What on earth did we use before...

...cross body bags?

Seriously, what did people take around with them when they needed to be hands free?  A shoulder bag just doesn't work, I never remember a back pack being particularly stylish - and I'm positive that a *fanny pack* never graced any fashion page for any period of time.

I am pretty confident in saying cross body bags are here to stay.  Certainly when I was on holiday a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't have got by without one.  So there's definitely something to be said for building a bit of a collection. 

And today I'm all about the slightly unusual.  On the wacky side - a statement bag.  I've been living in black recently and a bag with a bit of interest to it is the perfect solution to bring some levity to a potentially funereal outfit. 

Some are on the pricier side, but some definitely fall under the "quick treat" category.  

Or sometimes it's just the little details that make all the difference.

ASOS Leather Studded Cross Body Bag £30

And that's where the subtlety ends.  We are all about letting your bag do the talking here.  It can be super pretty as well as functional. 

Embroidered from Coach (upping the budget here... but if you used it EVERYday and loved it... ).

Western Dinky 24 Embroidered Cross Body Bag £595 from Coach 1941







To be honest, I don't think I'd spend that much on something which is rather niche - I'd be far more tempted to get something like this one from Topshop.

Leather Snake Crossbody Bag from Topshop £42




Or this one from ASOS - again leather at a super price. 

ASOS Leather Floral Embroidered Cross Body Bag £38



Or a bit more of a treat from Ted Baker. 

Ted Baker Tapestry Bag £69



Full on "someone got attacked in Clare's Accessories by a 5yr old look" bag... which I quite like..  Clearly someone was smoking something interesting at Mango as there are a couple of these on offer.

Chain Patched Bag from Mango £39.99



I'm not going to lie - haven't given a lot of thought to a velour (I know it's probably velvet but it looks like velour to me) jumpsuit.  Give me time though, give me time...



Applique Cross Body Bag from Mango £35.99



Leather Flap Bag from Mango £35.99 (this one is very 3.1 Phillip Lim actually)



Then we move into Star territory.  I would say these are less controversial than some of the others.  Stars have been around for years now and show no signs of going anywhere.  I feel they are definitely here to stay for a couple of years.  

The beauty of these is that they will double up as a day bag and an evening bag.  Versatility = justification. 

Star Patchwork Leather Cross Body Bag from Marc Jacobs £260




 Or in a slightly safer black (go for the white...) 




Or how about a Gucci Soho Disco meets an Anya Smile bag meets Marc Jacobs and Saint Laurent?  For less than £20. 

Engraved Message Bag from Mango £19.99




Print now.  Oh how I love a leopard print.  Now I'm going to be devoting a whole post to leopard as frankly, it deserves it.  But I'm going to be looking at classic leopard and think that the random coloured ones should go here.  I adore Jerome Dreyfuss bags - in fact, speaking of future blogs, I've got one lined up on more niche designers which are perfect for Christmas if you're not a fan of big brands.  Sneak preview here. 

Elliot Leopard Print Suede Bag from Jerome Dreyfuss £465 from Harvey Nichols 



Or maybe a blue.. I have to say I quite like the blue.  The more I look at it, the more I REALLY like the blue...



Although I fear they might be slightly small.. maybe a larger version - either the Igor or the Bobby.  Bargain time now... if anyone is after a black studded bag - oh hello.  Put this one away for Christmas or treat yourself now.

Igor stud-embellished suede cross body bag was £485 now £291  The cognac version in leather is still for sale on the Jerome Dreyfuss website for 760euro.



Or the Limited Edition Jerome Dreyfuss at The Outnet.  I have the leather plain Mario that I got a couple of years ago and I absolutely LOVE it.  Use it a lot. 

Mario Fringed Studded Suede Bag from Jerome Dreyfuss £395 also has a cross body strap with it. 



And finishing with some alternative animal options from Topshop. 

Panelled Crossbody Bag £29



In an alternative colour way and again from Topshop for £29



So I am now full on researching all things Jerome Dreyfuss (and if you're looking for something ridiculously sweet and unique to see on a website, hover over some of the bags - it doesn't do it with all of them, you'll see what I mean... it's the small things...Personally I think it's the most fabulous marketing tool as I now think the brand is even cooler than is possible!).

Outfit from yesterday, this was during the day.  I had been due to wear this out in the evening but then it started pelting it down with rain and I was going into London so had to change as rain and wide leg trousers = soggy hems...



Black Love Jumper - hush
Black wide leg trousers - M&S
Black Briggate trench - Alexa at M&S
White leather trainers - Autograph at M&S
Black Half Moon bag - APC

Amazing evening last night - a lovely Christmas event with the hush team which involved wreath making with the lovely Augustus Bloom.  Now I'm only showing you this as my expectations were very low and I have to say, I have surprised myself with the results.  Clearly everyone had low expectations too - the 12 yr old texted me when she saw the pic on Instagram saying "jeez, I didn't think you had the attention span to do that".  Charming.

It's now up on the door as it's clearly an Autumnal wreath and NOT a Christmas one... 



So talk to me about cross body bags.  Are you a convert and do you like a statement bag or would you have preferred a plain bag blog?  Or a leopard one?