It's Time We Embrace The Crossbody Bag
Not your father’s murse
For decades, terms like man bags and murses have been used to describe—and to insult—any men's bag smaller than a tote, implying that if you use a bag that's less than a briefcase, you're less than a man. But in 2019, the stigma is out and it’s time we start embracing men’s crossbody bags.
The crossbody bag has been one of the biggest trends in style, and practically inescapable in the world of men’s street style. And because street style eventually trickles down to the actual street, you're starting to see them during non–Fashion Weeks, too. And buried within the trend is a useful lesson: Vanity doesn't have to be at odds with utility.
On one end
You have your sad, coffee-stained tote that says “I’m carrying a bag, but it’s really a badge that proves I’m an intellectual!”
On the other end
The crossbody bag, slung across the chest saying “I’m carrying a bag, and it’s for function and for fashion!”
We are living in that very moment now. Men’s bags have finally become...human, and we as guys are now realizing how wrong we were for depriving ourselves of the style and convenience of a crossbody bag.
That's because they come not only at different prices, but in every color imaginable—but because they're unbelievably useful when it comes to carrying keys, wallets, phones, breath mints, and anything else that you don't need a tote or backpack for. Frankly, wearing a crossbody feels like unlocking some kind of style secret—that we went this long without wearing them is a mistake.
How to wear crossbody bags
They're meant to be worn tight against the body, giving them a cooler vibe than the low hanging leather satchels of yesteryear. Regardless of whether your bag comes from a luxury fashion label or a cool skateboard brand, these bags require almost no effort to pull off. (Sling over head, wear confidently. There: you're done.)
Assuming you actually use yours, you will quickly realize that women were on to something when they decided to stop overstuffing their pockets and hauling their small personal items in a convenient, stylish place.
Shop crossbody bags
Crossbody bags are now generating almost 25% of accessories growth in the United States, and that’s not because women are suddenly cuckoo for clout packs. Since skaters, and then fashion editors and street style influencers, started slinging bags across their chest, the idea of a “carry-all pouch” has become a welcome addition to the men’s wardrobe.
To get you ready to dive head first into the rapidly expanding world of definitely-not-manbags, here are a few of my favorites to buy right now.
