What Are The Best Cross Body Bags? Find Out More In Our Radley London Guide

What is a Cross Body Bag?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: it’s a bag that’s worn diagonally across the body with a one, long strap. An incredibly popular style, it’s favoured for its hands-free capabilities and security, as it allows the wearer to keep their items close. As for how to wear a cross body bag, it should rest at the hip for the most comfortable positioning. 

In terms of shape, size and colour, this bag doesn’t follow any rules. It can be slim or boxy, plain or patterned and everything in between. The strap can be leather or webbing, or even decorative to give the bag extra personality. With so much choice, it can be hard to choose favourites, but we say the best ones are those that suit your style. 

When Were Cross Body Bags Created?

Let us dive into a (brief) history of the cross body bag. 

One of the first bags ever invented is believed to be the girdle pouch – a small fabric bag used to carry coins that hung from the wearer’s belt. These were used by men until the invention of pockets, which began to change the way girdles were used. 

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the satchel emerged – thought to be one of the earliest cross body bags. It was initially used by school children, until the early ‘80s when it began to be used as an accessory for adults too. It’s thought its popularity grew during this decade due to the release of the first Indiana Jones film, as the main character often carried a satchel. 

Another early edition is the postman’s messenger bag, which dates back as far as 1860. A lightweight cross body bag for travel, it’s typically large and made with fabric. Much like a satchel, it also has a front flap and cross body strap. This makes it practical for postal workers to remove letters and parcels easily as they deliver door-to-door.

A similar style, known as the ‘utility bag’, also became a common accessory used by workers – namely fishermen, soldiers and telephone linemen – to carry tools and personal items while on the job. A cross body bag allowed them to climb, run and walk, while the pockets kept their tools organised and easy to find, without even having to take it off. Although it was a practical, men’s bag style when it first emerged, the utility trend has since returned in women’s fashion.

The bag’s popularity with working professionals continued and in the 1970s, a photojournalist named Jim Domke designed a cross body camera bag – a style that has been adapted for modern fashion consumers and is still widely used today. The original edition was made with lightweight canvas fabric and has multiple horizontal interior sections to hold camera equipment. Due to the contents held inside, this bag has always been boxy and this is a key feature that’s continued into every edition created since.

Soon enough, fashion designers began to see the full potential of the cross body bag. They created new styles that were not only comfortable and practical, but also stylish and modern too. Now, it’s grown into a reliable wardrobe staple and a daily go-to, which comes in many different shapes, sizes and colours to suit everyone’s needs.

Cross Body Bag Trends

As we know from the history of the cross body, this is a style that has evolved from functional workwear to a casual, everyday bag, and it’s still an incredibly popular choice today thanks to its versatility. In more recent years, it has also been adapted for formal events, with more elegant or decorative designs emerging that make perfect occasion bags. Of course, trendy clutch bags are a great alternative for parties too. 

In history, this bag has changed from a typical men’s style to a women’s accessory. Now, the cross body is seen as a gender-neutral option – one that’s made for men and women and provides a way to carry possessions safely while remaining hands-free.

As a result of the industrial revolution, which led to many people travelling the country more freely, these bags rose in popularity. The reason? Travellers needed a practical and secure bag to carry their belongings in. This meant they began shopping around for the best cross body bags for travel. 

When fashion designers began exploring the luxury of these bags, they created new versions that fit in with the trends of the season. When fashion fell in love with oversized accessories, they were expanded, then were downsized again when the micro trend emerged. Now, there are styles available in every size, with the smallest phone cross body bags made to carry just a few cards and your phone. Over time, they’ve also been adapted in terms of security, with new zipped sections and pockets with magnetic and press stud fastenings. These updated designs are now some of the best anti-theft cross body bags on the market.

Different Types of Cross Body Styles

Bucket Bag

Just as it sounds, this type is shaped like a bucket with a structured shape and rounded base. It often comes with an open-top design, but can feature a zip or drawstring fastening for extra security. It may also have a top handle so it can be slipped onto the shoulder too. Many fashion designers have their own editions of this bestselling bag shape. We do, here at Radley London, and each one is crafted with our signature gold-standard leather. 

Camera Bag

Named after its initial use, the camera bag is a compact, traditionally cube-shaped bag designed to carry a camera. Over time it has been adapted to look more modern, but it still features the same structured, rectangular shape. A popular choice today, many believe these to be the best anti-theft cross body bags as they often have one or more zip fastenings.

Canteen Bag

First designed as a way for hikers, campers and soldiers to carry drinking water, the original canteen bag would hold a flask or bottle and feature a drinking spout at the top – a feature that is not found on the versions we carry today. However, modern styles have kept the same structured, rounded shape and zip fastening. 

Drawstring Bag

Put simply, this bag fastens with drawstring. Different from a bucket bag with a drawstring, this version may be softer and more supple – perhaps crafted in grained leather, suede or velvet. Likely to have small proportions, the drawstring cross body bag is often used as an evening bag or for special occasions. 

Messenger Bag

Also known as a courier bag, utility bag or even a postman’s bag, this style has survived centuries and is still a popular choice today. Many also think these are the best lightweight cross body bags for travel for men, including on commutes, as they are very spacious, secure and comfortable to wear.

Satchel Bag

Very similar to the shape of a messenger bag, but originally designed for students, a satchel bag typically features a flap front with buckle fastenings. One of the first to be invented, these bags have survived history and are still popular today. They are commonly crafted with leather and used by men, women and children.

Saddle Bag

As the name suggests, this bag is inspired by a horse’s saddle. It takes on a curved horseshoe shape, is often crafted in leather and likely features a front flap fastening. Many saddle bags have lots of hardware too, in-keeping with the equestrian theme.