Size Guide: Loewe Amazona Bag
, by Jiaxin He , 7 min reading time
The Loewe Amazona is one of the Spanish house’s most iconic bags. Originally launched in 1975 to celebrate female empowerment (the name refers to the female warriors of Greek mythology), it was recently reimagined by creative director Jonathan Anderson to fit modern proportions.
The Reign of the Amazona: A Celebrity Favorite of the Past
The Loewe Amazona bag, first unveiled in 1975, wasn't just a chic accessory; it was a symbol of a pivotal moment in social history. Designed for the newly emerging demographic of professional working women, its practical, structured silhouette stood for female independence and power in male-dominated workplaces.
While Loewe's modern era is dominated by the geometric Puzzle bag, the Amazona enjoyed a long and distinguished tenure as the brand's true 'It Bag' for decades, long before the term was coined.
The Era of Quiet Luxury (2000s and Earlier)
During the late 1990s and through the 2000s, before the massive social media boom, the Amazona was the choice of a specific kind of celebrity: those who favored understated, recognizable quality over loud logos.
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A Discreet Status Symbol: Loewe, as Spain's royal leather supplier since 1905, possessed an impeccable heritage. The Amazona, crafted from buttery-soft nappa calfskin and featuring its subtle, debossed Anagram logo, whispered wealth rather than shouting it. This "quiet luxury" appeal made it a favorite among sophisticated celebrities and fashion insiders.
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The Classic Handbag: The iconic Amazona 28 and 36 sizes were perfect for the demands of a busy star's day—spacious enough for an agenda and travel essentials, but sleek enough for a red carpet event's afterparty. Its top-handle structure offered a polished, professional look that few other bags could match.
Size Guide
The Amazona sizes are generally named by their width in centimeters (e.g., Amazona 28 = 28cm wide).
Here is the complete size guide to helping you choose the right fit.
1. Amazona Nano (The "12" or "13")
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Dimensions: ~ 12 x 8 x 5 cm (4.7 x 3.1 x 2 in)
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What Fits: This bag is extremely small. It will not fit a phone. It is designed to hold:
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AirPods (Pro or standard)
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A folded bill or credit card (sometimes tight)
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A lip balm or single key
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It often comes with a chain strap to be worn as a necklace or crossbody micro-bag.
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The Vibe: Pure fashion candy. It’s often hung on the handle of a larger Amazona (like the 28 or 36) as a charm, or worn alone as a necklace for a high-fashion look.
2. Amazona 16 Square (The mini option)
The smallest in the family, the 16 Square is a "cute" accessory rather than a utility bag.4 It features a boxy, square shape that looks fantastic as a crossbody or a handheld mini-tote.
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What Fits: This is strictly for essentials. It will fit a cardholder, a lipstick, keys, and Airpods.
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Phone Fit Warning: It can fit smaller smartphones (like a standard iPhone), but "Max" or "Plus" sized phones will likely be a very tight squeeze or might not fit at all depending on your case.
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The Vibe: Date night, weddings, or running quick errands when you want to be hands-free and light.
3. Amazona 19 Square (The Compact Cube)
Slightly larger than the 16, the 19 maintains that trendy "cube" aesthetic but offers just enough extra breathing room to be practical for daily use.
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What Fits: A standard or large smartphone (comfortably), a small compact wallet, sunglasses (in a soft case), and small makeup items.
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The Vibe: A fashionable city bag. It has a very modern, structural look that stands out more than the traditional rectangular shapes.
4. Amazona 23 (The Daily Crossbody)
The 23 shifts from the "square" shape to the classic rectangular proportion of the original Amazona, just shrunk down. It is often considered the "Goldilocks" size for those who don't carry a tablet or work files.
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What Fits: All your daily basics plus a little extra. You can fit a large smartphone, a bi-fold wallet, a sunglass case, keys, and a compact charger.
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The Vibe: The perfect weekend brunch bag. It looks substantial enough to be a "real" handbag but is light enough to wear crossbody all day without strain.
5. Amazona 28 (The Icon)
If you buy one Amazona, this is the classic choice. The Amazona 28 is the size most associated with the bag's history. It is a true top-handle handbag that exudes professionalism and polish.
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What Fits: A small tablet (like an iPad Mini or standard iPad), a continental (long) wallet, a full makeup pouch, a small umbrella, and a water bottle (laid flat).
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The Vibe: The ultimate work-to-dinner bag. It is professional enough for the office but chic enough for a nice restaurant. Note that while it comes with a strap, many purists prefer to carry this size by the top handles.
6. The Amazona 36 (The Professional Standard)
The Amazona 36 bridges the gap between a handbag and a travel bag. For decades, this was the go-to size for working professionals because it offers significantly more capacity than the 28 without looking like luggage.
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Dimensions: ~ 36.5 x 23 x 16 cm (14.3 x 9 x 6.3 in)
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What Fits: This size is famous for being able to hold A4 documents and files without folding them. It can typically fit a compact 13-inch laptop (like a MacBook Air), though it may be a snug fit depending on the specific model year and stiffness of the leather. It easily holds a large water bottle, a full-size wallet, a makeup bag, and a notebook.
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The Vibe: The "Boss" bag. It has a presence that commands attention in a boardroom. It is less common in the new "Square" shape lineup, so it is often sought after by collectors looking for the classic rectangular silhouette that defined the brand in the 2000s and 2010s.
7. Amazona 44 (The Weekender)
The 44 is significantly larger and is designed as luggage rather than a handbag.
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What Fits: 1-2 outfits, a toiletry bag, a pair of shoes, and a laptop.
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The Vibe: Luxury travel. It is a stunning carry-on bag or a stylish gym bag for the person who refuses to use a duffle.
💡 Notable Features Across All Sizes
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The Padlock: Even the smaller sizes (like the 16 and 19) often come with a fully functional mini padlock and key pouch, a signature of the Amazona line.
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The Feet: All sizes (usually excluding the smallest Nanos in some vintage iterations, but present on current models) feature metal feet to protect the bottom leather.
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Strap: The modern Jonathan Anderson versions generally come with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap (often in Jacquard for a sportier look or matching leather for a classic look).
Which one is for you?
If you want the classic Loewe look, go for the Amazona 28. If you want something trendy and cute, go for the 19 Square.
If you are looking for a small bag that just fits a phone, I would recommend skipping the Nano/13 and going for the Amazona 19 Square or Amazona 23.
