Crossbody Conversion - YouLookFab Forum

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Crossbody Conversion

Kyle

Veteran

Rediscovered this Kate Spade bag recently. I’d like to use it, as the size and color are fab, but the awkwardly short strap and small handles are not. What do you think about trying to convert it to a crossbody? If I do that, I’m not sure what type or color strap to use, and I’ve been all over Amazon looking. Is canvas too casual? If I do leather, what color, as I doubt a match is feasible online. Gold chain? Any and all ideas are appreciated. And of course, your experiences, if you’ve done this.

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15 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

RobinF

Veteran

I love the bags that I have converted with a guitar-type strap. I think it would work well for this one. I would use one with several colors in it, including the orange. I don't think a chain would be very comfortable so would hesitate to use one.

April

Veteran

Agreeing with RF re. a chain - a wider strap will be more comfortable.

Great bag, BTW!

Kyle

Veteran

Yes! I’ve been mainly looking at guitar straps that have orange in them on Amazon. My hesitation has been that the patterns may be limiting, but I’m not really sure.

Roberta

Veteran

That is a VERY cute purse, so I hope you can revive it! The guitar straps on Amazon are not expensive, so I think it's worth a try. I have one with several colors in the weave, so I can use it with more than one bag.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Another possibility is to pick up the color of the studs? rivets? or the stitching.

slim cat

Veteran

Great idea for changing the style of that lovely bag ( I do love short round handles as a fun detail but of course not a practical one ). Guitar strap in multicolor sounds perfect!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great bag! I love the idea of making it into a crossbody. I'd definitely look into a guitar strap conversion.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES!

Get a guitar strap for this bag.

Pom Pom London has great straps

Anonymous

Yes to a guitar strap And a chain- best to have options

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

If you want to get a chain or thinner strap, you could add a padded sleeve on top of those, to distribute the weight more evenly (& make them more comfortable) on your shoulder? Like below: https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/sea.....trap%20pad

The other alternative would be to clip the existing strap to 2 other straps (maybe gold chains?), to create an overall longer length:
https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/lis.....urse-chain

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think a guitar strap would be the perfect solution. Amazon has some great ones for very affordable prices — perfect for a low-commitment update, and if you find more than one you like, it gives you multiple styling options (a solid neutral perhaps and a print that picks up the color of the bag).

texasgal

I’ve done this exact thing with a Kate Spade bag of my own. It came with a thin cross-body strap (in addition to a strap making it a shoulder bag) but the thin strap was uncomfortable. I bought a patterned guitar strap off Amazon and replaced the thin strap. I’ve used this bag a lot now- the guitar strap is very comfortable.

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Jules

Veteran

My first thought, for *my* current style vibes and how I wear bright cognac colours, would be a black and white patterned guitar stripe. Or maybe navy and white for summer. But, the beauty is that you can have more than one!

For a more classic look, maybe a black or dark brown leather strap. Easier to have some low key contrast than try and match, I think. You could do a gold chain since the handles are already blinged up a bit. But would that make the bag more practical for you? Chains tend to be heavy.

Do you have any removable straps from other bags you could try just to get some idea of what would work?

Jules

Veteran

Also may I suggest you turn the handles downward, if you are not going to use them. Just to see how it looks that way.

Joy

Veteran

Yes, do the conversion. I would sew on a couple of metal rings and clip on a strap from an existing bag or add a beautiful chain that can look like jewelry. Be sure the chain has no sharpe edges to catch on your clothes. You can choose you favorite metal. Grosgrain ribbon is another idea for a strap or an old scarf.