Best crossbody bags for every occasion and budget to boost your spring style

Give your hands the freedom they deserve with the best crossbody bags

composite of the best crossbody bags 2023 from Zara, Balenciaga, Been London
(Image credit: Zara, Balenciaga, Been London)

The best crossbody bags are utterly liberating. Functional and fashionable, they offer you the opportunity to have all your essentials with you whilst remaining hands-free to get on with your day. And while the best bags might be a fashion statement, designers know they need to offer practicality too. 

Adding a new accessory to your spring wardrobe is the speediest way to bring your look up to date and as we look to the latest handbag trends 2023 the best crossbody bags played a key look in designer collections. Offering both style and an easy way to carry essentials from A to B, and whether you're looking for a bold and colorful design to pack a punch or a discreet bag you can wear for seasons to come, there's something for all tastes.

If you've already invested in the best work backpacks for women, then you'll understand the joy of a hands-free finish. A crossbody bag, like a backpack, allows you to get on with any given task without compromising on having your essentials within reach. While the best crossbody bags come in all shapes and sizes, they're usually small to mid-size, due to the fact you have to carry the weight across your body, with many sitting on the hip. Ideal for holding your basics: phone, wallet, keys and maybe a pair of sunnies, this ever-enduring design is a true wardrobe essential.

Best crossbody bags as chosen by our fashion team

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With a plethora of styles to choose from, our fashion team has rounded up the best crossbody bags for 2023 to suit all budgets and outfits. 

1. Best leather crossbody bags

Marks and Spencer Leather Crossbody Bag in latte color

(Image credit: M&S)

Marks and Spencer Leather Crossbody Bag

Our favorite leather crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $85 / £49.50

Reasons to buy

+
Well-made leather bag
+
Available in three colors
+
Great price
+
Multiple pockets for easy organization

Reasons to avoid

-
Not expandable or super spacious

Marks and Spencer is well known and loved for its quality. This leather crossbody bag is designed with multiple pockets to help you easily navigate your bag and safely store your most important items without fuss. A slim pouch, it sits against the body, adding little in terms of bulk, making it a great bag for everyday essentials and for keeping documentation close when traveling. An excellent price point, it's available in three colorways that will work for any occasion.

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2. Best designer crossbody bags

Black Gucci crossbody bag

(Image credit: Gucci)

Gucci GG Marmont

Our favorite designer crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $1,790 / £1,340

Reasons to buy

+
Timeless classic
+
Can be worn for evening or day
+
Style statement

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

One of the best Gucci bags, the GG Marmont can be spotted slung over the torsos of stylists and editors the world over. A real investment piece, as with many designer purchases, it can be worn for years and potentially hold its value (or gain in value) on the resale market. If you've investigated how to sell clothes online, you might have noticed that second-hand designer bags are big business. 

"My Gucci GG Marmont matelassé mini bag is one of my most loved and used designer crossbody bags", says fashion stylist Antonia Kraskowski. "Although tiny, it's surprisingly mighty when it comes to what you can fit in it, plus it's essentially two bags in one," she says.

"One side has the GG gold metal emblem and chevron design while the other has a more subtle stitched logo, perfect for those days when I want something a little more low-key. While it might be an investment, it hasn't fallen apart despite my best efforts of wearing it daily and the price has only gone up, meaning that if I dare to part with it, the resale value will be around what it cost new a few years ago".

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3. Best travel crossbody bags

black nylon small bag with outside zip shown on and off model

(Image credit: Eastpak)

Eastpack The One

Our favorite travel crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $30 / £27

Reasons to buy

+
Great price
+
Ideal for travel documents such as passports
+
Lightweight fabric

Reasons to avoid

-
Very small

Eastpak makes some of the best weekend bags, so it stands to reason that its crossbody bags work well for traveling too. In lightweight nylon, this crossbody bag is just the right size for your most important travel documents, phone, keys, cash, and cards. Whether you're catching a flight or jumping on a train, you'll want your belongings secure and in easy reach and this small but multi zip compartment bag is the travel companion you'll wonder how you got by without. It is also the style to go for if you want to incorporate more gorpcore items into your wardrobe.

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4. Best Suede Crossbody Bags

composite of flat lay and model wearing isabel marant BOTSY DAY HOBO SHOULDER BAG IN SUEDE

(Image credit: Isabel Marant)

Isabel Marant Botsy Day Hobo Bag

Our favorite suede crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $990 / £650

Reasons to buy

+
Timeless style
+
Gorgeous hardware and detailing
+
Can be carried with a top handle

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

In black suede with a leather trim, this gorgeous, bohemian style bag will easily become a wardrobe favorite. With a top handle, you can sling it over your shoulder or carry it in your hand, but it also has a crossbody strap to add a level of versatility. Black accessories make a great investment as you can be almost certain you will never tire of them - no handbag mistakes here. It is also perfect for finishing off any smart casual outfit ideas, as the gold metal hardware with subtle Isabel Marant branding adds a chic finish. 

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5. Best quilted crossbody bags

navy quilted bag, shown at two different angles, front on and side

(Image credit: Aspinal of London)

Aspinal of London Lottie Bag

Our favorite quilted crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $760 / £550

Reasons to buy

+
Personalization available
+
Several colorways
+
Day to evening style

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 

Aspinal of London create brilliant day to evening styles and the Lottie crossbody is smart enough to take you from boardroom to restaurant. The classic quilted front with statement tab closing, alongside the leather and chain strap, is extremely chic and the bag can be worn as a shoulder, crossbody, or clutch - the options are endless. Expandable to hold your essentials, you can also add initials to the bag making it customizable and ideal as a gift. 

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6. Best colorful crossbody bags

composite of flat lay and model wearing Versace Greca Goddess Bag in blue

(Image credit: Versace)

Versace Greca Goddess Bag

Our favorite colorful crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $2,895 / £2,040

Reasons to buy

+
On trend colorways
+
Unique style
+
Statement hardware

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

We've been keeping a close eye on the fashion color trends 2023 and brights are firmly in. Dopamine dressing is one of the best ways to prepare your wardrobe for sunnier days, and the easiest way to incorporate bright hues is through a statement bag. Italian clothing brand Versace's crossbody bag that will also stand out from the crowd, thanks to the gold detailing and detachable chain strap. If you want to invest in a designer bag that is eye catching but wearable everyday, this is it.

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7. Best micro crossbody bags

pink micro bag

(Image credit: Jacquemus)

Jacquemus Le Chiquito Noeud

Our favorite micro crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $870 / £675

Reasons to buy

+
Now iconic design
+
Spring-ready colors
+
Will never date

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive for the size
-
Can't hold much

Jacquemus is one of the main design houses behind the wave of super micro bags we've seen sweep both the runways and the ready-to-wear market. While we were obsessing trying to find the biggest and best tote bags to carry as much as possible, Jacquemus offered a curveball with its barely-there bags that can just about carry your keys, a credit card and your favorite lippy. Wildly micro, this bag has become an iconic design, quickly gathering cult status. Great for a night out, the teeny purse comes with an elongated strap for crossbody use. 

Best of the rest...

8. Best black crossbody bags

black bag with gold YSL clasp

(Image credit: Net a Porter / Saint Laurent)

Saint Laurent Solferino Small Bag

Our favorite black crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $2,990 / £2,230

Reasons to buy

+
Classic brand design
+
Iconic clasp detailing
+
Will go with everything

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Not super roomy

Makers of some of the best designer heels, the best Saint Laurent bags really will stand the test of time. This small crossbody bag features the classic YSL gold hardware closure that immediately sets it apart from other black bags whilst keeping a gorgeously sleek finish that will work with any outfit. Despite the small size, it can easily fit daily essentials and the inner sectional pockets will help you to stay organized. An investment piece that you will be sure to stay in love with over the years, this is one of the best crossbody bags out there.

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9. Best sustainable crossbody bags

Been London Ridley Crossbody Bag in blue

(Image credit: Been London)

Been London Ridley Crossbody Bag

Our favorite sustainable crossbody bag

Specifications

RRP: $288 / £225

Reasons to buy

+
Sustainably made 
+
Gorgeous color
+
Handcrafted in London

Reasons to avoid

-
None, we love it!

Handcrafted in East London, Been London's bags are made entirely from recycled materials. The Ridley bag has everything we look for in the best crossbody bags - practical, stylish, and extremely high quality. With a ribbed texture and silver hardware, this is a bag that will stand out from the crowd this season. The recycled cotton interior is made from discarded clothes that can no longer be repaired, so it is truly sustainable down to the last detail. Available in cream, blue, green and black, there is a Ridley for everyone, making this the top of our list when it comes to sustainable crossbody bags. 

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How to choose the best crossbody bag for you

When shopping for the perfect crossbody bag for you, these are the factors to consider:

  • If you're looking to invest in one of the best designer bags, you should consider sticking to neutral colorways such as black, tan, navy or cream, as these will work for all seasons and won't go out of style.
  • In terms of fabrication, think about how often you'll use your crossbody bag and its end use. Leather will wear well, gaining character over time, but if you're looking for the best crossbody bags for traveling, then nylon or canvas might be more practical as they're lighter and pack more easily.
Rivkie Baum
Fashion channel editor

Rivkie is a fashion editor, writer and stylist with twenty years' experience in the industry. Rivkie studied design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, and fell in love with styling and journalism, and has covered fashion weeks in London, Paris and New York, as well as shooting editorial all over the world.

Specialising in plus size fashion, Rivkie has long championed that style is for everyBODY and has appeared on a host of radio stations and television shows, pushing for greater representation for plus size women and fashion throughout her career. 

With contributions from