Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
26 Covetable Crossbody Bags For Investment And Utility
We break down the most sought-after designs of the season—plus a few affordable alternatives.
Bottomless tote bags and incandescent evening bags all share a deserved spot in your handbag rotation, but nothing eclipses the versatility of a crossbody. Designed to be hands-free and weight-balanced—no shoulder aches or strap slippage here—crossbody bags are the perfect on-to-go accessory, but their functionality need not beget boredom. Some of the loveliest—and most coveted—luxury bags are crossbody designs, and as new designers enter the market, even those bags below the thousand-dollar price point draw trend-seeker envy. (Just ask Beyoncé.)
As such, we’ve rounded up some of the best available crossbody bags for women from a variety of luxury and mid-range designers, at a diverse range of price points and crafted from a variety of materials.
A good crossbody should do exactly as advertised: fit comfortably across the torso and sit at the hip, which means the shoulder strap should measure roughly between 18-22 inches, depending on your height. But beyond that? The possibilities are endless. Consider what you need a crossbody for: a fashion statement? Travel? Hiking around snacks and a water bottle, or just a single tube of lipstick?
Finally, determine the resale value. If you plan on using your crossbody for decades to come, it won’t matter much if the bag is popular on secondhand sellers. But if you’re looking to make an investment, consider which bags are most sought-after. Says Charles Gorra, CEO & Founder of the popular luxury handbag reseller Rebag, “crossbody bags from Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada consistently have great resale value,” but Telfar and Jacquemus are also on the rise. We highlight a few of our favorites ahead.
Amanda Le is a contributing writer at Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment. In her free time, you can find her thrifting her next outfit, traveling to new cities, crushing a boxing class, or eating her way through NYC!
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a staff culture writer at ELLE, where she primarily covers film, television and books. She was previously an associate editor at ELLE.
The 25 Best Trendy Summer Sandals of 2023
The Accessories Edit: ELLE’s July Must-Haves
The Accessories Edit: ELLE’s May Must-Haves
The Standout Bags of Spring 2023