bag stays flat against you rather than swinging. If you routinely carry a water bottle and a paperback, this is the wrong bag and the leather waist bag will serve you better. Bought for what it is, it is the bag you grab when you do not want to think about a bag.

Suede, and how it is worked

Suede is leather split and finished on the flesh side to raise a nap, which is what gives it that matte, brushed surface and the warm broken-in look from day one. It is cut by hand here, so the nap falls slightly differently on every bag, and the direction of the pile can make two bags of the same colour read a half-shade apart. The strap is smooth leather rather than suede, because a suede strap wears shiny where it crosses the shoulder.

Strap and fit

The strap adjusts and is set for an easy hip-length drop on most adults — long enough to wear across the body over a coat, short enough to bring up to shoulder length. Set it so the bag sits where your hand naturally falls.

Care

• Suede and water do not mix. Treat it with a suede protector spray before first use and it will shrug off light rain.
• Lift dirt with a suede brush, brushing in one direction. Never scrub it with a wet cloth.
• Stuff it lightly and store it upright so the body keeps its shape.
• Keep it out of prolonged direct sun, which fades nap faster than it fades smooth leather.

Questions

Is it real suede?
Yes — natural suede leather, not microfibre or synthetic suede.

Will mine be identical to the photo?
The pattern and hardware are the same; nap, grain and exact shade vary, because each bag is cut by hand from natural hide.

How long does delivery to the US take, and do I pay customs?
Bags are made or sourced from the artisan after you order, so most orders arrive in about two weeks with emailed tracking. We ship duties-paid (DDP) — import duties are included in the price and there is nothing to pay on delivery.

If you want something slimmer, look at the leather crossbody wallet, or the crescent moon bag for a shoulder shape. The rest are in Bags.