What is a crossbody bag?

A crossbody bag is a purse style worn diagonally across the body, from shoulder to opposite hip—hence the term crossbody . The bag is designed to hold only the essentials, like your phone, wallet, keys, and glasses. Doing so often helps make an active schedule more organized. “Unlike large shoulder purses, which often need to be adjusted and have the tendency of falling off, the crossbody style stays in place all day, allowing you to go about your life with ease,” Stolch says.

How can you style a crossbody bag?

“Because crossbody bags come in a variety of shapes, colors, styles, and hardware, they easily pair with what’s already in your closet,” Stolch says. It’s just a matter of choosing the right style for you, i.e., understanding how the bag would fit with the outfits you’d like to wear it with. A casual sundress and a pastel leather crossbody are such a cute combo for summer. Meanwhile, a nylon or neoprene bag is perfect for the athleisure you’d wear in a pinch, to run to the grocery store, the bank, or the post office.

What’s the difference between a crossbody bag and a messenger bag?

“A messenger bag is a type of crossbody bag, usually reserved for travel and work settings,” Stolch says. Sitting at the bottom of your back, a messenger is larger and can typically fit a laptop, a water bottle, and notepads along with the essentials a typical crossbody bag is known for holding. “Because of its size and [super] functional purpose, the messenger bag is not categorized as a purse or handbag,” she explains.

The 13 Best Crossbody Bags of 2023

If you’re in the market for a bag that will work for whatever your Monday through Friday schedule will bring, your best bet is a crossbody bag. Oftentimes, you can find one big enough to carry all of your essentials, from a travel toothbrush to hair clips. Then, there are the ones that will best serve you for a night out when you only need a makeup compact and some cash. In either case, though, the bag’s benefits are multifold: It allows you to keep your things close and generally well-organized. And with everything packed away neatly, your hands and pockets will be free and clear.

While stylist Samantha Brown wouldn’t necessarily recommend one to round out a formal look, the bag can make many other looks feel more polished and put together. “By using texture, color, and unique design elements, crossbody bags can even dress up a pair of sweatpants,” Brown adds.

When choosing a bag, consider your most essential items and how they’ll fit, always striving for practicality. The tiny nature of Billini’s Maya Ivory Woven Crossbody Bag makes it feel more like an exterior pocket than a purse. And style-wise, it even nods to Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato design. But unlike any of the Italian brand’s iterations, it will cost you less than $100. There are also smooth leather options by Madewell, Coach, and Chloé if you’re OK spending a bit more money for something classic.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Madewell The Transport Shoulder Crossbody Bag at Madewell.com

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Best Budget:

A New Day Refined Crossbody Bag at Target

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Best Splurge:

Chloé Tess Small Flap Canvas Leather Crossbody Bag at Chloe.com

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Best Saddle:

Charles & Keith Gabine Saddle Bag at Charleskeith.com

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Best Everyday:

Mark & Graham The Essential Crossbody at Markandgraham.com

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Best for Outdoors:

Lululemon Clean Lines Crossbody Bag at Lululemon

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Best Woven:

Billini Crossbody Bag at Lulus

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Best Leather:

Coach Bea Crossbody Bag at Coach.com

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Best for Moms:

Canvelle Fanny Pack at Canvelle.com

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Best Neoprene:

Dagne Dover Micah Crossbody at Dagnedover.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Madewell

View On Madewell.com View On Zappos

When looking for our best overall crossbody bag, our criteria included a durable material, intuitive design, timeless look, and under-$200 price point. This Madewell bag checked all of those boxes and more. Personal style advisor Jordan Stolch recommends this soft-shaped crossbody bag to those looking for a blend of vintage and modern vibes. “With its smooth, luxe leather, and zipper closure, it’s sure to take you from the office to the weekend with ease,” she says. Achieve a classic French girl look and style this bag with a pair of mom jeans, ballet flats, and a neutral sweater.

Price at time of publish: $158

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 8.25 x 11 x 2.5 inches | Colors: True Black, English Saddle (camel), Summer Dune (ivory), Forest +more | Closure: Zip

Target

View On Target

Take it from us: Run to your nearest Target and pick up this $30 crossbody bag before it’s sold out. The affordable piece can comfortably secure all of your necessities, such as a wallet, your phone, and some of your lip balm. It’ll become one of your favorites in no time.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Polyurethane | Dimensions: 6.75 x 8.5 x 2.38 inches | Colors: Pink, black, green, beige +more | Closure: Turn-key

ChloÃ© Tess Small Flap Canvas Leather Crossbody Bag

Neiman Marcus

View On Chloe.com View On Neiman Marcus View On Shoppremiumoutlets.com

We love that this Chloé bag comes with a shoulder and crossbody strap, that way it’s more versatile when it comes to styling different dress codes. Chloé has been producing superior handbags for almost 70 years, so if you’re looking for a bag that will stand the test of time and serve as an heirloom for years to come, look no further than this classic, feminine crossbody.

Price at time of publish: from $1,950

Material: Leather, linen; leather, suede | Dimensions: 6.9 x 8.1 x 2.4 inches | Colors: Blue, Lichen Green | Closure: Magnetic

Charles & Keith

View On Charleskeith.com

Don’t worry about breaking the bank with this Charles & Keith saddle bag—it’s under $200. The envelope-style magnetic closure keeps your items secure while still offering quick and easy access to them.

Price at time of publish: $149

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 6.5 x 23 x 18 centimeters | Colors: Chalk, Black, Brown | Closure: Magnetic

Mark & Graham

View On Markandgraham.com

At 8 x 6 inches, this bag isn’t too big or too small, making it a great option for everyday wear. It’s compact yet spacious with two separate compartments to keep your essentials isolated while still organized.

Price at time of publish: $119

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 8 x 2.5 x 6 inches | Colors: Camel, navy, red +more | Closure: Zip

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

This chic yet practical Lululemon crossbody bag is ideal for outdoor activities, from overnight camping to a quick hike with friends. Its water-repellent fabric, deep pockets, and adjustable shoulder strap make this bag a well-equipped companion. Choose from four versatile neutral colors, then add it to your checkout cart.

Price at time of publish: $58

Material: Polyester and nylon | Dimensions: 30 x 5 x 20 centimeters | Colors: White Opal, Java, Grey Sage +more | Closure: Zip

Lulus

View On Lulus

Add this white crossbody bag from Lulus to your cart to round out your summer outfits. Brown considers it a wardrobe staple given its minimalist design and subtle gold hardware. Its weaving and tubular twin straps evoke Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato handbags. Though, Lulus’ is made from faux leather and Bottega Veneta’s designs are true handbags and shoulder bags. Lulus’ version is far less expensive, too, by at least $1,000.

Price at time of publish: $65

Material: Polyurethane | Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches | Colors: Ivory | Closure: Zip

Coach

View On Coach.com View On Coachoutlet.com View On Macy's

If you’re looking for a bag that can meet all your styling needs, from an outfit to run errands in to the one you’ve picked out for your bestie’s birthday party, consider this one from Coach. It has a classy and luxe look and feel but still maintains functionality with its boxy shape that contains eight credit card slots, three interior compartments, and one exterior pocket. For versatility, convert it from a crossbody bag to a handbag by removing the matte black chain strap and carrying it by the top handle.

Price at time of publish: $275

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 7.75 x 4.75 x 2.25 inches | Colors: Red, Black, Denim | Closure: Snap

Canvelle

View On Canvelle.com

This isn’t technically a crossbody bag, but you can wear it as one. The fanny pack style is great for moms who want to keep their personal belongings separate from their baby’s. For easy access, they can simply sling the style across their body. The strap is adjustable so you can fit it closer to your chest or lengthen it as needed. It also comes in two sizes, original and oversized.

Price at time of publish: $95

Material: Canvas made from recycled plastic | Dimensions: 5.5 x 13.5 x 4 inches or 7 x 18.5 x 6 inches | Colors: Black, gray, olive green +more | Closure: Zip

Dagne Dover

View On Dagnedover.com View On Shopbop.com

This bag may be small, but it sure is mighty. Although it’s lightweight (it weighs under one pound), it’s structured and organized, featuring three compartments (one main and two exterior pockets). From the photos, it looks like you can fit a small notebook, a phone, sunglasses, and perhaps lip balm. Material-wise, the neoprene is durable, waterproof, and machine washable.

Price at time of publish: $110

Material: Repreve® recycled polyester | Dimensions: 8.75 x 3 x 7 inches | Colors: Onyx (black), Heather Grey, Dark Moss, Dune, Storm +more | Closure: Zip

Free People

View On Freepeople.com

Get in on the fringe trend with Free People’s Sindy suede crossbody bag. It boasts a buck shape with three compartments for easy organization. It’s also versatile—when you need something more simple, you can detach the fringe, and when you don’t need to be hands-free, you can detach the long strap and carry the bag by the top handle.

Price at time of publish: $108

Material: Suede, leather | Dimensions: 7.75 x 7.75 x 3.5 inches | Colors: Azure (teal), Bitter Kelp (yellow), Cognac (brown), Black | Closure: Magnetic and zip

Brandon Blackwood

View On Brandonblackwood.com

Puffer bags are having a moment, so why not give them a try? Go with Brandon Blackwood’s Bianca style. The cylindrical bag is made from water-resistant nylon and leather details, and it comes in a happy assortment of colors that includes green, hot pink, and light blue. Wear it casually with baggy jeans and a cropped graphic T-shirt.

Price at time of publish: $200

Material: Nylon, leather | Dimensions: 9.06 x 5.12 x 5.12 inches | Colors: Black, green, dark brown +more | Closure: Zip

Ani Mairis

View On Animairis.com

For nights out on the town when you only need your ID, phone, keys, and lip gloss, Ani Mairis’ mini crossbody is perfect. At $425, it’s certainly a splurge (especially given that it’s a statement bag that you can’t wear with most things), but we love the angular shape and embossing over anything else on the market in this size.

Price at time of publish: $425 (crossbody strap sold separately for $50)

Material: Leather | Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 4.5 inches | Colors: Marigold, Aquamarine +more | Closure: Flap

Final Verdict

Madewell’s Transport Shoulder Crossbody Bag is timeless and adaptable—key features of a standout crossbody bag. It’s a great value given how easily you can style it with jeans and a top. However, if you’d rather keep your purchase under $100, then go with Target’s Refined Crossbody Bag—a statement bag that will impact your look but not your savings account.

What to Look for in a Crossbody Bag

Easy access

Going hands-free while still having access to your most important belongings is the whole point of a crossbody bag. To make sure a given crossbody bag works for you, Brown recommends paying extra attention to the closure, be it a zipper, an envelope-style flap, or a magnetic button. Wear the bag with your belongings inside. Then, try to access them. Brown has found that a zipper is preferable to those who value privacy over the most ease of access. A magnetic closure is slightly less secure to make accessibility easier.

Material

Consider the purpose of this bag and your wardrobe when choosing a material. Generally, “leather or faux leather make for excellent everyday choices because they’re sturdy,” Stolch says. They’re also sleeker. Meanwhile, polyester, nylon, and canvas are less expensive and can be easier to maintain given that they’re typically machine-washable fabrics. Both are commonly used in everyday bags. If you’re looking for a more formal or festive crossbody bag, Stolch recommends suede or velvet.

Regardless of what material you choose, Stolch stresses the importance of caring for your bag. Be sure to look out for care instructions in the product description. Keep in mind that leather absorbs oils from your skin, and suede picks up dirt and grime quicker than most other materials. To keep them looking fresh, take them to a professional leather cleaner.

Strap

“Select a strap that allows you to tailor the bag to the correct length for your body—the shorter you are, the shorter you’ll want the strap,” Stolch says, adding that the opposite is often the case for taller frames. “There’s not one strap length that works universally, so it’s useful to be able to adjust it.” Of course, there are some straps, like the chain strap on Coach’s Bea Crossbody Bag, that aren’t able to be adjusted. As far as material, Stolch says leather, faux leather, and fabric straps are casual and work well for everyday use. “A chain strap is dressier, making it a great option for [dressy weekend attire].” Chain strap bags can often be worn like a clutch by simply tucking the chain strap inside the bag if the chain can’t be detached altogether.

Weight

Since crossbody bags have the potential to put a lot of pressure and strain on your shoulder, Brown suggests sticking to bags under two pounds. “Bags with a lot of hardware tend to be heavier,” she says. And while bold hardware often adds a bit of panache, it’s worth prioritizing comfort to avoid causing damage to your shoulder in the long run.

FAQ

What is a crossbody bag?

A crossbody bag is a purse style worn diagonally across the body, from shoulder to opposite hip—hence the term crossbody. The bag is designed to hold only the essentials, like your phone, wallet, keys, and glasses. Doing so often helps make an active schedule more organized. “Unlike large shoulder purses, which often need to be adjusted and have the tendency of falling off, the crossbody style stays in place all day, allowing you to go about your life with ease,” Stolch says.
How can you style a crossbody bag?

“Because crossbody bags come in a variety of shapes, colors, styles, and hardware, they easily pair with what’s already in your closet,” Stolch says. It’s just a matter of choosing the right style for you, i.e., understanding how the bag would fit with the outfits you’d like to wear it with. A casual sundress and a pastel leather crossbody are such a cute combo for summer. Meanwhile, a nylon or neoprene bag is perfect for the athleisure you’d wear in a pinch, to run to the grocery store, the bank, or the post office.
What’s the difference between a crossbody bag and a messenger bag?

“A messenger bag is a type of crossbody bag, usually reserved for travel and work settings,” Stolch says. Sitting at the bottom of your back, a messenger is larger and can typically fit a laptop, a water bottle, and notepads along with the essentials a typical crossbody bag is known for holding. “Because of its size and [super] functional purpose, the messenger bag is not categorized as a purse or handbag,” she explains.

Why Trust Byrdie

Meguire Hennes is a copy editor for The Everygirl and a freelance writer for Bustle, Byrdie, Elite Daily, The Zoe Report, and The Everygirl, covering fashion, sex and relationships, beauty, decor, and more relatable lifestyle content. While earning her B.A. in fashion studies from Montclair State University, she learned the ins and outs of handbag design, branding, and marketing. As a part of her research for the best crossbody bags available, she spoke with stylists Samantha Brown and Jordan Stolch to provide readers with great recommendations.

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