Look, Ma! No hands! Go everywhere — and wear anything — with these versatile crossbody bags. (L.L.Bean, Mansur Gavriel, Coach, Cuyana)(L.L.Bean, Mansur Gavriel, Coach, Cuyana)
Maybe it’s the fashion writer in me, but handbags are my weakness. Don’t get me wrong — I love a roomy travel purse or a chic clutch for a night out. But when it comes to everyday wear, nothing beats a great crossbody bag. It’s the ultimate blend of form and function, allowing me to go hands-free while juggling everything from dog walking to snapping photos and texting.
In my opinion, the best crossbody bags are the ones that are as functional as they are stylish — and I’m not the only one who thinks so. I polled my fellow editors for their go-to picks and compiled a list of favorites across styles, brands and price points. We’re talking smart designs with multiple pockets, travel-friendly options you can toss in the wash and even a charming under-$20 find you’ll want in every color.
Update, July 28, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best crossbody bag remains unchanged.
You've probably seen L.L.Bean's iconic canvas totes over the years, but did you know the brand makes a cute crossbody version of its most popular bag? Shopping Director Jeanine Edwards did, and she says it's one of her favorite styles for everyday wear. "I love that it's lightweight to wear all day running errands and that I don't have to worry about it getting scuffed up like leather would."
The carryall is big enough to fit all her daily essentials, plus a book. It comes in four classic colors and can be monogrammed for a personal touch. The crossbody strap is adjustable, and two top handles offer an easy grab-and-go option. A zipper closure keeps contents safe and secure, and the bag is machine-washable. "It's made from L.L.Bean's famous canvas, which is super durable but not heavy," Jeanine says. Traveling soon? This is a bag to consider, she adds: "The beauty of a canvas bag is you can easily flatten/squash it to fit in your suitcase."
How chic is this Coach crossbody? Well, it's more than a pretty face. "It's amazing how much I can fit in this little bag," raves Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity. "I regularly carry around my wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, Kindle, hand sanitizer and lip balm." The bag has three sections inside, plus one zippered pocket and a slip pocket on the back to keep your items organized. A turn-lock closure keeps everything from spilling out.
The best part? You can wear this stunner a variety of ways, thanks to the three straps that come with it (a longer leather strap, a shorter leather strap and a gold chain strap). "I love how versatile this bag is. I wear it with the longer strap when I'm running errands, but opt for the shorter ones when I'm heading out at night," Amanda says. "If I don't want to switch bags for a nicer occasion, I simply swap out the leather strap for the gold chain."
This under-$20 purse proves you don't have to drop a ton of cash on a durable crossbody bag. AOL Commerce Editor Kate Ellsworth has had this budget-friendly style for over four years and says it still looks as good as new. "I've taken it everywhere — flying, shopping, bar hopping, even hiking. It's small, but carries quite a bit more than you'd expect, all without making you feel like you're carrying a ton on your shoulder."
Despite its small size, this bag includes six built-in credit card slots, an interior zippered coin pocket, two large zippered pockets and a dedicated smartphone pocket. Additionally, it comes with a removable crossbody strap, a removable wristlet strap and a belt loop, allowing you to wear it in several different ways. There are nine styles, ranging from classic brown and black to florals and pastels.
Jeanine has owned this chic Mansur Gavriel for over five years and has it in three colors. "It's one of the best bags I own, one of my absolute favorites," she says. It features a magnetic flap closure and an adjustable leather strap that Jeanine says is super comfortable. "This is one of the main reasons I splurged on this bag. The strap isn't thin (or metal), so it doesn't dig into my shoulder at all." She also says it's not heavy, even with stuff in it, so it won't weigh you down. "Obviously, it's very expensive, but worth the splurge in my opinion, and I hope it will last forever."
The bag has a small slip pocket inside to store smaller items like lip balm and keys, so you don't have to search for them in the roomy main compartment. While Jeanine says it isn't hard to keep the bag clean, she did note that it can "scratch/scuff easily if I'm not careful because the leather is so soft. I've convinced myself that's part of the appeal though."
Senior Health Writer Laura Williams knows a thing or two about activewear, which makes her favorite crossbody bag from Athleta a natural choice. "This is an ideal 'go anywhere' crossbody for daily use," she explains. "It's casual, so not something you'd want to use when you're going out, but perfect for running errands, using as a minimalist gym bag or taking with you on a walk." The bag is made from water-repellent fabric, features a removable and fully adjustable strap, and is available in four colors: green, red, white and black.
"I used to only carry an oversized shoulder bag, but I got tired of how it always seemed to become a catch-all for trash and more kids' items than I wanted to carry around. I switched to this crossbody a few months back and haven't missed my shoulder bag one bit," Laura says. She adds that the bag holds more than she expected but still encourages her to focus on the essentials. "I can fit a wallet, keys, phone, a small tablet, a few snacks for kids, chapstick and even my computer charger, but can't use it as a carryall for my computer or other kids' toys/supplies"
I've been using this Cuyana sling bag as my go-to purse for the past few months, and I'm obsessed. Its simple design makes it easy to pair with any kind of outfit, and it looked just as good when I wore it in preppy Nantucket as it did in tropical Florida. The wide strap is adjustable, so I can make it as long or short as I want, and it's spacious enough to hold essentials as well as extras like my iPad mini and a book, making it ideal for travel.
The bag features two interior pockets to keep smaller items organized, plus a discreet buttoned pocket at the back for quick access to my phone. I love how lightweight it is — I never feel like it's pulling my shoulder down, no matter how much I stuff it. I also love that it's sustainably made with 100% recycled plastic. Best of all, it's machine-washable — a must for germophobes like me who want to clean their bag after every trip.
If you're looking for a stylish crossbody that can transition from day to night, Trending Writer Ellie Conley recommends this chic clutch from Anthropologie. "It's versatile enough to wear with jeans and a T-shirt during the day or with a dress and heels for a party at night," she says. She also points out that the woven design looks very similar to high-end designer styles. "It gives some obvious Bottega Veneta vibes for a mere fraction of the price."
"I can fit my phone, wallet, a small setting powder palette, lip gloss and my keys in this bag — pretty much anything I need for a day or night out," Ellie says. The bag comes with two straps: a matching faux leather option and a pretty gold chain. Both are removable, so you can use the bag as a clutch when you really need to dress up.
Senior Commerce Editor Rory Halperin has long been a fan of Marc Jacobs' quilted totes and duffel bags. Over a year ago, she swapped the larger carryalls for this adorable crossbody in the same fabric and hasn't looked back. "It has the same look and feel as my favorite MJ tote, but the hands-free aspect is what I'm all about these days," she says.
Rory adds that the bag holds a lot, while its sleek black color allows her to wear it for almost any occasion. "The little wonder fits all the essentials and I literally take it everywhere — traveling, running errands, walking in the park, going out to dinner." The padded strap is easily adjustable, and while Rory notes that the soft polyester fabric can get a bit dirty, it's easy to spot clean with a little soap and water or a wipe.
Materials: Cotton canvas | Colors: Black | Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 5.5 inches
You've probably seen L.L.Bean's iconic canvas totes over the years, but did you know the brand makes a cute crossbody version of its most popular bag? Shopping Director Jeanine Edwards did, and she says it's one of her favorite styles for everyday wear. "I love that it's lightweight to wear all day running errands and that I don't have to worry about it getting scuffed up like leather would."
The carryall is big enough to fit all her daily essentials, plus a book. It comes in four classic colors and can be monogrammed for a personal touch. The crossbody strap is adjustable, and two top handles offer an easy grab-and-go option. A zipper closure keeps contents safe and secure, and the bag is machine-washable. "It's made from L.L.Bean's famous canvas, which is super durable but not heavy," Jeanine says. Traveling soon? This is a bag to consider, she adds: "The beauty of a canvas bag is you can easily flatten/squash it to fit in your suitcase."
Materials: Faux leather | Colors: Black, brown, white, navy, teal | Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 5 inches
This under-$20 purse proves you don't have to drop a ton of cash on a durable crossbody bag. AOL Commerce Editor Kate Ellsworth has had this budget-friendly style for over four years and says it still looks as good as new. "I've taken it everywhere — flying, shopping, bar hopping, even hiking. It's small, but carries quite a bit more than you'd expect, all without making you feel like you're carrying a ton on your shoulder."
Despite its small size, this bag includes six built-in credit card slots, an interior zippered coin pocket, two large zippered pockets and a dedicated smartphone pocket. Additionally, it comes with a removable crossbody strap, a removable wristlet strap and a belt loop, allowing you to wear it in several different ways. There are nine styles, ranging from classic brown and black to florals and pastels.
"It's chic, featuring a faux leather exterior that doesn't chip or scuff like other cheap fabrics do," Kate adds. "It holds up well against car doors, baby fingers, and being shoved into other bags."
Materials: Polyester | Colors: Black, teal | Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 2 inches
Senior Health Editor Laura Williams knows a thing or two about activewear, which makes her favorite crossbody bag from Athleta a natural choice. "This is an ideal 'go anywhere' crossbody for daily use," she explains. "It's casual, so not something you'd want to use when you're going out, but perfect for running errands, using as a gym bag or taking with you on a walk." The bag is made from water-repellent fabric, features a removable and fully adjustable strap, and is available in four colors: green, red, white and black.
"I used to only carry an oversize shoulder bag, but I got tired of how it always seemed to become a catch-all for trash and more kids' items than I wanted to carry around. I switched to this crossbody a few months back and haven't missed my shoulder bag one bit," Laura says. She adds that the bag holds more than she expected, but still encourages her to focus on the essentials. "I can fit a wallet, keys, phone, a small tablet, a few snacks for kids, chapstick and even my computer charger, but can't use it as a carryall for my computer or other kids' toys/supplies"
Materials: Pebble leather | Colors: Black, blue, white | Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.25 x 3.25 inches
How chic is this Coach crossbody? Well, it's more than a pretty face. "It's amazing how much I can fit in this little bag," raves Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity. "I regularly carry around my wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, Kindle, hand sanitizer and lip balm." The bag has three sections inside, plus one zippered pocket and a slip pocket on the back to keep your items organized. A turn-lock closure keeps everything from spilling out.
The best part? You can wear this stunner a variety of ways, thanks to the three straps that come with it (a longer leather strap, a shorter leather strap and a gold chain strap). "I love how versatile this bag is. I wear it with the longer strap when I'm running errands, but opt for the shorter ones when I'm heading out at night," Amanda says. "If I don't want to switch bags for a nicer occasion, I simply swap out the leather strap for the gold chain."
The pebbled leather bag is on the pricey side at nearly $300, but Amanda told us it's well worth the price. She's had it over a year and a half and "it's held up so well — there are no signs of wear and tear, no scuffs, nothing. It's worth every penny."
Materials: Polyester | Colors: Black | Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 4 inches
Senior Commerce Editor Rory Halperin has long been a fan of Marc Jacobs' quilted totes and duffel bags. Over a year ago, she swapped the larger carryalls for this adorable crossbody in the same fabric and hasn't looked back. "It has the same look and feel as my favorite MJ tote, but the hands-free aspect is what I'm all about these days," she says.
Rory adds that the bag holds a lot, while its sleek black color allows her to wear it for almost any occasion. "The little wonder fits all the essentials and I literally take it everywhere — traveling, running errands, walking in the park, going out to dinner." The padded strap is easily adjustable, and while Rory notes that the soft polyester fabric can get a bit dirty, it's easy to spot clean with a little soap and water or a wipe.
Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, brandy, canvas | Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.5 x 1.9 inches
Jeanine has owned this chic Mansur Gavriel for over five years and has it in three colors. "It's one of the best bags I own, one of my absolute favorites," she says. It features a magnetic flap closure and an adjustable leather strap that Jeanine says is super comfortable. "This is one of the main reasons I splurged on this bag. The strap isn't thin (or metal), so it doesn't dig into my shoulder at all." She also says it's not heavy, even with stuff in it, so it won't weigh you down. "Obviously, it's very expensive, but worth the splurge in my opinion, and I hope it will last forever."
The bag has a small slip pocket inside to store smaller items like lip balm and keys, so you don't have to search for them in the roomy main compartment. While Jeanine says it isn't hard to keep the bag clean, she did note that it can "scratch/scuff easily if I'm not careful because the leather is so soft. I've convinced myself that's part of the appeal though."
Materials: Recycled plastic | Colors: Black, cappuccino | Dimensions: 9.5 x 16 x 4.5 inches
I've been using this Cuyana sling bag as my go-to purse for the past few months, and I'm obsessed. Its simple design makes it easy to pair with any kind of outfit, and it looked just as good when I wore it in preppy Nantucket as it did in tropical Florida. The wide strap is adjustable, so I can make it as long or short as I want, and it's spacious enough to hold essentials as well as extras like my iPad mini and a book, making it ideal for travel.
The bag features two interior pockets to keep smaller items organized, plus a discreet buttoned pocket at the back for quick access to my phone. I love how lightweight it is — I never feel like it's pulling my shoulder down, no matter how much I stuff it. I also love that it's sustainably made with 100% recycled plastic. Best of all, it's machine-washable — a must for germophobes like me who want to clean their bag after every trip.
