My friends know me as “the one who never leaves the house without a cross-body bag”. My faux leather mini satchel bag, which I nabbed two years ago for S$20 after a sweat-inducing hunt at a sale (one of my biggest accomplishments to date, I believe), goes wherever I go. Even when I’m leaving the house with bulkier items like a laptop, I find myself schlepping ANOTHER tote bag on top of the cross-body just to accommodate the bigger things. It seems impractical, what with the hassle of carrying two bags and all; though the multi-bag trend is admittedly trending, not that it matters. But my personal bag-centric philosophy is that the cross-body bag never inconveniences, it always – and I really do mean always – adds practical points to your outfit.
When I haul it together with my larger tote, my trusty cross-body bag keeps all my essentials – like my lipstick, phone, and wallet, separated from the other things. This helps me save time, and I don’t have to do the awkward song and dance of “I swear it’s in here” while I fish for my wallet, and the waiter at the restaurant looks at me all worried.
Moreover, I find that the larger the bag, the larger the compulsive energy that drives me to dump random junk I don’t need in it (see: all the faded receipts and heaps of paper napkins piling atop one another like an avalanche of sloppiness). A small cross-body encourages to keep my belongings curated to only the essentials, which also helps me maintain a minimalist Marie Kondo-approved lifestyle.
The cross-body bag is also perfect for almost all occasions, be it for work, happy hour at the bar, and brunch on weekends. The magic of a hands-free bag reveals itself especially during a busy commute or when I’m dancing while having a fun night out with friends.
As we approach the new year, perhaps it’s time to consider investing in a new cross-body schlepper. After all, it’s proven itself to be worth the investment for years to come. Click ahead for the most stylish designer picks to inspire your purchase.
Photos: Chanel and Matchesfashion
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Employing the House’s famed matelasse technique, this quilted flap bag from Chanel is seen in a summer-sweet plaid print. Composed on pastel peach orange, green and red checks on a backdrop of ecru coloured calfskin, this winning number also features a gold-tone metal chain link strap interlaced with matching printed calfskin. A luxurious addition to your existing arsenal of bags, this statement charmer is versatile enough to finish your outfit with panache whether you’re dressed for the boardroom or casual weekend hangouts.
Photo: Chanel
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Designed in collaboration with celebrated Italian leather specialists Il Bussetto, Lemaire’s new “Cartridge” bag is conceived along the same vein as the brand’s Instagram-famous “Egg” bag, what with its glossy surface, and visually pleasing rounded edges. Featuring a sculpted leather shell fitted around wooden moulds for a seamless structure, the “Cartridge” has a backside which sits flatly against the body, eliminating bulkiness in the most contemporary fashion.
Photo: Matchesfashion
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Roksanda has an acute ability to pinpoint exactly what the modern woman needs. Their designs are mostly whimsical, with comfortable sensibility and an air of ease. This box-shaped mini cross-body bag basically sums up that ethos purely by its own design. Featuring a satin-twill scarf with graphic colourblocking as the strap, this cream leather cross-body bag could be an artform per se. Whatsmore, the interior lining is made from navy velvet – talk about luxe!
Photo: Matchesfashion
ALSO READ: THE NEW CROSS-BODY BAGS YOU NEED TO HAVE NOW
Breathing new life into Bottega Veneta’s ready-to-wear and moreover in particular, the shoes and accessories, creative director Daniel Lee showcases his masterful manipulation of the House’s well-loved traditional elements with his own addition of subtle contemporary and minimalist tweaks. The result was a slew of It-bags that balanced luxury and elegance with relative freshness, a combination which the fashion world and influencers on Instagram into a deep lust-filled frenzy. This leather clutch bag features a thick strap, which when worn across the body, will look almost like a belt bag. The clutch silhouette offers a streamlined rendition of the brand’s hallmark Intrecciato weaving technique.
Photo: Matchesfashion
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Following the Fall 2019 trend of snuggling up to all things cozy with warm fuzzy textiles and fleece, this adorable padded cross-body bag from Maison Margiela’s diffusion line is made from puffy padded cotton. Resembling our local favourite “pau”, this roomy snaps open via carabiner snaps like a coin purse at the top to reveal ample space to house your smartphone, cards and other essentials.
Photo: Matchesfashion
ALSO READ: THE NEW CROSS-BODY BAGS YOU NEED TO HAVE NOW
Looking as if it could have been passed down lovingly from generation to generation, this vintage-style purse bag looks feminine and quaint. Featuring a graphic floral woven print embellished with translucent beads to make it look even more precious, this ornate bag is suspended from the brand’s signature chunky beaded chainmail strap.
Photo: Matchesfashion
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Crafted from metallic gold, bronze and brown shimmery textured leather to deliver an antiquated feel, Chloe’s newest A/W ‘19 release, the “Aby” bag, is characterised by the use of the Paddington padlock charm. Also featuring a gold key inserted into the lock, this treasured bag will look incredible paired next to a floaty floral dress or to highlight a simple Little Black Dress during a night out in town.
Photo: Net-a-Porter
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There’s tonnes of buzz surrounding the recent Acne Studios and Mulberry’s collaboration, and for good reason at that. Featuring hallmark details from both revered labels while combining Acne Studios’s contemporary utility with Mulberry’s pristine luxuriousness, the collab is almost a token of love to celebrate the friendship between the Scandanavian studio and the English brand. This mini cross-body bag is presented in Acne Studios’s signature candy pink shade, sports the silhouette of Mulberry’s heritage Scotchgrain satchel bag, and is detailed with oversized buckles and straps.
Photo: Farfetch
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Gucci’s “Marina” bag channels all the opulence the House is known for. Crafted from rich green suede complemented with red leather piping, this flap-down style is relatively roomy for a cross-body bag. We’re picturing this number styled with a vibrant solid coloured co-ords like a playful statement suit for the office, or dressed down with a classic pair of jeans and a relaxed button-up shirt for easy styling on the weekends.
Photo: Mytheresa
ALSO READ: THE NEW CROSS-BODY BAGS YOU NEED TO HAVE NOW
Showcasing Red Valentino’s affinity for romantic, feminine details, this camera bag mixes the irreverent energy of street style with an elevated elegance. Seen with eye-catching ruffles at the top of the bag and a wide strap detailed with metal hardware and criss-crossing ribbons, this adorable number makes for the perfect everyday bag for those who like versatile classics with a bold twist.
Photo: Luisaviaroma
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