A quality, large crossbody bag for everyday use

[sammyvine]

Hi all,

I would like to treat myself to a good quality crossbody bag/shoulder bag for everyday use, but I don't know where to look. I prefer the bag to be large so that it can hold essentials items like my phone, a book and water bottle.

It has been a very long time since I have invested in a bag and my budget is £350. I want the bag to last a long time and hold up well, and I prefer dark colours such as black or navy blue.

Thank you.

i recently got one of these and really rate it. It’s slouchy but also sturdy if you know what I mean. Roomy enough for lots of junk but not so enormous that you wouldn’t take it out with fewer things too. British brand, nice colours.

https://apatchy.co.uk/search?q=harriet

Osprey. Good quality, lovely design and great sizes.

https://www.radley.co.uk/products/dukes-place-medium-compartment-cross-body-evenfall
I looked at this. fabulous colour too.

I just got a large Marc Jacobs cross body bag. It’s sturdy and fits a lot of stuff. There is a large range of cross body by MJ and feel it’s a good mid range brand that is a bit more modern than eg Radley and not as young as MK.

Mulberry Alexa. New out of budget but you could get a lovely one on vinted?

Riiiight. The Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hermes, Prada, Gucci etc. they currently have listed on line aren’t high end…..

It holds all this. What are you carrying?

Some lovely bags at Sézane:

https://www.sezane.com/en-en/collection/bags-wallets

Thanks for all the recommendations!
I am not looking at all your recommendations and trying to narrow them down to which ones I am going to buy!

I really like my Aarni crossbody bag. The leather is soooo soft.

I saw this one on another post

Where is this from? I like the look of it.

How is that small bag holding all of those items? Even if it is able to, the bag must be super cramped.

Just click on the image they posted. It's White Stuff. £65.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-crossbody-bag/p/clp22597445

My bad, thank you.

You're welcome! It's maybe not the high-end designer option you were after, though? I think White Stuff quality is decent enough but nothing out-of-the-ordinary?

I know you got a bit of a teasing from other posters for dismissing TK Maxx out of hand - but the stores that have "Gold Label" stock ie designer labels can be really good, you know? I have bought a few over the years that have been really great finds (from stores, before they developed a proper shopping website). All depends what they have in stock at any given time, of course - but they have some really lovely bags right now!!

APC is a great French brand &, if you like brown/tan, have a couple of large but not overly so crossbody bags extremely well-reduced on the TK Maxx site right now. Very classic too.

This one is 24x18x8cm, which will hold loads as an everyday bag - & £199 instead of £445!!

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/brown-leather-noisette-cross-body-bag/p/11122508

Also APC - same price, same savings, slightly different style - it's 20x16x7cm.

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/chocolate-brown-leather-noisette-cross-body-bag/p/11102300

Several APC ones (same as above) but in black .... (there are smaller ones too, but I've not linked them).

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/black-betty-noir-cross-body-bag/p/11102301

https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/handbags/black-leather-geneve-noir-crossbody-bag/p/11105831

I'm now seriously tempted by one of these APC ones myself ... 😬

I'd posted this before, which is similar to the White Stuff one in shape but is a more streamlined one. Black or brown. Excellent quality.

https://www.vagabond.com/gb/stockholm-bm08-001-31/

This Plumo one is lovely? £329.

https://www.plumo.com/products/otto-leather-bag?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22541079721&gbraid=0AAAAADltM06A73O7NE5MGAT_OqgND-nlj

I think the Plumo one is by
Handmade Luxury Leather Bags | Paula Kirkwood

I'm not that into bags but these are definitely tempting.

Thanks for that - I think!!! Now I want the Cora ...

Maybe it would suit you OP - can be worn crossbody & they say it's "large enough for the kitchen sink" ...!!! It's a beauty!

https://pkirkwood.com/shop/cora/

You're welcome @EleanorMc67 . Looked at the Plumo site because of the de-influencer thread. Had to look at the New In section. Saw the bag and it said it was made in Brighton.

Looks good quality, not an it bag, no tacky branding or cheap-looking hardware, and should age well. The brass hardware appeals to me.

I used to buy from it years ago - still have a gorgeous silk quilt I bought from there, & other homeware. The clothes are a bit hit & miss for me, depending on the label - but I've already saved a search on eBay for Paula Kirkwood bags! There are a few, but no Cora ... yet!

I'll subscribe to them too, as being a freelance designer now means my days of splurging that much on a bag are over ... poorer but much happier though!!