I'm 5'4" and don't find the MAB too big at all & they work better as a shoulder bag. The MAMs with the old harware are a little snug on the shoulder, unless you're very petite and/or thin.i am newbie as well and wondering which to get - either the MAB or MAM. So hard to decide! Is MAB just too big for a gal who's pretty petite? I am leaning towards the black basket weave..