12 luxury crossbody bags built for everyday wear

Advice from your tester

My credentials are that I'm based in New York, and am constantly putting my collection of crossbodies to the test on crowded subway cars, busy checkout lines, and walks in the park. This is to be sure their design and construction can match the pace of daily life in the city. Living here also means I'm witness to the parade of well-dressed people flowing through the streets, so I have front-row seat to the most current handbag trends.

In conversation with my fellow style editors (plus some lurking on r/handbags and various style Substacks), here are some lesser-known brands we agree make excellent luxury crossbody bags:

• Parisa Wang: It partners with the same manufacturer that's worked with Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and Celine.
• DeMellier London: This brand's design language is the epitome of quiet luxury. I also can't get over how good the embossed leather smells.
• KAAI: Each bag is lined with a blue suede that is the softest suede you will ever feel. It's great protection if I'm carrying something delicate, like wire-rimmed sunglasses or a naked iPhone.
• Strathberry: These structured, Spanish-made bags are fit for royals (among others), and they have some of the best color variety in the fine leather goods game.

Best overall: Parisa Wang Gabrielle 27

What we love: The wide main compartment is flanked by well-placed slip pockets for easy organization. This bag is like if The Row's Margaux came at a fairer price.

Drawbacks: It doesn't lie flat, so it's not ideal to pack in a suitcase.

I brought along this luxury crossbody bag from Parisa Wang when I traveled to Rhode Island for my best friend's wedding. Parisa Wang partners with artisans who typically work with top luxury brands like The Row and Prada, and you can tell by the elite craftsmanship. It starts at the very bottom with tiny gold feet that protects the yummy chocolate suede from coming into contact with the floor.

On its sides are slip pockets that snap shut on their own with a satisfying magnetic closure, and inside is a wide main compartment where you can easily fit a variety of bulbous items (overpackers rejoice). The long strap is removable, so I carried it is as a handbag anytime I wasn't wearing it slung over my shoulder.

The Gabrielle comes in two larger sizes, as described by style editor Samantha Crozier in our guide to the best work bags for women. "The Gabrielle 35 looks and feels like the ultra-coveted suede Margaux bag from The Row, which will run you $5K or more," she writes. '"But dare I say that the Gabrielle is cuter?"

Best boxy: DeMellier Vancouver

What we love: It weighs just over a pound, and the embossed Italian leather contrasts beautifully against its unique clasp.

Drawbacks: The edge paint peels at the flap joints, and it's too narrow to fit more than the essentials.

The sleek, boxy shape of the Vancouver reminds me of an Hermès Constance or the Celine Classic. Its rigid structure is well reinforced by layers of support materials enveloped in small-grain Italian leather, which is coated in a heavy embossed finish.

I found it very lightweight and comfortable to carry for a bag this size (9 inches wide, 7 inches tall). You can also adjust the strap to wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody, so it gets even more points for versatility.

I got the Dark Taupe with Ecru Stitching, and the color looks just as rich in person as it does in photos. The only material flaw I found was some weak coating on the edge paint, which starts to peel when you open the flap all the way.

The Vancouver's interior lined with cotton, making it easy to clean. The inside is pretty minimal — besides the main compartment, there's just one zippered pocket and slip pocket. I'd prefer if it had one more on the outside, since it's too narrow to carry more than my bare necessities.

The main event of this bag is the double bar clasp, which keeps the bag closed and secure. All the hardware details are polished with a reflective, scratch-resistant finish, but not in a way that looks too brassy or shiny. You have to use both hands to undo the lock, which is a bit of a nuisance if you're trying to access your phone in a hurry.

Overall, I'd say DeMellier London has created another classic with the Vancouver. It's timelessly sophisticated, with just the right amount of unique embellishments to stand on its own.

Best multitasker: Parker Thatch Daily Bag

What we love: This generously-sized bag packs flat and has a smart pass-through front pocket that fits an umbrella, scarf, or (very thin) sweater.

Drawbacks: The crossbody straps are sold separately. I recommend skipping the paracord strap in favor of one that's easier to adjust.

This luxe crossbody is way lighter than it looks and fit a ton without weighing me down. It has a very wide base, almost like a mini duffel, so it's easy to plop atop a suitcase while traveling. The spacious main compartment has one drop pocket for easy access to my phone, wallet, and keys, but the thing that really drew me to the Daily Bag is the pass-through front pocket.

In reality it's only wide enough for an umbrella or very light top layer, but I could see it being very useful for parents who are juggling all their kids' belongings along with their own. The lightweight leather feels soft and malleable, and lately I've been using it as my grab-and-go bag that I can pull on and stuff without worrying about what'll fit.

I chose the Paracord Strap based on looks, but it quickly revealed my weak knot-tying skills. Unless you're a sailor, you'll have a much easier time with one of the wider Adjustable Crossbody Straps.

If I could change anything about the Daily Bag, I would make the hand-carry strap a shoulder strap and lighten the color of the fleecy interior ( I learned from carrying my Hammitt Kyle Crossbody that it's easier to see inside a red lined bag than a navy one).

See another one of our favorite Parker Thatch bags in our guide to the best luxury totes.

Best minimalist: Longchamp Le Foulonné S Crossbody Bag

What we love: The bag fits much more than we expected, and it has an understated crescent shape that's easy to style.

Drawbacks: The leather pulls if you're carrying too many bulky items at once.

"Longchamp is known for its classic nylon totes, but the brand also has some really elegant leather bags we've come to love. There's a mini leather version of its signature bag which is instantly recognizable, but for a more 'quiet luxury' approach, we prefer this understated crescent bag.

The Foulonné's design is so simple and elegant. It's not trying to be flashy, but the craftsmanship is excellent and you know it's a luxurious bag when you feel the leather. Unlike Polène's crescent-shaped bag, this one relies on streamlined detailing. The oval gold buckle allows you to adjust the strap and adds a little bit of interest to the bag without screaming at you.

It's nice to know that I can carry it a little tighter against my body for secure travel, or let the strap down for more casual outings. It even features a small hoop on the buckle that you can attach a (very thin) bag charm to.

This bag carries way more than it looks like it can hold. I was able to fit a phone with a thick wallet case, a bottle of hand cream, several lip products, a pack of tissues, my small pill case, and a claw clip for my hair. When the bag is packed full, you can see some of the pulling in the leather, but I didn't mind that at all because it just showed how flexible the bag is for oddly shaped items." — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews

Best for travel: Lo & Sons Aoyama 2

What we love: The convertible straps lets you wear it three different ways, it has a clever vertical pocket, and it stowed neatly under an airplane seat.

Drawback: The Ivory colorway stained easily.

The Aoyama 2 is our favorite travel purse because it's actually three bags in one. You can convert it to a shoulder bag, clutch, or crossbody with its smart buckled straps. I brought it with me as my personal item on a flight to Florida, and ended up wearing it throughout my entire trip while hiking and attending a wedding rehearsal dinner.

Travel writer Maria Yagoda flew with hers on a 19-hour flight from New York to the Maldives. "The interior organization is elite," she writes. "The Aoyama 2 has many smart internal pockets, including mesh ones so you can see what's inside without rummaging. As an inherently disorganized person, these made it easy to keep everything (lip gloss, passport, pens, a book, gum) in its proper place. Inside are four webbed pockets, one zip pocket, and three card slots. The zippered external pouch for my phone also cut down on rummaging time."

Read more in our full Lo & Sons Aoyama 2 review.

Best edgy: Hammitt Kyle Med

What we love: It packs flat, so it's easy to travel with. It also comes with two straps, letting you wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

Drawbacks: The interior lacks compartments besides its single card sleeve.

It's a rare I ever find a luxury crossbody bag that's both alternative and elevated, but the Hammitt Kyle Med fits that aesthetic perfectly. I've lived in New York for seven years, during which my personal style has evolved from hokey transplant to "edgy with a corporate job." A structured pocketbook with brassy hardware works great at brunch, but come nighttime, I love how this loosely structured, moto-inspired bag looks with a leather jacket and some spiky boots.

First off, this bag is the perfect size for everyday wear. It comes with two detachable straps, so you can easily convert it from an adjustable crossbody to shoulder bag. In the rear is a long zippered pocket for your phone and wallet, and on the front there's a diagonal one to add some intrigue. Inside it's lined red cotton twill, which makes it much easier for me to see what's in my bag (even on a dark dance floor).

I've worn this bag clubbing from Brooklyn to Berlin, and the supple pebbled leather has held up beautifully. It's incredibly soft and smooth, and because it packs flat, you can easily bring it on a trip. Hammitt's signature rivets make it stand out against mainstream designer bags, yet it's as functional as it is cool.

Best trendy: Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Double Bag

What we love: The belted accent feels current, and the double compartments keep your items separated.

Drawbacks: It's too small to fit more than the basics.

Tory Burch debuted the Lee Radziwill line in 2018, but it's had a big comeback lately in tandem with the belted handbag trend. These bags cost between $520 and $1,320 each and can be found in Napa leather, suede, pebbled leather, and croc-embossed leather.

Burch named this trending crossbody bag after socialite Caroline "Lee" Radzwill, the younger sister of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. This petite style really deserves to be called a pocketbook, due to its miniature size and square shape. The lock-and-key hardware details give it a more modern flair, and as with many of our favorite luxury crossbody bags, it comes with tiny metal feet on the bottom to protect its base.

Best for work: Strathberry Tote

What we love: The music bar hardware detail and its gold feet that kept its bottom clean.

Drawbacks: It doesn't contain a padded laptop sleeve.

This brand is literally fit for royals, as it's been spotted on Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. It's not a traditional work bag — you won't find a padded laptop sleeve or built-in tech compartments — but the Strathberry Tote is considered a holy grail over on the Reddit's r/handbags forum as a luxury office purse.

The mid-tier luxury brand has a reputation for delivering exceptional materials and meticulous construction at a price that, while still a splurge, feels justified in the luxury space. Each Strathberry bag takes an artisan at least 20 hours to complete, and that care is evident the moment you see it up close. The stitching is precise, the leather feels rich and substantial, and the suede lining is soft to the touch.

Its signature music bar hardware is weighty, polished, and unmistakably luxe — the kind of detail that elevates even the simplest outfit. It also comes in Midi and Mini sizes.

Best sporty: Kaai Rebel Crossbody

What we love: The interior suede lining is softer than any suede we've ever felt.

Drawbacks: It's too narrow to fit anything bulky.

"KAAI's Rebel Crossbody is the Rolex of functional purses," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. The Belgian brand created this luxury crossbody bag with a unique, asymmetrical design and a long strap that can easily fit over a puffy jacket.

"Like all of KAAI's beautifully made bags, it's lined with a blue suede material that feels luxurious to the touch. On the outside, the single-source leather is treated to be resistant to weather and stains. This is super important to me, since I wouldn't carry a bag this nice outside without trusting how well the leather can stand up to the elements. But all my KAAI bags have remained like-new, even though they're some of my most used pieces," continues Samantha.

"The only issue with this bag is that it is relatively narrow and structured, so you won't be able to stuff it," she advises. "A phone, wallet, lipstick, and keys fit perfectly, but anything bulky or irregular would prevent the bag from closing."

Best slouchy: Clare V. Moyen Messenger

What we love: It comes with two straps and has a relaxed shape that stretched around bulky items.

Drawbacks: It only has a single interior pocket.

I tested the Petite version of one of Clare V's bestselling styles, the Moyen Messenger. The Petit is one of my favorite crossbody bags I own, but the larger size has a more practical advantage with the same relaxed, woven leather look. And I know this bag is a hot commodity because sure enough, Quince has its own dupe.

Clare V. is a Los Angeles-based brand that makes what I call 'character bags.' You can build an outfit around them and make them your own with their extensive collection of interchangeable straps. I'm not a huge bag charm person myself, but the D-rings on this luxury crossbody make it the perfect backdrop for colorful key chains.

The medium-sized Moyen Messenger comes with two straps, so you can wear it as a shoulder bag or a crossbody. It has a slouchy, curved construction like the hobo bags that are making a return. Even better: the soft, flexible leather lies flat, so I'm easily able to pack it in my carry-on.

Read more in our full Clare V. review.

Best crescent: Polène Numéro Dix

What we love: The flared base let us store wider items at the bottom, and the strap adjusts so you can wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

Drawbacks: The smooth leather was prone to scratches.

I was inspired to test out this style when I was getting ready to go out with my friend, and she asked me if my bag was a Polène. In fact, it was from Quince. But when a Quince dupe can pass for French luxury, it makes me skeptical that the real deal could be any good to begin with.

Instead, I was happily proven wrong. The 'Cognac' shade of the Numéro Dix is the perfect color for people who wear similar gourmand shades like chocolate and almond. It's made with a single panel of structured, full-grain leather that has a deliciously rich sheen.

It also beats out the Quince dupe in terms of storage capacity. Because the crescent shape has a flared base, I can fill it from the bottom up with my everyday carry. I've only worn mine as a crossbody or shoulder bag, but it also converts to a belt bag and the adjustable strap extension means it can fit a tall frame. There's now a JW Pei dupe of the same style.

The real Numéro Dix feels worth the splurge because it's a true heritage piece and the materials are primed to age gracefully. The simple, stylish shape puts an elevated twist on the contemporary saddle silhouette.

Best mini: Milaner The Grazia Mini Woven Bag

What we love: It's so lightweight that we've worn it as a wristlet.

Drawback: It's too tiny to fit more than the basics.

"Despite its teeny-tiny silhouette, this miniature crossbody can hold a surprising amount of items," writes freelance style reporter Talia Ergas. If you're getting your looks together for vacation season, Talia found the artisan-made Milaner Grazia Mini to be the perfect little clutch for tying your whole outfit together.

"My iPhone fits effortlessly across the bottom, and there's plenty of room for my sunglasses, a small wallet, and some odds and ends like mints and a chapstick," Talia writes. "I love this hand-woven leather bag because it has the elegance of a clutch with the ease and comfort of a crossbody bag. The strap is removable, though, which is convenient for occasions when I might prefer to swap in its shorter strap for a wristlet."

FAQs on luxury crossbody bags

What makes a crossbody bag "luxury"?

You can tell a luxury crossbody bag by its intuitive design details, artisan-level craftsmanship, and longevity. Our favorites are typically made from high-quality leather and feature layered edge paint, precise stitching, and durable hardware with scratch-resistant polish.

What's the best size for a luxury crossbody bag?

Between small and medium is best if you want something to comfortably weigh on your shoulder. A small bag that's about 8 inches wide will fit only the essentials, but will feel more streamlined to carry. Medium crossbody bags of about 14 inches offer a bit more space for a small tablet or a bulky sunglasses case.

Why invest in a luxury crossbody bag instead of a more affordable one?

A luxury crossbody bag typically uses higher-quality materials (full-grain leather, suede lining, and solid metal accents) that hold up significantly better over time. Cheaper bags will instead use bonded leather or flimsy hardware that can peel, scratch, or tarnish quickly. If you carry a bag daily, think about in terms of cost-per-wear. The durability of a luxury crossbody bag will prove itself in the long run.

What makes a luxury crossbody bag better than other purse styles?

Crossbodies are already practical by design — they keep your hands free, and many of our favorites can be converted into a shoulder bag. A luxury version elevates that functionality with easy-to-carry proportions, reinforced stitching, smooth straps that don't dig into your shoulder, and scratch-resistant, water-repellent materials.

Is a luxury crossbody bag still worth it if I don't carry much?

As someone who used to try and carry everything in my pockets, I found that luxury crossbody bags are the easiest gateway into stylish personal organization — especially if you prefer a lighter load. A well-designed crossbody prioritizes smart compartments and a streamlined shape, so you don't feel the bulk as you go about your business.

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