Crossbody bags have become essential accessories for every season. Whether you want to follow fashion trends by choosing the most coveted models of the year or prefer opting for cult bags, a designer crossbody bag is a must in every respectable fashion wardrobe. Chic, practical, and elegant, crossbody bags are the stars of every trend with shapes, colors, and sizes that perfectly match any outfit.
Luxury designers like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Michael Kors, Burberry, and Valentino Garavani, for example, are exploring a trend that’s here to stay. Among the most sought-after bags are vintage crossbody bags, ideal for a retro look paired with boho chic long dresses. Large, modern, and multifunctional bags like Balenciaga’s crossbody bags are perfect for those who love to carry everything with them.
Colors play a crucial role in choosing the perfect bag. For those who love classic shades, black crossbody bags are a go-to for any look and occasion. If you prefer to be bold and add a glam touch to your outfit for summer, designer tote bags in vivid colors are always the right answer. Elegant crossbody bags made from fine materials like leather are perfect for formal events and important evenings, while casual ones for leisure time offer comfort and practicality without sacrificing style.
Vegan crossbody bags are also trending, reflecting the fashion world’s inclination towards sustainability by offering accessories made from alternative, sustainable materials. But the question that often arises is, “How to wear a crossbody bag?” Following a few simple rules is the key to an elegant and practical look.
How to Choose and Style the Perfect Crossbody Bag
Designer crossbody bags, with their priceless luxury, showcase the creativity of renowned designers and emerging brands, offering styles and fashion trends that are hard to resist. But how do you choose the perfect crossbody bag? It’s tough not to want them all, which is why this buying guide will consider material, size, and especially the occasion one will be wearing it.
Large crossbody bags, for example, are ideal for work and for those who need multifunctional models with various compartments for better organization. In this case, spacious and professional models like the Manhattan by Saint Laurent or the Andiamo bag by Bottega Veneta, featuring a sliding strap and the classic woven pattern, are perfect. Pair them with formal suits, midi skirts and shirts, or flared wide pants and blazers. Leather crossbody bags are a timeless choice.
Quality leather fabric signifies durability and everlasting elegance, making these bags a long-term investment. Among the most desired cult bags are Gucci’s iconic double G models and Valentino Garavani’s creations, characterized by studs and refined details.
Large Crossbody Bags for Work
With their extra-large effect, large crossbody bags are the ideal companions for work days away from home, thanks to their ability to combine practicality and style in one accessory. A spacious, elegant, and professional leather bag is the best choice for carrying a laptop, documents, planner, and office essentials. It serves as a true calling card, adding a cool touch to your outfit and enriching it with personality.
Among the most beloved models is The Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs. This shoulder bag, which can also be carried by hand, features an adjustable strap, making it perfect for balancing and managing the weight effectively. With a compact and rigid shape that allows for optimal content organization, Marc Jacobs’ most loved tote bags are made of leather and come in a variety of colors: argan oil, beige, gray, black, and vibrant shades like red, purple, and fuchsia. Also worth considering is the summer version in cotton canvas with a wide strap and a sporty chic effect, capable of creating a professional yet lightweight look.
Bottega Veneta’s crossbody bags, particularly the Andiamo model, offer a sleek silhouette with the brand’s signature soft leather weave and a strap that echoes this iconic pattern. This timelessly elegant, spacious bag, which can also be carried by hand, features an interior pocket. It pairs beautifully with straight pants and a coordinated vest, completed with leather slingbacks with medium or high heels to elongate the silhouette.
Alternatively, try it with a black or white midi dress and an Andiamo bag in vibrant colors like orange for a guaranteed glamorous effect. Among the coveted items are also large crossbody bags by Balenciaga. Spacious and rich in pockets and compartments, these bags can hold all the essentials you can’t do without. The City Arena bags promise a rock-inspired look with both an internal and external pocket, an adjustable and removable strap making them perfect for the city, and premium hammered leather that complements different outfits.
Balenciaga bags, with their innovative designs and bold details, are the ideal choice for those seeking a visually striking yet easy-to-match accessory. Of course, colors make a difference too. Black or neutral-toned crossbody bags are extremely versatile and pair perfectly with both tailored suits and day dresses. To complete the look, simply add coordinated accessories like a belt and subtle jewelry, always maintaining a balance between practicality and style.
Small Crossbody Bags: Casual and Elegant
For those who love simplicity, small crossbody bags are a sought-after accessory that adds a touch of ease and class to any outfit. Luxury brands embrace this trend every season, creating bags that have become iconic over the years. Renowned luxury brands like Gucci, Valentino Garavani, Jacquemus, Chloé, and Tory Burch offer a wide selection of fashionable models, each characterized by unique and precious details.
Gucci’s signature double G is a hallmark of their offerings: mini crossbody bags adorned with details like leather or gold chain straps, floral motifs, raffia, leather, or the brand’s traditional canvas print. There’s an array of shapes to choose from: super mini duffle, the Ophidia crossbody with colored finishes, in wallet or bucket styles, as well as the Petite Marmont in leather, which has become a cult favorite for every it girl.
Valentino Garavani, known for his bold and refined style, offers mini leather bags decorated with the iconic Rockstuds, a distinctive detail that adds a touch of edge and modernity to even the simplest look. For summer days, the Locò bag in straw and the Rockstud raffia-effect bags are perfect. Pair them with wide-brimmed hats, glam sandals, retro-style sunglasses, and summer dresses for long seaside walks.
Jacquemus, famous for unique proportions and innovative designs, offers small crossbody bags that are true works of art. The Chiquito bags, for example, feature a distinctive silhouette and vibrant colors like red, purple, fuchsia, green, as well as classic tones of brown, black, and white. These are ideal for those looking for an accessory that adds a burst of creativity to their outfit, whether it’s with miniskirts and t-shirts or evening jumpsuits.
Chloé opts for a boho-chic style, creating small crossbody bags with vintage touches, in soft leather embellished with metallic details. The Marcie bags in leather, or in a combination of leather and linen canvas, exude an aura of romance and sensuality, especially when paired with a maxi skirt and a light blouse.
Burberry, with its unmistakable British style, offers crossbody bags that blend tradition and modernity. Models like the Burberry TB Bag, featuring the distinctive logo and classic tartan patterns, or the Louise in canvas and leather, recall iconic outfits that are always appreciated.
Finally, Tory Burch, with her Kira mini crossbody bags in chevron leather, featuring the double T logo and available in a wide variety of colors and materials, has created pieces that have firmly established themselves in the world of luxury.
Ethical Crossbody Bags: Sustainable Fashion
An increasing number of luxury brands are embracing the philosophy of sustainability in fashion, presenting creations with an ethical soul and refined shapes. Clothing, shoes, and especially bags from top designers are gaining growing popularity, not only for the values they represent but also for their eye-catching colors and attractive designs. Conscious crossbody bags, in particular, are among the most desired by fashion enthusiasts always on the lookout for innovative accessories made with cruelty-free materials.
Stella McCartney’s crossbody bags are at the forefront of circular and conscious fashion. The British designer is renowned for the innovative techniques used in her bag production. Think of the use of organic cotton, which is recyclable, materials from certified forests, or ECONYL®, a product derived from recycled plastic and fishing nets. The Falabella bag, a cult model of the brand, is an evergreen piece that has become iconic: featuring a chain strap made from recycled steel, it is undoubtedly a luxury bag for any occasion. Available in a small version for special occasion outfits and a large one for less formal events like a party with friends.
Attention is also drawn to the sustainably crafted bags from Chloé, Valextra, Toteme, and particularly Lemaire, whose Croissant bag in soft nappa leather challenges traditional shapes. There is also room for revisiting classic forms, which with the brand DeMellier, take on a glamorous and nostalgic aesthetic. Whatever your style, vegan and ethical crossbody bags are a sustainable option in line with the fashion trends of each season, ensuring the possibility of dressing with fashion and awareness.
How to Wear a Crossbody Bag: 4 Cool Ideas
Wearing a crossbody bag isn’t always straightforward, as trends suggest the possibility of variety, thanks to an adjustable or chain strap. Here are 4 elegant and practical ideas for wearing one.
1. Crossbody Bag Worn Across the Body
One of the favorite looks for crossbody bag lovers is wearing it diagonally across the body, positioning the bag on the opposite hip from the shoulder the strap is on. This style combines with practicality, making the bag more comfortable to wear as the weight is well balanced, and leaving the hands free.
2. Crossbody Bag Carried by Hand
Transforming a crossbody bag into a handbag is quick, as long as it has handles and a removable strap. For instance, the Cassandre, Mini College, or Mini Toy bags by Saint Laurent, as well as Marc Jacobs Tote Bags, allow the strap to be removed or added as needed.
3. Crossbody Bag Worn on the Shoulder
The most classic and practical way to wear a crossbody bag is over the shoulder. Some bags, like the Marmont models by Gucci, have a chain strap that can be adjusted to either a single long strap or doubled up, avoiding a length beyond the bust.
4. Crossbody Bag Worn as a Belt Bag
Small crossbody bags without handles or with removable ones, like Gucci minis, are also great to wear as belt bags. The strap can be adjusted and fastened around the hips, creating an original and stylish outfit.
