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?

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CONVERSATION

40 comentarios:

  1. One of my best buys ever was an Ash cross body bag that I picked up for a song in a Marshalls discount store in Las Vegas... Navy blue leather, fringing, studs, western styling - sounds like a car crash but it's more subtle than you'd think, and I have used it virtually every day since. It's the perfect size, perfect length strap. Never seen one like it before or since, so can't even include a photo. I've had people chase me down the street to ask where it came from! Was marked down from $395 to $80.

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    1. You can go off people you know.. omg it sounds AMAZING!!!! Navy bags full stop are so so hard to find.

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    2. Hold the phone, I just found it! http://www.handbagpaparazzi.com/shop/ash-joni-convertible-indigo-crossbody

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  2. I was never a fan of them until I had kids and now I use nothing but. I love a statement bag to add to my predominantly black, grey and leopard wardrobe. I have a black tasseled one and an oxblood one I tend to alternate between as they are both quite big but I have a fab red and a leopard one for those days I don't need everything but the kitchen sink.
    Fab blog as always and your wreath is gorgeous x

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    1. You can simply never have many when they're so versatile, can you?!

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  3. Love a cross body bag. So easy. I have the LKBennett Mariel and use it so much. I have the gorgeous Loewe small puzzle bag which has been ordered in for me at Selfridges and would use as cross body as well as clutch, back pack or shoulder but now panicking about the cost and whether I should take the plundge or not!!!

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    1. OOH did you see my Loewe puzzle pic on Insta the other day. My new crush BIG time. Just trying to work out whether to get that or a PS1. I'm going for black as I'm super dull but what colour did you go for?!

      I think the small may be too small for me and was looking at the middle size... although the small one you could use at night as well I guess.... oh now I don't know... but I do know that it's an amazing amazing bag and I love the way it's slightly unusual compared to all the other bags out there....

      Or do I stick with a PS1??!

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    2. Just looked at your insta. Great minds..... I've just picked mine. They order the last one in Europe in for me in tan with white stitching. Think Matches are getting it in medium. Totally in love, although might not be when the credit card bill arrives!!

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  4. Bought a fringed khaki one in cheap tat shop at railway station in New York and wear all the time, has a chain strap and love it as I can get into the car and drive wearing it - its the little things.......

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  5. Asos embroidered added to cart. Will be on its way to australia soon. Yay

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    1. Went back to buy one more asa Christmas gift for favourite niece but all sold out. A better auntie would give the one I've already purchased. I am not that auntie and favourite niece will understand.

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  6. I used to use the sort of shoulder bag that tucks neatly under my arm, but now I'm increasingly using cross body bags. Some of my shoulder bags have an extra strap, so I can do both. I do like the blue one from Jerome Dreyfuss, I'll have to take a closer look.
    I spotted your instagram with the coverted (for me at least) puzzle bag the other day, and you got me drooling all over again, until I'd refreshed my memory about just how expensive they are. They have a great one in a mix of blues, and I thourght of you when I spotted a black one with zips.

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    1. The Puzzle Bag is AMAZING isn't it? Completely completely in love but I did post that before I realised how much they were. HOLY HELL!!!! I did see the zips ones but I have to say, I think the one without is probably more versatile?

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  7. Oh, yes right up my street! I love a crossbody bag and find larger bags quite heavy and uncomfortable when I do need to use them. I have a new one from John Lewis for my birthday, which is black, has studs and a huge tassel. It's their Collection Weekend Memphis bag. I nabbed the last one in store, the larger bags bags in the collection were gorgeous too.

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  8. I love this article! I love a cross body bag and have two. Both Celine trio bags. They cost a lot of money but I have honestly used them SO much that the cost per wear is totally arguable! I bought the first one in navy about 4 years ago and I bought the light beige one about 2 years ago. They unclip so you can use them as evening clutches too. Worth every penny and I use one or the other every day. I LOVE Jerome Dreyfuss too and rue the day I didn't buy a tan suede cross body that was in the Sale for £300. I just couldn't justify it but I know I'd be using it day in and day out. Have a look at the leopard print cross body that J Crew do...
    Love your style and reading your blogs.
    x

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    1. Oh I am beyond jealous of the Celine Trio. I so so so SO wish I'd bought one when they were out - definitely the one that got away. I even regret not getting the Russell & Bromley one! No one has done anything as nice since. *weeps*

      The leopard print one I was hunting down in Florida (at JCrew) but it worked out the same price (with tax, slightly more!) than in the UK and I Didn't love it £300 enough. The hunt goes on..!

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  9. Loved them when I was in my 20s and only rediscovered them about a year ago when I bought one to take away on a city break. Now I use nothing else. It also stops me carrying enough stuff for a weekend away for a family of 4 when I'm only nipping to the post office. Currently loving my accessorize one with the changeable strap. It's definitely statement - as in my husband loathes it! Also love the H&M ones with seatbelt straps but too wee :-( The best thing about Jerome Dreyfuss bags is that they tell you what you can fit in them. Tres helpful. But hovering is doing nothing for me - where am I going wrong?!?

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    1. Do you have your sound turned up? On the main bag with all the bags in rows.... try it and let me know.... and yes, that's genius about what you can fit in, isn't it?

      I've got the accessorise ones earmarked for a Camera Bag Blog - it has become such an iconic style I think it deserves a blog all to itself!

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    2. A-ha :D Thanks. Have you hovered over Bobi? Turns out it's not Bobby as I would have said :D :D So old so chidish!! xx

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  10. I do love the convenience of a cross body but have difficulty not over stuffing it! Then go back to larger totes.
    Love the embellished ones. Maybe it is just finding that look to love and that will motivate me not to carry so much junk in my bag!

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    1. It does take a while.. I now have a little pouch I put my *extras* in but yes, I do agree some of them are way too small!!!

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  11. I'm a big convert to cross body bags! I have a leopard print one from Coach which I love (and which fits in quite a lot of stuff, always a requirement) and a small bright pink Gucci one which is great in summer, although I can only fit keys, card and a lippie in it. So what I'm saying to myself is...there's definitely room in my life for another one ;-)

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    1. Oh I think there's definitely room for another!

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  12. My Prada crossbody bag! I'm on my 4th in probably 20 years?!
    Loaned it to a friend of mine who was temporarily on crutches not so long ago and felt like I'd lost a limb.
    http://www.neimanmarcus.com/en-ie/Prada-Vela-Flat-Crossbody-Bag-Black-Nero/prod170950144/p.prod

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    1. OMG OMG OMG that was my very first designer bag when I was 24. I got it on the same holiday I got my Tiffany bean necklace, the very first time I visited New York!! I still wear the bean today but you have just reminded me of the bag. I used to use it to death - excellent idea to get another one!

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  13. Love love love a cross body. I have very narow shoulders and regular shoulder bags just fall off. So, have JUST bought an Elizabeth and James Cynie in leopard calf hair on ebay as a Very Exclusive clearence. This will be my third E&J - thier bags are divine. Shall have to hide for a little while though so that when my husband asks if it is (yet another) new bag I can genuinely say no - altough I think he's getting wise to this tactic. Thanks for another great post KF. PS. Did you just say you've ordered a LOWE Puzzle (swoon)?

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    1. Oh lord I WISH I'd ordered a Loewe puzzle! Ha ha ha, I put it on Insta as a pic - Matches in their magazine that they send had it as a full page spread which I took a pic of. Before I'd looked to see how much it was. FOOL!!!!!!!

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  14. Love my cross body bags-can't use a tote any more as too heavy and no need to carry baby stuff too. Think the embroidered Asos one is just sublime and is now on my Christmas list-thanks for the recommendation! My go-too bags are my Mulberry Bonnie's, have them in every colour they did and just adore the casual feel of them. I also love the Zatchel saddle bags and they're all half price at the moment. For leather bags made to your spec which can also be personalised, they are fantastic value. Bought the large oxblood which arrived this week-bloody gorgeous it is! Honestly worth a look:
    https://www.zatchels.com/bags/saddle-bags/classic-saddle-bag-collection/classic-oxblood-leather-saddle-bag.html/

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    1. Hi Lorraine, I've been looking at these, but been put off by bad reviews for 2 month waits and poor customer service. How was it for you? Also is the oxblood a red red, or quite dark? I love the Sezane saddle bag, but the Zatchel is very cute as well 🙃

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    2. Hi Kate, I'd seen those reviews too but most also said that the quality of the bags once received was excellent. Took the plunge because of the discount really which is excellent value I think. It took 4 weeks, which I was ok with as I'd asked for a personalised message and a shorter strap. I love this bag, it's one of my favourites and have ordered another in grey. In no hurry so I'm fine with the wait. The colour is beautiful, not as dark as the Mulberry oxblood, and certainly more red but not pillar-box by any means. I'm probably not helping! Will try and upload a pic but not sure I can on here xx

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    3. The other company which I know are excellent are The Cambridge Satchel Company. xx

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    4. Thanks for your help! I've pressed the button on the large saddlebag in oxblood, and got a couple of others for gifts for nieces. At those prices it would be rude not to! The Sezane bag of dreams might be not be 'needed' after all xx

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    5. Hope it works out... (although I'm just going to throw it out there that there are some things we never buy that haunt us... BUT there are always those things we think will haunt as and in fact the week later you think oh thank GOD I didn't buy it! Clear as mud?!)

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  15. Ha! Excellent timing as I had just seen the Frugality blog and was sulking about the price of her LKB bag and then joy of joys this blog appeared with lots and lots of little dinky bags. Off to Mango methinks..

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  16. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!
    Circle Bag

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