What is the Difference between a Crossbody Bag and a Shoulder Bag?

Difference between a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag

The difference between a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag is quite easy to spot, especially if you are a handbag person. If you don’t see it, don’t worry, you’ll see it as you read. First, you need to know about the similarities they share. They are both used for carrying things of moderate sizes. They also come with a strap so that you can hang them around your body. You can hang both of them around your shoulder. They can have pockets inside or outside, and they can also have more than one zip. Now that we’ve seen some similarities let’s talk about each of them to see their difference.

The Difference between a Crossbody Bag and a Shoulder Bag

Crossbody Bag

Difference between a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag

A crossbody bag is a bag with one strap. As its name implies, you can wear the bag across your body. The strap of a crossbody bag is usually long, and you can adjust it to any length you desire. You can also hang the bag around your shoulder, depending on your style. Most people wear the crossbody bag across their body because it allows them to have their hands free while they go out. When their hands are free, they can also use them to carry other necessary things.

You can carry a crossbody bag when travelling because it will give you the chance of handling luggage comfortably. Both men and women use the crossbody bag for either travelling or their everyday life. Some women use the bag as fashion accessories. Students also use the crossbody bag because of its flexibility. There are different crossbody bag designs, some are like a one-strap backpack, and others are purse-style.

Types of Crossbody Bags

Canteen Crossbody Bag

The canteen crossbody bag got its name from the traditional canteen drinking bottles. The bag is round, and it has a long strap so that you can wear across your body. The producers make the canteen crossbody bag from leather, and it is available in a variety of colours.

Crossbody Hiking Bag

A crossbody Hiking bag is spacious, and you can wear it across your body. It has a single adjustable strap. The crossbody hiking bag is a combination of a backpack and a messenger bag. It has more than one zips, and it also has inner and outer pockets. Among other things you can do with the bag, it is highly recommended for use when travelling. The crossbody hiking bag is a backpack style crossbody bag.

Wallet Crossbody Bag

A wallet crossbody bag is a small bag, just as its name sounds. The bag is classic, and it fits for casual outings. It has a single strap that is either leather or chain. The wallet crossbody bag is a woman’s bag. They use it as fashion accessories, and for keeping smaller things like lipsticks, cards and phones.

Shoulder Bag

Difference between a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag

The shoulder bag is a handbag with one or two straps that is long so that you can carry it around your shoulder. The strap can either be long, medium or short, depending on its design. Like the crossbody bag, when you hang a shoulder bag around your shoulder, your hands would be free, and you can use them for other things. You cannot wear a shoulder bag across your body like the crossbody bag. Both men and women use the shoulder bag, and it fits for both formal and informal meetings. Most women use their shoulder bag for more than just carrying things; they use them as fashion accessories. You can use a shoulder bag for other things like shopping, for business, and short trips. Shoulder Bags like hobo and tote bag have big space to carry things a regular handbag would not carry. 

Types of Shoulder Bags

Barrel Bag

The barrel bag is a type of shoulder bag, and it resembles a horizontal barrel. The bag has a strap, and you can hang it around your shoulder.

Tote bag

A tote bag is a large shoulder bag, and it is square or rectangular. It has a strap that is long enough to hang over the shoulder. Unlike the crossbody bag, you cannot hang a tote bag around your body. A tote bag can carry different things like groceries, clothes and even books. A structured tote is suitable for business, while an unstructured one is fit for casual outings. A tote bag is a bag for women. Producers make the bag from leather, canvas or other strong materials.

Hobo bag

The hobo bag has a slouchy shape. It also has a crescent shape, and it is large and spacious. The bag has a strap that is long enough to hang over the shoulder. You cannot wear the hobo bag around the body like a crossbody bag.

Conclusion

The difference between a crossbody bag and a shoulder bag is mainly on how you wear them. While it is possible for you to wear a crossbody bag across your body, you cannot wear a shoulder bag across your body. You can only wear a shoulder bag over your shoulder, and you can also hang your crossbody bag over your shoulder just a shoulder bag.