Alberto – Leather Crossbody

Originally, they were called utility bags, and soldiers, fishermen, and lumberjacks used them to store their work tools. Crossbody-style bags are most commonly designed with a single long strap that crosses over the body, with the bag resting at the front near the waist. The construction of crossbody bags made them ideal for carrying mail and other goods delivered by various messengers. Royal mail carriers in the United Kingdom used large crossbody bags to deliver mail even before the creation of the official mail satchel. For many years, fashion brands have been designing crossbody bags in a “messenger style,” inspired by military map cases and document pouches with shoulder straps.

To be honest, even though the above lines are true, the real history of the crossbody bag should begin somewhere entirely different. In Australia. That’s where the earliest signs of what would later evolve into the modern crossbody bag first appeared.

These were traditional bags used by Australian Indigenous people, and in some parts of the country, they are still in use today. Nowadays, they are called “dilly bags.” These bags were most commonly made from plant fibers such as vine or hardened dried grass to enhance their durability, and sometimes they were lined with feathers to prevent small items from falling through the open weave. Their primary function was to help women collect and carry food, while men used them to transport hunting tools.

The most remarkable detail of these bags was the long carrying strap, often worn as a loop around the neck. This hands-free design allowed for maximum mobility and comfort—just like the crossbody bags we see today.

Thanks to those who invented them. Without them, life in the hustle and bustle of the city or on a nature walk would be far less convenient. And a lot less stylish.