Quick answer
To choose a crossbody bag for women that suits you, start with what you will carry in it, then pick the size in centimetres based on that. Make sure the strap is adjustable so the bag sits on your hip on a normal day, or a little higher near your waist in crowds, and go for zip closures if you will use public transport, travel or perform Umrah. Wear it across your body, and keep it in front of you in crowded places.
A crossbody bag is a bag with a long strap worn diagonally across the body, from one shoulder down to the hip or waist on the other side, so your hands stay free and the bag stays close to you. This guide is not a crossbody versus shoulder bag comparison; if that is what you need, read crossbody vs shoulder bag: key differences. Here we focus on choosing the crossbody itself: type, size, strap, closure and how to wear it. If you are still learning bag names in general, start with our guide to the types of women’s bags.
In this guide
Different types of crossbody bag
Mini crossbody: a small bag for the essentials only, such as your phone, wallet and keys. Light and handy for short outings.
Camera bag: a small rectangular bag with a bit of depth, usually zipped, that sits close to the body. Practical in crowds and on public transport.
Flap crossbody: a classic shape with a front flap that closes with a lock or a magnet. It looks neat and suits casual days and the office.
Sling or chest bag: a bag worn high on the chest instead of the hip, so it is always in your sight. You can get close to this look with any crossbody that has an adjustable strap by shortening it.
Larger crossbody: more room and more pockets for long days and travel, for example space for a water bottle and separate pockets for small items.
In the Loly Bags range you will find a mini bag, a camera bag, a flap crossbody and a larger multi-pocket crossbody. Below we go through them by size so you know what each one holds.
Size: choose by what you carry
Small crossbody bags for women: the essentials
The mini woven fabric bag measures 17 cm wide × 20 cm high × 9 cm deep and holds your phone, wallet and keys. It closes with a top zip and has one main compartment with a printed lining inside. It comes with a detachable, adjustable fabric crossbody strap, so you can wear it crossbody or carry it by its rope handle, which has a scarf on it. It comes in black, havana, blue, pink and burgundy, and currently costs 499 EGP.
If you like a classic look, the canvas crossbody with front lock measures 18 cm wide × 12 cm high, and its flap closes with a metal twist lock. Inside there are two side sections and a zipped middle section. It comes with two straps: a detachable short one for the shoulder and a detachable, adjustable long one for crossbody wear. This is a small size, so measure your phone first and compare it with the dimensions. It comes in black, brown and light beige, and currently costs 549 EGP.
Camera bag: compact but organised
The pebbled faux leather camera crossbody bag measures 24 cm wide × 14 cm high × 10 cm deep. It has two main compartments, each with its own zip, which keep your phone and wallet apart from the rest of your things, plus a front zip pocket for whatever you need quickly. Wear it crossbody on its detachable, adjustable strap, or carry it by the braided top handle. It comes in black, brown and dark beige, and currently costs 799 EGP.
Larger crossbody bags for women: long days and travel
For a full day out or a trip, the water-resistant polyester shoulder and crossbody bag measures 30 cm wide × 21 cm high. Its front flap has a magnetic closure, with a zipped main pocket underneath, an extra middle pocket, a small zipped back pocket and two side pockets for water bottles. The strap is fixed, not detachable, but its length adjusts for shoulder or crossbody wear. It comes in black, navy blue, baby blue and olive, and currently costs 299 EGP. If rain and humidity matter to you, read our guide to water-resistant bags.
Comparing 4 Loly Bags crossbody bags
| Bag | Size | Closure | Strap | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini woven bag with scarf | 17 × 20 × 9 cm | Top zip | Detachable adjustable fabric crossbody strap + rope handle | Quick outings with the essentials |
| Canvas crossbody with front lock | 18 × 12 cm | Flap with metal twist lock + zipped middle section | Short and long straps, both detachable, long one adjustable | A classic look with few items |
| Pebbled faux leather camera bag | 24 × 14 × 10 cm | Two zips for the two sections + front zip pocket | Detachable adjustable crossbody strap + braided handle | Crowds, public transport and travel |
| Water-resistant polyester shoulder & crossbody | 30 × 21 cm | Magnetic flap + zipped main pocket | Fixed strap with adjustable length | Long days, travel and a water bottle |
Prices and colours may change, so check each product page before you order.
Strap length: where should the bag sit?
On the hip: the comfortable position for a normal day and walking. The bag is easy to open and does not bump against your leg.
At the waist or higher: shorten the strap in crowds and on public transport so the bag sits closer to your body and stays under your hand.
A detachable strap means two bags in one: when the strap comes off and the bag has a handle, you can carry it by hand for a dressier outing and clip the strap back on when you need your hands free, as with the camera bag and the woven mini.
Try it in front of a mirror: wear the bag across your body and adjust the strap until it feels steady and does not swing as you walk. If you are tall, make sure the strap adjusts long enough; if you are petite, make sure it shortens enough.
Closures and pockets for crowds, travel and Umrah
A zip is safer in crowds than a flap that is open at the sides or a bag with no closure at all.
Separate compartments let you know where everything is without digging through the whole bag, which matters when you are standing or walking.
A front zip pocket suits the things you take out often, such as tissues or a card.
Do not overfill it: a packed bag feels heavy on the shoulder and is harder to close properly.
Crossbody bags for women for Umrah: choose a small or medium bag with zips and sections, keep your phone, money and important papers in a closed compartment, and wear it in front of you whenever it is crowded. The camera bag, with its two zipped sections and front pocket, is a good example. If you need to carry a water bottle, the larger bag with side pockets makes that easier.
How to wear a crossbody bag
Across the body: the strap on one shoulder and the bag on the hip or waist on the opposite side.
In front in crowds: turn the bag to the front over your stomach with the zip facing you, and rest your hand on it as you walk.
High like a chest bag: shorten the strap to the shortest comfortable setting so the bag sits high, close to your chest.
On the shoulder when you like: lengthen the strap and carry it on one shoulder, or use the short strap if the bag comes with one.
By occasion: a casual crossbody with jeans and a T-shirt, and the bag carried by hand with a dressier outfit. For more detail, read our guide to going-out bags by occasion.
With hijab and abaya
Wear the strap over your abaya or jacket, and arrange your scarf before putting the bag on so it does not get pulled.
A wide or fabric strap is gentler on the scarf than a thin one, and it spreads the weight better on the shoulder.
If your scarf is a delicate fabric that snags easily, check the metal hardware and rings that may rub against it.
With a loose abaya, a small or medium bag at the waist looks neater than a large bag hanging low.
Checklist before you buy a crossbody bag
Have you measured your phone and wallet and compared them with the bag size in cm?
Is the strap adjustable? Does it detach if you want to carry the bag by hand?
Is the closure a zip if you will be in crowds or travelling?
Does it have enough sections or pockets to organise your things?
Does the material suit your use, for example water-resistant polyester for rain or faux leather for a smarter look?
Will the colour go with most of your clothes?
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer
What is a crossbody bag?
A crossbody bag is a bag with a long strap worn diagonally across the body, from one shoulder to the hip or waist on the other side. Its advantage is that your hands stay free and the bag stays close to you.
How do you wear a crossbody bag correctly?
Wear it diagonally: strap on one shoulder and the bag on the opposite hip, then adjust the strap until it feels steady. In crowds, turn it to the front with the zip facing you.
Where should a crossbody bag sit on your body?
On a normal day, let it sit on your hip; in crowds, shorten the strap so it sits at your waist or higher. What matters is that it does not swing as you walk.
What is a good crossbody bag for women for travel and Umrah?
Choose a small or medium bag with zips and separate sections, and wear it in front of you. At Loly Bags, the 24 × 14 × 10 cm camera bag with two zipped sections and a front zip pocket is a good example.
Should I get a small or a large crossbody bag?
It depends on what you carry: a small one, such as 17 × 20 × 9 cm, for phone, wallet and keys, and a larger one, such as 30 × 21 cm, for long days, travel and a water bottle.
Can you wear a crossbody bag on the shoulder?
Yes. If the strap is adjustable, lengthen it and carry the bag on one shoulder. Some bags, such as the canvas crossbody, also come with a short shoulder strap.
Ready to pick your bag?
Browse all styles and colours in the Loly Bags crossbody bags collection, and pick the size that fits your things and your day.
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