Antonia Kraskowski
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
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.
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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.
RRP: $113 / £89.95 | Instantly customizable, you buy your suede pouch and then decide on what straps to add to your order. With a host of colors and designs to choose from you can easily switch up this design to match your outfit.
RRP: $430 / £375 | Inspired by the brand's equestrian heritage, the bold horse bridle-inspired detailing makes this a standout piece. Combining black leather with suede panel inserts for a luxurious finish, this is a crossbody bag worth investing in.
5. Best quilted crossbody bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $378 / £245 | American clothing brand Michael Kors makes some of the best accessories, so it's no surprise to find them on this list. While you might be more familiar with its designer tote bags, this quilted design answers the Barbiecore trend.
RRP: $210 / £140 | We love anything that can be worn multiple ways. With an convertible strap and statement gold hardware, this can be styled crossbody or as a shoulder bag for formal events. In a versatile hue, it is the cherry on top of any outfit.
RRP: $49.90 / £29.99 | Quilting takes this rectangle crossbody style to the next level. We love the chain strap and statement buckle that add some edge, ideal for livening up any look. Style with everything from your best jeans to a floaty midi skirt.
6. Best colorful crossbody bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $56 / £30 | Bright color clothes are one of the biggest trends of the season and this has been reflected in bags too. An easy way to wear Viva Magenta, the Pantone color of the year, this suede pouch bag will stay chic throughout every season.
RRP: $45.99 / £25.99 | In a trend-led bold orange, this pocket friendly purchase is an ideal way to add seasonal style to your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Wear crossbody or use the top handles for a refined and fashion-forward look.
RRP: $398 (US only) | The ultimate summer accessory thanks to the straw exterior, this bag can be worn as a clutch, shoulder, or crossbody bag for maximum versatility. Pairing well with darker hues it will also look great against the best white t-shirt.
7. Best micro crossbody bags
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...
RRP: $1,100 / £895 | The Bayswater, which was first released back in 2003, is perhaps one of Mulberry's most iconic and well-loved styles. This mini version of the bag offers the same timeless design that's large enough for your essentials but still neatly compact.
RRP: $54 / £32 | Another bag that offers two trends in one, metallic finishes and tiny sizes go hand in hand this season. Wearable with the top handle or the crossbody strap, this is an affordable purse that will be ideal when deciding what to wear to a wedding.
RRP: $2,800 / £2,030 | Balenciaga constantly pushes the style boundaries and this micro croc bag is just one of many color iterations for this sleek style. Timeless and elegant, this is a mini you'll want to sport every day.
8. Best black crossbody bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $99.99 / £59.99 | Looking for a more budget-friendly buy? No worries, this leather crescent shaped bag features a statement zip and adjustable handle for easy wear. A brilliant basic, this leather handbag is well worth the money.
RRP: $149.90 / £99.99 | Black by no means has to be boring, as proven by this fringed Zara number. Just the right balance of statement and versatile, this crossbody will easily elevate any look and is ideal for evenings out for both comfort and style.
RRP: £129 / $175 | With a similar style to the Saint Laurent, this budget-friendly alternative has everything you need. Neither plain nor garish, this will make a beautiful accompaniment to the best dresses. Made from 100% leather, it will last well too.
9. Best sustainable crossbody bags
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.
Best of the rest...
RRP: $95 / £70 | With linings made from recycled water bottles, the Matt and Nat brand really exudes their sustainable credentials. A small but deep bag with secure fastening, it comes in multiple colorways that are all equally as stylish.
RRP: $485 / £360 | Sustainable luxury, De Mellier has collected fans that include the Princess of Wales - so we're already on board. With sustainably sourced Italian and Spanish leathers, its timeless bags have a vintage but modern feel, for timeless design.
RRP: $294 / £230 | Using vegetable-tanned leather and sustainable rattan, this spring perfect wicker bag will help to signal that warmer days are on their way. With a host of different sizes and colors, there is a Wicker Wing bag to suit all tastes.
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.
