Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Cross body or shoulder bag - which do you prefer?

26 replies

pussinboots61 · 07/02/2015 18:38

I have a cross body bag but rarely wear it across my body because it tends to pull on my clothes and make them look not straight if you know what I mean, yet I do find these bags handy for keeping my hands free. I prefer the look of shoulder bags though, which do you use?

OP posts:
Trills · 07/02/2015 18:41

Shoulder, but the strap has to be long enough that I can pick it up and put it over my shoulder with one arm (so a big enough gap to get my elbow through, if you see what I mean).

Greengardenpixie · 07/02/2015 18:45

well if you are pushing a pram then across the body. For many years i found this type of bag really handy with kids. I got fed up with across the body and am now into slouchy shoulder hobo bags.

Comito · 07/02/2015 18:47

Most of my bags are shoulder, but I have one cross-body messenger type bag which I use if I know I want my hands free or if I'm going somewhere dodgy.

Purplecircle · 07/02/2015 18:50

Always cross body. Now more of a satchel type but I have the pe of shoulders that bags fall off.
Across the body means hands free Smile

ChippyMinton · 07/02/2015 18:54

Both. Shoulder bag for everyday, but like Comito, I have a one with a long strap for when I need hands-free.

MsMcWoodle · 07/02/2015 19:12

Has to be cross body cos of the dog. I have visions of myself looking more ladylike but realistically it's not going to happen.

SASASI · 07/02/2015 22:46

I Go through phases of both but at the min it's crossbody. I love river island ones but yearning for a Fossil one.

WhereIsMyFurryHat · 07/02/2015 23:04

Recently I've managed to buy bags that have hand straps and over shoulder straps which makes the pram/ no pram issue and non issue.

DontKillMyVibe · 07/02/2015 23:18

Shoulder. Cross body's don't seem to sit right over my boobs

samesizetoes · 08/02/2015 07:34

Cross body, but usually only in the summer. During the winter I'll use my pockets in my coats. I don't carry too much stuff around with me on a day to day basis.

Artandco · 08/02/2015 07:39

Cross body. I have lots so can change around. Most very nice ' designer' as it were ones.

I'm not pushing prams anymore, but both 3 and 5 so have to hold hands most the time,and still have sleepy carries of youngest when tired

RingtheBells · 08/02/2015 07:40

Depends where I am going, cross body bags are more thief proof if you are going to busy shopping centres or tourist attractions. I saw someone have a bag snatched off her shoulder by someone going past in a car on holiday and I always think of this Sad It wouldn't have happened with a cross body bag.
If I am just going out in the car to a pub/restaurant I will use a shoulder bag.

Nolim · 08/02/2015 07:43

Cross body every time. I need my hands!

NickiFury · 08/02/2015 07:43

Cross body. I like having my hands entirely free and be worried about my bag falling off my shoulder.

chanie44 · 08/02/2015 09:01

Shoulder bag - I always feel a bit 'mumsy' in across the body bags, but I do like them when we go on trips with the children.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 08/02/2015 09:08

Cross body with short handles, so I carry it in my hand or over my arm most of the time, but can change to cross body or shoulder if I need to. I'm past the pram/toddler stage.

I agree about cross body spoiling the line of clothes, but they are better for posture, you see so many people walking with one shoulder higher than the other to keep a bag on it.

Footle · 08/02/2015 09:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trills · 08/02/2015 10:32

A cross body bag is sill only being held up by one shoulder though?

Footle · 08/02/2015 10:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SecretNutellaFix · 08/02/2015 11:02

Cross body- If I use a shoulder bag my back is aching after a short time due to the position I have to hold my shoulder to keep the thing from slipping off.

Trills · 08/02/2015 11:07

I fine that the strap of a cross-body bag (if it's one with a thin strap, not a big messenger-style laptop bag) sits in a more "digging in" sort of position on my shoulder than a shoulder bag does.

Shoulder bags stay on me without any noticeable effort.

Cross-body bags also stay on, but I feel they dig in near my neck.

Maybe I have oddly-shaped shoulders?

Kleptronic · 08/02/2015 11:13

Cross body or I leave the bloody things behind.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 08/02/2015 11:30

Shoulder bags (the type that sit up under your arm don't stay on my shoulders at all, I either have to hunch the shoulder or keep the arm bent up and hold it up with my thumb. Ones with a single long strap that hang right down to your hip (that is cross body bags) stay put better, but they tend to swing off as you walk. I often see women with their bag shoulder hunched up noticeably compared to the other one.

Bodicea · 08/02/2015 11:57

Shoulder mainly because cross body looks awful on me due to my ample bust.

CatsClaus · 08/02/2015 12:01

I try really hard to like shoulder bags but I just can't get on with them....seem to spend my life picking them up, putting them down, no room at checkouts to rummage in them, constantly hoiking them back onto my shoulder, or having them cut my elbow off if I carry them like VB

So it's cross body, satchelly, messengery bags for me.

Swipe left for the next trending thread