Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Crossbody, shoulder, or handheld bag?

26 replies

CottagePieLaLaLa · 18/04/2023 14:31

I am a huge shoulder bag fan. And I really dislike handheld ones (i.e. those bags with short straps) unless it's just going out for dinner and not having to carry it for hours. Lately I started using crossbody bags, small-ish ones, and love them. I love how practical they are (even though I miss being able to carry everything and the kitchen sink with me), but I don't really like the look.

I'd love to wear a soft, beautiful, slouchy suede boho bag again. But the thought of carrying that over my shoulder for hours now fills me with dread.

So what's your choice out of the three?

OP posts:
LadyLump · 18/04/2023 14:37

Crossbody every time for me

trickyfriendsone · 18/04/2023 14:44

Crossbody. Just more convenient

mac1974 · 18/04/2023 14:45

I switch between the two. I like a crossbody for ease but sometimes it can hurt my back a bit. I like slouchy shoulder bags too.

TheOGCCL · 18/04/2023 14:58

I feel a bit dated with a hand held bag, though it’s elegant imo.

I’m trying out wearing a bum bag around my body, like the Uniqlo ones. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/14/how-uniqlos-15-crossbody-bag-conquered-the-world

That’s what I see more and more people doing and very practical. Seems to work even over a big bust. I think it’s the natural follow on to cross body bags.

How Uniqlo’s £15 crossbody bag conquered the world

In this week’s newsletter: It wasn’t the catwalk or even influencers that made this the bestselling bag of 2022 – it was good old-fashioned word of mouth

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/14/how-uniqlos-15-crossbody-bag-conquered-the-world

Wenfy · 18/04/2023 15:01

I prefer bags that are crossbody and handheld at the same time. Similar to the cambridge satchel company ones.

ExtremelyDetermined · 18/04/2023 15:07

I use a small cross body a lot of the time, but for work where I need to carry a lot more stuff I have a large slouchy casual handheld with an extra cross body strap if I need to go hands-free for a bit (eg pop into the supermarket on the way home). I also have a larger more dressy shoulder bag for if I need both more capacity than the cross body one and smarter/smaller than the slouchy one. I am not noticing the bumbag as crossbody so much this year, it seemed to be everywhere last year. Everyone seems to be using the small crossbody ones with wide patterned straps here at the moment, usually a bit shorter with the bag at low-waist rather than hip height.

OrganicAlchemy · 18/04/2023 16:14

I cant get on with cross bodies as it obviously cuts across your clothes and always goes down the gap between my (kinda large) boobs! I go for packpacks now, you can get fancy/more glam ones. This is my every day miatui.com/collections/backpacks/products/maya-backpack-multiple-colours?variant=40469434531907 and has a little clip between the zips to stop people easily opening it :)

Original poster
CottagePieLaLaLa · 18/04/2023 16:52

TheOGCCL · 18/04/2023 14:58

I feel a bit dated with a hand held bag, though it’s elegant imo.

I’m trying out wearing a bum bag around my body, like the Uniqlo ones. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/14/how-uniqlos-15-crossbody-bag-conquered-the-world

That’s what I see more and more people doing and very practical. Seems to work even over a big bust. I think it’s the natural follow on to cross body bags.

Aren't they a pain to put on though with that short strap?

OP posts:
GBoucher · 18/04/2023 16:58

Handheld unless I have a huge amount to carry, in which case shoulder. The only crossbody I've worn is my school satchel up to the age of 5.

stopringingme · 18/04/2023 17:05

I cannot get on with shoulder bags.

I like a handheld or across body.

CatOnTheChair · 18/04/2023 17:16

Backpack....

sunshinesupermum · 18/04/2023 17:22

Cross body

LouisaMayAlcott · 18/04/2023 17:27

I have a slouchy hobo with everything and the kitchen sink in, but if I'm going somewhere and I'll only need a few bits then I use a crossbody camera bag I love being hands free. The hobo is inclined to slide off my shoulder sometimes.

TheOGCCL · 18/04/2023 17:39

@CottagePieLaLaLa No not at all, the strap length is not dissimilar to a cross body bag and normally adjustable.

mybeautifuloak · 18/04/2023 19:24

TheOGCCL · 18/04/2023 14:58

I feel a bit dated with a hand held bag, though it’s elegant imo.

I’m trying out wearing a bum bag around my body, like the Uniqlo ones. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/14/how-uniqlos-15-crossbody-bag-conquered-the-world

That’s what I see more and more people doing and very practical. Seems to work even over a big bust. I think it’s the natural follow on to cross body bags.

Hand held bags are not dated at all. They are more on trend than cross bodies now. CBS are so practical though that I think for some situations they are still going to work.

GettingStuffed · 18/04/2023 19:31

I always use a crossbody but beware if you're wearing buttons. I got on the bus the other day and as I say down I noticed my shirt buttons had come undone and I was talking my boobs at the other people getting on.

LeefPeeper · 18/04/2023 21:06

Cross body, hate having to hoick a shoulder bag up all the time. Have several different sizes. Wear a small one for work so I can I pop out for lunch with my phone purse etc, and a backpack for laptop, notebook lunch etc

Meredusoleil · 18/04/2023 21:23

Cross body bag for every day wear.

Laptop bag for work.

Backpack with handheld straps for day out.

ThePoetsWife · 18/04/2023 21:25

TheOGCCL · 18/04/2023 14:58

I feel a bit dated with a hand held bag, though it’s elegant imo.

I’m trying out wearing a bum bag around my body, like the Uniqlo ones. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/14/how-uniqlos-15-crossbody-bag-conquered-the-world

That’s what I see more and more people doing and very practical. Seems to work even over a big bust. I think it’s the natural follow on to cross body bags.

This.

Love mine and my teens have copied me and bought one as well.

Bimbom · 18/04/2023 21:35

The uniqlo bag is amazing, it fits so much inside, I've got 2.

NatashaDancing · 18/04/2023 21:43

Depends - hand held or cross body. Always cross body anywhere where there's any risk of bag snatching/ pick pockets.Not keen on shoulder bags.

Never back pack or rucksack.

Original poster
CottagePieLaLaLa · 19/04/2023 11:53

GettingStuffed · 18/04/2023 19:31

I always use a crossbody but beware if you're wearing buttons. I got on the bus the other day and as I say down I noticed my shirt buttons had come undone and I was talking my boobs at the other people getting on.

Oh yes! This happened to me once. Either nobody had noticed or they were very polite because I didn't catch anyone looking!

OP posts:
Original poster
CottagePieLaLaLa · 19/04/2023 11:54

The hobo is inclined to slide off my shoulder sometimes.

This. So annoying.

OP posts:
mac1974 · 21/04/2023 14:22

Thanks for the Uniqlo bag link. I've just ordered it. Got a weekend away next week so will be perfect for that x

Swipe left for the next trending thread