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January 09, 2025
walking your dog. heading to the grocery store for your weekly fill-in. picking up the dry cleaning. popping by the farmers market. heading back to the grocery store because you forgot detergent (but remembered cookies). and don’t forget the pet food! you’re one busy human. you need a bag that lets you multitask without getting in the way. something lightweight. organized. hands-free. thoughtfully designed (by me!) to match your needs in a range of styles and sizes — so let’s try to hook you up with your best match!
what makes a handbag the so-called best for everyday use? definitely organization. you want to be able to locate what you need without missing a beat. When you’re out and about, ideally your bag should also be hands-free. say it with me: hands-free is the only way to be. trust me, when you’re zig-zagging through crowded public transportation, carrying groceries inside or making a phone call on the go, the last thing you want to do is to fumble with your bag. hands-free bags in a variety of styles are here to untether your hands for more important things.
and the final must-have: a carry that doesn’t weigh you down. lightweight handbags add as little weight to your day as possible. a win for your errands, a win for your shoulders.
when it comes to the best hands-free handbags for everyday use with plenty of organization, you’re not limited to one particular style. your options run the gamut from designer crossbody bags to belt bags and even backpacks. each of these offers all the versatility you require for a day on the go, be it errands around town or wandering the quaint shops of some beautiful destination halfway around the world. choose your look: one of our sleek, shortyLOVE o.g. bags or one of our no-nonsense chic, wave quilted handbags.
if you prefer the more minimal exterior of our o.g. bags, you can choose from the small but mighty shorthand crossbody phone bag, our bestselling amuse medium crossbody, large wonder crossbody or arcade crossbody sling/belt bag. another way to go hands-free? our small, perfectly proportioned ace backpack frees your hands for shopping trips, meetups with friends and city commutes.
for another option, you might choose from our wave quilt collection, which features stylish quilting with a satin-like sheen inspired by classic bomber jackets. choices, choices. so, what’ll it be? there’s the surprisingly roomy small cruiser crossbody or the just-right cruiser medium crossbody. and wait, what is this? a nylon tote bag with a removable and adjustable crossbody strap?! you better believe it. for those of you who love lightweight handbags with space for everything, i designed our ranger crossbody tote for you.
i believe the best handbag for every day has to include features for organization. that means cleverly placed pockets inside and out to keep your things handy and contained amuse is the perfect example. this o.g. medium crossbody bag has gained quite the following for its size and simple yet effective organization. not too big, not too small, just right — no wonder it’s the ideal daily carry. with a front zip pocket for essentials like keys and lip balm. it also has a handy interior zip pocket for securing glasses, chargers and other stuff. if you love the look of our wave quilt collection, check out the medium cruiser crossbody, which boasts two exterior pockets and includes an interior key leash.
among the best small lightweight, hands-free handbags for everyday use, i would absolutely count our shorthand and our small cruiser — both crossbodies fit your phone and offer card slots, so they can function like a phone bag/wallet on the go. both have pockets inside and out. the small cruiser is a tad larger than the shorthand and has two exterior pockets while the shorthand has only one. the small cruiser’s key leash is a lifesaver — no more digging for your car keys!
plus, all of our lightweight handbags feature our signature blush interior to make it easy to spot exactly what you’re looking for.
we’ve all experienced a lousy bag strap at some point in our lives. you know the ones: they dig, they slip, they slide. and that’s all before you’re even out the door. annoying!, those straps are just completely impractical! how am i supposed to finish my errands checklist if i’m constantly adjusting my bag? i knew we deserved better, so i designed accordingly. the best lightweight handbags for everyday use are hardly the best without great straps! that’s why shortyLOVEstraps are crafted of silky, sturdy nylon that’s designed to resist digging and sliding. removable and adjustable for your perfect fit. actually comfortable for all-day wear. it’s all about making your day more relaxed… easier.
our accessory boardwalk straps are made with the same attention to quality and detail as the shortyLOVE straps that come with each crossbody bag. Same sturdy, durable nylon. woven, never printed patterns. strap ends turned under so they don’t unravel. i love breaking out my boardwalk straps when i want to punch up my bag’s personality!
a little tip: pay attention to bag hardware if you don’t already. even lightweight handbags should have substantial, well-constructed hardware — an important (but often overlooked!) sign of a quality bag.
for shortyLOVE, i made it a point to source zippers that are sturdy, chunky and made with high-quality metal.and then i added waxed cotton cord pulls to provide quick and easy access to your essentials.
another feature i think you’ll love: swivel dog clips. while it may seem insignificant, swivel dog clips ensure that your crossbody bag falls just right against your body as you move. the little things matter!
if i’m running errands, i personally prefer a streamlined, lightweight handbag. nothing fussy. but i also want style! that’s why i design stylish but practical, functional bags that work as hard as you do. classic designs that wear close to the body without getting in your way. that wear effortlessly as you take on the world. made with soft but durable and water-resistant, vegan-friendly nylon inside and out for easy care and amazing comfort. internal padding creates a plush carry, without hard corners that dig into your hip. and, perhaps best of all, our lightweight nylon handbags wipe clean with just a little soap and water, so they always look fresh.
i can’t tell you exactly which bag is best for you — only you know the answer to that. but i do know that the features that make MY day easier can also make YOUR day easier. you deserve a better bag. that’s why i design lightweight handbags that are softer. smarter. more organized. and hands-free for your busiest errand days
xo — sloane
sloane gibney grossberg is the founder of and sole designer for shortyLOVE. a jersey girl always and forever, she’s devoted to her husband and two children, stays close to her sisters, walks her dogs daily, falls hard for a smarter bag, and feels very fortunate to design them for a living.
sloane got her start as senior designer for the marc jacobs collection in 2002, moving up three years later to take the creative reins of marc by marc jacobs handbags and accessories for a decade. noting an unmet demand for stylish bags that could help streamline busy days, she launched shortyLOVE in 2018.