Comfortable, functional, stylish, and sustainable. What else could we be talking about other than sustainable crossbody bags?
Unlike the conventional toxin-tanned leather and planet-polluting PVC bags you can pick up for a dime, we’ve curated a list for you of our favorite bag brands making this cross-functional minimalist wardrobe essential.
They use responsible materials and also prioritize fair labor practices, low-waste production and carbon saving initiatives.
To find more brands like these, we’re crossing into new territory with our Brand Rating System that extends what we look for to an array of sustainability-related criteria, including animal welfare policies, diversity, green business practices, and climate impact. You can learn more about the whole process here and take a look at the rated brands on the list below who’ve gone the extra mile when it comes to transparency.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Our Top Picks For Eco-Friendly Crossbody Bag Brands
Carry Courage. handmakes a wide range of beautiful highly-rated crossbody bags (19 styles at the time of writing) using predominantly cork and organic cotton. Carry Courage has also been comprehensively rated & reviewed by us – find the full rating here.
Poppy Barley crafts luxury footwear, bags, and accessories from responsibly sourced materials like Leather Working Group (LWG) certified leather. They’ve been comprehensively rated and reviewed by us—find the full rating here.
From everyday carrying to a night out on the town, we’re in a good mood thanks to Pixie Mood’s use of recycled plastic bottles. With its chic looks and impressive versatility, the Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody is our daily go-to purse we’ve been using for months.
Index: Sustainable Crossbody Bag Brands
- Carry Courage Jump to brand
- Poppy Barley Jump to brand
- O My Bag Jump to brand
- Pixie Mood Jump to brand
- Deux Mains Jump to brand
- Doshi Jump to brand
- Malia Designs Jump to brand
Carry Courage
Circular
All or some products are circular in nature - such that no part of the product needs to end up in landfill at the end of its life
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
Repairs Offered
Product can be easily repaired directly by the brand.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
GOTS
PETA
Carry Courage has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Portland-based Carry Courage has you covered with 19 different styles of their own handmade cork crossbody bags. They also offer several styles from the Tibet-based NORBOO brand, sales from which go directly to the artisan makers.
Their material of choice is sustainably harvested cork fabric paired with an organic cotton liner. The NORBOO range features a variety of indigenous materials, including cotton and sheep’s wool.
Their Carry Courage branded products are handcrafted in their own studio in small batches in Portland, Oregon directly by founder, Marisa, and local sewing assistants.
Poppy Barley
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materialsThoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
B Corp
LWG
Poppy Barley has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Female-founded and based in Edmonton, Canada, Poppy Barley offers luxury footwear, bags, and accessories crafted primarily from Leather Working Group (LWG) certified leather.
They have a wide range of minimalist style crossbody bags including a Slouchy Crossbody style, a Camera Bag, a Day To Night bag (yay for multi-purpose), The 3-in-1 Wristlet, a Weekend Tote style, and more.
Poppy Barley disclose their Tier 1 factories on their website and audit them directly at least every two years. They also offer a trade-in program to promote circularity and give back through their Future Fund.
O My Bag
O My Bag is yet to be rated.
About O My Bag
Price Range: $119–$369
O My Bag has us saying OMB for their crossbody bags.
The practical and versatile design of the Audrey – Cognac Classic Leather makes it a minimalist wardrobe staple. It has just the right amount of pockets to organize your essentials and comes with two different straps so you can switch up your look depending on the occasion.
Prefer to stick to vegan materials? O My Bag’s best sellers are also available in AppleSkin™ vegan leather. This includes the super cute Audrey Mini – Cognac Apple Leather, a mini crossbody bag that’s smaller but just as classy as its big sister.
O My Bag’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
O My Bag works with LWG-certified tanneries that produce naturally tanned leathers sourced as by-products from the meat/dairy industry. It’s SGS tested chromium-free and has no synthetic coating. The vegan collection is made using AppleSkin™, partially created from waste fruit.
The brand’s signature lining is made from GRS-certified recycled cotton, and the webbing straps are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton dyed with organic dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
O My Bag works with four SA8000-certified ethical factories in Kolkata, India. Their EMA factory is a guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The Certified B Corp uses 100% renewable energy to power its HQ and stores in Amsterdam, and FSC-certified recycled materials for packaging. All of O My Bag’s durable crossbody bags are guaranteed for life, extended further by a repair service and their pre-loved program.
Pixie Mood
Pixie Mood is yet to be rated.
About Pixie Mood
Price Range: $49–$81
If you’re looking for a stylish, high-quality crossbody bag, Pixie Mood has plenty to choose from.
Everything Pixie Mood makes is super versatile, including the Jane 2-in-1 vegan crossbody wallet, with a zippered wallet that detaches using two clips and hidden magnetics so you can use it as a clutch when the whole bag isn’t needed—or when a bigger one is! It also features a detachable, adjustable strap, RFID protection, and is PETA-approved vegan.
Pixie Mood’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Pixie Mood uses GRS-certified vegan leather made from recycled plastic bottles. We own several of their sustainable bags and just love how the durable pebbled texture feels like real leather.
Other materials include solvent-free vegan leather, recycled cotton canvas, and 100% GRS recycled polyester bag linings. Materials are regularly tested to meet California Prop 65 and hardware is EU REACH-compliant.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Asian manufacturing partners are visited annually to ensure fair wages, healthy working environments, and no child or forced labor.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Pixie Mood is carbon positive thanks to an offsetting partnership with TerraPass. The recycled crossbody bags come packaged in biodegradable, corn-based bags, sometimes with 100% recyclable EPE foam to help retain shape.
My Personal Review of Pixie Mood’s Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody:
“I love the clever design of the Jane 2-in-1 Crossbody; it’s my go-to bag! On days when I want to travel light, I can easily detach the wallet and the magnetic feature ensures everything stays put when attached. With its adorable faux nubuck leather, it looks just as chic as real leather, but without any ethical concerns. Also clearly high-quality craftsmanship, I expect this to last me for years to come.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Deux Mains
Deux Mains is yet to be rated.
About Deux Mains
Price Range: $79–$395
Women-led Deux Mains believes we should all “buy quality, less often”. To that end, their handmade bags, sandals, and accessories are aesthetically timeless and designed to last.
For an durable crossbody bag that’s as stylish as it is sustainable, check out the Ideal Crossbody. The elegant handle is finished with hand-wrapped leather, and it features a detachable shoulder strap, magnetic closures, and solid brass hardware.
Deux Mains’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Deux Mains’ ethical leather is ethically sourced from LWG Gold rated tanneries or as deadstock from other fashion production.
Supply chain & labor practices:
All products are handmade in small batches in the brand’s own factory in Haiti. Employees receive living wages, healthcare, paid maternity and paternity leave, and access to education. They purchase leather from a local Haitian tannery and a sustainable tannery in Mexico. They visit both regularly.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The Haitian factory is 100% solar-powered. Small batch production keeps waste to a minimum, and the brand uses low-waste packaging.
Doshi
Doshi is yet to be rated.
About Doshi
Price Range: $59–$139
BIPOC-owned Doshi has had many a feature across SJ for their vegan handbags. And for good reason. Theirs are PETA-approved, as are their women’s and men’s backpacks, briefcases, wallets, and belts.
Add a pop of color to your outfit with Doshi’s Little Crossbody Camera Bag. It features dual zippered pockets and sturdy hardware to keep your essentials safe on your next zero waste travel adventure.
Doshi’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Doshi uses two types of material for its sustainable crossbody bags: Pinatex (a bio-based leather alternative derived from pineapple leaves) and PVC-free microfiber vegan leather. Some feature a polyester lining.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Doshi regularly visits its manufacturing partners to ensure environmental and social standards are maintained. Many are BSCI-audited or hold other social compliance certifications.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
They prioritize suppliers that minimize the amount of solvents and chemicals used in production.
Community & charitable giving:
Doshi donates 5% of net sales to nonprofits via its “First Five for the World” giveback program. Recipients include Farm Sanctuary, Compassion Over Killing, India Development and Relief Fund, and more.
My Personal Review of Doshi’s Pinatex Crossbody Pouch:
“Featuring a zip top closure and an adjustable strap, the effortlessly chic and compact Pinatex Crossbody Pouch is ideal for everyday carrying. I love how when it’s unloaded, this bag collapses completely flat, which actually makes it perfect if you need to pick a purse when traveling but don’t want it to be considered your personal item. Because of its slim design, it doesn’t hold terribly much, but there’s plenty of space for the essentials. I was even able to fit a water bottle to take with me on a long day in a theme park.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Malia Designs
Malia Designs is yet to be rated.
About Malia Designs
Price Range: $24–$48
Whether you’re looking for asling bag, bucket bag, messenger bag, or tote, you’ll find something unique and fun from fair trade brand Malia Designs.
Like the Crescent Moon Crossbody Bag made from upcycled cotton canvas and the Recycled Small Crossbody made from recycled animal feed bags.
Malia Design’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Malia Design’s crossbody bags are made from locally-sourced recycled cement bags, recycled animal feed bags, and deadstock cotton canvas.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The brand partners with three women-led fair trade suppliers in Cambodia, providing employment for over 300 people, including disabled individuals and at-risk women.
