The perfect black cross body bag – and it’s only £25

Taylor Double Zip Cross Body Bag, Accessorize*, £25

*I don’t work with Monsoon Accessorize and this isn’t a paid post, nor does it contain any affiliate links. I needed a black cross body bag and found a reasonably priced one that I like. So, I thought I would share.

I got given some good old-fashioned birthday money recently and was deciding what to spend it on. On the rare occasions, I do have some cash on me, it loiters in my wallet and slowly gets eroded on expensive coffees, unnecessary snacks or emergency purchases to keep my son quiet for another 10 minutes when we are out.

This time I decided to buy something for myself. A considered purchase for something that I actually needed. I decided I wanted to get a cross body bag. I have one already which I do love, but it’s bright blue and doesn’t really go with a lot of things. It’s also on the large side and as I often have a nappy bag with me,  I wanted something small for the essentials that I wouldn't feel was there.

I can count on one hand the times I’ve used a separate bag for my things since my son has been born. It hasn't seemed worth having one more thing to carry. I just used the nappy bag to put my phone and keys in. But as time has gone on, I can definitely see the benefits of keeping the ‘essentials’ in a separate space. 

Oh, the time I would’ve saved going through each pocket in the nappy bag, trying to remember where I’d put my keys/phone/purse. Then upon finding said items, swearing to, ‘always keep it in the front pocket.’, and ALWAYS forgetting. 

Because when you’re grappling with a squirmy baby/toddler, whilst trying to frantically get access to wipes, snacks, toys, spare clothes to deal with whatever infraction has just occurred, stuff inevitably gets shifted around.

I didn’t have much of a criteria of what bag I wanted, other than it needed to be:

• £25 or under;
•  a black cross body bag; and
• on the small side (camera bag size-ish)

I wanted black because it goes with everything and I’m not in a place right now where I can be bothered to style my accessories with my outfits. Or style my outfits full stop.

A cross body style seemed the most practical as it allowed me to remain 'hands free', whilst a tote or shoulder bag may not offer the same freedom.

And it needed to be £25 max because, erm, that's all the cash I had.

The Taylor Double Zip Cross Body Bag, was one of the first I came across when I started Googling. I liked that it was a classic design but the gold hardware added some interest. I also liked that it was within budget and seemed liked the size I was looking for. I decided to keep it in mind whilst I carried on searching for other options.

Cue way too much time researching 'other options' and fast forward a few weeks (yes, weeks), I found myself in an Accessorize store. I looked to see if they had the Taylor in stock, which they did. I liked the look of it and decided to bite the bullet and make the purchase. 

I’m really glad I did. 

Although it's faux leather, the material is soft yet supple so it's neither boxy, nor slouchy. It's that grainy effect material, which makes it look more expensive than it is. I actually have a Coach bag, which is made of fabric that's not too disimilar.

As the name suggests it has two zipped compartments, and another pocket in the middle. This middle pocket doesn't have any button fastening or magnetic closure, which might put off the more security concious of you. However, the fact the middle pocket is wedged in between two zipped compartments, means it is unlikley that something would fall out or that the contents of this space would be easily accessible to wandering hands. (Although, don't hold me to that)

It's surprisingly slim line for a double compartment bag, a style which can stick out quite alot when worn. However this has quite a slim profile. I like that I have the option to take extra things in my bag if I need too without having to worry about it looking or feeling too hefty.

I was looking for a camera bag or 'mini bag' type option. I think this is slightly bigger than that, but not much. I don't think think there is an exact criteria for what dimensions a camera bag should be anyways. I assume you should be able to fit a camera in it. You would definatley be able to fit a camera in this bag and a few more things.

One detail that I really like about the bag is that it has a contrasting strap. Although the strap is black too, unlike the main material which is grainy faux-leather, the strap is mock-croc faux leather. I think this subtle detailing gives this bag a designer look without the eye watering price tag.

Another design feature I love about the strap is the buckle detailing. Again, I think it makes the bag look very high quality. The strap is adjustable and so can be let up or down according to the desired length. When I first saw the bag on the Accessorize website, the model was wearing the bag quite high. 

  *Not me

I prefer to wear it lower down and so when I went to see the bag in the store, I was pleased to see that at the longest length the bag sits below my hips.

As well as having two zipped compartments and a space to stash stuff in between them, there is another pocket at the front of the bag with an internal organiser. It has slots for cards and a pocket behind it.

 This bag has plenty of storage for those that need it. I suspect it would 'fill out' the more stuff you put in there. I don't plan to have more than a few things in there, so hopefully it will keep it's slim profile. 

As well as ticking my criteria, I liked that this bag is a classic design with a twist. I really love the contrasting material and buckle feature of the strap and think it gives the bag a designer look.

If you are in the market for a new grab and go type bag and don't want to spend a lot of money, the Taylor Double Zip Cross Body might be a good option to consider. 

Taylor Double Zip Cross Body Bag, Accessorize*, £25 - It's also available in a tan colour.