While 70% of people around the world are working remotely at least once a week, the traditional 9 to 5 job is far from a thing of the past. Every morning, millions of Americans pack their things into a professional bag and head to the office. As for those who don’t, they may casually tuck their computer into a messenger bag and head to work at the nearest coffee shop.

Regardless of where you work, a bag is the common factor in getting yourself and your belongings to a space where you can focus on your job in an efficient way.

If you’re looking to replace your current bag or upgrade to a better style, you’re likely wondering what style is right for you. Are messenger bags the best option for your needs, or will a standard crossbody one suit you better?

Luckily, we’re here to determine what type of bag is right for you! Read on to learn the answer to this question and to discuss the styles of bags out there. 

Messenger Bags vs Crossbody Bags

You know you want either a messenger bag or a crossbody one- after all, they’re the most professional and easy-to-carry types of bags. Still, you may be unclear on what the difference is between these two types of carriers. In this section, we’ll look in detail at this distinction and determine which type has the most utility for your specific needs. 

What’s the Difference, Anyway?

Okay, so it’s time for a little confession: to say that there’s a ‘difference’ between a messenger and crossbody bag is a bit of a stretch. In reality, a messenger bag is a type of crossbody bag.

Crossbody bags refer to any bag that- you guessed it!- is worn across your body. Slung around one shoulder and held on your opposite hip, crossbody bags are easy to carry because you can use both hands for other things while still keeping your bag secure.

Crossbody bags are also resistant against theft because if someone wanted to steal it, they couldn’t just grab it and run. They’d need to extract it from your entire body.

A messenger bag is a subcategory of crossbody bag, usually used in more professional settings. They’re durable and usually made from thick, water-resistant fabric. Messenger bags are almost always large enough to fit a laptop or tablet in, making them easy to bring to an office or park so you can get some work done.

Which is Best for Your Needs?

There are tons of styles of messenger bags, but since crossbody bags incorporate more styles, they’re best suited for personal needs. You can get a small crossbody bag to fit a wallet, some makeup, and an emergency flask in for a night out.

This tends to be a woman thing- after all, they come in lots of fashionable styles and go with every type of party dress, club outfit, or dinner attire. But, men, don’t look away just yet! There are styles of crossbody bags out there for you as well, from simple black crossbody bags to ones that incorporate multiple colors.

Messenger bags are 100% unisex. For one thing, they’re usually used in professional settings, and these settings incorporate both intelligent women and capable men. Because of this, messenger bags tend to come in many shades of gray and blue, which are colors you can wear with basically anything.

What Styles are En Vogue Today?

Once you determine what type of bag you want, it’s time to look into some styles that are “in” right now. After all, it’s important to look professional in the workplace and fashionable on a night out. A bag is the perfect accessory to get the right look. Read on to learn the best styles of messenger and crossbody bags on the market today to go with any vibe you want to give off!

Messenger Bag Styles

Let’s start out by looking at the more specific category of messenger bags.

One of the most important things to consider when looking into a messenger bag is the material that it’s made of. Since you’re likely going to have an expensive piece of technology in it quite often, it needs to be durable and waterproof. Polyester is an amazing material that’s thick and can be easily insulated.

While most messenger bags come in dulled colors, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be creative. Different sizes and styles abound in these bags- you can select between a variety of bags with different pocket placement, logos, and rubber or metal accents.

One of the most en vogue ways to spruce up your messenger bag is to put some pins on it. Include logos and symbols that sum up your ideologies or quotes that inspire you in your day-to-day life. Get creative!

Crossbody Bag Styles

Because crossbody bags are a much wider category than messenger bags are, there are a ton more styles out there for you to choose from. You can get crossbody bags in pretty much any size or color you could dream of. Whether you want a small, candy-pink bag that can turn into a clutch or a star-patterned bag that’s large enough to hold your favorite book, there’s something out there for you.

As with messenger bags, it’s super fashionable to add a personal touch to your crossbody bag in the form of buttons. Consider making some on your own and attaching them to the strap of your purse!

One current trend is to get an eco-friendly crossbody bag. These come in just as many styles as any other purse, but they have the added bonus of being good for the environment. Made using methods that reduce your carbon footprint, these bags are often made of reusable materials!

Can I Customize My Bag?

If you want to go the extra mile in expressing yourself, you may consider customizing your canvas messenger bag or crossbody bag. There are many affordable and easy ways to do this, so it’s certainly an option to look into. Here, we’re going to discuss how this works and give you an additional option if you’re looking to show off your professional persona or personal interests.

How Does It Work?

While this is a reasonable question, it’s nothing to fret about! Getting a custom crossbody bag is actually a very simple task. We offer two awesome kinds of printing services in our shop that are really easy to use in printing any design you might want.

While we offer screen printing for string backpacks, our digital printing service is what you’ll want to use for your durable crossbody bag design. Designs can be printed in full color, so you won’t have to sacrifice any quality. Keep in mind our digital printing service is offered only on canvas bags and light color bags. You can still get your messenger bag screen printed though whether it’s black messenger bag or red crossbody bag. 

Plus, the website is super easy to use and consumer-friendly! All you need to do is select the type of messenger bags you are interested in, upload your design and head to the checkout. You’ll then be all set to wait for your custom bag to arrive in the mail.

What Can I Print on My Bag?

The possibilities for what you can put on your new bag are limitless!

For bags that are going to be used primarily in your personal life, it’s a cool idea to create a design that means something to you. Simple designs using text are awesome. If you’re a big reader, for example, quotes about books will look good on bags of any size.

If you want a more complex and colorful design, you can upload photos of pets or pictures of yourself and your special someone. Just pick something that inspires joy and will make you feel calm and happy when you look at it!

Of course, for messenger bags that you’re going to use in professional settings, a picture of yourself and your partner gazing into each other’s eyes just isn’t going to cut it. Luckily, you can just as easily upload images of the corporate logo for the office you work for. Showing workplace solidarity has never been easier!

Get Your Perfect Bag Today!

While choosing the right bag (or bags) can be a challenge, you can make it a lot easier on yourself. By thinking about what type will be easiest for you to carry and what situations you want to use it for, you’ll get some good ideas of what you want to buy. Also keep in mind, by buying your bags in bulk you will save even further with the wholesale prices we offer to the public. 

Now that you know everything there is to know about canvas messenger bags and crossbody bags, it’s time to get shopping! Check out our contact page to ask any further questions about messenger bags and what they can do for you. Then head over to our shop and get the best deals on the bag of your dreams!

Stay stylish and stay awesome!

Want to see more ideas of branding with tote bags? Then head over here!

Ten articles before and after

ergobag goes around the world – Switzerland | Professional Bag Manufacturer

A fruit you can sink your teeth into | Professional Bag Manufacturer

Why Use a Lunch Cooler Bag? Your Guide to Coolers & Insulated Bags | Professional Bag Manufacturer

It's never too early for a good book, but where do you go from there? | Professional Bag Manufacturer

ergobag goes around the world – Finland | Professional Bag Manufacturer

Blood is thicker than water | Professional Bag Manufacturer

A kid-style birthday celebration for the backpack maker | Professional Bag Manufacturer

DIY Arts and Crafts Project With Canvas Tote Bags | Professional Bag Manufacturer

5 reasons why you should send your child to preschool | Professional Bag Manufacturer

Polyester Tote Bags & Poly Bags | How to Clean a Polyester Bag | Professional Bag Manufacturer