Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
Best crossbody bags to buy in 2023
Why carry your bag when you can wear it? These are the best crossbody bags to buy this year.
By Alice Cruickshank | Last updated Aug 14, 2023
While fashion trends change all the time, one piece that remains a classic is a crossbody bag. There’s a reason crossbody bags are so enduring: they leave both hands free for carrying groceries/herding children/scrolling Instagram and other essential tasks.
But practicality shouldn’t come at the expense of style so we’ve tracked down the best crossbody bags to buy to suit every outfit and occasion. And, particularly important during the cost of living crisis, prices to suit every pocket.
Here are the best crossbody bags to buy in 2023.
1. Best overall crossbody bag: Radley London Dukes Place Medium Zip-Top Crossbody Bag
Price: RRP £179 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Leather |Size: W23 x H17 x D6 cm
What we love
Plenty of zipped compartments
Stylish, classic design
What to know
It's a bit on the pricey side
Strap is narrower than other crossbody bags
What Mumsnet users say
"I've just bought a Radley crossbody bag & love it! It sits flat and can fit all required items" - Recommended by Mumsnetter Ladytinselmuff
Our verdict
We love a bag with lots of sneaky compartments and the Radley London Dukes Place crossbody bag is full of them. Although compact, this bag has plenty of space for your essentials (and not so essentials) with its two front pockets, two zip sections, middle compartment and inside zip pocket. We love the classic black leather option with contrasting gold hardware, and the tassel zip is a nice touch. While some people might prefer the comfort of a wider strap, the delicate crossbody strap on this bag makes it a great day-to-night bag.
2. Best budget crossbody bag: Myfriday Crossbody Phone Bag
Price: RRP £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Synthetic leather | Size: 19cm x 12cm x 6cm
What we love
Small and lightweight
Affordable option if you are looking for something small and simple
We we know
If you need to carry a lot of stuff, probably best to look elsewhere for a bigger bag
Our verdict
Sometimes all you need are the bare essentials, and this ingenious purse-bag by Myfriday is perfect for those occasions. You’ll find built-in card slots, a phone pocket, and extra space for your lippy and hand gel. This crossbody bag is equally suited for keeping your personal essentials close when you’re carrying a baby bag, and as a compact option when you’re out for the evening. This petite crossbody bag is available in 11 different shades to add a pop of colour to every outfit.
3. Best brown crossbody bag: Fossil Kinley crossbody bag
Price: RRP £110 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 18cm x 22cm x 7 cm
What we love
Hard-wearing
Lots of secure zipped sections
What to know
A bit more pricey than high stress alternatives
What Mumsnet users say
"Fossil would be my first recommendation. It looks as new as the day I got it" Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Shirazzam
Our verdict
A classic brown satchel will always be in style, and this compact version by Fossil is a wardrobe staple. Hidden under the traditional front flap is a separate pocket to keep important items like a phone or passport handy, while the rest of your essentials will fit in the spacious main compartment. An interior zip pocket keeps valuables secure too. The gold hardware and Fossil branding give this crossbody bag a sophisticated touch. While it may be more expensive than high street alternatives, the soft leather and quality craftsmanship means you’ll be using this bag for years to come.
4. Best black crossbody bag: Hush Albany Leather Bag
Price: RRP £110 | Buy now from Hush
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: W20cm x H15cm x D8cm
What we love
Soft and comfortable
Roomy interior
What to know
A little bit on the pricey side
Our verdict
Is there anything better than a spacious, soft and squishy leather bag? The Albany bag from Hush is the smaller iteration of its cult Angelina bag, and it feels as good as it looks with its buttery soft leather. We love the funky eyelet design of the adjustable crossbody strap. As well as a roomy main compartment you’ll find two front zip pockets to keep your bits and pieces organised.
5. Best large crossbody bag: Kipling Women's Gabbie S Crossbody
Price: RRP: £71 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Synthetic | Size: 22cm x 29cm x 16.5cm
What we love
Plenty of space and compartments for everything!
What to know
If you don't have much to carry, you may want to consider a smaller bag
What Mumsnet users say
"Kipling are great, lightweight, waterproof & last well" Recommended by Mumsnetter Roselily 36
"Kipling Gabbie, the larger one. I swear by them" Tried and tested by Mumsnet user justawoman
Our verdict
For those days when it feels like you’re carrying everything but the kitchen sink, the Kipling Gabbie crossbody bag is exactly what you need. Mumsnetters are big fans of this spacious and comfy canvas crossbody, and it’s easy to see why. There’s zip pockets to the front, sides, and rear of this bag, and the main compartment is plenty big enough for a folding umbrella or water bottle.
6. Best leather crossbody bag: Tory Burch Perry Bombe Mini Bag
Price: RRP £310 | Buy now from Tory Burch
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 11.5cm x 17.5cm x 6.8cm
What we love
Beautiful colour choice
Compact, but enough space for all the essentials
What to know
It's pretty pricey
What Mumsnet users say
"I have a beautiful Tory Burch crossbody bag. I liked it because it is lovely leather, has 2 pockets, a nice strap and is not a bag that everyone has. There are a selection of colours" - Annasgirl
Our verdict
The Perry Bombe by Tory Burch is a luxury leather crossbody bag in a range of cool colours. The pebbled leather and embossed branding add a touch of class to this practical everyday bag, and the two separate zip compartments are incredibly useful for keeping your essentials organised. While this bag is compact, it’s spacious enough for even the biggest of phones, and the removable crossbody strap means you can use it as a clutch, too.
7. Best canvas crossbody bag: Boden Canvas Crossbody Bag
Price: RRP £55 | Buy now from Boden
Key specs
Material: Cotton canvas | Size: 22cm x 16cm
What we love
Fun, bright print - also available in other bold designs
What to know
If you are after something a bit more muted, you may want to look elsewhere
Our verdict
Boden is known for its fun and colourful canvas bags, and this crossbody is an affordable everyday option. It has a bold, fun design and the wide pink and white crossbody strap is both stylish and comfortable. While this simple bag is small, there’s an internal zip pocket to keep your valuables secure.
How to buy the best crossbody bag
When deciding which crossbody bag to buy, you should consider the size and comfort of the strap to get the most use out of your bag. While a neutral colour is more versatile, choosing a colourful option can add a stylish element to your outfit.
What can you fit into a crossbody bag?
Generally crossbody bags are compact for comforts’ sake, but you may be surprised how much you can fit inside them. You should be able to fit everyday essentials like a phone, debit cards, and a lipstick with ease. Look for a crossbody bag with external zip pockets for extra room.
Are crossbody bags bad for your back?
Bags that sit on one side of your body can cause back pain and other discomfort. To prevent this, avoid overfilling your bag.
What is the best crossbody bag to buy?
We evaluated crossbody bags for style, comfort, and quality. We decided the Radley London Dukes Place Medium Zip-Top Cross Body Bag is the best bag to buy due to its multiple compartments and classic style.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like real recommendations from real parents, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which crossbody bags discerning Mumsnet users had bought. We compiled a list of crossbody bags they recommended, noting how practical they found them, and whether they were particularly good for any certain needs.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which crossbody bags had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers’ reviews said about them.
Having collated all that information, we picked the crossbody bags we thought would make the best buys in several interest categories.
About the author
Alice Cruickshank is a content creator, with experience covering topics from parenting, business, fashion, and environmentalism. When she's not writing or making fun Instagram Reels, Alice works to inspire women to love their wardrobe and wear the colourful outfits of their dreams. You'll find her (and her vibrant wardrobe) at Styled by Alice and on Instagram.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.