Acne Studios
Musubi Knots Midi Bag
The Acne Studios Musubi Knots Midi Bag is a black leather tote with intertwined side knots inspired by traditional Japanese obi belts. It features textured leather, a debossed logo, snap button closure, adjustable shoulder handle, and a zipped inner pocket with branded lanyard; dimensions are 13.75" H x 13.75" L x 6.25" W, made in Italy. User reviews note it works well as an everyday tote for smaller laptops, but a laptop with a protective case may not fit due to the bag's height, and the middle zippered pocket is too short for documents.
- Color
- Black
- Material
- Luxurious textured leather
- Gender
- female
- Style
- minimalist, classic
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Shopping Totes
Specifications
Minimalist black leather tote with intertwined side knots, snap button closure, and adjustable shoulder strap.
Snap button closure, adjustable shoulder handle, zipped inner pocket with branded lanyard, branded dustbag.
- Color
- Black · black
- Material
- Luxurious textured leather
- Style
- minimalist, classic
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Dimensions
- 13.75x6.25x13.75 in
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Shopping Totes
Additional Attributes
- adjustable shoulder strap
- snap button closure
- zipped inner pocket
- branded dustbag
- debossed logo
- textured leather
- made in Italy
Product Insights
The Acne Studios Musubi Knots Midi Bag (2550 CAD, out of stock) is the SS23 headline shape and anchor construction of the Musubi line, a daily tote whose side knots—fixed gathers closed by a snap button—reference the Japanese musubi (tying/binding) and allow a clean rectangular front. Its square 35×35 cm face, taller and slimmer than the Musubi Tote, has a 16 cm gusset yielding 19–20 L, enough for a full day's load unlike smaller line sizes, with a 5 cm strap adjustable to 130 cm for shoulder or crossbody carry; an interior zippered pocket fits a passport, phone, or card holder but not standard documents. Textured calfskin—either tumbled full-grain or embossed corrected-grain, which age differently—provides medium-to-firm temper that holds shape, with hide-to-hide grain variation and skived seams for crisp boxed corners; saddle-stitched load-bearing seams and thinned knotted edges finish construction. Made in Italy certifies final processing and assembly, not Italian-tanned hide, and at 2550 CAD never on sale, the price reflects Acne's brand and route to market as much as the bench. The carryover black, discreet debossed logo, and editor-called enduring design keep it outside the trend cycle, though a 16-inch laptop fits only bare and very tight, and a 13–14 inch laptop fits without a case. Main tradeoff: leather grade variability and brand-driven pricing alongside fit constraints.
Verified claims
- Cultural meaning
- Musubi is everyday Japanese for tying and binding — the root of the pressed rice ball.
- Design legacy
- Editors call the Musubi a bag that has stood the test of handbag time.
- Carryover colors
- Black is a carryover colorway reissued every season, not a rotating trend color.
- Visible branding
- A discreet debossed logo only; recognition travels through the knotted silhouette.
- Closure
- The side knots are fixed gathers, so nothing needs re-tying; the bag closes on a snap button.
- Line position
- The calfskin Midi is the Musubi line's anchor construction, added as the SS23 headline shape.
- Shape positioning
- The SS23 headline shape: a daily tote, not a rescaled original.
- Knot placement
- Knots sit on the sides, so head-on the bag reads as a clean rectangle.
- Silhouette
- Taller and slimmer than the Musubi Tote, with a square 1:1 face at 35 × 35 cm.
- Leather grade
- Textured calf can be tumbled full-grain or embossed corrected-grain, which age differently.
- Shape retention
- The textured calf's medium-to-firm temper holds the bag's shape as it is packed.
- Hide variation
- Grain varies from hide to hide, so each black Midi's surface is unique.
- Hide quality
- Pebbled texture is a finish, not a grade; the leather's quality decides how it ages.
- Construction
- Skived seams keep the boxed base corners flat and crisp instead of bulky.
- Leather grain
- Pebbled calf is either tumbled natural grain or a stamped embossed pattern.
- Origin
- Made in Italy certifies the final processing, not that the hide itself is Italian.
- Pricing context
- At CAD 2,550, much of the price reflects Acne's brand and route to market, not only the make.
- Made in Italy
- Made in Italy certifies Italian final assembly, not Italian-tanned calf.
- Structure
- Textured calf carries a medium-to-firm temper, the grade used for structured totes.
- Production provenance
- Made in Italy certifies where the bag was cut and stitched, not where the hide was tanned.
- Stitching
- Load-bearing seams are saddle-stitched; knotted edges are thinned to sit flat.
- Value
- At CAD 2,550 and never on sale, the price reflects brand and route to market as much as the bench.
- Price context
- At CAD 2,550, much of the price reflects Acne's brand and distribution, not a higher leatherwork tier.
- Resale longevity
- Editors call the design enduring, and its carryover black keeps it outside the trend cycle.
- Volume
- 35 x 35 cm square face and a 16 cm gusset give roughly 19-20 litres of interior volume.
- Fit
- Fits a 13-14 inch laptop without a case; a 16-inch laptop only fits bare and very tight.
- Weight and comfort
- Buyers report it carries comfortably, on a 5 cm strap that adjusts to 130 cm for shoulder or crossbody wear.
- Interior pocket
- The interior zippered pocket fits a passport, phone, or card holder but is too short for standard documents.
- Capacity
- About 19–20 L from the 16 cm gusset carries a full day's load, unlike the Micro and Mini.
- Strap length
- Adjustable 130 cm strap wears over the shoulder or crossbody on most frames
Product record
- Title
- Musubi Knots Midi Bag
- Brand
- Acne Studios
- Price
- 2550 CAD
- Availability
- Out of stock
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 17 sourcesUses
Everyday shoulder carry
A minimalist black pebbled-leather tote sized about 13.75 by 13.75 inches (35 by 35 cm), with an adjustable shoulder strap, snap closure, and a zipped inner pocket for everyday essentials. One owner reports it is comfortable on the shoulder for long wear and finds it useful as an every day bag, and notes it suits people who don't carry a large 16 inch laptop all the time. Another owner found the bag slightly too short to fit their laptop with a case on, though they still love it.[1,2,3,4,5]
Styling a roomy designer bag with balanced proportions
One reviewer who owns the Musubi Midi notes it is a fairly big bag, so she styles it with heels and oversized pieces like a chunky scarf or a long coat. Her approach shows how shoppers who like this bag incorporate it into outfits by playing up larger-scale accessories.[6]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Musubi Knots Midi Bag: Choose this if you want a minimalist black pebbled-leather shoulder tote with the brand's signature side knots inspired by traditional Japanese obi belts. Its midi size (13.75 by 13.75 by 6.25 inches, or 35 by 35 by 16 cm) suits everyday carry with an adjustable strap, snap closure, and zipped inner pocket, and it is made in Italy from calf leather sourced from a Leather Working Group Silver-rated tannery. Note that one owner found it not quite tall enough to fit a laptop with a case on, though she still loves the bag.[1,3,4,6,7] | Camero Suede Crossbody Bag: Choose this if you want a relaxed, utilitarian everyday bag in warm camel-brown calf suede, made in Italy, with multiple front and back zip pockets, a zipped top closure, and an adjustable (42 cm to 65 cm) removable crossbody strap plus a top handle. It suits light tech carry — one commenter found the weight bearable even with a MacBook Pro inside — and the shell leather comes from a Leather Working Group Silver-rated tannery with an ECONYL recycled nylon lining. Note that the soft suede collapses into a slouchy silhouette when empty, so expect a relaxed look rather than a rigidly structured shape.[8,9,10,11,12] | Camero Leather Messenger Bag: Choose this if you want an Italian-made messenger in 100% calf leather with a utilitarian, zipper-rich look — its low, wide crescent body (16.5 inches or 42 cm long, 11 inches or 28 cm high, and 4.25 inches or 11 cm wide) offers multiple exterior zip pockets, silver hardware, and an adjustable, removable crossbody strap. Owners describe the supple pebbled leather as a tactile pleasure and love the style, with one expecting it to age well. Note that one owner saw wear after the very first use when the leather rubbed against a jacket button, and another criticized the lining (50% polyester, 50% polyurethane) as feeling like plastic, so it suits buyers who will handle the leather carefully.[13,14,15,16,17] |
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front-facing soft-structured shoulder bag in pebbled black leather with a single thin strap, side knot details, and small white logo near the top center.
- Overall silhouetteSoft rectangular body with a gently curved top edge and a flat base; bag appears unstructured and slightly slouched under the strap.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.28 · w 0.68 · h 0.54 (high) - Material texturePebbled grain leather texture visible across the exterior surface with subtle creasing on the front panel.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.36 · w 0.60 · h 0.46 (high) - Shoulder strapSingle thin leather strap running from top center, flat and narrow, attached at each side and extending upward out of frame.
1 region
x 0.41 · y 0.00 · w 0.18 · h 0.60 (high) - Side knot detailFolded knot-like leather loops at both upper side seams creating a tied appearance; visible overlap and a short hanging tail on the left side.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.38 · w 0.16 · h 0.30 (high); x 0.74 · y 0.36 · w 0.16 · h 0.30 (high) - Top opening shapeTop edge forms a shallow wave with a central dip and slightly raised corners where the strap meets the body.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.28 · w 0.52 · h 0.14 (high) - Front panel creasingFine diagonal creases and light fold lines across the lower front panel, more pronounced near the center.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.50 · w 0.44 · h 0.26 (high) - Logo text“Acne Studios”
1 region
x 0.43 · y 0.30 · w 0.14 · h 0.05 (high)
Other
Studio product shot with neutral light grey background, centered composition, soft overhead lighting and a subtle cast shadow beneath the bag.
- BackgroundUniform light grey background filling the frame.
- ShadowSoft diffuse shadow directly under the bag indicating overhead lighting; shadow fades outward.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.78 · w 0.44 · h 0.08 (medium) - Shot compositionBag is centered and vertically framed to show full strap length within the image; cropped space above strap is small.
Colors
textured black· body#1C1A1Dwhite· logo text#EDEDEDtextured black· shoulder strap and knot tails#1C1A1C- Overall silhouetteSoft rectangular body with a gently curved top edge and a flat base; bag appears unstructured and slightly slouched under the strap.
- 02
Product
A dark pebbled leather shoulder bag shown from a three-quarter side angle displaying a large decorative knot at the top side, wide flat straps, a soft structured body with a flat base and visible textured surface.
- Overall shapeSoft-structured rectangular body with a slightly tapered top and a flat rectangular base visible at the bottom front corner.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.34 · w 0.88 · h 0.53 (high) - Material texturePebbled, grainy leather surface with visible creases and fine wrinkles across the front and side panels.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.30 · w 0.46 · h 0.48 (high) - Decorative knotLarge folded leather knot formed from an extended panel on the left upper side that tucks into the bag body, producing a layered flap and a visible loose tail.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.34 · w 0.38 · h 0.36 (high) - StrapsTwo wide flat shoulder straps extending upward from the bag top, each strap showing two small punched adjustment holes near the visible section.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.00 · w 0.34 · h 0.42 (high) - Top opening detailSlight inward curve at the bag top creating a shallow U-shaped opening between the straps; interior not visible.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.20 · w 0.44 · h 0.20 (high) - Base corner constructionFolded and stitched base corner visible at front-left bottom with a triangular tuck creating a boxed base profile.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.73 · w 0.28 · h 0.20 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a light neutral background with soft shadow beneath the bag; three-quarter side composition showing left side and front.
- Background and surfaceUniform light gray background and flat surface with a soft shadow directly beneath the bag toward the front right.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Shot angleThree-quarter side view showing primarily the left side and partial front of the bag, camera pitched slightly downward.
- LightingSoft diffuse studio lighting producing even illumination and subtle specular highlights on raised grain and folds.
Colors
dark charcoal· main body#1E1D21dark charcoal (matte)· straps and knot tail#1C1A1D- Overall shapeSoft-structured rectangular body with a slightly tapered top and a flat rectangular base visible at the bottom front corner.
- 03
Product
Interior view of a black leather bag showing a metal-toothed zipper, an internal leather pouch with printed brand text, a woven strap with printed text, and a snap-fastener leather tab.
- Internal leather pouchFlat black leather pouch or interior panel visible beneath the zipper with a smooth matte finish and factory-printed text.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.36 · w 0.68 · h 0.48 (high) - Printed brand text on pouchWhite or light grey printed text on the leather pouch reading 'Acne Studios' on one line and smaller text beneath.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.48 · w 0.52 · h 0.22 (high) - Zipper and teethExposed metal zipper with interlocking silver teeth and a leather-reinforced zipper tape running along the pouch top edge.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.22 · w 0.72 · h 0.18 (high) - Zipper pull and buckleShiny silver zipper pull attached to a small triangular metal buckle linking the pull to a woven strap.
1 region
x 0.74 · y 0.18 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Woven strap with textBlack woven fabric strap attached at the zipper with white printed text repeat visible on the strap edge.
1 region
x 0.77 · y 0.18 · w 0.18 · h 0.44 (high) - Snap-fastener leather tabSmall black leather tab with a visible silver snap button rivet mounted on the bag interior near the upper left corner.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.02 · w 0.18 · h 0.14 (high) - Legible printed lines“Text lines transcribed from the pouch: Acne Studios”
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.49 · w 0.50 · h 0.10 (high) - Legible smaller printed text“Stockholm”
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.60 · w 0.30 · h 0.06 (high) - Legible smaller printed text 2“Made in Italy”
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.66 · w 0.30 · h 0.06 (high)
Other
Close-up interior detail shot with dark background; shallow depth of field and soft studio lighting create subtle highlights on metal hardware and leather surfaces.
- Shot compositionTight close-up framed on the bag interior with the zipper running diagonally from upper right toward center and the pouch text centered in the frame.
- Lighting and reflectionsSoft directional lighting producing small specular highlights on metal zipper teeth and pull, and even diffuse light on the leather surface.
- Background and propsDark fabric or leather interior surfaces fill the background; no external props or hands visible.
Colors
matte black· leather pouch / interior#29262Dpolished silver· metal zipper and pullblack with white print· woven strap with text#110D0Dlight grey· printed text on pouch- Internal leather pouchFlat black leather pouch or interior panel visible beneath the zipper with a smooth matte finish and factory-printed text.
Brand PDP Lookup
- Brand
- Acne Studios
Musubi midi shoulder bag
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
3 threads · r/handbags, r/WagoonLadiesReddit users love the Acne Studios Musubi Midi Tote’s unique knotted design and versatility, but some wish it were taller to accommodate a laptop with a case or documents.
Overall positive sentiment with users praising the design, quality, and comfort, though there are minor complaints about limited height for laptop cases and middle pocket size.
Themes
Use Cases
- Everyday work bag for lighter loads or smaller laptops
- Stylish tote for errands and daily wear
- Statement piece for fashion enthusiasts
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Acne Studios Musubi Larger Size
Midi is more proportional and huggable for most frames, but larger size fits 16-inch laptop better.
vs Tory Burch tote
One user prefers Tory Burch tote because the Musubi Midi middle pocket cannot fit documents, but overall prefers the Musubi's aesthetic.
Source Threads
Size comparison and love for the smaller Musubi Midi
I have the smaller one (edit: musubi midi tote) and I LOVE it. I think the top handle is useful and overall find the bag more comfortable on the shoulder too, esp for long wear / every day. I’m not sure about your laptop situation with the 16” because I have the smaller MacBook Pro myself, but from what I remember the only difference is the height? The width is the same on both. I’d go with the smaller one (midi tote) if you don’t carry your 16” laptop all the time. It will be less bulky and more useful as an every day bag.
u/blueorganeller/handbagsView thread →
Appreciation for the Musubi Midi's unique knot design
Love this. Seems more special with the extra twists/knots than a lot of other similar bags.
u/WrongBoxBro7r/WagoonLadiesView thread →
Review of Musubi Midi: pros (huggable shape) and con (laptop case fit)
I have it in black and my thoughts are pretty much the same. I also wish it was slightly taller so I could put a case on my laptop, but I love it anyway. I put my laptop in a colourful tote bag to somewhat disguise it. I did try the largest Musubi size in the shop, but it drowned me! The Midi is such a pretty, huggable shape.
u/crystalspiner/handbagsView thread →