Imagine this: A baseball cap is worn over an oversized graphic top, which was tucked in haphazardly into the waistbands of a pair loose, stonewashed denims. Under these, you’ll find a pair tightly-laced trainers, the kind your gym teacher wore morning, noon, and night. And, to top it all off, the obligatory funny pack, now also known as men’s crossbody bag, or men’s across-the-body bags, depending on who you ask.
There was a time not long ago when such an outfit was universally recognized as the classic ‘American dad goes sightseeing in a European city’ uniform and a huge fashion faux pas. However, thanks to fashion’s ongoing quest to appropriate literally everything, it could now just as easily be describing the most talked-about look at a Paris Fashion Week haute couture runway show.
But there’s one key detail that has changed. The waist packs, also known as bumbags, are now positioned north of the midline, in an attempt to shed their embarrassment. It worked. Cross-body bags for men are now one of the hottest bag trends to have emerged from streetwear’s ever-tightening stranglehold on high fashion. If you don’t already have one, those in the know advise that it’s probably time to pick one up.
“The cross-body bag trend derived from the blur between menswear and womenswear,” says Notion Magazine Joshua Meredith, fashion coordinator. “Rappers also drove the trend. However, to them it’s better known as a ‘roadman bag’. A$AP Rocky and Skepta favor the style and have been instrumental in bringing it into the mainstream.”
Meredith advises that when it comes to styling you should keep things bright and find other ways to make a statement. “A bold color or print elevates an outfit and adds an extra layer. Also, source vintage designer before going straight for the latest season – it makes the outfit more personal and unique.”
Are you ready to ride? Men, here are the best cross-body bag options for you.
Lululemon, a Canadian athletic brand inspired by yoga, offers a stylish and trendy crossbody bag with a splash of color to add a little life to your monochrome ensemble.
Their men’s crossbody bags are truly gender-neutral and as functional as they are fashionable. Take them along on a walk or errands. You can even take them to work.
Herschel, the backpack powerhouse, has created a simple belt bag designed for men. Complete with two zippered compartments and an adjustable strap, this men’s belt bag is finished with the brand’s iconic red and white striped lining.
The black makes it easy to pair this pack with just about anything you throw on, but if you’re looking for something a bit more punchy, the same model comes in 8 additional colorways. The only downside is there aren’t any internal organization pockets, but the black hole design makes it easy to fit all of your daily or trail essentials without a struggle.
Patagonia’s Black Hole duffle has been repackaged into a more compact package. The Black Hole waistpack is a 5-liter version of this best-selling classic. This belt bag for men is a seriously good investment as it’s one of the most durable on the market and can fit much more than what meets the eye.
The larger fanny-pack is perfect for traveling or hiking. It’s made of weather-resistant fair trade material and has added features, such as a compartment to hold a water container (!!!This larger fanny pack has a weather-resistant, fair trade construction and added features like a water bottle compartment (!!! The belt bag is not the most stylish on the list, however, it’s the most useful.
Not all men’s crossbody bags can be used for every situation, sometimes they’re too small, or don’t have the compartments that you need. With the Climb cross body bag from Moncler get ready to bring along everything you need and nothing you don’t.
As you’ve probably noticed, the market is flooded with many different types of cross-body bags for men. How do you begin? You can start with this list. But if you’re looking for something that can integrate seamlessly into your favorite outfits, look no further. This bag has been made to perfection and includes just enough features that it won’t overwhelm your look or blend in.
The bag features a large compartment with an internal pocket, another foamed compartment for valuables like a phone, and one small front pocket to hold essentials like grocery lists or jewelry. This bag looks great with sweatpants or your favorite suit.
We don’t think there is anything better than beautiful objects that can perform in many different situations. Roderer’s Award 5-in-1 Bag is a great way to welcome you into your life.
The biggest aspect of versatility for this bag is the removable strap – keep it on to use it as a stylish cross-body bag for men, or take it off and you have a great grab bag or wash bag while traveling.
Globe Trotters has brought back the classic travel silhouette, harkening back to those early days of international traveling. Think about large suitcases that have sturdy handles, and exterior details. It’s no different with their messenger bag, which looks like a classic latch case but small enough to wear as a cross-body bag.
The hard exterior and design is not something you typically see when searching for the best men’s crossbody bags, typically an across-the-chest bag is made of durable fabric that will shape to your body for comfort. However, if you’re someone that likes to truly pull up in matching outfits and accessories, this is a no-brainer. Find your favorite color and pick up a matching carry-on and you’ll be the talk of the plane.
Everlane, like Patagonia, is a leader in putting sustainability at the forefront of their brand, and it’s helped them pick up steam and establish a cult-like following.
Want proof? Their popular Re-New Transit Bag is a men’s crossbody that is so popular, it’s constantly sold out. As of this writing, there’s a waitlist to get your own. You want it even more now, we know.
The best thing about men’s belt bags is you can wear them in a variety of ways, especially this model from Arc’teryx. This belt bag for men, designed specifically for crossbody wearing, is a useful addition to any accessory collections. It’s ideal for outdoor activities and works well for a daily tote-all, too.
It’s so lightweight you’ll likely forget you’re carrying it in the first place. This fanny bag is unique in two ways: it’s rectangular design, which avoids the traditional fanny-pack shape, and its sleek, minimalistic look. We’re also huge fans of the size, as it’s big enough for more than just a phone and wallet – stash a book (or e-reader), a lightweight jacket, and even your lunch… this men’s belt bag can fit it all.
In case you haven’t heard, Uggs are back in – though if you ask me, they were never “out” in the first place. This belt bag is one of the many accessories that Ugg makes. The belt bag plays on the puffer trend without going overboard, making it a statement piece for modern men.
We love it because it’s not overwhelmingly large, though still has enough space for your daily doohickeys. Whether you pair it with joggers or jeans, you’ll be racking up compliments… so many that you may consider getting it in a second colorway (there are 5 to choose from).
The Best of the Rest
Okay, so men’s shoulder bags probably aren’t the most practical type of luggage for hauling breathing apparatus and tents up the side of a snow-covered cliff face in the Himalayas. But if you were going to use one for that, you’d probably opt for The North Face.
The brand’s bags have become the gold standard for everyone from hardened mountaineers to South-London road-men. It must be doing something well if it has such a diverse clientele.
In between making high-performance sportswear and the best retro sneakers ever to walk the Earth,
The price is fair, the designs are timeless, and you’ll find subtle swoosh logos everywhere, as well as sleek, sporty styling.
On paper, making denim overalls for redneck car mechanics doesn’t seem like a natural jumping off point for going on to create some of the finest streetwear in Europe, but that’s exactly what Carhartt did, and we certainly aren’t complaining.
Come for the style, but stay for the ruggedness. It’s all in a day’s work for the brand’s crossbody bags for men.
In the bag game since the 1950s, Boston backpack brand Eastpak knows a thing or two about what makes a good receptacle.
Eastpack’s crossbody bag and backpacks designs are simple and uncluttered, with practicality at the fore. While branding is subtle and construction is near-bulletproof, the result is timeless luggage.
Adidas, the German sportswear company, is a name that has become synonymous with athletes of all kinds – from Olympic champions to hip-hop stars.
At a century old, Champion is one of the oldest sporting goods brands in the world, so it should be no surprise that it’s gotten pretty good at its craft.
This whole ‘streetwear meets high fashion’ crossover thing is all well and good, but it’s not exactly easy on the ol’ wallet, is it?
Thankfully, there’s a solution: ASOS. The online store carries all the latest trend-led pieces –including men’s shoulder bags and crossbody bags – as part of its in-house brand and brings them to style-savvy customers with convenience and value for money in mind.
Whatever you’re after, you can always count on Swedish high street stalwart H&M to give it to you for a sensible price.
The retailer is known not just for its selection of wardrobe-building menswear staples, but also for its ever-changing rotation of trend-driven products, of which men’s crossbody bags (which they call belt bags) are now a part.
If the idea of spending significant amounts of cash on a bag you can’t even fit a water bottle in makes you feel slightly ill, may we kindly advise you to avert your eyes now.
Luxury Italian Label
Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t deny Virgil Abloh is redefining fashion by doing things strictly on his terms.
His label Off-White is one of the imprints spearheading streetwear’s siege on high fashion and has been instrumental in changing the face of modern style. What better place to spend your hard earned cash?
The undisputed king of high-end luggage, Louis Vuitton’s famous monogram print has become a universally recognized symbol of luxury, whether it’s stamped onto a leather weekend bag or on a crossbody bag.
The leather is full grain, the hardware is golden brass and there’s a lot of attention to detail.
The FAQ
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Men now have a more convenient way to carry their belongings thanks to the trend towards gender neutrality. Gone are the days of stuffing our pockets full and getting made fun of for carrying a ‘man purse.’ Men’s crossbody bags are in style as a functional accessory option for men to take advantage of.
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If you’re wearing loungewear, like sweatpants and baggy t-shirts, your crossbody bag can sit at your waist to offer you some definition. You want to dress it up. You can also wear it as a bag. This is the best way to protect your valuables.
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