Tips on X-body bags for curvy women?

Thirkellgirl

Running through the airport this past weekend, I threw my tech-case (Eddie Bauer, like a flat purse with a long strap) across my body so I had enough hands for my jacket, rolling bag and backpack. It worked so well that I started thinking about trying to make a cross-body bag work for everyday. I've always figured I was too busty to make it work (wouldn't it just make me look bustier and hang out there in mid-air?) but perhaps there's some proportion that would make it work. Any ideas?

8 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I do know what you mean with the emphasis. A strap cutting across the body between the boobs does draw the eye. For me, it's always been more of a practical decision than a fashion one - if I need my hands free and I can't go bagless, then that's what needs to happen. How big a bag are we talking here? For smaller volumes, you could try other alternatives, like a fanny pack or extra pockets, or a travel pouch around the neck. For bigger, there's always the option of a backpack.

8 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I wear crossbody bags often, and find that a slightly wider strap makes all the difference. If the bag has a typical leather purse strap, it lodges between my girls like dental floss. Not appealing. If the strap is wider, like a web strap, it will cross my chest in a more flattering way. If I add a jacket (blazer, denim jackets, etc), the problem is solved by the extra layer of fabric.

8 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

Beth Ann you're killing me! But I knew exactly what you meant by 'like dental floss'. So I learned something from you about the best proportion for a strap. I say you should go for it, Thirkellgirl.

8 years ago

April

Veteran

I am in the process of adding cross-body bags to my wardrobe for summer. I usually only carry satchel styles, but I have ruined more than one lovely bag by hooking the handles over my crooked elbow (that's "crooked" with one syllable, not two) while I have a layer of sunscreen on my forearms. Plus in our hot, humid summers, satchel handles get sticky and gross.

So, crossbody it is, but I can already anticipate problems in the bust region.

I would say "always wear a crossbody over some sort of structured jacket and never over just a light knit top" to minimize the impression that you're lassoing a breast, but who am I kidding -- in the heat of summer, the likelihood that I will be wearing a structured jacket is about zero. Even a cotton denim jacket can be unbearable in our humidity.

You might think woven button-downs would solve this problem, but I'm not convinced. Seems like a crossbody would just pull open that button gap that appears when I wear a woven button-down, no matter how many times I size up.

8 years ago

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

"to minimize the impression that you're lassoing a breast" That is the best description of what happens that I've ever heard. I saw some very...um, functional....looking cross-body bags in a boutique in St. Paul last weekend, and it seemed that the strap had been engineered to work well (it was flat, medium width, and it swiveled where it met the body of the purse). I was hoping for something a little spunkier, leopard print, maybe, but if I can't find anything else I might get one next time I'm in town.

8 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I am in the camp that if you need one, then it counts as gear, but otherwise, I've never see on look flattering on anyone. There is no way to minimize the "lassoing a breast look", IMO, and it simply isn't worth it as an everyday look for me.

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm laughing at some of these descriptions, because I can relate all too well.

I tend to only use a crossbody when I can keep the bag as small and lightweight as possible, and for the most casual of looks. Even then, it's not my favorite look for myself, and I rarely do it. I do like using my backpack bag -- for some reason I tend to wear it mostly in the warmer months, and not with heavier coats.

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Aimee Kestenberg 'Tamitha II' Backpack

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8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

This is my favorite kind of bag. I really need the function. The one I'm using a lot lately is a seatbelt bag. The strap is wide, and this particular bag is big:

http://www.zappos.com/harveys-.....ote-indigo

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8 years ago

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