ON THE go? These are the best cross-body bags for stylish, hands-free wear.
Don't get us wrong: we love a good handbag moment, but when it comes to practicality, sometimes you just need an effortlessly easy-to-wear bag that you can pop on across your body and forget about.
Cross-body bags work for an endless amount of occasions, whether you're looking for an everyday hero that'll see you through the commute, a statement style for popping in your essentials this festival season, or a sporty design when you're out walking or heading to the gym.
With no annoying straps falling off your shoulder or handles to keep hold of, a cross-body bag will free up your hands and allow you to get on with your day – while still keeping your bits and bobs safe.
They're not all just about function, either: there's a plethora of styles, shapes, colours and sizes out there this season that will inject some personality into even the plainest of outfits. Check out our selection of the best cross-body bags here.
Best cross-body bags at a glance:
- Best throwback style: Ellesse Lukka Retro 90s Cross Body Bag
- Best two-in-one: Mango Agra Cross Body Bag
- Best for summer holidays: New Look Bright Pink Straw Effect Cross Body Bag
- Best for festivals: New Look Cream Suedette Fringe Cross Body Bag
- Best go-to: Mango Agra Cross Body Bag
- Best for going out: Accessorize Faux Croc Cross-Body Bag
1. AFKOMST Crossbody Bag Small Satchel
- AFKOMST Crossbody Bag Small Satchel, £20.99 from Amazon – buy here
The satchel never fails to bring some classic vintage style to a look – and this faux leather style looks like it's the perfect size for fitting your phone, purse, keys and a selection of makeup and toiletries.
The 58cm strap is adjustable, making it long enough to be worn as a cross-body bag or shortened for an over-the-shoulder style.
Reviewers are impressed too, with one writing: "Lovely handbag with an adequate cross body strap. Plenty of room for essentials. I was looking for a saddle bag shape that sat neatly on my hip, also that didn't stick out so much. This is perfect. A good sturdy bag."
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2. Ellesse Lukka Retro 90s Cross Body Bag
15- Ellesse Lukka Retro 90s Cross Body Bag, now £13.90 (was £15) from Amazon – buy here
Ellesse is bringing back the 90s vibes with this retro crossbody bag that we totally would have rocked back in the day with our cargo trousers, spaghetti top and shag bands.
With bold Ellesse branding across the front, it comes in a choice of navy or black and is made from polyester for a soft feel.
The zip looks nice and chunky so it should hold up to lots of wear, while the strap is also adjustable so you can wear it to suit.
"Best buy I've made in years. Perfect bag", raves one shopper, while another was impressed by its dinky yet roomy size, saying: "Surprising what you can get in it."
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3. New Look Bright Orange Covered Buckle Cross Body Bag
- New Look Bright Orange Covered Buckle Cross Body Bag, £21.99 from New Look – buy here
New Look doesn't disappoint with its range of cross-body bags: from sporty to statement, boho to luxe.
We're filing this one under 'statement': the bright orange faux leather is perfect for adding a fun splash of colour to your attire, while the gold-tone hardware adds a bit of glam.
4. New Look Bright Pink Straw Effect Cross Body Bag
- New Look Bright Pink Straw Effect Cross Body Bag, £19.99 from New Look – buy here
The straw bag is a summer holiday essential – but if you feel like it can get a little 'samey' then you'll love this New Look cross-body bag.
The pop of pink faux leather adds a contemporary edge, with gold-tone hardware to complement the elevated vibe.
It's also available with pops of white, black or orange.
5. New Look Cream Suedette Fringe Cross Body Bag
- New Look Cream Suedette Fringe Cross Body Bag, £17.99 from New Look – buy here
With its suedette finish and fringe trim, this cross-body screams 'festival' and is perfect for channelling a 70s vibe this summer à la Daisy Jones.
We love the cream colourway for a more chic alternative to tan suede, plus it's a super versatile shade.
6. John Lewis ANYDAY Padded Flap Camera Handbag
- John Lewis ANYDAY Padded Flap Camera Handbag, £25 from John Lewis – buy here
John Lewis' ANYDAY range is a must for affordable, quality pieces – like this padded camera bag available in a dreamy lilac hue or a beautiful shade of coral.
It's a stylish option for budding photographers or anyone wanting to carry small items.
"Great bag for the money, and secure zip across", writes one reviewer.
7. Mango Agra Cross Body Bag
- Mango Agra Cross Body Bag, £35.99 from John Lewis – buy here
Keep it simple and classic with this black cross-body bag from Mango: it's an essential item that everyone should own.
In a cute mini size, it features an adjustable long strap which is also detachable – allowing you to transform it into a handbag whenever you like.
8. Kin Small Grab Bag
- Kin Small Grab Bag, £39 from John Lewis – buy here
John Lewis' lifestyle brand, Kin, is all about a modern aesthetic with a fashion-forward edge.
If that sounds up your street, then you'll love this bag. The white faux leather looks clean and contemporary, with a chunky cross-body strap that can also be removed to turn it into a handbag.
9. Sweaty Betty All Day Cross Body Bag
- Sweaty Betty All Day Cross Body Bag, Blue Mini Leopard, £45 from John Lewis – buy here
"Bought this in the pale blue colour which has been great for travel and for a recent holiday," writes one shopper about this Sweaty Betty bag.
The sporty and small style also makes it perfect for carrying your essentials to a gym class, or out on a stylish power walking session.
10. Accessorize Small Zip Cross-Body Bag Green
- Accessorize Small Zip Cross-Body Bag Green, now £15.40 (was £22) from Accessorize – buy here
We're obsessed with the Kermit the frog green hue of this bag from Accessorize: it's colourful, fun and sure to add some 'wow' to any drab outfit.
It's practical too, with a zipped main compartment and a small section to the front for receipts and the like.
Did we mention the removable strap transforms it into a chic clutch, too?
11. Accessorize Mini Woven Cross-Body Bag Brown
- Accessorize Mini Woven Cross-Body Bag Brown, £28 from Accessorize – buy here
Woven leather bags have been massive for a while, now, but they often come with a hefty price tag. Dragon Diffusion, anyone?
Luckily, this mini faux leather style from Accessorize delivers the look for a fraction of the price – but still manages to look luxe and expensive.
What could be better?
12. Accessorize Faux Croc Cross-Body Bag
- Accessorize Faux Croc Cross-Body Bag, £25 from Accessorize – buy here
This little mock croc effect bag is super cute: the soft minty hue is perfectly chic and has room to store your phone, purse and keys, with a small pocket inside that works as a cardholder.
We can see this looking great for brunch or weekends in town. One reviewer also notes that it has a "comfortable strap" which is a definite plus.
13. Accessorize Aztec Webbing Camera Bag
- Accessorize Aztec Webbing Camera Bag, £32 from Accessorize – buy here
The adjustable Aztec design strap of this camera bag gives it a cool boho vibe and is a subtle way to add interest to an otherwise simple style.
It's bigger than you think too, with one impressed shopper writing: "Great size – it's much roomier than you would think – I can get a small umbrella, purse, sunglasses and phone in and still room for more – love it!"
14. River Island Pink suede drawstring cross-body bag
- River Island Pink suede drawstring cross body bag, £30 from River Island – buy here
Pink suede? Yes, please!
This bag comes in at a great price point – plus River Island notes that the 'leather for this product has been responsibly sourced'.
Also available in black, it comes with a gold-tone chain that gives it an extra boost of glam. Wear it to lunch or for your next night out.
15. River Island Brown monogram messenger bag
- River Island Brown monogram messenger bag, £30 from River Island – buy here
We love that River Island has a whole line of monogram bags that reference Louis Vuitton in the most tongue-in-cheek yet covetable way.
This one is decently sized, so it's perfect for work and days out. The fabric strap looks soft and comfy too, plus it's adjustable and detachable.
How do I choose a cross-body bag?
There are a lot of choices out there, so we get that it can be hard to pin down the best cross-body bag for you.
However, we'd recommend starting by considering what you'll be using the bag for: do you need something large and roomy for carrying your laptop and work documents for instance, or would a smaller bag that fits the essentials be suitable?
From there, you can narrow down the options and then focus on finding something with a comfortable and sturdy strap that can be adjusted – which is crucial for a comfortable fit.
Statement prints and colours are perfect for adding some style to plain outfits, while you can't go wrong with a classic black cross-body bag or neutral colours like white and cream.
Is a shoulder bag or cross-body better?
Which one is 'better' all comes down to your taste and needs: a cross-body bag generally looks more casual, so you might prefer a shoulder bag for dressier evening looks.
However, in terms of hands-free use, you can't beat a cross-body bag. Plus they're comfy to wear, as they distribute the weight of what you're carrying more evenly than a shoulder bag (although still make sure to switch the side you wear it on throughout the day to help reduce any strain).
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What is the crossbody bag everyone is wearing?
Crossbody satchels are massive this season, as are quilted leather bags with flaps.
Check out our picks above, as we've found a stylish selection of on-trend cross-body bags that will look good in 2023 and beyond.
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