Acne Studios Mini Musubi Bag Review: 6+ Months Wear & Tear

I’ve been promising an updated review on the Acne Studios Mini Musubi bag for some time now. I initially shared my first impressions on the style in late September, and after considerable use, my views on this bag have now been cemented. So today I want to talk through all the usual details; quick facts, the size/what fits inside, quality/wear & tear, and any lingering feelings. Oh, and for anyone curious, the colour I ordered is called ‘camel’.

Wearing Re/Done tee, Everlane way high jeans; St Agni sandals; Acne Studios mini musubi bag (also here); & Other Stories sunglasses; Linjer earrings; Muru Jewellery necklace; Monica Vinader chain bracelet

For me, the sign of a successful bag purchase is one that not only withstands day-to-day wear over a six-month period, but also lives up to my expectations. Is it as versatile as anticipated? How comfortable is it to wear? Does it fit all my necessities? How has the leather fared?

So, let’s chat about the Acne Studios Mini Musubi Bag in further detail…

QUICK FACTS

Price: $1500 AUD // $1050 USD
Available in four sizes: micro, mini, midi and large
Made in: Italy
Fabric: 100% matte calf leather
Dimensions: 8.46 in x 6.10 in x 6.10 in

SIZE & WHAT FITS INSIDE

The title of “mini” is a bit of a misnomer when describing this bag. When I think of a mini bag, not only do I consider that a heavy descriptor of the physical size, but also what fits inside; the bare essentials. 

In reality, the bare minimum that I carry daily doesn’t even fill one half on the interior; which is split in two, by a separator with zip closure. Personally I appreciate this as you can keep a lip balm, travel card or keys in there for easy access. 

Inside I can fit….

• A small cardholder
• Car key fob and a key holder
• A fabric tote bag
• A small notebook (this is a bit of a squeeze!)
• My iPhone 11 Pro Max
• Hand sanitiser and separate hand cream
• A lipstick and lip balm
• Masks and hair ties/clips

Depending on my needs for the day, I can switch out these items to include things like a small camera, snacks for my son, or a smaller sized fragrance.

QUALITY/WEAR & TEAR

Spending upwards of $1000 on a bag, aside from functionality, the key thing you’ll be hoping for as a consumer is good quality. Something that will last, and be able to withstand the usual comings and goings of your daily life. 

So I’m pleased to report that so far, from a wear and tear perspective, the Acne Studios Mini Musubi Bag has held up well. Made from a matte calf leather, I’d half expected that there’d be the odd scratch present by now. Careful inspection suggests otherwise, however any time I have knicked the bag, I’ve been quick to press and smooth it with my thumb, praying the natural oils from my skin will erase any chance of the scratch settling into the leather permanently. There’s one minor blemish or indentation near the right hand side, which is barely visible.

The leather itself has softened up the more I’ve worn it, and I’ve noticed that backside in particular curves in ever so slightly. A result of having it tucked against my body. Most pleasingly, the origami-esque knots don’t seem to have warped or twisted much; a relief given the curving I’ve noticed to a similar detail on my Chloe Darryl Tote. 

The interior of my Acne Studios Mini Musubi bag looks pristine; being leather it’s easy enough to wipe clean if required. The zipper on the pocket remains smooth, and the snap closure hasn’t lost any of its strength. Even the corners show little sign of wear and tear; just a slight smoothness to their edges. Perhaps the only fault I can see, is to the glazing on the strap. Where it sits on my shoulder and where I hold the top handle, the glazing has begun to crack ever so slightly. A detail I hope is visible enough from my pictures.

Overall though, it’s in an excellent state. For my lifestyle and ease of use, it’s felt like money well spent.

ACNE STUDIOS MINI MUSUBI BAG FINAL THOUGHTS

More than two years was how long I wanted to finally add this bag to my wardrobe. Was it worth the wait? In my opinion, wholeheartedly yes. I was after a very specific type of colour, as that can determine how versatile you find a bag to be. It had to be neutral, and if anything ever so slightly cool-toned. White felt a little too high maintenance, and black too safe. And given I’m still dipping my toes into the water with “colours”, some sort of tan or camel felt like my best bet. 

It’s functional, and can be worn with or without the crossbody strap. That being said, I’ve never removed it, but appreciate the ease; there are some snaps discreetly concealed beneath the origami bows which allow this adjustment. 

The interior size is good. Enough so that I’d call it a medium sized bag. It fits all my essentials, plus then some, so I can usually pack an extra shopping bag or some snacks for our boy. 

Empty of all things, it’s not too heavy to hold, something I put down to the fact that the body is a singular piece of leather. At least to my eye. So no additional heft added to the style from a special lining. 

The wide strap is also a boon when wearing it on the shoulder or crossbody. It creates a nice and even distribution of weight that feels comfortable and doesn’t dig in. 

Overall, the Acne Studios Mini Musubi Bag is one I’d wholeheartedly recommend if you’ve had your eye on it. Not only is it more interesting than many more “premium” priced options out there, but practical and stylish too; I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve been complimented when wearing this bag out and about, either.

As usual, let me know if you have any further questions about this style in the comments below. Thank you so much for reading!