Hello it’s that time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. This month we are talking bags, but this time specifically crossbody bags, as it seems that’s the bag that’s here to stay and people are quite passionate about them!
After years of carrying a heavy tote, I feel like my shoulder can’t take a whole day with a leather tote anymore. I can sometimes do a straw one, but if I’m on a trip or an active day shopping or walking, or errands, a crossbody is what I opt for.
I own a few crossbody bags and the ones I use the most are this black Tory Burch Bombe bag I’ve had forever which is soft and roomy with two compartments and pockets. I also have this YSL bag in a turtle green color that I saved for and love, and a raffia Claire V Pot Du Miel bag, that I added my own strap to and my latest purchase this tiny Longchamp bag on camo (similar style).
*Someone inquired to my denim dress and it’s this one from Frank & Eileen and I love it to pieces. Great travel dress, no maintenance and can be a tunic too.
According to Harper’s Bazaar the big bag trends for Spring and Summer 2022 are woven bags and light and bright shades. Whether or not that’s a trend, I go that way anyway, when warm weather comes. Since this is springtime post and summer is almost here, I’m going to share what I noticed in woven looks and pretty colors. Greens and melons are all over and I do love them..
Crossbody bags that caught my eye this season..
I want to call out a brand I mentioned before, Demellier London. If you’re looking to add a quality handbag to your closet, something to last a long time, they have so many unique and beautifully made bags. For every bag purchased they fund a set of lifesaving vaccines and treatments aimed to save the life of a child in need through A Bag, A Life, their charity. All the bags are handmade in Spain using Italian and Spanish materials.
Love the Alexandria bag shown below left and the Marrakesh in lime and toffee, and also the Vancouver bag in taupe. So many more fun bags it’s worth perusing their site. They also have the Montreal Bag in Nano size, bottom right, with a strap and it’s a cutie.
Other trends in crossbody bags is the fanny bag being worn as a crossbody along the chest like this one by Claire V. on the right below. If you have a fanny bag you can see if yours works this way or looks good like that.. You may need to adjust it and play around.
Chain straps and thinner straps are nice for evening looks..Also look at the sizes.. Nano and mini bags are becoming the new thing. Women are carrying less and loving it.
Big guitar straps are still seen all over as they can be added to existing bags for some flair and individuality..I see some interesting combinations with these straps and bags and it can be a good way to create your own look with a bag.
Other ideas are to add one of these to a bag you already have like this braided one by Salt.. They have a beautiful collection of the nicest straps. Salt is women owned and employs artisans and helps their communities while giving back. They also have a nice collection of bags. ETSY also has straps here.
I also just found out a stylish Instagram friend, Diana Amato, has her own line of crossbody straps here. You can follow her on Instagram as La Zingara Designs.
Finally, I just love this whole look on Hailey Beiber and with the simplest crossbody, so chic!
Similar shaped bag here and this below for $20 from Target…adorable!
More budget friendly options and just as stylish at Target are options like this Triple Compartment Bag with the perfect shape and size in many cute colors…( also in black, brown and a cognac.)
They also have this Handloom Bag in some many colors and a crochet and cotton versions too.
Don’t forget some of the best sources for unique and beautifully made bags that are more affordable are those that are upcycled and you can find bags that are barely worn and sometimes new with tags…
Look to your local resale shops for the best treasures and prices. Online places like ThredUp have bags that aren’t in the thousands like many resale spots. I actually see some of these places selling the bags for more than they are in the store new, so be aware.
Well, thats my thoughts on crossbody bags. What’s your opinion of them? Love them? If so what has been your favorite style or brand??
Please go see what my lovely pals have for you about crossbodies today on their blogs. I always love what they share.. (Their posts up at noon on Tuesday- this mailer went out early..Sorry!)
Thanks for being here!
Kim
You might also like last month’s Signature Style post on Wedding Guest Dressing Ideas
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I am back into cross body…avoided them for years because they became very dowdy looking. The newer styles are great with strap lengths that are flattering. Love that denim dress. I had a jcrew one that I held onto for years and then during early pandemic boredom gave to thredUP and now I’m like why why why. Wish I still had it.
Hi Jackie, I agree the new ones look great.. Something about the pandemic really brought them back big time. I also purged a denim dress two years ago.. and here I am again? Hmm, should I be keeping more? Hard to say! Thanks so much. xx
P.S. Link to Frank & Eileen denim dress
https://rstyle.me/+ne32kozvwQ1HLmuirEfIRg
Love my crossbody bags and being hands free. Your choices were beautiful BUT… can you also feature some styles that are more budget friendly?
H Mary! Thank you. I just added some pretty pieces that are more budget friendly at the bottom and will try to be more aware of that. Target has some darling ones right now and ThredUp always has gem, you just have to check daily. Thanks for your comment. xo
Cute, cute, CUTE!!! I only use crossbody bags any more! Great for travel and keeping your hands free.
Mary Ann, I am hard pressed to use my other bigger bags, especially if it’s a busy day and I’m running about! last time I took my leather tote to the mall and a day out, I came home with the worst shoulder ache. I also had on a big coat. Crossbodys are hard to beat.
The last bag, black woven, do you know the brand. Would love that bag.
The last bag, black woven, do you know the brand. Would love that bag.
Hi Nancy it should be linked if you click on the photo. Is it the woven one from Target?
So many great options, Kim. I do love the woven bags … and in the camera bag size and style. How many times I have gone to shopping with a tote only to find it impossible to put it, or keep it, over my shoulder and it becomes a hindrance. Or at the grocery store with a cart … you don’t want to leave your tote in the cart. A cross body is the only way to go. You’ll be horrified to know I’m still using my old Kate Spade nylon cross body on the regular. Influenced by you I bought a YSL cross body camera bag last year and totally adore it. Wish I could have it in more colors … but its cost prohibitive! For Kyle’s wedding recently I wore a pretty little gold, sequenced cross body with the thinnest of staps with my formal attire. What a difference it made not to fuss with a clutch or a clutch with a shoulder chain. I could really use a more colorful, summer bag and I think I’m going to find it in this amazing selection you’ve curated for us. Love your Signature Style posts! xo
Juliet, so true, I have actually left the store as I couldn’t deal with my back dying from by one of my bags. The grocery store is the worst – and I had a friend who had her bag swiped out of the cart just near here. Crossbody bags works so good for that. No I think it’s wonderful you are using an older Kate Spade. It was probably well designed! Keep it. I have vintage Kate and my old Coach that is messenger size. Somme of these bags were just plain old smart design and hard to find again. Loved the gold bag you wore to the wedding!! I agree a pretty strap makes it so nice to hold a glass of champagne and maybe even dance with a small bag for a wedding! You have to share that again. xo Kim
Great post Kim. Like you I find leather totes to be too heavy now and in general a cross body bag can tick all the boxes. Being stylish as well as practical and better for our backs and shoulders! 😊
I absolutely love your Longchamp Camo bag … it’s so cute. I’m definitely going to look for one.
I have a crinkled “silk effect” Cross body from Cos that’s styled like a “fanny pack” but designed to be worn across the chest. It’s so light and feels just a little different as well as stylish.
Light coloured leather and raffia basket type cross body styles are perfect for Summer. Your pot du mile bag is gorgeous. ( I have a denim dress exactly like yours. I only bought it recently and think it may work as a longer jacket style as well, maybe )
Thanks for this Kim …as always I appreciate all the research you’ve done. Have a lovely week.
Rosemary xxx
Rosemary I noticed you looked cute with your crossbody bag in your travel pics! I wish we had COS here. They seem to have the coolest pieces. Your fanny pack/crossbody sounds pretty! I bet you will love your denim dress. They are so easy..A perfect piece and you’re so right what a great jacket too.. Hope you are doing well and so good to hear from you Rosemary. xoxo
ps The smaller bags you’ve included under the picture of Hilary Beiber remind me of the navy “phone” cross body bags that we both have . They’re also handy to use with a basket bag, cotton tote or back pack as they keep your phone and cards convenient and secure. xxx
Rosemary I was going to share the lovely one and I left it in Tahoe last time ! I’m so mad it’s under a coat on a hook! It would have been perfect to share and thank you I use it so much! Yes that is exactly what I do.. It can go alone or with another.. Love that! I will have to share when I get back up there.. xo
Hi Kim
Great post. I am in love with that chartreusy green number. I have a thing for that color. I have a hard time with the smaller cross bodies. I have to carry three pairs of glasses now, a makeup case, phone & wallet. Those tiny ones just don’t work. You have shared some great options here.
Cindy, I can see you with that color! I too was attracted to it right away! I think it could hold all your things.. Looks at bit more spacious. xx
Hi Kim,
I only wear crossbody bags as l like the security and they suit my frame. I have a few good ones from Tuckernuck over the years and J Crew and now l am into rattan ones for summer. I bought a cute one from J McLaughlin which is holding up really well a year old now and for everyday one from Talbots this year. Love that camel jacket on you Kim please can you tell me where you got it from? Maybe do a post on summer jackets?!?
Cheers and happy week !
Francesca, So funny I just popped by our local J McLaughlin and they have some really pretty styles. I agree got my little rattan bag at Tuckernuck. Isn’t it wonderful you’ve collected your bags over the years and can bring them out and re-enjoy them?? Love that. Thank you about the jacket. It’s from a past season at J.Crew, but they have a nearly identical one here: https://rstyle.me/+yP7SnEeSXEcZM64kzI8Obw
And super idea about summer jackets! I’m on it. xo
You are a star thank you Kim.
I have about 3 of these…….ONE is really COOL SILVER LEATHER!
I need to start wearing for my PHONE so I can see how many STEPS I DO NOT DO IN A DAY!
I’m ALWAYS LATE to the P A R T Y!!!
XXX
Silver leather!!! I need one. The phone is hard. maybe Giampiero can get you the iPhone watch for the birthday? I love it and it has a lot of health things now like heart rate I wanted and even a pulse oximeter in some new ones.Keeping track of the steps in it is a lot easier. xo
NO WATCH FOR ME!
BUT THANKS FOR THE IDEA……..I GOT AN IPAD for MOTHERS DAY SO THREE GADGETS IS ENOUGH FOR ME.
That Claire V bag 😍😍😍 I’m still crushing on it.. and when it comes with a tan strap, I will splurge!! Love it 🤎 I too am a fan of Demellier. Great post as always Kim 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Kim, I love all of the bags that you highlighted. The Longchamp leopard crossbody is my favorite! Last year, I bought the Dagne Dover Micah. The brand was recommended by my daughter. Although the neoprene may be off putting to some, I find the size and the material perfect for travel and everyday life. Comes in cute colors, too. Thanks
Jean I am going to look up your bag! Neoprene is such a nice light material and looks good too. Perfection for travel. Thanks for sharing! Love the tips.
It’s only been small crossbody bags with small wallets for me for years. I did it for health reasons- saving my shoulders from heavy bags. I stopped carrying checkbooks long before we stopped using checks – just carry 3 in my wallet. I have a large collection of bags that meet my size and weight criteria, but lately I’ve only been using a 20 eurou nlined metallic leather one I bought at a street market in Aix en Provence a few years ago. It goes with everything, but not exciting. I loved the Petal bag you showed, but it’s out of my budget. Never understood clutches that hold nothing and have to be held, or heavy shoulder bags that ruin muscles. Lightweight crossbody bags are it for me!
Sheila-Merle I am so with you, I can’t take the shoulder bags anymore! Love the small wallets and carrying less now! Your metallic bags sounds lovely.. And don’t they always pop and also mix well with everything?
Aix en Provence! That is a dream place to shop. I love it.
I second your recommendation of Demellier. I bought one of their bags (style has since been discontinued) about 3 years ago; it is my primary bag and still looks like new. Great quality for the price, wonderful presentation in the way they send it to you, which is great if you are thinking of one as a gift. No huge logos, just lovely leather and hardware.
Thanks Cathy! So nice to hear your bag was a good investment. Love that!
Kim, I love this series and I love cross body bags. I vacillate between a hand bag that I can stuff with essentials when I am traveling and a cross body bag for everyday use. I want to keep my hands free while out and keep my items safe. You have a lovely collection of bags and you always look stylish! I am off to check out your beautiful links. Have a wonderful day Kim!
Elizabeth, my new thing is to bring a tote bag when traveling and stuff the crossbody in there with all the essentials. last time I used a straw tote so it could work at the beach too. Aww thanks so much! Have a great day. xo