The 10 Best Crossbody Bags to Wear With Everything

This versatile accessory is the key to our closets (and hearts).

A woman wearing a chunky red jumper with a crossbody bag over her shoulder
(Image credit: Kat Irlin)

Welcome to The Essentials, our weekly series highlighting a must-have classic, key to building a timeless, pulled-together closet.

Once upon a time, simple crossbody bags—complete with straps long enough to wear on the shoulder or across the chest—were designed for the necessity of hunting or military needs. (We'd argue that the same can be said for any modern woman preparing for an unpredictable day.) But this utility-first accessory is still stylish and classic enough to carry you through the day—and the week, and month, and year. While chain straps can be cumbersome, cell phone purses hold almost nothing, and top-handle bags always require the attention of at least one hand, the ever sleek, the ever functional crossbody bag has proven to be versatile and unfussy. Bottom line: You need one of these—especially if you have any travel coming up.

Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, covering runway trends and tracking down the latest finds to buy and wear. When she’s not writing about fashion, she pens about the best places to jet-off to. Over her six years with Marie Claire, Sara has reported on the ever-evolving world of fashion— covering both established and emerging designers within the industry. Sara has held fashion positions at Lucky and SELF Magazine and was a regular contributor to Equinox’s Furthermore website, where she wrote across their style, wellness, and travel verticals. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and currently resides in Manhattan. Follow her along at @sarajonewyork.