CROSSBODY
Note: The left and right straps are when you look at them from the back, NOT when you wear them. You NEED a ribbon, scarf, bandeau, or twillon to do this. Twillies are too short.
The leather rings should already be placed on each strap as one (#1) between the end of the strap and the brass stud, and one (#2) between the brass stud and where the strap connects to the handle. Your backpack should have come this way. Be very careful not to have the rings slip off as you reconfigure the straps.
1. With the backpack's back facing you, grab the left strap's end and pull it through leather ring #2 on the right strap. Make sure that neither strap is twisted. Both studs will be facing "up."
2. Fold over the left end, and pull it through the left end's ring #1. Continue to gently pull the left end until the last hole (farthest from end) is aligned with the stud. Push the stud through the hole to secure the loop/setting.
3. Take the right strap's end and pull it through left strap's ring #2. You will pull this left to right, meaning you feed the right strap from the left opening of the ring, to the right opening of the ring. Make sure you don't twist the straps, so keep the right strap behind the left.
4. Fold over the right end, and pull it through the right end's ring #1. Continue to gently pull the right end until the last hole (farthest from end) is aligned with the stud. Push the stud through the hole to secure the loop/setting.
5. Gently slide the two loops away from each other. You'll most likely have to do this one loop at a time. You are essentially shortening the strap to your liking. For those who have neonoe, it's akin to sliding the strap as you go from crossbody to shoulder strap. Hold the strap from the top, to make sure that the two loops are in line (no weird bunching of leather straps).
6. Once you have the setting you want and there's no bunching, you'll see that the strap's ends are "free," since there's no ring holding them down. You'll also notice that if you wear the bag with the straps like this, the setting will loosen and lengthen the strap length. To counter this, wrap the center portion (loop to loop) with a fabric of your choice. Make sure to thread the ends of your fabric through each loop. This essentially "locks" your strap length into place.
SHOULDER
1. With the backpack's back facing you, grab the end of the left strap and loop it under and over the right side of the handle. Secure it to place by passing the end through the leather ring, and fixing the brass stud to a hole. Any hole works, but I prefer the one closest to the end. My drop length is about 15.5".
2. Repeat with the right strap, attaching it to the left side of the handle.
3. Grab the two loops in the middle, and the straps will slide over to meet in the middle. You're ready to wear the bag.
Note: If you want more secure loops on the handle, place two leather rings between the end of the strap and the stud. Make sure they don't slip off as you work on the straps.
**Please note, the Montsouris PM is not meant to hold a lot of weight. If stuffing your bag regularly means it will be heavy, do not get this bag, period. Where the straps join the bag is simply too small for the technical size of the bag, considering what volume and weight you can carry. In the same way, only wear it crossbody if you are carrying barely any weight. You only have two very small stress points that carry the weight of everything. The straps also dig into your shoulder when it gets heavy. My handheld game console + case is 0.62 kg/22 oz/1lb 6oz, and it's too heavy for monstouris pm to be worn comfortably.
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