"The strap" is the rage with upper income moms in Park Slope. Guitar strap purses are on the runways and #guitarstrappurse is a trend on Instagram. Etsy is overrun with them.
The purses generally range from $25 up to $200+. But you can get the look, and a more versatile purse, for about $15 by simply adding a couple of buttons to a purse you already own and using an actual guitar strap.
Most of the purses use a strap that looks like a guitar strap, but often they are non-adjustable and have a latch hook attached to the ends. The hook definitely makes things easier, and is why many people feel they can't DIY the look. An actual guitar strap just has a flat piece of leather or rubber at the end with a hole. But a toggle button is a simple, less than $2 solution. Just sew two onto a purse you already own, and voila! You can then button on the strap (and change out straps if you want to switch up your look). And real guitar straps adjust in length from about 30" to 60" so you can go from shoulder bag to crossbody and back instantly.
I used a tote that was a great size and shape but that had too-short handles. I cut the handles, and used E6000 glue to tuck the ends inside permanently. (I also added a purse snaps, but that's totally dependent on your preferences and the purse you start with.) Then I simply stitched a button on each side. It took about an hour all in.
I got my buttons at Michael's Craft Store and my guitar strap from Amazon. I had the purse sitting unused in my closet already.
