How to wear a cross body bag

Advantages of a cross body bag

The key features of a cross body are its comfort and flexibility. No single shoulder or arm is ever burdened as the long strap crosses the body, keeping the bag close to you and leaving you with both hands conveniently free. Typically smaller in size than other types of bag, cross bodies are ideal for carrying around essentials like your phone, purse and keys, and as the bag sits close to your body, it keeps these items secure and within easy access. It makes an ideal companion for travelling and festivals.

The long strap is adjustable so that it can be worn across the torso, giving you hands-free wearability. But you can also shorten the strap and wear it as a shoulder bag, or vary the strap length to change where it sits on your body. Multiple pockets also add to their convenience.

So what is the best way to wear this hands-free hero? Well, we have a few styling tricks and tips to elevate your crossbody and get the most out of it. Allow our Fashion Stylist Lynda Bell to work her magic...

1. Switch up your strap

‘You can give your bag an instant update and a whole new lease of life just by replacing the existing bag strap with a new coloured, printed or textured alternative,’ recommends Lynda. ‘This quick switch not only adds variety, but you can choose a strap to tie in with the rest of your outfit, and even transform a winter bag into a more summery style.’

2. Adjust the length

‘In most of our shoots now, we have been making the straps of our cross body bags much shorter, so that they sit under the arm rather than at hip height,’ says Lynda. ‘This feels more utilitarian and also gives a new shape to your outfit.’ Wearing your bag this way incorporates the bag as part of your look rather than a separate accessory that tags on at the end.

3. Embrace the flexibility

‘Part of the love affair with cross bodies is how convertible they are,’ explains Lynda. ‘We have a whole range that you can mix and match with multiple strap options to suit your occasion and outfit. Smart, simple shoulder bags can be elevated with a chain strap; a mini bag with a grab handle can make an outfit more playful and you can get so much life out of a party clutch.’

4. Play with your palette

Think of your bag as a finishing touch to your overall outfit. ‘Then work out whether you’re going to keep the whole look tonal, or whether you want to play with an impactful pop of colour,’ suggests Lynda. ‘Do you want to hammer home the colour palette, sticking to one tone? Or do you fancy a punchy accent colour that stands out from and sets off your look? Take your pick!’

5. Make it your own

Get creative with your cross body to add your personal stamp to your look. ‘Experiment with tying a silky lightweight scarf or neckerchief around the end of the strap, or wrapping it all around a small handle,’ says Lynda. ‘You can have fun with small accessories too, attaching a novelty bag charm or keyring.’ And if you’re having trouble working out which bag works best, Lynda is fully supportive of maximalist styling, especially when it comes to our mini bags. ‘If you’ve fallen in love with one of our minis, why stop at one? Simply layer up with another colour pop!’