A Crossbody Bag Is the Functional Swerve It's Time to Embrace

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You've probably noticed a whole lot of dudes rocking bags these days. (If you're a frequent Esquire reader, you might, in fact, already own one yourself.) Sometime over the last few years or so carrying a bag became de rigueur for stylish gents stepping out around the world, from the cobblestoned boulevards of Paris to the lush, oat milk-stained streets of Portland.

A$AP Rocky, a noted satchel enthusiast, is rarely seen without one. Drake has been steadily amassing a collection of Hermès Birkins, the ne plus ultra of covetable bags, because, of course, he is. Jacob Elordi, king of street style, has a rotation of crossbody bags to carry whatever it is he carries around.

We've advocated for the crossbody at length before, but there's never been a better time to finally get on board with an accessory that'll save your ass time and time again. It's time to embrace the bag, folks. Trust us. Your precarious and deeply misplaced sense of masculinity is in safe hands. As Drake (or, ah, Whitman) would be the first to tell you: We all contain multitudes. This summer, let a crossbody bag be one of them.

Sportswear Essentials Crossbody Bag

With two spacious zippered pockets, Nike has the ultimate crossbody bag for stashing your things while you're staying active. So whether you're hiking the trails or taking the train, you'll have quick access to all your small stuff (and it'll stay organized, too).

Round Mini Shoulder Bag

Uniqlo's crossbody bag has gone viral more than once, and there's no question as to why. It's coated with a durable, water-repellant finish, so it'll hold up in even the worst weather. It also has a chic, cosmopolitan design and rounded look.

Puzzle Debossed Textured-Leather Belt Bag

The iconic Puzzle design from Loewe comes in a crossbody version, which you can sling across your chest or, if you feel like it, wear around your hips. Crafted from smooth leather, it also folds completely flat, making it the perfect travel companion.

Berkeley Field Bag

This is an easy, no-nonsense bag. The best part? You don't even have to think about what you're carrying around—it does all the work for you. Just try and remember your phone, wallet, and keys before you leave the house.

Crossbody Bag

For a basic, practical bag, Amazon has you covered for under 20 bucks. Designed by Sireck, this bag is lightweight, waterproof, and can be delivered in a day (shoutout to Prime) for those last-minute trips.

Recycled Canvas Crossbody

With zip pockets and an adjustable strap, this is a handy bag that'll, ironically, leave you hands-free. As durable as it is versatile, you can truly wear it any way and anywhere

Must Have Festival Crossbody Bag

If you've ever trucked through the fields of the Empire Polo Club during Coachella, you know how essential it is to have the right bag with you. This festival crossbody by adidas is lightweight, has plenty of storage, and includes a protective buckle closure, so you can keep your stuff safe from stage to stage.

Grey Crossbody Bag

C.P. Company is considered the "Godfather" of Italian sportswear, and their crossbody pouch will be one you simply can't refuse. With several zipped pockets and a water-resistant exterior, it'll become your ultimate stylish on-the-go bag.

Tangle Small Leather Messenger Bag

The Jil Sander messenger bag is an ode to both form and function, distinguished by its masterful hand-knotted cross-body strap. A creation of Italian craftsmanship, it has a pristine, smooth leather exterior, and a perfectly structured rectangular silhouette.

Godspeed Nylon Crossbody Bag

WE-AR4 is a responsible fashion brand focused on immediate sustainable impact. Their Godspeed Crossbody Bag combines Italian nylon and a military-inspired design to create a classy, clean, and sleek option.

YPB Cross-Body Bag

If you're going for a run or to the gym and need somewhere to stash your wallet, car keys, and, I don't know, a vape (we don't judge here at Esquire)—this is what you need.

Leather Crossbody Bag

Banana Republic makes a crossbody look classy, with a leather finish, zip pocket, and two front buckled compartments. The brand removed any unnecessary additions to this bag to create the ultimate, functional crossbody sling.

City Pouch

They say the best things come in small packages, and this crossbody holds that statement to be true. Tiny and lightweight (you'll hardly notice it), the City Pouch can fit just about anything.

Everywhere Belt Bag Mini

This wouldn't be a roundup about crossbody bags without an option from Lululemon. On the plane, bus, and train ( oops—we got a little Dr.Suessy there), this bag can truly go everywhere. It's the perfect size and can fit your phone, keys, cards, and a lip balm or two.

West Pack

Perfect for intercontinental vacations, the West Pack can be worn as a sling bag or crossbody—and has all the functionality of a messenger bag. The laidback versatility of this crossbody works for everyone who likes to change up their bag to suit their style (or their mood).

Why You Should Trust Us

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great.

Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to crossbody bags, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.

We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these crossbody bags are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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