Strap Drop Guide | Find Your Crossbody Strap Length

Use this guide to understand strap drop measurements and choose the crossbody length that works best for you.

How to Measure Strap Drop

Strap drop is the distance from your shoulder to the bottom of the bag when the strap is worn. It is not the total strap length.

         ●  ← Shoulder point (where strap rests)
         │
         │  ← This distance is the DROP
         │
        [■] ← Top of bag

To measure at home:

Put on the bag (or hold it against your body at the position you'd like it to sit).
Using a tape measure, measure from the top of your shoulder straight down to the top of the bag.
That measurement in centimetres is your drop.

Tip: Strap drop varies with body height, posture, and how loosely or tightly you wear a strap. The figures below are practical starting points, not guarantees of fit.

Placement Table: Drop by Carry Position

Drop (approx.)	Where the bag typically sits	Best suited to
45–55 cm	Hip / waist	Shorter frames or a snug, close-to-body carry
56–65 cm	Low hip	Most heights; everyday crossbody position
66–75 cm	Upper thigh	Taller frames or a relaxed, slouchy carry
76 cm +	Mid thigh and below	Statement / longline styling; taller frames

Measurements are taken with the strap at a mid-adjustment setting. Adjustable straps give you a range across two or more rows.

Illustrated Body Guide

HEIGHT:       ~5'2" (157 cm)      ~5'6" (168 cm)      ~5'10" (178 cm)
              ┌──────┐             ┌──────┐             ┌──────┐
SHOULDER ──▶  │  ●   │             │  ●   │             │  ●   │
              │  │   │             │  │   │             │  │   │
              │  │45-│             │  │56-│             │  │66-│
              │  │55 │             │  │65 │             │  │75 │
              │  │cm │             │  │cm │             │  │cm │
BAG SITS ──▶  │ [■]  │             │  │   │             │  │   │
              │      │             │ [■]  │             │  │   │
              │      │             │      │             │ [■]  │
              └──────┘             └──────┘             └──────┘
              Hip/waist            Low hip          Upper thigh

Adjustable Straps: Getting the Right Range

All Elie Beaumont crossbody straps are adjustable. When reviewing a strap listing, check:

Min drop — the shortest the strap will go (shoulder bag carry)
Max drop — the longest it extends (crossbody / longline carry)
Adjustment increment — most straps adjust in 2–3 cm steps

If a listing shows a single length figure, that is the total strap length, not the drop. Divide by approximately 2 to estimate the drop when worn crossbody.

FAQ

Q: My bag feels too low — what should I do? Shorten the strap using the slider or clasp adjuster. Move it up one notch at a time until the bag sits where you want it.

Q: Can I use an Elie Beaumont strap on a bag from another brand? Our straps use standard hardware widths. Check the attachment width on your existing bag's D-rings before purchasing.

Q: What if I'm between heights or between drops? Start at the longer setting — it's easier to shorten a strap than to extend one.

Q: Do straps stretch over time? Leather straps may soften slightly with wear but will not significantly extend in drop. Canvas and webbing straps are stable.

Q: Is drop the same as strap length? No. Strap length is the full end-to-end measurement; drop is the distance from your shoulder to the bag base when worn.

Shop Crossbody Straps

Browse the full range of adjustable crossbody straps, from classic leather to seasonal prints:

👉 Shop Crossbody Straps →

Measurements are approximate and will vary with individual body shape, posture, and strap positioning. Elie Beaumont straps do not promise a universal fit.