Styling

How to Wear a Crossbody Bag: A Guide for Every Occasion

how to wear a crossbody bag

Chloe Montgo from Fashion-era

Choosing the perfect leather crossbody bag can feel like a daunting task. With countless styles, colors, and sizes available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But don't worry, I'm here to help you navigate through the sea of options.

The right crossbody bag will immediately elevate any outfit and become a staple in your wardrobe. Whether you're heading to a business meeting or a casual brunch, there's a leather crossbody bag that's perfect for the occasion.

Consider Your Style Preferences

Understanding your personal style is key when choosing the ideal leather crossbody bag. When you're familiar with your own style preferences, the process of deciding becomes smoother. This knowledge assists you in making choices that complement your overall appearance and personal aesthetic. If you’re unsure, you could take this 30-second quiz from Latico Leathers to find the best bag for your style.

First off, always choose the bag that fits your style. If you are more inclined towards a minimalistic aesthetic, a simple, streamlined bag could be your best bet. On the other hand, if you have a preference for statement pieces, you might want to consider a crossbody bag in a bold color or a design laden with embellishments.

Secondly, the practicality aspect should never be neglected. Let's say you have a penchant for oversized bags, but your lifestyle or the occasion may not warrant such a choice. You probably want to strike a balance between your style preferences and practical needs.

Thirdly, focusing on the type of leather could also help you with your decision. For instance, a glossy patent leather bag might fit the bill if you favor a more glamorous look. Alternatively, if you are all about that rugged or casual style, a bag made with distressed leather could be just the thing you need.

​So, when thinking about your style preferences, take these factors into account:

  • Personal Style (does the bag reflect our personal style?)
  • Practicality (is the bag suitable for our lifestyle or the occasion?)
  • Type of leather (does the bag’s leather type correlate with our aesthetic?)

That being said, an in-depth understanding of your style preferences ensures you'd walk away with not just a crossbody bag, but the perfect crossbody bag can be tailored to your unique tastes and requirements.

Assess Your Daily Essentials

The next step is to actively enforce a thorough self-examination. Ask yourself, 'What are my everyday essentials?' The type and quantity of items you carry on a day-to-day basis significantly impact your choice of the perfect leather crossbody bag.

Essentially, I'm talking about size here - intimately tied to our daily needs. If you're a minimalist, a small, compact bag is perfect for carrying a wallet, phone, and keys. On the other hand, if you tend to carry more items such as handwriting materials, books, or an iPad, your bag should have ample space and appropriate compartments.

Let's set the context here with a quick understanding of your daily needs. You'd find that most of us gravitate between these two types of carrier profiles:

  • The Minimalist: They carry just a few essentials.
  • The Prepared: They tend to carry more items.

Choose the Right Size and Shape

After identifying your carrier profile, let's turn our attention to something that's equally important - selecting the correct size and shape of the leather crossbody bag. There's a vast spectrum of sizes and shapes available, and it's essential to make a wise choice. After all, we don't want to end up with a bag that's either too large for our essentials or so small we're perpetually juggling items in our hands.

Your carrier profile dictates the size of the bag you need. For minimalist carriers, small to medium bags are the best fit to carry your phone, wallet, or keys. On the opposite end of the spectrum, "prepared" carriers might require medium to large bags, given that they might be lugging around a planner, makeup, a sweater, snacks, or even a laptop.

Select a Versatile Color

After settling on the right size, shape, and leather quality, the next move is determining the perfect color for our leather crossbody bag. The color of our bag is critical as it feeds into the versatility and adaptability of the bag for various settings and outfits.

Importance of Color

The color of our leather crossbody bag can elevate or downplay a look, making color selection crucial. Neutral colors like black, brown, beige, and navy blue mesh well with most wardrobes. They're a safe choice for those seeking versatile, everyday bags.

Rich colors like burgundy, emerald green, or mustard are striking, providing that pop of color to a neutral or monochromatic outfit. However, these may not be as flexible when it comes to matching with a broad range of colors.

Here's a quick guide for color choice:

Bag ColorVersatilityOccasion
Neutral (Black, Brown, Beige, Navy)HighEveryday, Business, Formal
Rich (Burgundy, Green, Mustard)MediumCasual, Special occasions
crossbody bag color quick guide

Optimum Versatility: Black and Brown Leather Bags

In my experience, classic black and durable brown leather bags are quintessentially versatile. These hues are understated yet elegant, fitting seamlessly in both casual and formal situations.

Black is sleek, timeless, and effortlessly matches with virtually any outfit. A black leather crossbody bag is a staple piece, perfect for corporate wear, evening get-togethers, and even casual brunches.

On the other hand, brown leather offers an earthy, warm undertone perfect for day outs or casual office settings. It's the ideal color for those aiming for a rustic, classic aesthetic.

No matter your style, the color decision ultimately revolves around the intended use and personal taste.

Match the Bag to the Occasion

Once the size, shape, leather quality, and color have been decided, another essential factor is matching the bag to the occasion. This aspect influences the overall look and appropriateness of the bag. Whether you're heading to a family gathering, attending a formal business meeting, or just going for a casual outing with friends, selecting the appropriate crossbody bag is crucial.

Casual Occasions demand bags that are comfortable, practical, and easy to match with a variety of outfits. Here, functionality often comes before aesthetics. A versatile color like black, brown, or beige in larger sizes proves quite practical. They offer ample space and effortlessly sync with most outfits.

Business Settings, on the other hand, require bags that exude professionalism and sophistication. Bags for such occasions should be smaller and neater, boasting exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality leather. Neutral, dark colors are ideal for these situations as they portray a sense of seriousness and credibility.

Formal Events call for elegant and stylish bags. Small, sleek crossbody bags in rich, vibrant colors like burgundy or emerald green can add a striking touch. Metallic shades, such as gold or silver, can instill a glam quotient too. Yet, the bag's design should remain sleek and sophisticated.

Keeping in mind these considerations, it's apparent that the perfect bag is one that complements the occasion, without sacrificing personal style or comfort. However, it's also equally paramount to remind yourself that choosing the right bag is not just about trends, but rather, an expression of your personal style and practical needs. That's what truly makes the perfect leather crossbody bag.

It's clear that the perfect bag isn't just about style, it's about aligning with the occasion and reflecting personal style. For casual outings, we're looking at larger, versatile bags in neutral tones. Business settings call for smaller, high-quality bags in dark shades. Formal events? Think small and sleek, with rich colors or metallic hues.

Remember, the perfect bag isn't just a trend-following accessory, it's a statement of individual style and practicality. So next time you're shopping, keep these tips in mind and you're sure to find the perfect leather crossbody bag for any occasion.