9 Crossbody Bags to Give You That Extra Pair of Hands You’ve Always Wanted

I'll admit it: Some days I curse my body type. If only I were built more like, say, a squid — or even just a lemur — life would be so much easier, I think. My extra hands would let me do the impossible … things like simultaneously gripping my handbag, sipping coffee, reading my Kindle, and holding onto a subway strap — a feat never before accomplished on public transport, at least not without a blouse-punishing slosh from that Starbucks cup.

As it stands, I’ve only got the two hands — which means: gotta make do. And that’s where the crossbody bag back comes into play. After a few years of carrying a mega-sized tote over my shoulder — this one to be exact! — I’ve sent it into retirement. (Sorry, old friend. We had a good run.) Its replacement: a streamlined crossbody that’s letting me navigate spring hands-free.

And I’m clearly not the only one looking for a little freedom this season, as the bright, springy (and not crazy-expensive!) crossbodies from Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Ted Baker, and pretty much any other designer you could name prove.