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 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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $210 / £99 | There's just no going wrong with a small black crossbody bag, and this is a high quality pick that won't break the bank. Just the right size for everyday wear, this is a timeless purchase.
RRP: $395 / £395 | Coach's Tabby bags have taken off in the fashion world, and this latest edition is stylish and practical. We love the green hue for summer wear and the internal pocks provide ample storage.
RRP: $1,500 / £1,195 | Making some of the best designer bags, Mulberry constantly nails stylish investment pieces. Featuring the brand's iconic Postman's Lock, this is a timeless crossbody you can wear all year.
2. Best designer crossbody bags
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".
Best of the rest...
RRP: $430 / £350 | French clothing brand Longchamp is well known for making some of the best bags. This tan bag has an adjustable strap for a great fit and is roomy enough for all your daily essentials with discreet front branding for a chic designer bag.
RRP: $830 / £590 | This gorgeous cream crossbody is surprisingly versatile. Add to your spring capsule wardrobe for a fresh and bright take on the new season, come Fall it will uplift monochromatic outfits and contrast well with a camel coat.
RRP: $1,550 / £1,250 | Named after style icon Alexa Chung, the Alexa bag has remained a constant hit for the British fashion house. In a nostalgic satchel design this can be carried via the top handle or slung crossbody for a hands-free finish.
3. Best travel crossbody bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $65 / £60 | Marketed as a hip bag, thanks to 90s fashion trends, this former fanny pack, or bumbag, depending on where you're from, is now worn 'side saddle' across the torso. This large version is super roomy and has internal zip pockets for excellent organization and storage.
RRP: $58 / £45 | Practical doesn't have to mean boring, as demonstrated by this leopard number. With an internal zip and a handy slip pocket, this is the perfect everyday bag that will add a little something extra to your look.
RRP: $19.90 / £14.90 | If you don't already know about this bag then you need to familiarize yourself immediately. This crossbody has gone viral for being the perfect spacious and affordable bumbag that suits all styles, and this latest edition is water repellent and available in eight colors.
4. Best Suede Crossbody Bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $108 / £98 | This boho suede crossbody bag with tassel detailing is ideal for pairing with floaty dresses and tan sandals for a relaxed feel this summer. With the option to also wear it as a shoulder bag, removing the longer strap, this is a versatile piece.