Strap drop is the vertical distance between the highest point of a handbag strap and the top opening of the bag. It tells you how low the bag will sit on your body when you wear it on the shoulder or across the body.
It is one of the most useful measurements in a product description, and one of the least understood. It decides whether a bag feels comfortable, where it lands on your hip, and whether the whole look reads tailored or relaxed.
How to measure strap drop
- Lay the bag flat on a table with the strap extended straight up, not looped.
- Find the highest point of the strap.
- Measure straight down to the top edge of the bag opening. That distance is the strap drop.
If the strap is adjustable, measure it at the shortest setting and again at the longest. That gives you the full range the bag can be worn at. Most US product descriptions list strap drop in inches, and most European ones list it in centimeters.
What strap drop should I choose for my height?
Height is a good starting point, but it is not the whole answer. Two people of the same height can have different torso lengths, so treat these as ranges and adjust from there. If you are between two rows, choose the shorter drop. A bag that sits slightly high still looks intentional. A bag that hangs too low gets in the way when you walk.
Five of our bags use the same adjustable strap, so they all share the same range. That is deliberate. It means any ZIPPERLY strap fits any of those bags, and you can move one strap between them.
| Your height | Crossbody drop | Where the bag sits |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" to 5'3" (152 to 160 cm) | 18 to 20 in (46 to 51 cm) | At the top of the hip |
| 5'4" to 5'7" (162 to 170 cm) | 20 to 22 in (51 to 56 cm) | At the hip |
| 5'8" to 5'11" (172 to 180 cm) | 22 to 24 in (56 to 61 cm) | Just below the hip |
| 6'0" and taller (183 cm and up) | 24 to 26 in (61 to 66 cm) | At the top of the thigh |
Strap drop on every ZIPPERLY bag
Every ZIPPERLY bag has an adjustable strap, so most of them cover more than one of the ranges above. Here is where each one falls.
| Bag | Strap drop | How it wears |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Samy | 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm | Crossbody, shoulder with a shorter strap |
| Samy | 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm |
Crossbody, shoulder with a shorter strap |
| Sofy | 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm |
Crossbody, shoulder with a shorter strap |
| Mimi | 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm |
Crossbody, shoulder with a shorter strap |
| Picco | 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm |
Crossbody, shoulder with a shorter strap |
| Picco XL | Hand carry: 7in - 18cm Included crossbody strap: 18in to 23in - 45cm to 58cm |
Handbag or crossbody |
| Zoey |
Shoulder Strap: 10.5in - 27cm |
Shoulder, tote, or crossbody |
Wearing the same bag on the shoulder
A shoulder drop is much shorter than a crossbody one. Most people are comfortable between 9 and 11 inches, which lets the bag rest under the arm.
The standard ZIPPERLY strap is made for crossbody wear and shortens to 18 inches, so it will not sit under your arm. To wear one of these bags on the shoulder you change the strap rather than adjust it. Our jacquard and metal straps both come in a shoulder length, and because five of our bags share the same fitting, one strap works across all of them.
Typical strap drop by bag type
Shoulder bags
Usually 7 to 10 inches. The bag sits high on the torso and the look is more structured and polished.
Crossbody bags
Usually 18 to 24 inches, and often adjustable. The bag sits at the hip or the upper thigh and leaves your hands free.
Handbags
Usually 4 to 6 inches. These are made to be carried in the hand, and they will not sit comfortably on the shoulder.
How strap drop changes the way a bag looks on you
A shorter strap drop keeps the bag close to the body and reads more tailored. A longer strap drop creates a more relaxed line. Where the bag lands, at the waist, the hip or the thigh, changes how your proportions look in the whole outfit.
This matters most for work bags and travel totes, where you need the bag to be comfortable for hours and still look right.
A work and travel tote
For a structured tote you carry every day, a moderate strap drop keeps the bag comfortable without pulling on the shoulder. The Zoey Tote sits at the side and fits a laptop, a phone and documents.
Common questions
What does strap drop mean?
It is the distance from the highest point of the strap down to the top opening of the bag. It tells you how low the bag will hang when you wear it.
Is strap drop the same as strap length?
No. Strap length is the whole strap measured end to end. Strap drop is half of that distance, measured vertically from the top of the loop down to the bag. A 44 inch strap gives roughly a 22 inch drop.
Can I change the strap drop on my bag?
Yes, if the strap is adjustable or removable. Every ZIPPERLY bag has an adjustable strap, and you can also swap in a different one from our jacquard or metal strap collections.
What is a good strap drop for a crossbody bag?
For most people, somewhere between 20 and 24 inches. Use the height table above to narrow it down.
Choosing yours
There is no single best strap drop. Ask yourself whether you want the bag close to your body or lower on the hip, whether you will wear it for work, errands or travel, and whether you prefer a structured or a relaxed look. Then measure a bag you already own and like, and use that number as your guide.
See the full crossbody and hand and shoulder collections.
