looking for a cross-body bag

[stefani]

Hello,

I am looking for a new purse. I like the cross-body style and that style is also recommended by my chiropractor as it is more balanced across the body rather than a shoulder bag.

One thing I don't like with some bags is that the inside is usually black. That just becomes a black hole for my stuff and it is difficult to see things inside. So what I am looking for is a non-black lining :-)

Do you have any that you love?

TIA.

ETA: Thank you for all of your suggestions, I am reviewing all of them :-)

Some of you asked for more details. I think some of the criteria will be:
Material: while I like fabric / non-leather, will that be too casual for work?
Color: black, grey, burgundy... I am not sure...
Inside color not black though :-)
Size: approx. 8" high, 11" wide.
Anything specific - completely enclosed so if I drop it my stuff doesn't tumble out.

ETA 30 Mar 11:
I ended up ordering the Ebags' Piazza Day bag in black. I just got it today and I think it will work. Thanks Cleo!
I found Dooney and Bourke's bag that I love, and it is dressier than the Piazza Day bag (but also heavier), I cannot quite justify the price though :-) $200, but I can donate my bag and it is $40 off at Dillard's.
http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502526376&view=20&No=20&splashlink=header_search&Ntt=Dooney+and+Bourke&Ntk=all&search.x=0&N=1000470&Nty=1&search.y=0&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D 20%26No%3D20%26splashlink%3Dheader_search%26Ntt%3D Dooney%2Band%2BBourke%26Ntk%3Dall%26search.x%3D0%2 6N%3D1000470%26Nty%3D1%26search.y%3D0&R=03430553

Thank you so much everyone!

[Mom to Brandon and 2 cats]

I just got a Timbuk 2 "click". It's a mini-messenger (but purse sized). I absolutely love it. The inside of mine is a light brown (outside is brown and purple). Big enough to fit my stuff, the baby's diapers and her lovey and light weight jacket. I'm a pretty light packer for my stuff, tho.

--Jennifer

[Twoboos]

Pax cross body by The Sak. 5 ways to wear it!

http://www.thesak.com/handbags_pax_leather/pl/c/547.html

I have it in pyrite (more goldish silver) and graphite (more grey silver).

ETA: They also have a mini version if you wanted something smaller.
http://www.thesak.com/Pax_Leather_Mini_Crossbody/pd/cl/1325/np/330/p/1267.html

[BabyMine]

I have this one and love it. I have chronic back pain and this helps by distributing the weight.

http://www.disneystore.com/dooney-bourke-tonal-mickey-mouse-letter-carrier-bag-by-dooney-bourke/mp/1265507/1000812/

there is also this one.
http://www.disneystore.com/dooney-bourke-disneyland-55th-anniversary-crossbody-bag-by-dooney-bourke/mp/1276256/1000812/


I have actually seen a cross body bag that was made by a woman who suffered from chronic back pain. I'll see if I can find it.

[Beth24]

I like the Roots leather cross body bags. I have one the Venetian and it is lined in cream/beige.

[ShanaMama]

Pax cross body by The Sak. 5 ways to wear it!

http://www.thesak.com/handbags_pax_leather/pl/c/547.html

I have it in pyrite (more goldish silver) and graphite (more grey silver).

ETA: They also have a mini version if you wanted something smaller.
http://www.thesak.com/Pax_Leather_Mini_Crossbody/pd/cl/1325/np/330/p/1267.html
Funny you posted about The Sak...
I've been looking for a crossbody purse for quite some time but my problem was they are all too small. I just found The Sak crossbody in Marshall's. I got this one:
http://www.thesak.com/crochet_crossbody/pl/c/266.html

IIRC it was under $20. I got black but you can get the other colors, too. I am really happy with it.

[SkyrMommy]

I just got this new bag...

http://www.zappos.com/eagle-creek-vagabond-black

It's more of a messenger bag style and isn't leather, but I love all the compartments and the biggest area holds my notepads & iPad. I keep DD's diaper, wipes and misc. things in another section and it's not at all bulky and has a very comfortable shoulder strap that I lengthened to cross my body.

[salsah]

cross bodies are great for a bad back. they are all i will use. i also think that they are more comfortable to carry, to use, and to run around after the kids with.

fortunately, cross-body bags are in now so they are easy to find. i don't know what i will do if they ever go out of style.

tell us more about what you like/don't like. what's your style? what size do you want? what material?

[k_null81]

I agree with the above posters on the Sak purses...they have several different crossbody styles...Also check Fossil and Vera Bradley if you like VB patterns...

[cleo27]

I'm not sure how dressy or casual you like, but I love the Ebags Piazza Day Bag. It is a canvassy material, so not dressy, but it is a great size with lots of pockets. I have 2 - one is black and the other is orange. Both have a grey interior, so it is easy to see inside. The fabric is very lightweight, which is nice when carrying lots of stuff.

I love it!

[nupe]

I think this bag is very cute. I finally saw it in the store yesterday but is just not on sale, yet. I don't know how comfy it would be, and it is not that light.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=14421&vid=1&pid=803999&scid=803999052

[boilermakermom]

I agree with pp. There are an endless amount of voices when it comes to cross body bags. What are you type of meterial are you looking for? What size? Anything in particular you need? Cell phone pocket a certain size? Water bottle/zippy cup holder? Key clip? Material? I don't like leather b/c most of the time I am uzi g my cross body bag, DD and I are out and about. I want something easy to clean-juice, crumbs, etc.

Check out etsy. I have been eyeing this one...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64442216/ruche-in-organic-plum

Also, the seller pinka has some cute ones too!!

I Have this bag from rei. I have had it for 4 years and has held ip wonderful. It isn't super cute, but gets the job done. I use it when DD and I have a ton of errands to run. It is the perfect size with all the extras I need!

http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product/763408

[wendibird22]

I have a VB Hipster that I love. I'm petite so I love the adjustability of the strap so that it isn't hanging down by my knees. It's not huge but it does hold a lot and I like the organization of the inside (slip pockets) and the outside flap for easy access to my keys or phone, plus a hidden zip pocket on the back.

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Hipster/1001054/defaultColor/Twirly+Birds+Navy/p/1001054.uts

[liz]

Have you checked out REI?

http://www.rei.com/search?seq=1&search=messenger+bags&page_size=109&sortby=Price+%28Ascending%29&hist=query%2Cmessenger+bags

Keep scrolling down throughout the list. They have some cute bags.

[liz]

Have you checked out REI?

http://www.rei.com/search?seq=1&search=messenger+bags&page_size=109&sortby=Price+%28Ascending%29&hist=query%2Cmessenger+bags

Keep scrolling down throughout the list. They have some cute bags.

oops, I meant to post this instead...

http://www.rei.com/search?seq=1&search=bags+purses&page_size=109&sortby=Price+%28Ascending%29&hist=query%2Cbags+purses

[MamaKath]

There are great ones in all ranges of materials and prices. Ebags usually has a great selection and pictures. I am partial to fabric since it is typically lighter. Also TJMaxx usually has a great selection. I found a neat one recently only to find out that with the strap extended it didn't fit, so was glad I checked in person.

Some brands...
Overland Equipment http://www.overlandequipment.com/
Baggallini http://www.baggallini.com/
Travelon http://travelonbags.com/
ThirtyOneGifts http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/?ref=homepage-top_tabs
Vera Bradley www.verabradley.com
LeSportSac http://www.lesportsac.com/

[MamaKath]

Oh and a lot of folks who like the Overland Equipment Donner also like the LandsEnd Little Tripper. It was recently redisgned though so they appear less alike. http://www.landsend.com/pp/DiaperBag~213835_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::CLN&CM_MERCH=IDX_Luggage-_-DiaperBags&origin=index

Ellington Leather has some nice ones too. http://www.ellingtonhandbags.com/

[stefani]

Pax cross body by The Sak. 5 ways to wear it!

http://www.thesak.com/handbags_pax_leather/pl/c/547.html

I have it in pyrite (more goldish silver) and graphite (more grey silver).

ETA: They also have a mini version if you wanted something smaller.
http://www.thesak.com/Pax_Leather_Mini_Crossbody/pd/cl/1325/np/330/p/1267.html

Twoboos,

Can you tell me whether that bag can be worn cross-body when folded? I like the shallower form, but I want that cross-body. It seems like many cross-body bags are deeper.

Thank you,

[mommytotwo]

They had a couple nice ones at REI. They came in a medium size and a smaller size as well.

[Kindra178]

I have this one (in two colors). I can't really live without it. I throw it my work bag, wear it around town, to the park, etc.

http://www.endless.com/High-Fashion-4333-Medium-Messenger/


Endless has a bunch of other cute ones from High Fashion too. Love the Roots bags as well.

[Kindra178]

I have this one (in two colors). I can't really live without it. I throw it my work bag, wear it around town, to the park, etc.

http://www.endless.com/High-Fashion-4333-Medium-Messenger/

My link isn't working - here it is: High Fashion 4333 Medium Messenger

[firemama]

I'm not sure how dressy or casual you like, but I love the Ebags Piazza Day Bag. It is a canvassy material, so not dressy, but it is a great size with lots of pockets. I have 2 - one is black and the other is orange. Both have a grey interior, so it is easy to see inside. The fabric is very lightweight, which is nice when carrying lots of stuff.

I love it!

I just ordered the purple one and it's coming on Monday! It was so hard to choose a color, I kind of wanted the orange too. I kept putting it off and it was an extra 20% off. When I finally ordered, it was 10% off and free shipping!! So I only paid $35.

[stefani]

I'm not sure how dressy or casual you like, but I love the Ebags Piazza Day Bag. It is a canvassy material, so not dressy, but it is a great size with lots of pockets. I have 2 - one is black and the other is orange. Both have a grey interior, so it is easy to see inside. The fabric is very lightweight, which is nice when carrying lots of stuff.

I love it!

See update :-) Thanks Cleo!