At Who What Wear UK, we're specialists in spotting trends long before they happen, so if the number of editors in the office sporting the same COS crossbody bag last year taught us anything, it was that the leather crossbody bag is a new cult classic. All of the hallmarks are there—the practicality (your hands are free to juggle a myriad of tasks), the price point (you can find quality leather crossbody bags starting from around £80, so you don't need to spend three figures), and of course, the look (the leather crossbody is a minimalist's dream, and there's no better bag for every outfit than the sleek sling style).
Flash forward to 2024 and the COS crossbody is still a top seller, but so too is The Row's Banana bag and Loewe's Gate bag—a clear sign that the days of lugging around a heavy tote are well and truly over.
The next thing we knew, the high street was awash with crossbody styles, and designers are now investing even more heavily in luxe leather and sturdy styles that prove to be a sensible investment. But do crossbody bags really work with any outfit?
HOW INFLUENCERS ARE WEARING LEATHER CROSSBODY BAGS NOW
Style Notes: Brittany Bathgate keeps it tonal with a black St. Agni crossbody bag and an all-black outfit.
Style Notes: As soon as it gets cooler outside you're going to want to layer up, and the crossbody is the perfect handsfree bag for when you can't fit a small shoulder bag over your knit and fluffy coat.
Style Notes: Not all bags have to come supersized; Marilyn's mini bag is perfect for the days when you all you need are the essentials.
Style Notes: Trust Loewe to give us the ideal bag that can be worn crossbody, on the shoulder and held with the top handle. The dream day-to-night bag.
So if you're looking for a hardworking bag that not only carries all of your essentials but looks chic in the process, it's time to shelve your totes in favour of a leather crossbody. I promise you'll find it to be well worth its cost per wear. Cross my heart.
SHOP THE BEST LEATHER CROSSBODY BAGS:
The bag so famous it keeps coming back in new hues.
This slouchy crossbody is available in a range of colours.
*Drools in quiet luxury*.
Such an elegant iteration.
A bohemian dream.
Unbelievably luxe.
A minimalist dream bag.
I love the raffia detail.
This would be perfect for holidays.
An influencer favourite.
The designer alternative to the iconic COS style.
A designer classic.
I love this colour so much.
An influencer and editor favourite.
It'd be so easy to mistake this for a designer piece.
This texture is so cool.
The Sofia is sitting at the top of my wish list this year.
A great high-street option.
Loewe's Puzzle is a modern icon.
Green bags are going to be big news this season. You heard it here first!
Pure Noughties nostalgia.
This has long been on my wish list.
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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