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“not too hot, not too cold, just right” … that’s the glowing review goldilocks left for the bears about their oatmeal, of course. which leads me to believe that had she sampled shortyLOVE’s stylish women’s crossbody bags instead of breakfast, she’d be very happy with the amuse. the comments i hear the most from amuse owners are about its perfect proportions, like this direct quote from the amuse’s reviews: “not too big, not too small, just right.” that makes me really happy, because designing a just right was my goal. this handy little crossbody is smaller than your typical messenger bag but plenty big enough! let’s take a look at what makes it so popular...
holds more than you think! | i designed the amuse to be a sleek, lightweight, high-quality, organized crossbody bag with classic new york style and a relaxed sophistication, for times when you need to zip up more than just essentials but not absolutely everything. just see how much you can fit in it! you’ll be amazed. measuring in at a surprisingly practical 10" h x 11.5" l x 2.25" d, this is the happily-ever-after bag for so many shortyLOVERS. within in the shortyLOVE collection, the amuse is larger than the shorthand phone crossbody and the arcade belt bag, but smaller than the wonder crossbody.
here’s how i know the amuse is the ideal size: it’s one of our best sellers! oh, one more thing about the size: amuse owners have discovered that storing it away or packing it for travel is a breeze. it not only lays flat when empty, it takes up a minor amount of space in your drawer or suitcase until you need it.
wear or carry? | its size isn’t the only thing amuse owners love: the amuse is a convertible bag, meaning you’re not locked into wearing it just one way — you have plenty of choices! you can wear it as a hands-free crossbody bag, an over-the-shoulder bag, or remove the adjustable strap made of soft, woven nylon and take the amuse along with you as a top-handle carry bag. because i designed the crossbody strap to wear comfortably over the shoulder without digging in or sliding off, i tend to throw my amuse on as a crossbody purse. but I love having the option of taking it along as a handle bag (the strap is removable). don’t you just love having options? that’s what makes shortyLOVE crossbody handbags such a great choice.
pockets pockets pockets | i find a flap crossbody to be a waste of material — and the flap just adds bulk. you don’t need it. the amuse is a simple top-zip crossbody bag. i made sure there’s enough storage to keep you organized: a front zipper pocket for essentials like cell phone, lip balm, hair ties and keys, and on the inside a pop-red zipper pocket to keep chargers, credit cards, and whatnot in check. amuse owners tell me they can tuck a wallet, a tablet, a good book, sunglasses and more into their bag. impressive. the amuse is perfect for times when a backpack, hobo or tote bag is more bag than you need!
better materials | i love a chic crossbody purse. key to that are the materials that go into creating it, inside and out. hardware is an important, statement-making detail, so i added sturdy, oversized metal zippers on the exterior pocket and at the top, and finished them off with stylish, waxed cotton cord pulls. our water-resistant nylon twill is fabricated to look and feel like the high-end italian fabrics used in big-name designer brands: durable but with a wearable, soft drape and feminine aesthetic. and because one of my pet peeves is having to dig for things at the bottom of my bag, i crafted the lining using a luxurious, silky to the touch blush nylon — selected because a lighter shade interior allows you to quickly spot what you’re looking for in your amuse.
made for real life | shortyLOVE bags are not precious women’s handbags. not at all. i designed my crossbody handbags to be comfortably worn all day every day, by real people who live real lives and long for practicality combined with style. unlike a stiff, awkward suede or leather crossbody bag you might pick up from retailers like amazon, nordstrom or saks, the body of the amuse is not just attractive but soft and plush. it molds itself to your body and has soft, slightly rounded corners that won’t dig into your hip. it’s crafted with structured internal padding to hold the shape and add to the soft, plush, almost quilted crossbody feel. i want it to be a joy, not a chore, to throw on your amuse and head out!
i got my start designing women’s handbags at marc jacobs. from shoulder bags to crossbody bags, from tote bag to hobo bags, from satchels to backpacks, from bucket bags to messenger bags, over the years, I learned that durability, in addition to style and functionality is a must when it comes to designing bags for use on a daily basis. most of us want to invest in something that lasts when shopping for a handbag — including me. that’s why I thought it was essential to add a circular stitch detail at the pressure points for more strength where the strap meets the body of the bag. those are the spots where wear and tear happens the most when it comes to your typical shoulder bag or crossbody bag. happy I could finally solve that for you!
upkeep is another thing i insist on simplifying when it comes to handbags. nobody wants a bag that’s impossible to keep clean — including me. keeping the body of the amuse and shoulder strap looking fresh and cute is easy: just spot clean with mild detergent and water, then air dry. let’s keep it simple.
most gifted! | it turns out that the people who buy this shortyLOVE standard-bearer adore it so much that they can’t wait to share it with their family and friends. in fact, the amuse is our most gifted bag. if it’s just right for them, then it must be just right for someone they love — stands to reason! i've shipped this cute zip crossbody to nearby new york and all the way to new zealand, and no matter where they live people are excited to open a package from shortyLOVE. wouldn’t you be?
where did the name come from? | i grew up on the jersey shore, famous for its amusement parks. i vividly remember watching the women with their kids winning all these prizes and having nowhere to put them, so they’d resort to going into the gift shop and exit shortly thereafter with the cheapest, crappiest women’s crossbody bag they could find in a pinch. they deserve so much better. so I made them the amuse!
