Mate Mono Shiny Shell Drawstring Crossbody Bag

A small drawstring bag with a pearly sheen: cinch it and it folds into the curves of a seashell. Made in Japan by Mate Mono.

The Shiny Shell Bag is part of Mate Mono’s Hikaru (“shine”) series. Its fabric was made as a blackout curtain, and the glossy face is the side that normally hangs hidden against the window. Komatsu Matere turned that surplus material into a drawstring bag: pull the cord and the shine gathers into drapes that look like a seashell. Small as it is, it holds a wallet, smartphone and cosmetics, and the long strap goes over the shoulder, across the body or into your hand. Body about 7.68″ × 11.42″ with a 3.54″ gusset.

Specifications

• Brand: Mate Mono by Komatsu Matere (Ishikawa, Japan)
• Model: Shiny Shell Bag (Hikaru series)
• Type: Drawstring shoulder / crossbody bag
• Colors: Black, Iron
• Dimensions: 7.68″ H × 11.42″ W × 3.54″ gusset (19.5 × 29 × 9 cm)
• Strap: 43.31″ (110 cm); can be tied shorter
• Material: 100% polyester; the glossy reverse side of a blackout-curtain fabric
• Closure: Drawstring
• Made in: Japan
• Item numbers (MPN): MM-ShinShellB-bk (Black), MM-ShinShellB-ir (Iron)

Features

• Glossy polyester repurposed from blackout-curtain fabric
• Drawstring top that gathers into shell-like drapes
• Long 43.31″ strap: shoulder, crossbody or hand-held
• Fits a wallet, phone and cosmetics
• Hand-washable; made in Japan

Best for

Travel days and shopping, when you want your hands free, or as a second small bag with a larger tote. Its quiet shine also suits weddings and evening events. More from Mate Mono: Mate Mono Lilly Bag, Self-Standing Knit Handbag, Mate Mono Shiny Fold Bag, Glossy Crossbody Shoulder Bag, Mate Mono Tekateka Glossy Tote Bag, Fits A4 and Laptop.

Who this is not for

• Anyone who wants a structured bag with compartments: it is a soft, single-space pouch.
• Carrying a tablet or a big wallet: it is sized for the essentials.
• Anyone who wants zips or clasps: it closes with a drawstring.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and we look for objects that are well made, honest about their materials and a pleasure to use. Mate Mono (mate-mono) is the product brand of Komatsu Matere, the textile dyeing and finishing company founded in Ishikawa, Japan, in 1943. Its idea is to waste as little material as possible: some bags are made from surplus or offcut industrial fabrics, others are knitted in one piece so nothing is cut away, and each design leans on the company’s own dyeing and finishing know-how.

Buy once: durability and care

The fabric can distort if strongly pulled. Don’t leave wet items inside for long (color can transfer). It can be washed by hand; reshape it and hang it to dry, and don’t tumble-dry.

Frequently asked questions

What fits in the Mate Mono Shiny Shell Bag?

A wallet, a smartphone, cosmetics and other small essentials. The body is about 7.68″ high, 11.42″ wide with a 3.54″ gusset.

Can the Shiny Shell Bag be worn crossbody?

Yes. The 43.31″ strap works over the shoulder or across the body, and you can also hold the strap in your hand.

What is the Shiny Shell Bag made from?

100% polyester from a blackout-curtain fabric; the glossy side you see is the reverse face that usually hangs hidden.

Black or Iron for the Shiny Shell Bag? (our styling advice)

Black gives a deep, liquid gloss that suits evening wear; Iron is a softer metallic grey that pairs easily with denim and neutrals.

Can I wash the Shiny Shell Bag?

Yes, by hand. Reshape it, hang it to dry and avoid the tumble dryer. Don’t leave wet items inside, since color can transfer.

Is the Shiny Shell Bag dressy enough for a wedding? (our styling advice)

Yes. The sheen is elegant without being loud, so it works for weddings and occasions as well as weekends.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Buying for a boutique, a museum shop, a hotel or a corporate gift program? Interior designers, architects, contractors and corporate buyers can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Mate Mono and the rest of our catalog, with a dedicated trade support line. Applying takes about three minutes, and our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.