For versatility, practicality and effortless style, cross body bags are an excellent choice. They’re a hands-free option for anyone on-the-go, and can also complement any outfit, no matter whether it is formal or casual. There are plenty of different cross body bag styles to choose from, but there are several factors to consider to ensure you get the most out of your brand-new designer bag. From colours and materials to occasions and matching outfits, make sure your cross-body bag is the optimal accessory that combines fashion with practicality.
We have various seasonal, designer cross-body bags here at Jasper Conran perfectly suited to your lifestyle and fashion needs, and will see you through come rain or shine. All of our cross-body bags are designed with practicality and versatility in mind, ensuring each bag is your go-to choice all year round. In this guide, we will explain what a cross body bag is, how to wear and style your new bag effectively, and which materials and colours will work together perfectly. We will also explore where your designer cross body bag can be worn, how they compare with shoulder bags, and why you should choose your next cross body bag at Jasper Conran London.
In this guide, we will explain what a cross body bag is, how to wear and style your new bag effectively, and which materials and colours will work together perfectly. We will also explore where your designer cross body bag can be worn, how they compare with shoulder bags, and why you should choose your next cross body bag at Jasper Conran London.
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Discover more about the history and design process of a cross body bag
Cross body bags can be worn in different ways to suit your personal preferences and outfit
Choosing the best materials and colour for your new bag can help you get the most out of your new purchase, enabling you to take it anywhere
From daily commutes to the office to evenings out, there’s a cross body bag out there for you
Cross body bags and shoulder bags are both popular, stylish options. Here’s how you can choose the best bag to suit your needs
Our cross body bags at Jasper Conran London come in various styles and designs, perfect for you and your wardrobe
What Is a Cross Body Bag?
As the name suggests, cross body bags are designed to rest comfortably across your body using an adjustable strap. They are a designer hands-free option that is easy to wear, with a practical design to aid with travelling and commuting. It is the optimal bag for parents on the school run or for modern women with a busy commute who wish to add a touch of style to their day.
Cross body bags keep your personal, essential items within close proximity at all times, with easy access for women on the go. Most of our cross body bags at Jasper Conran London come with zip pockets and compartments for both safety and functionality, allowing you to store away your phone, purse and keys with ease. Our Ada cross body bag is the optimal choice for dressing up or down, with a spacious interior and a front zip pocket for extra storage space. It’s the perfect size for storing away smaller items, ideal if you’re out for the evening and only require the essentials.
Designer cross body bags are known for their comfort and security; they can sit snugly across your body and rest on your waist. However, most cross body bags come with an adjustable strap to suit your style preferences. Our Baylee toaster cross body bags come with adjustable straps that are also removable, providing you with more versatility and fashion choices.
There are different cross body bag styles here at Jasper Conran, each with its own unique look and feel. Saddle bags, toaster bags, scoop bags and camera bags are just a few of the different design choices you can make when opting for a cross body bag. Depending on your size, colour and style preferences, you can choose your perfect bag at Jasper Conran London. You can view our full collection of designer cross body bags here.
How to Wear and Style a Cross Body Bag
Although cross body bags are traditionally worn across the body, they can be adjusted and styled in various ways to suit you, making them the most versatile bag in your wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for a flap-over cross body bag for extra security and style, or you’re in need of a simple zip cross-body bag for easier access, cross body bags can be worn loose or tight to fit with your outfit of the day.
Saddle bags are a popular choice when looking for a cross body bag. Not only are they stylish with a classic design, but they’re also durable and made to stand the test of time. These bags are classic items in your wardrobe year in, year out, and can be paired with both casual and formal wear. The Agatha saddle bag in tan would pair perfectly with our yellow Celia silk dress to create a perfect daytime look
For a more compact option, our Baylee toaster bag is ideal for evenings out; our orange and green toaster bags can add a pop of colour to your outfit as you enjoy the last few weeks of summer, and can accompany you to formal events such as trips to the theatre.
If you’re in need of a bag that fits snugly at your side and can accompany you on the school run, our Beatrix leather scoop cross body bag has a top zip for easy access and internal compartments for extra storage and security. This bag would look perfect with our Daria A Line dress, suitable for trips out with the family.
If you’re looking for your next evening bag that makes a statement as well as serves a purpose, our Celia chain strap evening bags present a glossy exterior with a sleek golden chain that can be worn all year round. This bag would look particularly effortless with our Emily pintuck full skirt shirt dress, presenting a long-established look with a modern feel. This bag can sit comfortably on the hip when worn across the body, but can be altered to represent a shoulder bag for an alternative look.
As we approach September and back-to-work and school approaches, you may need a bag that is accessible, practical, and, most importantly, hands free. Our Carmen cross body bag is a designer alternative to typical cross body bags, with bespoke gold hardware and a dual colour strap to add a touch of elegance to your daily commute. This bag also has webbing straps that can be adjusted, so you can wear it as a shoulder bag too. It is a sporty bag that is great for taking to the gym, with multiple pockets and a lightweight feel. You can view our full collection of designer handbags here.
Finding the Right Material and Colour for your Cross Body Bag
Once you have decided on the feasibility and design of your new cross body bag, you need to choose the perfect material and colour. Bright, bold colours are perfect for the summer months and can be paired with particular outfits to really stand out. More neutral, darker tones are great for all-day use, and can even make your bag a desirable choice for evenings too.
Leather is an incredibly popular choice for all kinds of designer bags, including cross-body. It is durable as well as stylish, providing you with a bag that will last and impress for years to come. There are different variations of leather than can suit your style, including leather that resembles croc skin. Our Alexis flap over cross body bags are made from 100% leather and have a croc skin look, making them a unique choice for formal dinner parties and events such as weddings.
If you want a designer cross body bag with a different look that still stands out from the crowd, our Clara lizard saddle bags come in navy and wine for an elegant look that will complement your outfit perfectly. Pair the navy variation of this bag with our blue Betty cotton wrap dress to create an outfit you can wear to your next dinner date or evening out.
This dress is now part of our Summer 2024 sale, which you can browse here.
For a more classic daytime look, our Beatrix flap over cross body bag in tan presents two colours that mix perfectly well together, making this bag perfect for any occasion.
If you would like to add a pop of colour to your day, our Dahlia green camera bag is a petite yet sophisticated choice for carrying your essentials, no matter whether you’re venturing to the beach or taking a last-minute summer trip. It has adjustable straps for more comfort and style choices. We recommend pairing this bag with our Blythe full skirt shirt dress in pink to create a look that fits with the last few weeks of summer.
For an evening bag that combines effortless modernity with stunning elegance, our Celia chain strap evening bag in red is the optimal choice. Like its black counterpart, this bag looks beautiful with our Black Emily pintuck full skirt shirt dress. To find the perfect new designer dress for you, you can browse our collection here.
Where Can I Wear My Designer Cross Body Bag?
Cross body bags can be worn for any occasion and season depending on their style and colour. Some cross body bags are perfect for both formal and casual settings, whereas others are designed to make a statement during certain dignified events. Designer cross body bags are versatile and designed for longevity, and can be styled to suit an occasion of your choice.
With the back-to-school season approaching, some will be looking for a practical bag that is hands-free and safe, with extra internal compartments for storage. However, there’s no need to compromise style for practicality. Our Colette cross body bag is the perfect choice for the school run; it’s chic and sophisticated, with an external compartment and a choice of two straps for a professional look. This bag can even accompany you on your commute to the office, making it a bag for all seasons.
Whilst wedding season is still in swing, finding the perfect dress and bag combination is important if you’re a guest. We recommend matching our choc Blythe full skirt shirt dress with our navy Dahlia saddle bag or the Dahlia three-section cross body bag to present a sophisticated look. Our croc Celia leather multi strap bag is a modern, stylish choice for formal wedding settings, and can pair with our Emma choc silk wrap dress for a stunning look.
If you’re planning a last-minute late summer break or a weekend away, you may need a small bag that can accompany you for nighttime drinks or for a stroll along the beach. Our tan Ada saddle bag is a great choice for nights abroad, pairing perfectly with your summer dresses and keeping your valuables safe with a twist front lock. Our Agatha saddle bags are also lovely option for evenings strolls on the beach or along the promenade.
You can make a statement on day trips and city breaks alike with designer cross body bags that put practicality and security first. Our Beatrix scoop cross body bags have a zip pull for easy access, with an adjustable strap that can easily turn this stunning bag into a designer shoulder bag for an alternative look. Our Beatrix leather flap over bag is also a great size and style for accompanying on day trips, and would look ideal with our Blythe striped full skirt shirt dress in choc.
No matter what bag and dress combo you are looking for, we have a wide range of stylish options for you to choose from.
How Do Cross Body Bags Compare with Shoulder Bags?
Cross body bags and shoulder bags are similar in the instances of practicality and versatility. Items from the bag can be easily accessed, and they can match with all kinds of outfits and styles. Cross body bags can even have their straps altered to become shoulder bags if the outfit works with the alternative style.
Shoulder bags tend to be larger than cross body; one of the most popular shoulder bag designs is the tote bag, which comes in various different styles and sizes to suit all occasions and requirements. Therefore, shoulder bags such as our Bryn tote bags are recommended for an event where you need extra storage in your bag, such as a weekend trip away. Cross-body bags tend to be smaller in size, but they still have various compartments for storage, and can come in a flap over style, such as our Alexis range, for extra security.
All of our cross-body bags can be worn as shoulder bags if you wish to switch up your look. However, wearing your bag across your body comes with extra safety benefits, and is a more hands-free option, as shoulder bags often need to be readjusted. If you’re looking for a designer cross body bag that doubles as a shoulder bag, our stunning Colette cross body bag comes with a choice of two straps, providing you with more versatility and more options when choosing an outfit for the day or evening.
When choosing between a designer shoulder bag or a cross body bag, you should take into consideration your preferred choice of size, style and where the bag will predominantly be used. Larger shoulder bags are perfect for taking to the office or perhaps a weekend shopping trip, whereas cross body bags are much better for women on-the-go who need a bag that is not only secure, but stylish too. Our Carmen toaster bag is a chic choice, with hardware that contrasts with the black material perfectly. This bag would look great with our darker toned dresses, such as the Clemence collared A line dress.
To find out more about our designer shoulder bags, you can read our previous guide here.
Designer Cross Body Bags with Jasper Conran London
All of our designer cross body bags at Jasper Conran London are designed with practicality, longevity and style in mind. Our pieces are never trend-led; instead, we create our bags to simply fit with the current trends. All of our bags are thoughtfully designed to stand the test of time, with a classic, effortless look that can complement any outfit, day or night. Their durable materials create the perfect bag choice all year round.
Functionality and style are at the heart of every cross body bag we design. Our designer options will not only sit comfortably around your body, but are easy to access too, with extra compartments for storage and security. As summer starts to come to an end, our bags are multi seasonal, so you can make the most out of your brand-new purchase, come rain or shine.
Our cross body bags are perfectly designed to sit beautifully with our dress ranges s too. You can choose your perfect combination on our website today.
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