Design Element: Cross Body bags

Cross body bags are so chic! I have a little bit of an ongoing love affair with cross-body bags that dates back quite some time.  The first tale begins in my Mom's closet, as all good fashion love stories do.  Because that is where the chicest, most perfect, black quilted Chanel cross body bag lives. Then, later on, a renewed love came about for these bags,  all because of the Louis Vuitton BB Alma. Swoon. Vernis cross body heaven.

They're everywhere this year; after making a big splash on the fashion scene last year, the trend has continued strongly this season.  Below are my picks for the best cross body bags out there, broken down by categories.


Contemporary:

The Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC is the most popular cross body I know of.  It has shown up on countless fashion blogs, in a variety of colors and textures.  I love the newest pastel colors, like the periwinkle blue color featured in my image above.  The Minkoff bag has recent competition from Botkier and the Valentina bag.  Both are priced the same ($195), both are a similar size and both have chain straps with metal detailing.  Is this a clever marketing strategy by Botkier or does it hit too close to copying? Which do you prefer?





Bucket bags: 

One of my favorite styles is the bucket-like bag that LV has been doing for years - the LV Petit Noe.   3.1 Philip Lim has a similar style out this season; their Scout Small Cross Body bag (floral version here)    I love the laid back feel of a bucket bag styled across the body rather than just hanging off the shoulder.

More affordable bucket options here, and here.

Quilted: 

Poppie Jones ($16!), Candie's Ellen Quilted bag, Betsey Johnson (bow and quilted)
Quilted: need I say more? 

Structured: 

Perhaps the best known designer structured satchel/ cross body is the Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel.  Recent competition emerged for the PS1 in the form of Opening Ceremony's OC NY Bag (so, so covet-worthy). The more affordable version is the Cambridge Satchel and Steve Madden's BLuna Messenger bag.  There are other cute options out there too, like the ALLIEBELLE cross body bag (awesome red color and gold hardware), or the Danielle Nicole Alexa bag.






Neon: 

The Marc Jacobs Mini Natasha and the neon J.Crew Teeny Edie bag

Clear / Perspex: 

Clear Perspex Hard box clutch (w/ long chain), Accessorize Hampton Perspex Satchel  

Marc by Marc Jacobs Clearly bag

Clear bags made of acrylic or perspex emerged a while back, but we were mostly seeing clutches or mini bags made of this material.  Now there are larger bags utilizing vinyl and other transparent materials.  How cool is that MJ bag?




Bows: 

Kohl's has some great bags with cute bows on them.  Try the Elle Isabel Cross Body and Candie's Floral Bow cross body.  Both bags on sale.

I hope that you all enjoyed this post!  Which is your favorite cross body bag style? 

PS: The winner of the Protect Your Pumps Giveaway is Stephanie Grossman! Congrats girl!