Heading to Coachella this weekend? No? Me neither. But maybe one or two of you are lucky enough to make the hipster pilgrimage out to Indio, California for the annual indie music festival that keeps getting less indie by the year. Or maybe you’re saving your airline miles for a future summer festival – maybe Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee or Lollapalooza in Chicago? (The latter would be my pick since Lady Gaga is headlining.)
No matter what kind of outdoor events you’re attending this summer, from music festivals to baseball games, you’re going to need to bring a handbag of some sort. Crossbody bags are undoubtedly your best bet because they’re hands-free and convenient, but choosing one to use at an all-day event can be tricky. Too small, and you’re trying to stuff way too many things in to it; too big, and it’s a burden to carry around for an extended period of time, particularly in summer heat. Luckily, we’ve done all the legwork for you and found three perfect crossbodies that will satisfy any (ok, almost any) budget.
(from top to bottom)
Save: Marc by Marc Jacobs Natasha Crossbody This little guy is bright and cheery, with a padded strap that you can wear all day and plenty of room inside for all your essentials, plus an extra pocket in the flap, which gives you more room than you even realized you had. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $328.
Spend: Alexander Wang Brenda Crossbody If ever there were a time when Alexander Wang’s bags were absolutely appropriate, it would be at super-indie music festivals like Coachella. What better way to let everyone else know that you’re already in the know than by carrying a bag from fashion’s uber-downtown It Boy? Buy through ShopBop for $725.
Splurge: Mulberry Alexa Crossbody Clutch Speaking of hipster It Bags, bag-namesake Alexa Chung is exactly the type of uber-fashionable girl that gets photographed at music festivals that feature bands of whom no one has ever heard. The easiest way to channel her style, obviously, is to carry the bag that she inspired. I’ve got to admit, however – it’s also pretty cute and functional. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1150.
