Dealing with finger cramps from hauling around a bulky tote? It’s time to downsize to a crossbody bag. “I love them for whenever you’re doing hands-free adventures, so, of course, errands, like going to the grocery store or laundromat,” Valérie Blaise, the founder of Vavvoune, tells InStyle.
Liz Money, Béis’s senior vice president of brand and creative, is on the same page, noting that a crossbody bag’s primary advantage is being versatile and practical enough for travel and, as Blaise mentions, errands around town. “The size and fit strike a perfect balance. It’s spacious enough to serve as a personal item with ample room for all your in-flight essentials yet compact enough for everyday use.” Ahead, find the best ones we tested, including nylon, leather, and suede bags from Baggu, Tory Burch, and Cuyana, among other brands.
Our Top Picks
Why We Love It: If you absolutely had to choose one crossbody bag, go with this one from Baggu. Sure, it’s one of the more casual, affordable options on this list, but it’s also extremely trend-forward, with a crescent shape and availability in an array of funky patterns. It doesn’t look out of place if you wear it on a night out, especially if you choose the plain black shade or the print with shiny silver stars. Its recycled nylon material is flexible and water-resistant, meaning you don’t need to worry about spillage, rain, or damage. If you do stain it, it’s one of the very few purses that’s washing machine-friendly. As for how much it fits, the interior is spacious enough to comfortably hold a 32-ounce water bottle, your phone, and keys (which you can safely store in the bag’s zippable interior pocket). Plus, you can adjust the 51-inch strap to be as short or as long as you like. The more you fasten the strap, the more it hangs off the side, which adds to the bag’s unique and trendy look. Like the crescent shape, but want to carry more items with you, like a laptop or makeup bag? Opt for the medium version.
Who It’s For: When it comes to functionality, trendiness, versatility, durability, and affordability, this small crescent Baggu crossbody can’t be beat. Wear it to music festivals, errands, dates, or workout classes—it looks like it belongs in any setting. Most importantly, it gives you all the features you need in a crossbody bag (durable material, fashionable prints, and an adjustable strap) for less than $50.
Material: Recycled nylon | Closure: Zip
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Why We Love It: You can dress this half-moon-shaped bag up or down. Thanks to its smooth leather, sleek lines, and neutral tones, it pairs well with everything from loose sundresses to tailored tops and bottoms. The standout detail is the double-folded straps, which align with the bag’s overall equestrian-inspired design. As for functionality, the bag comes with two different-length, adjustable straps (one is 41 inches, and the other is 58 inches) and has a zippable outer pocket.
Who It’s For: Everything about this crossbody is chic and simple—from its rich leather to its barely there Polène logo. It’s a wise purchase for someone seeking a leather purse that fits a decent amount without looking bulky and will seamlessly work in any capsule wardrobe.
Material: Leather, suede | Closure: Zip
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Why We Love It: As a miniature version of the brand’s best-selling Luka fanny pack, this belt bag has all the bells and whistles you want when you’re on the go: a compact design, scratch-resistant material, multiple organizational compartments, an adjustable strap, and a hidden back pocket to keep your valuable secure. Although the most obvious way to style the Luka Mini is around your waist, you can also throw the nylon strap over your shoulder to make it into a more traditional purse style or sling it across your chest and wear it as a crossbody.
Who It’s For: The person who’s rummaged through their bags to triple-check that their passport didn’t magically disappear in the past five minutes (so really, all of us). Since traveling can be stressful enough, you need a crossbody bag that helps you stay organized and rolls with the (inevitable) punches, like the Calpak Luka Mini Belt Bag. It’s ideal for people who are constantly on the move—whether country-hopping or just trying to squeeze their errands into one afternoon—and want to be hands-free while still having easy access to their essentials.
Material: Polyester | Closure: Zip
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Why We Love It: Forget the saying, “Keep your cards close to your chest.” The MZ Wallace Dawn Metro Sling takes it one step further, keeping all of your valuables and personal belongings physically zipped on your chest. It has four interior pockets, two exterior pockets, and an adjustable 51-inch strap that helps the sling stay put. The cherry on top that sets it apart from other similar designs? Its quilted exterior and playful color options range from black to bright orange.
Who It’s For: The shopper who isn’t willing to compromise on two things: security and style. The MZ Wallace Dawn Metro Sling keeps your belongings organized and zipped up while adding a bright, versatile accessory to your outfit.
Material: REC Oxford, leather | Closure: Zip
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Why We Love It: It’s easy to understand why A-listers like Meghan Markle and Eva Mendes have been spotted carrying Cuyana’s leather bags: Their simple designs never go out of style, and they’re sophisticated enough to blend in with even the most elevated outfits (just look at how Zoe Saldaña styled hers). The Linea Bucket Bag, specifically, comes in an array of colors, but we’re partial to the classic black. If you want to carry the bucket bag by its thick handle, just remove the adjustable strap; It’s basically two great bags in one. There’s a pocket inside for your wallet or phone, but you can always buy small Cuyana pouches and accessories to add more structure to the bag’s interior.
Who It’s For: Want a crossbody that’ll be a closet staple for the foreseeable future, no matter which trends come and go? Look no further than the Linea. It’s sharp, understated, and high-quality.
Material: Leather | Closure: Magnetic
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Why We Love It: If a brand names a product after a figure as legendary and iconic as American socialite Lee Radziwill, it better be good. Tory Burch definitely considered that while designing this mini pebbled leather crossbody. With enough structure to look sophisticated but enough undone details (foldable layers and a signature lock-and-key hardware you can leave open) to appear effortless, this purse is très, très chic. We could go on and on about its appearance and styling abilities. Still, we’d be remiss not to mention that it’s also highly functional, with an adjustable and removable crossbody strap, two interior card pockets, and a dust bag to keep it in good shape.
Who It’s For: This crossbody carries the heaviest price tag on this list. Rest assured that you get what you pay for, though, given its premium leather construction. Style-wise, you can wear it casually or with formal attire, especially if you detach the strap and carry it by its top handle.
Material: Pebbled leather, suede | Closure: Snap
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Why We Love It: You’ve probably seen fashionable celebrities like Miranda Kerr, Sienna Miller, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley carrying the brand’s larger version of this bag. In general, a bucket bag is a playful silhouette, but this all-leather Mansur Gavriel one takes it a step further with a cinched closure pulled together with a bow. You can leave the leather tie undone for a more relaxed look with easy access to your belongings. And because the brand treats the leather with a wax finish, this bag is one of the rare leather crossbodies that’s water-repellant.
Who It’s For: This bucket bag keeps your items secure (don’t worry—it fits an iPhone Max and smaller) without compromising style.
Material: Leather | Closure: Cinch
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Why We Love It: Rattan bags exude summer energy, and this one from Novum Crafts has impeccable details, from its snap closure to its colorful lining. Each bag comes straight from Bali, and it takes two to three days to create by hand using only natural grasses and genuine leather. Unlike many crossbody bags that open at the top, this round one opens in the front, almost like a tiny suitcase. For the price, it’s an absolute steal.
Who It’s For: Whether you’re going on vacation or running to the grocery store in the summertime, this rattan bag gives even the simplest outfit a stylish, seasonal touch. Pair it with a plain sundress or a patterned set for a fun, textured accessory.
Material: Rattan, leather | Closure: Button
What to Keep in Mind
- Material: Regarding materials for a crossbody bag, leather is, of course, a no-brainer. But Sammie Moussallem, a celebrity stylist and founder of Carte Blanche, implores you to explore other fabrics like canvas and nylon. You needn’t worry about color transfer while sporting these materials. “When you wear a crossbody, it starts to rub on your jeans, and a lot of times, people will notice they’ll get color on the back of their bags,” he says. However, that’s not the case with canvas and nylon bags.
- Organization: Moussallem swears by bag organizers, specifically those from Samorga, available on Amazon. “They have the best felt organizers, which you can insert in your crossbody bags,” he says. Blaise suggests ensuring that any liquids, from lotions to water bottles, are completely secure to avoid damaging a bag’s interior.
- Care: When you’re not using your crossbody, Blaise recommends storing it in a dust-free environment or putting it in a dust bag. Additionally, if you’re removing the strap, Emily Hayward, an associate vice president of Minor History, says to avoid throwing it into a ball and wrap it up neatly or let it hang free instead. If you’re wearing a crossbody on a hot summer day when you’re probably sweating, Hayward says to clean the strap with a damp cloth. Finally, Moussallem tells his clients to keep a stain remover and baby wipes in their bag if they need to care for any spills throughout the day.
Your Questions, Answered
How should you wear a crossbody bag?
Not to point out the obvious, but people typically wear crossbody bags across the body, but Hayward says that’s not the only way to don the piece. “The strap is detachable on many of our crossbody bags,” she explains. “So, you can take it off and let the piece rest on your arm or wear it as a top handle bag, which is more elevated for nighttime.” Hayward often tucks the crossbody strap inside the bag and styles the piece as a clutch instead.
What are some important details to look for in a crossbody bag?
“Key features in a well-designed crossbody bag include an adjustable strap that transforms the way the bag can be worn and a thoughtful design that provides just the right amount of space for essentials without becoming bulky,” explains Money. Zippers, too, are an important detail to look out for, as they keep your belongings safe. Moussallem adds that it’s crucial to opt for a bag with a proper closure, such as a flap or, as noted, a zipper. “When you’re running around with a crossbody bag, you don’t want people to pickpocket.” And if you’re one to travel with a book and water bottle, Hayward says to look out for bags with a wide opening.
Why Shop With Us
Claudia Willen is an associate editor at InStyle covering fashion and shopping. For this story, she built upon reporting from Kelsey Stewart, a seasoned fashion writer with bylines in The Zoe Report, Bustle, and Editorialist.
The following experts spoke to InStyle for this story:
- Valérie Blaise is the founder of Vavvoune.
- Liz Money is the senior vice president of brand and creative at Béis.
- Emily Hayward is the associate vice president of Minor History.
- Sammie Moussallem is a celebrity stylist and the founder of Carte Blanche.
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