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Are you looking for sustainable crossbody bags, because you feel strongly about ethical fashion? Then you’re in the right place! Shopping for eco-friendly purses can be a big challenge, because there are so many ways brands interpret the words “eco friendly” and “sustainable.”
Hi, I’m Leslie
My name is Leslie, and I’m the founder of PunkMed! On my blog, I and my team share my info, experiences, and recommendations in the area of sustainability, urban homesteading, and outdoor living. My goal is to help my readers (that’s you) live an outdoorsy life – no matter where you live, and that sustainability doesn’t have to be boring!
In today’s post, I’m sharing 15 brands to check out for sustainable crossbody bags. Now, I want to be clear upfront – I haven’t bought crossbody purses from each of these brands (that would be a lot of purses, yikes)! I’ve put together this roundup so you can find what you need, and my intention is to save you from hours of Googling.
Let’s get into it!
Sustainable Crossbody Bags
One of the challenges of shopping sustainably is how much time it takes. To mitigate this, I have organized this blog post with the following info:
- Labor Practices
- Materials Used
- Price Point
- Helpful warranties or guarantees the brand makes
I’ve also included styling tips throughout the post, as I love sustainable fashion.
This post is all about sustainable crossbody bags.
#1: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from LESLEY BRAVODISENOS
Starting the list of sustainable crossbody bags, I am very excited by these sustainable crossbody bags from LESLEY BRAVODISENOS. The design is modern and sharp. These are not your run-of-the-mill eco-friendly purses. I can see a bold vegan urbanite loving this bag!
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: None listed
- Materials Used: “Desserto® – a sustainable eco-friendly plant-based material made from cactus.”
- Price Point: $150
- Warranties or Guarantees: None listed
See more unique and eye-catching ethical purses here.
#2: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Independent Reign
Second on my guide to sustainable crossbody bags is Independent Reign on Etsy. I love the chic simplicity of their ethical purses, and I can see this neutral bag working for a good number of chic outfits. I live in Boston, and this is a bag I’d take on a weekend trip to Cape Cod.
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Handmade by the owner, in New York
- Materials Used: Real leather strap is sourced, cut, and dyed in the US. The designer doesn’t share sustainability info on linen fabric, but linen is a relatively sustainable fabric as it requires much less water to produce than cotton.
- Price Point: $70
- Warranties or Guarantees: None listed
See more chic and simple sustainable crossbody bags here!
#3 Sustainable Crossbody Bags – On the Go Cork Crossbody
This cute crossbody bag is made out of cork! Cork is an excellent sustainable material as it comes from the cork tree, which can regenerate itself after harvesting. I love the dimension in the material used here, and I can see this being a crossbody bag that can go from work to play.
- Materials Used: Cork
- Sustainability: Made with sustainable cork fabric in Aveiro, Portugal.
- Price Point: $85
From the brand: “Made from vegan, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, waterproof, lightweight, durable, biodegradable and recyclable natural cork. This bag features and exterior pocket for easy access, a zipped interior pocket for valuable, and an open interior pocket for quick grab items.”
Get this sustainable crossbody bag here.
#4: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Urban Originals at Anthropologie
In my search for ethically made crossbody bags, I was excited to find the Urban Originals line at Anthro! The fun straps really make these ethical purses stand out, without overpowering your outfit. This would be a great purse for someone who loves both their Teva sandals and high heels.
From their website: “Taking a stand against animal cruelty and the leather industry’s negative impact on our planet, Urban Originals creates stylish, luxe-looking bags and accessories out of sustainable, recycled materials. Endorsed by PETA, the brand’s entire collection is certified vegan – ensuring that you’ll feel as good as your new bag looks.”
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: “We design and sample every piece in our Sydney office, then produce them in China. Fostering robust relationships with all our factory owners, we’re SEDEX approved and deal only with department stores with an ethical sourcing team.”
- Materials Used: “Our vegan leathers are PU (polyurethane) – never PVC (polyvinyl chloride). We also work with sustainable cotton, canvas, and recycled nylons.”
- Price Point: $78
- Warranties or Guarantees: None listed
See all Urban Originals sustainable crossbody purses here.
#5: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Allégorie
Another crossbody bag made from cactus leather! This compact camera bag features a classic silhouette, for girlies who like their basics.
From the brand: “The Cactus Camera Bag has one functional exterior pocket and an interior that can hold all of your on-the-go essentials. Try it as a cross-body or wear it around the waist with its adjustable and detachable strap. Put it to the test on your next night out on the town or all-day excursion.”
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Ethically made in New York City.
- Materials Used: Made from cactus leaves and recycled plant-based materials.
- Price Point: $285
- Warranties or Guarantees: None listed
#6: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from ABLE
An interesting and layered discussion can be had around leather goods and sustainability. This post is not focused on that conversation, and I did want to be sure to include leather goods that are ethically sourced.
As an urban homesteader, I believe that if we’re going to eat an animal, we should work to reduce as much waste as possible!
Doing research for this roundup, I was particularly impressed with ABLE, a brand that produces sustainable leather crossbody bags. This brand had a lot of information on their labor and sustainability practices available on their website. Other brands on this list should take note.
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Conducts on-site audit with partners, info available here
- Materials Used: “All ABLE bags are sustainably made from 100% genuine leather.”
- Price Point: $145
- Warranties or Guarantees: “Every ABLE product is guaranteed for life.”
Check out ABLE sustainable crossbody purses here.
#7: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from KURT GEIGER LONDON
Next up on my roundup of sustainable crossbody bags is KURT GEIGER LONDON. I hadn’t heard of this brand before researching this post, and I love the saturated colors. No one says ethical fashion has to be boring!
Best of all, these eco-friendly purses are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. So cool!
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Info on labor practices here
- Materials Used: “Made from 100% recycled PET bottles”
- Price Point: $145
- Warranties or Guarantees: None
View all of their sustainable crossbody bags here.
#8: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Parker Clay
Parker Clay makes crossbody purses out of ethically sourced leather. If you’re looking for a sleek and more minimalist style, then this is the brand for you.
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: All products are made in Ethiopia, and workers are paid living wages. Full impact report here.
- Materials Used: Sustainably sourced leather
- Price Point: $188
- Warranties or Guarantees: None
Check out this sustainable leather crossbody bag here.
#9: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Cuyana
It’s time for some texture and prints! It was actually surprisingly difficult for me to find ethically made crossbody purses in a print!
Lucky for us, Cuyana has this snake print crossbody purse! To be clear, the leather has been embossed, this isn’t actual snake skin. This is a great going-out bag, and I’d pair the snake print with a sleek solid color dress, likely in black.
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Goods made in a “woman-owned factory in Turkey”
- Materials Used: Leather Working Group certified leather
- Price Point: $248
- Warranties or Guarantees: None shared on their website
View all of their sustainably made leather crossbody bags here.
#10: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Nisolo
Another chic and simple brand is Nisolo. Their Clara Crossbody feels very 90’s inspired to me. I can see myself using this as a smaller purse, putting it inside my work bag so that I have a smaller bag when going to lunch with my coworkers.
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: Goods made in a “woman-owned factory in Turkey”
- Materials Used: Leather Working Group certified leather
- Price Point: $248
- Warranties or Guarantees: None shared on their website
See more images of their sustainably made leather crossbody bags here.
#11: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from TELFAR
TELFAR is very much an “IFYKY” fashion company. This Black-owned brand has received notable awards for its vegan leather purses and bags. This is THE bag for those who are obsessed with effortless street style – think the person who splits her time between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
To support the longevity of their company, TELFAR uses a drop model, releasing specific colors and products at pre-advertised times. This helps this massively popular brand grow their business sustainably, while also promoting their customers to strategically plan for their drops.
See more images of their vegan leather crossbody bags here.
#12: Sustainable Crossbody Bags from Allégorie
Sometimes, for a night out I want a small crossbody bag that is just big enough for my phone, wallet and keys so it doesn’t get in the way while I’m dancing! Luckily, this sustainable crossbody bag from Allégorie is just that.
Plus, the aptly named Gala Everyday Crossbody bag is made from apple scraps produced by the juice industry, among other plant-based materials recycled from farms and industries. How cool is that?!
Sustainability Info:
- Labor Practices: “Ethically made in New York City”
- Materials Used: Made from apple peel and recycled plant-based materials
- Price Point: $248
- Warranties or Guarantees: None shared on their website
See more of their plant-based bags here.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few other brands to check out for sustainable crossbody bags:
- The Sak
- Eileen Fisher
- EVERLANE
- Rent the Runway*
*I love renting luxury bags that I would not be able to afford otherwise from Rent the Runway. Check out my review of Rent the Runway.
This post was all about sustainable crossbody bags.
