Men’s Crossbody and Sling Bags: How to Wear Them Well

The crossbody bag has become the everyday bag for many men: it keeps a phone, wallet and keys out of trouser pockets and leaves both hands free. The sling bag and the bum bag are its close cousins. This guide explains the differences and how to wear each, with 24 Valextra crossbody, sling and belt bags at Coveti from $2,450 to $3,250. Valextra is a Milan leather house founded in 1937 by Giovanni Fontana, and every piece is made in Italy.

Key facts

• Crossbody: a small bag on a long strap, worn across the body.
• Sling: a one-shoulder backpack worn across the back.
• Bum bag: worn at the waist and across the chest.
• Size: a reporter of about 24 cm takes a phone, wallet, keys and sunglasses.
• At Coveti: 24 Valextra styles.

The reporter crossbody

The V-Line Reporter Bag is 24 cm wide with a main compartment, a pocket and an outer compartment, on a wide strap that adjusts for the shoulder and across the body. The Reporter Mini at 19 cm takes the essentials only.

The Pocket crossbody

The Valextra Pocket Crossbody has an asymmetric shape and three compartments: two snap flaps and a zipped centre. Its strap swivels through 180 degrees so the bag moves with the body. It is only 5 cm deep, so it lies flat under a coat.

The sling

A sling is a one-shoulder backpack, worn across the back and swung round to open. The V-Line One Shoulder Backpack has inside compartments for a tablet and notebooks, and the mini takes its shape from the Tric Trac. The V-Line Core has a sculpted front and double zip.

The bum bag

Worn across the chest rather than the waist, a bum bag is the most casual of the three. The V-Line Bum Bag has two compartments with card pockets, and the Pocket Bum Bag has several compartments on a fabric strap.

How to wear a crossbody

Wear the strap short, so the bag sits at the hip, just above at most, never at the thigh. Across the body under an open coat looks neat; over a suit jacket, carry it on the shoulder instead. Choose black, navy and a deep green for every day, and keep the strap adjusted so the bag does not swing.

Crossbody bags at a glance

House dimensions, widest point.

Men’s crossbody and sling bags worth buying

1. V-Line Reporter Bag in Linen Grey, $3,250

The V-Line Reporter has a main compartment with a pocket and an outer compartment, on a wide strap that adjusts for the shoulder and across the body. This one is in linen grey Millepunte calf leather. Dimensions: width 24 cm, height 16 cm, depth 9.5 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

2. Pocket Crossbody Bag in Bottle Green, $3,040

The Pocket bag has three compartments, two snap flaps and a zipped centre. The strap swivels through 180 degrees so it moves with the body. Dimensions: width 24 cm, height 15 cm, depth 5 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

3. V-Line One Shoulder Backpack in Black, $3,250

A one-shoulder backpack for the commute and the weekend, with inside compartments for tech, notebooks and personal things on a wide adjustable strap. This one is in black Millepunte calf leather. Dimensions: width 22 cm, height 32 cm, depth 12 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

4. V-Line Bum Bag in Musk Green, $3,250

A bum bag in Millepunte leather with two compartments, pouches and card pockets. It sits at the waist and across the body. Dimensions: width 23.5 cm, height 16 cm, depth 6 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

5. V-Line Reporter Mini Bag in Linen Grey, $2,450

The smaller V-Line Reporter, a compact crossbody in Millepunte leather with a strap that adjusts for the shoulder and across the body. This one is in linen grey Millepunte calf leather. Dimensions: width 19 cm, height 13.5 cm, depth 7 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

6. V-Line One Shoulder Mini Backpack in Pergamena White, $2,930

A compact one-shoulder backpack whose shape comes from the Tric Trac, finished with hand-painted Inchiostro lines and the black lacquered Costa edge. This one is in pergamena white Millepunte calf leather. Dimensions: width 15 cm, height 20 cm, depth 7 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

Buying Valextra at Coveti

Every piece is authentic and checked before dispatch, and ships worldwide by insured express courier (DHL Express and FedEx International Priority). Most regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid, so local duties and taxes are payable on delivery. Bags and small leather goods are one size. Full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best men’s crossbody bag?

A slim reporter of about 24 cm, which takes a phone, wallet and keys without bulk.

What is the difference between a crossbody and a sling bag?

A crossbody hangs at the hip; a sling is a one-shoulder backpack worn across the back.

How should a man wear a crossbody bag?

With the strap short so the bag sits at the hip, across the body under an open coat.

Can I wear a crossbody with a suit?

Carry it on the shoulder rather than across the body, and choose a slim leather style.

How much is a Valextra crossbody bag?

$2,450 to $3,250 at Coveti on 14 October 2026.

Are Valextra bags made in Italy?

Yes.

Read next

Men’s leather backpacks, men’s work bags, Valextra for men, men’s designer wallets.

More men’s guides

Valextra for men, Men’s designer wallets, men’s leather briefcases, men’s crossbody and sling bags, and the full Valextra collection at Coveti.

Sources and method

Checked on 14 October 2026 by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Product facts (materials, dimensions, straps and country of manufacture) are the brand’s own product-page text; prices and counts are the live Coveti catalogue on that date and move with stock. Where a claim could not be checked it was left out.

• valextra.com, Bags: product pages read on 14 October 2026 (descriptions, dimensions, materials, Made in Italy)
• Coveti, logistics and returns protocol
• Coveti live catalogue, 14 October 2026: prices, sizes and stock

Gemma Deeks is Fashion Editor at Coveti. Prices, stock and counts on this page were checked against coveti.com and valextra.com on 14 October 2026.