Designer bags – and right now, designer crossbody bags specifically – are my kryptonite, which means I’ve come to know a thing or two about wise luxury purchasing decisions. The main lesson I always endeavour to pass on? That not all designer bags are made equal.
Some go in and out of style, while others remain season-less and resistant to changing trends – and whether your new-season investment purchase lands in the former camp or the latter largely depends on the silhouette you choose.
Need proof? Cast your minds back to the spring-summer 2018 Jacquemus show. The luxury French fashion house catapulted their Le Chiquito Mini Leather Tote to dizzying heights of popularity, kickstarting a short-lived adoration among the fashion set for mini, micro and even nano-sized handbags. Tiny bags were a cult and sought-after style of the time, but fast-forward to now, and it may transpire that your investment was – at least for the time being – in vain.
On the other hand, the likes of the Hermès Birkin (a tote bag), the Celine Luggage tote (yes, another tote bag) and logo-emblazoned basket bags (à la Loewe, Fendi and Prada) have only grown in prevalence, proving them to be wise and enduring purchase. Also sitting in the same camp? Another style which stands the test of time: the aforementioned designer crossbody bag.
Banish any memories of school kids’ satchels: the best designer crossbody bags of today have had a makeover, and it has never been easier to find luxurious crossbody options that polish and punctuate your outfit.
Small in size and neat in shape, they elegantly sit atop any wool coat, dress or leather jacket, and have us revelling in the joy of travelling light. Taking you from winter wedding to office and cocktail reception, designer crossbody bags offer a certain freedom that other designer bags just can’t give you. Forget holding a bag in your hands or nestling a strap over the crook of your arm: being hands-free is the equivalent of finding pockets in a dress. Read: so satisfying.
In the world of cross-body bags, what’s in store for the new season?
Elevated classics are, thankfully, going no-where, with those brands known for executing simplicity well behind some of the most sought-after styles of the moment. Ferragamo’s Hug soft leather cross-body bag is a wardrobe mainstay for minimalists, doubling up as a gorgeous clutch, while the Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Intrecciato leather cross-body bag remains a popular choice. In the GLAMOUR office, editors are swooning over The Row’s new-season Sofia which, available at Harvey Nichols, has an adjustable shoulder strap and two internal slip pockets for added practicality.
Recognisable cross-body bags from premium main lines by the likes of Gucci and Mulberry will never go out of style – we adore the Gucci Blondie leather crossbody bag which is part of a collection that sees house classics reimagined with a contemporary feel – and the sequin-adorned Rabanne Paco Disc Leather Cross-Body Bag is well-suited to party-frequenters.
The GLAMOUR Curated guide to the best designer crossbody bags:
Ahead, our full edit of the best designer crossbody bags to add to your collection.
Save when you shop for the best designer crossbody bags with our Net-A-Porter discount codes, Selfridges discount codes, Harvey Nichols discount codes and The Outnet discount codes.
For more from GLAMOUR’s Senior European Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
