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True story. I am addicted to crossbody purses. I think I own ten. Probably more. I like them because I only need something that can fit my wallet, my cell phone, and a tube of lipstick. Anything bigger just cramps my style.
Crossbody purses are essential when traveling and you only need a change purse of pounds, the cell phone, and the key to the Air BnB. When you’re not using them, they fit nicely into a suitcase.
Pad & Quill‘s Heritage Bag is especially cute, because it has a nice shape and smells like new leather. It even has room for an iPad, so you can read Outlander in the corner of a cafe in Edinburgh for an hour or two. Hell, you can even imagine Claire using something like this.
When Pad & Quill asked to partner with me on this product, I immediately said yes, because of its vintage-modern vibe. My nieces offered to model it and now want one, too.
Apt. 11d 
Very cute!
My oldest is doing a senior trip to Italy in the spring. I’m on the lookout for a crossbody purse or small bag in the same size range and functionality for her–but with a fabric body (ideally Cordura or similar) and a strap made from webbing (recommended as a defense against purse snatchers).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordura
A water bottle strap or compartment would be nice, too. I want it to be fully machine washable, because we all know how often you wind up having to set a purse down on a questionable restroom floor if there’s no door hook.
I recently got a small passport-sized crossbody fabric bag with a strap made of webbing with a lot of pockets that I think will be nice for me for local walks (for keys, phone and a little cash), but I think we need something somewhat bigger for our oldest for Italy. And it’s hard to tell on Amazon what the quality of products is going to be without the opportunity to handle it in person.
Does anybody have any thoughts? I vaguely remember that bj was talking about something similar, although that one may have been larger than I have in mind.
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On the subject of purses–is it just me, or do Vera Bradley bags look like diaper bags?
https://www.verabradley.com/us/product/Iconic-Vera-Tote/23848-23848P06
I rest my case.
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That was AmyP
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Almost as good as a fanny pack, from a utility point of view… and better looking
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ds,
Have you considered a sporran?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporran
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Kind of equivalent to a better looking fanny pack. There’s a chain of causation there, though – sporran leads to kilt, and kilt leads to commando, and commando leads to… I think I stick with fanny pack. But thanks!
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Ian called them “dick hiders.”
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I’ve mentioned the Keen Brooklyn, but it’s not washable. My kiddo likes the Kipling bags (smaller ones). She doesn’t like leather bags, though will sometimes carry fake leather.
I have a bag addiction, and, it’s really a shopping addiction, looking for the perfect bag. I have so many bags that I’m always finding new ones stashed away in weird nooks. And, I carry the same 2 bags all the time, so nothing good comes of my addiction.
I thought the bag modeled by Laura’s nieces was cute, but forced myself to not click through. But, I do know the brand now, so I think the sponsorship is still a win for them.
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My daughter watched the documentary about college rape recently, and when I asked her what she had learned, she said that she learned, according to the movie, that women carrying purses are targeted. This one seemed weird to me, and we hypothesized that carrying a purse meant that you didn’t know what you were doing at a party, didn’t know “how to party.” Also, that you should have a cheap coat, for the times all the coats are thrown in a big stack.
(So now, I’ve been a bit obsessed about the new fanny packs, as protection against rape. Pretty much an example of stupid mom plans)
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bj said,
“I’ve mentioned the Keen Brooklyn, but it’s not washable. My kiddo likes the Kipling bags (smaller ones).”
Very good! Thank you! Amazon has a squillion no-name nylon bags, and I’d like something a bit more trustworthy for my oldest’s Italy bag.
“I have a bag addiction, and, it’s really a shopping addiction, looking for the perfect bag. I have so many bags that I’m always finding new ones stashed away in weird nooks. And, I carry the same 2 bags all the time, so nothing good comes of my addiction.”
I’ve started collecting nice canvas shopping bags, having gotten fed up with the ugly synthetic ones that wear out really fast.
https://retail.lanternpress.com/products/33483-tote
I’ve owned one of those for a year and just bought a second one.
“I thought the bag modeled by Laura’s nieces was cute, but forced myself to not click through.”
The shape is really nice.
“(So now, I’ve been a bit obsessed about the new fanny packs, as protection against rape. Pretty much an example of stupid mom plans)”
Bonus: also prevents consensual intercourse! I think the purse thing sounds extremely dubious.
I was coincidentally realizing today that we need to issue our oldest pepper spray when she starts college next year. I don’t think it’s particularly useful with an acquaintance, but it makes walking by oneself at night less scary. It’s not just a girl thing, either–we already own 2 or 3 canisters for my husband, mostly as an anti-dog measure.
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The Tom Bihn Cafe bags might be what you are looking for – they have a small size that can be worn cross body and should have enough room inside for a water bottle. The front pocket (under the flap) is zippered on my medium size. The strap is super tough, and my bag looks brand new despite getting hard use for 2 years and occasional use since then.
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