Ask Belle: Medium-Size Crossbody Bags
Jun 15, 2015
Dear Belle,Thank you for your blog – I really enjoy it! I’m at a loss trying to find a crossbody bag. It seems so simple – black or maybe a bold blue or green and big enough for maybe an ipad and a wallet. Not too slouchy. Decent leather. Under $300 but willing to go double that for the perfect bag. Considering the Everlane Petra but hard to say without seeing it.Ideas? Thanks! Jennifer
Crossbody bags large enough to hold an iPad or iPad Mini are not easy to find. Most crossbody bags fall in the six-inch range, and finding something larger that’s not too big is tough. But I did locate a few things that you might like.
Fossil Black Sydney Crossbody ($128)
Michael Kors Medium Selma Crossbody ($228)
I own this bag in the larger satchel, and I love it. It also comes in a wide selection of colors.
Henri Bendel iPad Mini Crossbody ($178)
Neiman Marcus Navy Snake-embossed Crossbody ($117)
Pour la Victoire Nouveau Calf Hair Crossbody ($125)
And for an affordable choice (also in black or tan)…
Love these! They have a very Carrie Mathison feel to them.
Does anyone have this one? I love my Lo & Son’s OG, so I think the Pearl is probably an awesome bag as well… https://www.loandsons.com/the-pearl
I have the pearl and love it! It has quickly become my go to crossbody. Won’t fit an ipad but it fits a Ipad mini, I carry a continental wallet and a kindle. I have the black with gold hardware with the lavender lining. I love it and its three separate compartments.
I have a Pearl. I’ve had it since right around Easter I think. I got it on sale. I like it, but I’m not in love with the quality. The seaming on the inside pocket for the wallet and phone seem to be pulling already (I think because the fabric of the lining is thin), and the leather scratches VERY easily. If the quality of the leather and lining were better I would recommend it 100% to anyone. I love the functionality.
Hi Leigh – My name is Katie and I’m part of the customer experience team at Lo & Sons. We are so sorry to hear about your Pearl’s seam mishap, and would like to help find the best solution for this case as we stand by the quality of our products. Please email our support team at support@loandsons.com with your order number & images of the seam, and we will get back to you right away.
They can’t do anything about the leather (I think that’s a pretty common issue with flat leather and can be buffed out), but if their seams are coming apart, you should contact the company. Their customer service is supposedly very good. I’ve heard of people who’ve had several year old bags completely replaced when they’ve had an issue.
The Marc by Marc Jacobs – Too Hot To Handle Lea is exactly what you’re looking for! It’s the perfect size, the leather is so soft, & it’s structured. I purchased it in coral in April and I am in love! I’m considering ordering the black version now for fall/winter.
https://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/marc-by-marc-jacobs-crossbody-too-hot-to-handle-lea?ID=849372&pla_country=US&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-GS-Handbags-_-Marc%20By%20Marc%20Jacobs-_-887710226919USA&CAWELAID=120156070000196826&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=120156070000619546&cadevice=c
I have the Fossil bag in raisin, and I love it. It fits a large wallet, my phone, keys, and a few other odds and ends, but also forces me to edit down the amount of junk I carry. The color is purplish brown, making it an interesting twist on a neutral. I use it nearly every day!
I bought a Foley and Corinna cross-body on a whim before a NYC trip and it’s actually been pretty decent. The one I have fits my 7″ tablet, but seems to be sold out everywhere: https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/921797/foley-corinna-iron-horse-day-crossbody
They do have a cute one that’s specifically for ipad on 6pm on a pretty good discount:
https://www.6pm.com/foley-corinna-city-ipad-cobalt-cobalt-academy
How about the Marc Jacobs “the large” quilted crossbody? They’re on ebay for about $300 or less. You could also try the Marc Jacobs quilted ipad bag.
I spotted someone carrying what I now know is the Kate Spade Emerson Place Carson (a rather stuffy name, no?) and I thought it looked really great on her. I don’t think I would have noticed it just hanging in a store, but it just seemed slim and sleek but still pretty roomy:
https://www.katespade.com/emerson-place-carson/PXRU5575,en_US,pd.html?pid=PXRU5575
I’d like to recommend Rudsak, m0851, Fossil and Roots for some more great crossbody bags.