The 20 Best Crossbody Bags For a Hands-Free Experience, Tested & Reviewed
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Including messengers for the traveler and pouches for the dinner parties.
InStyle / Jhett Thompson
There are jewelry girls, shoe girls, and bag girls (and for those who ascribe to all, may your credit card be ever in your favor). For everybody that falls into the ladder category, welcome to our roundup of best crossbody bags. And we say “best” from our chests, because we can personally recommend the ones we’ve had hands-on experiences with. Some of these bags have been with our editors for years, coming with gushing reviews about their favorite crossbody bags. Others we evaluated in our lab, putting them through rigorous tests like splashing water on them or dropping them on the ground. In total, 43 crossbody bags were reviewed and then cut down to the following list.
With so much glitz and glam beckoning for your wallet’s attention, it can be difficult to decide where to best allocate your coins. New York City-based stylist Jamie Grimstad shares her two cents, stating that “splurging in the accessory category makes the most sense as you can justify the cost-per-wear more.” A bag that can be styled across multiple outfits deserves a little more consideration when purchasing. Whether you decide to ball out today or be a little more conservative is up to you, but we hope our favorite bags resonate with you as you read.
Our Testing by the Numbers
Testing Period: Two weeks to three years, depending on the product
Type of Testing: Real world, lab testing
Factors Considered: Water resistance, capacity, portability, ease of use, durability, value, and additional features (pockets, adjustable strap, etc.)
Experts Interviewed: 4
Best Overall: Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag
What We Love: It can fit a bunch of essentials without weighing down on the shoulder.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not very waterproof.
If we had to guess what bag Mary Poppins always carried around, we would say it’s this one from Baggu. It’s as though it magically expands internally with how much it can hold. We were able to fit books (yes plural), full-sized water bottles, sunglasses, cameras, phones, and wallets simultaneously in this miracle bag. With all of these goods inside, we worried our shoulders would get sore when carrying it around, but the aching never occurred. Although we appreciate the neutral tones like black and navy, the more colorful options and fun prints make this piece stand out from the rest. It’s truly a carry-all bag for everyday life and we can wholeheartedly say we would pay even more than the $50 for such a quality piece.
Material: Nylon | Size: 13.75 (W) x 8 (H) x 4 (D) inches | Colors: 13
Best Budget: Athleta All About Crossbody Bag
What We Love: It has a water-repellent finish to it.
What We Don’t Love: It has no compartments.
We’ve tested and adored Athleta’s belt bag before, so it only made sense to try a crossbody bag as well. We’ve used this sling while running errands and walking around town and experienced firsthand how durable and comfortable it is. The strap doesn’t dig into the shoulder and gives great access to the contents inside the bag. A bag, which despite its lack of compartments, has tons of space to carry all our essentials. The exterior is also water-repellent and lightweight, making it easy to travel with.
Material: 69% Polyester/31% Recycled Polyester | Size: 12.25 (W) x 7.5 (H) x 4 (D) inches | Colors: 4
Best Splurge: Seth Milot Day VI Gris
What We Love: The bag looks and feels elegant.
What We Don’t Love: There are no interior pockets or dividers.
Budding handbag brand Seth Milot offers a line of sculptural handbags worth their salt in the luxury market. While Bianca Kratky, co-author of this article, was taken aback by the beauty of all of the bags when she viewed the collection, it’s this Day VI bag that most stood out to her for its practicality and fine stitch work. The nappa leather felt as soft as butter, and the interior featured an Hermès-like suede orange lining, which happens to be her favorite color. The strap is adjustable in length and the closure features a twist clasp that adds a level of security to the piece.
Material: Napa leather | Size: 19 (W) x 14 (H) x 8.25 (D) inches | Colors: 2
Best Patterned: Clare V. Midi Sac
What We Love: Because it zips all the way closed, it functions as a great travel bag.
What We Don’t Love: The strap needs to be purchased separately.
Simple, yet stylish, Clare V. offers patterned little sacs to carry all your belongings. The Midi Sac comes in various colors, patterns, and designs, catering to a number of aesthetics. Beyond just its visual appeal, we found the crossbody bag to be an excellent travel companion. It fits a bunch of essentials and zips closed all the way so that nothing can fall out. Although it does come with a simple strap, you can add on different styled straps, from thick to thin to woven to chain, although it will cost extra.
Material: Leather | Size: 17.5 (W) x 5.5 (H) x 2.5 (D) inches | Colors: 20
Best Organization: Baggallini Everywhere Bagg with RFID
What We Love: There is a compartment for absolutely everything, allowing us to organize as we please.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the most fashion-forward bag.
The category is compartments and Baggallini takes the crown. It’s because of the many pockets, side zips, and dividers that this bag became our go-to choice for both work and travel. We take it everywhere we go and we never lose any items in it with its excellent organization capabilities. On top of the four main pockets on the exterior of the bag, the interior features a zippered compartment and a few slots to hold pens and little notepads. And while we love using the long crossbody strap, on occasion we would shorten it to use as a shoulder bag. When we wanted to go completely hands-free, however, the little slit on the back allowed us to slip it over the handles of a suitcase.
Material: Nylon | Size: 11 (W) x 9 (H) x 5 (D) inches | Colors: 10
Best Camera Bag: Madewell The Large Transport Camera Bag
What We Love: Even with a DSLR camera in the bag, there was enough space for wallets, keys, and other essentials.
What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in one size.
Our biggest pet peeve with camera bags is that they tend to look clunky and unstylish, and they leave no space for anything else. Not this Madewell Transport Bag, however. We were able to fit our DSLR camera along with our sunglasses, a small wallet, keys, and chapstick for a fun adventure exploring a new city. It allowed us to look stylish while traveling and not like an obvious tourist. The thicker strap also felt extremely comfortable on our shoulders even after a long day of wear — a huge win for anyone familiar with the quarrels of schlepping heavy camera gear around. The top closes completely, making it safe for cameras as well. After experiencing its style, functionality, and comfort, we think this bag is well worth the price it comes with.
Material: Leather | Size: 9.5 (W) x 6.5 (H) x 3.25 (D) inches | Colors: 2
Best Clutch: Radley London Sundown Avenue Weave Medium Flapover Clutch
What We Love: The chain strap can be removed and the bag used as a clutch.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not extremely spacious.
This bag doubles as a clutch and a crossbody bag by either unclipping the chain strap or simply dropping it into the pouch. We’ve used this from day to night, from brunch to a formal event simply by adjusting how we used the strap. Although it wasn’t the most spacious of bags, it did hold all our daily essentials like wallets, keys, phones, and chapsticks. Because it’s so lightweight, it’s been our go-to travel bag as well. It takes up little to no space (and weight) when packing. The fully leather weave design makes it look elevated, adding a touch of elegance to our outfits whenever we put it on. Overall, it’s been a fantastic bag to have in our rotation.
Material: Leather, metal | Size: 11 (W) x 5.5 (H) x 3.5 (D) inches | Colors: 1
Best Leather: Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody
See at Portlandleathergoods.com
What We Love: The leather weathers great against any distressors.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the best shape to hold a chunky camera.
This bag has been our everyday purse, travel buddy, and road trip essential for the last two years. It’s a decent size with manageable weight, and the leather strap is thick enough to distribute the weight of the bag evenly so that it never digs or feels uncomfortable. It also has seven holes in a belt-like style so you can adjust the length to match your height. The leather impressed us with how durable it has been — we’ve spilled liquids and collected scratches over the years but it never stained or looked beat-up. Although we visually love the circular bag, it may not be the most economical option for anyone traveling with a chunky camera.
Material: Leather | Size: 9 (W) x 9 (H) x 3 (D) inches | Colors: 16
Best Designer: Bottega Veneta Mini Loop Camera Bag
What We Love: The lambskin leather is extra soft and supple.
What We Don’t Love: The strap is thin and may not be the most comfortable option.
Choosing an investment piece requires a keen eye. If the ever-popular designer label isn’t enough to convince you, then consider the following factors: The lambskin leather that Bottega Veneta uses is truly next level — Kratky owns one of the bags in a similar style and finds the leather to be superior to many of the other famous designer brands. And, the woven design is not only an eye-catching feature but helps to conceal any scratches that are bound to occur with wear over time.
Even Grimstad deems this bag the perfect investment. “It comes in a neutral color, ensuring you get to wear it over and over again. The size also gives it styling versatility, be it over a coat in the winter or with athleisure to run errands.”
Material: Lambskin leather | Size: 8.7 (W) x 6.1 (H) x 3.5 (D) inches | Colors: 5
Best for Work: Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag
What We Love: The sole is cushioned and it protects the contents from breaking.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the most aesthetic bag.
Much like the Baggallini option, this bag from Bellroy is full of compartments and organization capabilities, making it an excellent choice for work. The main compartment includes a laptop pocket, another thinner pocket layered over the laptop pocket, two stretchy compartments for notebooks and tablets, and a mini zippered mesh pocket for keys. It doesn’t stop there — the outer shell has two zippered pockets and a large snap-closure pocket on the side. There’s even a water bottle slip as well. Needless to say, we found enough space for absolutely all of our office needs.
A key component that set this bag apart was the cushioned sole, which, when we dropped the bag down a little too aggressively, protected our laptops and valuables from shattering. We also found the shoulder strap to be thickly padded — an important comfort factor. If we wanted to, however, we could switch to carrying it by the handles. Last but not least, we tested its waterproof claims and can confirm that water simply beaded on the bag’s surface, never soiling a single document in the interior.
Material: Recycled polyester | Size: 17.3 (W) x 14.2 (H) x 6.3 (D) inches | Colors: 3
Best for Travel: Dagne Dover Micah Crossbody
What We Love: It fits a ton of items without looking bulky or large.
What We Don’t Love: It stains easily.
There’s no denying that we’re big fans of Dagne Dover. Over and over again, we’ve rated its belt bags, backpacks, and carryalls as some of our favorites, and we’re adding this crossbody bag to the list. One of its winning points was its size — we were able to fit everything we could need in a day, including snacks, cameras, wallets, little notebooks, and hand creams without looking bulky. It’s sneakily larger on the inside than it appears. Dagne Dover’s signature neoprene material was something to adore as well. It’s unique in look and feel and weighs about as much as a bag of feathers.
Material: Neoprene | Size: 8.75 (W) x 7 (H) x 3 (D) inches | Colors: 10
Best Formal: Ruskin The Camille In Rouge
What We Love: It’s unique yet versatile in design, making it stand out yet suitable for multiple occasions.
What We Don’t Love: It lacks the security of a zipper closure.
Crossbody bags aren’t formal by nature, but there are some circumstances where they’re appropriate, like, say a daytime wedding or shower. In cases like these, consider this nappa leather bag from Ruskin, handmade in Italy. The label marries expert craftsmanship with a sleek silhouette for a unique yet versatile bag that oozes quiet luxury. Although there are no zippers to keep your valuables safe, we have confidence in the magnetic flap. We haven’t tested this option to be sure, but if we did, we’d bring it to a work dinner and an impending trip to Italy all the same.
Material: Full grain leather | Size: 10.5 (W) x 8.5 (H) x 4 (D) inches | Colors: 5
Best Pouch: Behno Frida Mini Crossbody Pebble Ruched Bag
What We Love: The textured leather will keep the bag from showing scratches easily.
What We Don’t Love: The strap is not adjustable.
The popularity of sustainable bag brands is on the rise. Generally, we love Behno, a relatively new bag brand on the scene, for its ethical business model. While we didn’t test this option, the simply elegant pebbled leather bag with a drawstring closure is really appealing to us. There are two interior compartments, which leaves room for some organization capabilities, but mostly the pouch is there for you to drop your essentials in (think phone, wallet, granola bar, keys, etc) and travel simply (both in terms of function and style). Some of the color options have smooth leather if that’s the finish you generally prefer.
Material: Nappa leather, cotton | Size: 7 (W) x 8.5 (H) | Colors: 7
Best Bucket: Longchamp Roseau Essential XS Bucket Bag
What We Love: The suede interior will not only feel luxurious but protect valuables from getting scratched.
What We Don’t Love: The strap is not adjustable in length.
Compared to other designer brands, Longchamp is a little more attainable while delivering the same quality materials and design expertise. A bucket bag such as this is a timeless piece that can be adored through the years. Not to mention, this style of bag tends to be deeper and therefore fits more items than your standard purse. It can be held by the top handle or draped across the body with the long strap — which by the way, is removable but not adjustable in length. The soft suede interior will be excellent for keeping valuable scratch-free, on top of delivering a luxurious feel.
Material: | Size: 6.7 (W) x 7.5 (H) x 4.7 (D) inches | Colors: 4
Best Clear: Hammitt Tony SML Stadium-approved Clear Bag
What We Love: A leather strap makes it comfortable to carry on the shoulder.
What We Don’t Love: We wish it was a tiny bit larger.
Clear bags are truly a unique look, and while it may not be the best option for walking around Paris — a city notoriously known for pickpockets — we found it to be ideal for the beach, concerts, and festivals. Although it looks seemingly small, we were able to fit our Kindle inside, along with our phones, AirPods, wallets, and lip glosses. The bag has a soft leather strap, which we much preferred over something plastic, as it could have tugged and pulled at our skin. And although it’s a clear bag, it has some fun colored accents to it, giving it a bit of a visual appeal.
Material: TPU, leather | Size: 8 (W) x 7.5 (H) x 2 (D) inches | Colors: 19
Best Convertible: Songmont Shearling Luna Bag
What We Love: It comes with two types of straps that can be removed and attached as needed.
What We Don’t Love: The shearling exterior makes this more of a seasonal bag.
This option from Songomont offers the gift of versatility, meaning that it can function as either a crossbody or a shoulder bag. It comes with two types of straps that you can swap in and out — in other words, you can’t keep both straps on simultaneously. With gold finish hardware, a microfiber leather lining, a luxuriously soft shearling, and a calf leather exterior the bag is just so trendy and cool. The crescent moon shape almost hugs and curves around the body when worn as a crossbody, further adding to its comfort factor. Although it wasn’t one of our tested options, it’s so different from anything else on the market that we didn’t want you to miss it.
Material: Calf leather, leather, shearling | Size: 10.43 (W) x 9.06 (H) x 3.94 (D) inches | Colors: 1
Best Small: Tumi Persia Crossbody
What We Love: It sits flush against the body.
What We Don’t Love: The strap is not removable.
This has been our go-to bag when traveling because it’s small enough that we can sometimes sneak it under a coat as another personal item. The fact that it’s slim and lies flush against the body makes it all the easier to “hide”. Despite its slim size, it fits a shocking amount of items including our Kindle, lip gloss, snacks, keys, wallet, AirPods, and phones.
Small size does not mean a lack of compartments, however! There’s a slip pocket at the back for the phone, a key strap in the main compartment, and a few more little slip pockets scattered around. The strap is very comfortable, and we had the option of adding a charm pouch as well.
Material: Nylon, leather | Size: 5.3 (W) x 7.5 (H) x 2 (D) inches | Colors: 6
Best Sling: Canvelle Sling Bag
What We Love: It allows us to be hands-free without anything bumping against our hips.
What We Don’t Love: The strap, although adjustable, feels a little long even on its shortest setting for petite people.
This bag has been a hit amongst us mothers. It has allowed us to be completely hands-free and not have anything bumping against our hips when we already have children on each side of us. The large size of the bag makes it easy to stuff it with loose items that our kids accumulate through the day, while still fitting a full-sized wallet and all our other parental essentials. Thanks to the mesh back panel, the bag feels very breathable and doesn’t get hot and sticky even on warmer days. On the inside, there is a small mesh pocket where we typically keep our keys or chapsticks. Overall, it’s been a very convenient bag that has awarded it our most used personal item.
Material: Recycled plastic bottles | Size: 11 (W) x 17 (H) x 5 (D) inches | Colors: 6
Best Minimalist: Cuyana Sling Bag
What We Love: It’s completely machine-washable and comes in three sizes.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not padded and does not provide a ton of protection to its contents.
Calling all minimalists, this sleek and simple bag is to be adored. If excessive amounts of features and pockets only feel overwhelming, you’re going to love the large center compartment on this bag. There is one interior side pocket and one external slip pocket, but aside from that, the middle remains open and ready to swallow a large number of items — even a chunky sweater, we found out.
Made of recycled materials, the stitched bag is impressively lightweight. Even with it fully packed, it did not weigh us down. Conversely, we were at times bothered by its lack of padding and protection, so be careful not to swing it around if valuables like laptops are in it. Last but certainly not least, it’s machine washable, making maintenance a breeze.
Material: Recycled standard-certified landfill plastic | Size: 18 (W) x 12.5 (H) x 6 (D) inches | Colors: 2
Best Messenger: Lands' End All Purpose Messenger Bag
What We Love: There is a padded laptop sleeve inside the bag.
What We Don’t Love: The material feels a little thin.
We tested a bunch of messenger bags, but not many balanced between the trifecta of price, quality, and features as expertly as this one. To begin, there were tons of pockets in and around this bag that made organization really easy, while leaving enough space in the center compartment. Our favorite pocket was the padded laptop sleeve that aptly protected our computer even after dropping the bag on the floor.
The canvas material also did a decent job of resisting water infiltration after spritzing it. Even though the material is a little thin and lightweight, it’s evident that it's stitched tightly and with care. The strap, on the other hand, was padded and thick so it felt comfortable on the shoulder.
Material: Polyester | Size: 14.75 (W) x 11 (H) x 5.5 (D) inches | Colors: 1
What to Keep in Mind
Size: Before committing to a crossbody bag, consider what kind of items you hope to carry and shop for the right size accordingly. Fashion stylist Heather Newberger says “I prefer to keep my bag roughly the size of a piece of paper (or a little bigger) so I can neatly tuck my iPad into one while I’m on the go.” If you’re hoping to travel with your bag, then something slightly bigger that fits snacks, passports, and a Kindle is a better choice. If you simply want a fashionable piece that holds all your essentials, something slightly smaller, ranging in the six to eight-inch width to height is a great option.
Organization: With compact sizes, pockets make all the difference in how much you can squeeze into your crossbody bag. Plus, celebrity stylist Samantha Brown says easy access is key — so in addition to interior pockets, look for crossbody bags with front or back ones too, preferably ones that clasp or zip. Brown likes to “keep my smaller items, like lip gloss and AirPods, in the tiny inside pocket, use the main pocket for bigger things such as my wallet, a book, or tablet, and keep a top pocket flexible for things I need to store ASAP like packing slips and receipts.”
Material: If you are considering a sporty, sling style that’ll need to brave all kinds of elements, Newberger suggests finding one with flexible material, like nylon. “A crossbody sling will often function as an extension of an overall outfit, so you want to be thoughtful about how long you may be wearing it, " she says. If you’re less worried about wear and tear, then leather is a fantastic choice. Not just for its luxurious appearance, but for its durability and longevity as well. Ruskin founder Alli Abdelal considers leather to be “a by-product from nature” that maintains many of its intrinsic characteristics well. These features include softness, fine grain, durability, and resistance to rain. It typically comes with a higher price tag, but if properly cared for, “leather will age gracefully and last many years, acquiring a depth of patina and wear pattern that is individual to each user,” she says.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you wear a crossbody bag?
As the name suggests, crossbody bags have long straps that go across the body from one shoulder to the opposing hip. Slings are often considered crossbody bags, too; however, traditional crossbody bags typically allow the pouch to rest on the back, keeping your hands, hips, and front body completely free.
Most crossbody bags have adjustable straps, so you can choose to wear them at whatever length feels most comfortable to you. Again, typical crossbody bags fall at hip length, but in the end, it’s a personal choice. The benefit of long straps is that they can easily be worn over thick winter coats without feeling constricting like a shoulder bag could.
When should you use a crossbody bag?
Anywhere and everywhere! The bags are a more secure option while traveling or navigating crowded areas, and they sit at your side without banging against your hip or sliding off your shoulders. Brown opts for them during nights out and while running errands, too, as they allow you to go hands-free, and “you can hold your drink and don’t have to worry about a clutch being misplaced,” she says.
Why Shop with Us
For this story, commerce writers Bianca Kratky and Irene Richardson compiled the feedback of our testers and included a few of their favorites to create a well-researched list of crossbody bags suitable for all. They also interviewed the below style experts.
Jamie Grimstad is a New York City-based fashion stylist.
Alli Abdelal is the founder and Creative Director at Ruskin.
Heather Newberger is a fashion stylist, writer, and author of “How to Date Your Wardrobe.”
Samantha Brown is a celebrity stylist.
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