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When life requires something between a clutch for the bare necessities and a holds-absolutely-everything tote bag, a large crossbody bag is the purse for the job. Over the years, I’ve built quite the handbag collection and I think I’ve finally found the best leather crossbody bag. And while I adore my vintage handbags, there’s one crossbody purse I’ve found that’s getting more wear than all of the others lately.
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Most vintage handbags are on the small side—they didn’t have to fit cell phones in their purses back then—but this isn’t always the case. I came across this image of a woman in the 1940s on Pinterest. She’s wearing a smart suit and carrying a round handbag in a larger size that I don’t typically see in photos from that decade. I was delighted to find an incredibly close modern match in the Portland Leather Circle Crossbody.
Best Leather Crossbody Bag
Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody Bag
The Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody is a versatile handbag in a fun round shape. This popular crossbody purse has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating from 1,995 happy customers. Now that I’ve been using mine for a while, I agree that it’s the best leather crossbody bag based on size, appearance and quality.
The Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody is available in two sizes. Both are 3 inches deep, while the small measures 7 inches wide and the large is 9 inches wide. They both come with an adjustable crossbody strap that can be 44.5″-53.5″ long.
I have the large, which I find to be the perfect size for anything on my schedule for the day. This leather crossbody purse also has both an interior pocket and an exterior pocket for storing your phone or other valuables you need to easily access.
Not only is this large crossbody purse the ideal size for everyday wear, but it’s also available in 15 beautiful colors in either pebble or smooth leather. I have classic black but there are plenty of fun colors to choose from including Lavender, a coral pink called Tulip, a sunny yellow called Sunflower and a deep turquoise blue called Lagoon. Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody, $118 at Portland Leather
What I can fit in my Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody Bag
This round crossbody handbag is surprisingly roomy. It can hold all of my day-to-day essentials for running errands, working, shopping, a day at the museum or meeting friends for lunch. Here’s what I can fit in my Portland Leather Large Circle Crossbody:
- Keys
- A pen
- A notepad
- An iPhone 13 Pro
- A card case
- A Bkr Teeny 8 oz water bottle
- A 2 oz bottle of Neutrogena hand cream
- A tube of Revlon Lipstick
- A pack of Altoids
- Contact drops
- Hand sanitizer
- A nail file
Honestly, I think it could fit a few more small items, like a powder compact and hair comb I usually carry. This is a great crossbody bag for travel since it can hold so much and keep items organized in the different pockets.
How to care for a leather handbag
This handbag is made of quality, durable leather and proper upkeep will ensure it stays beautiful for years to come. Here’s how to care for a leather handbag.
Care for the corners
I don’t have to worry about this with my round crossbody purse, but the corners on some bags can start to become dry after time. Portland Leather suggests applying a small dab of Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Healing Balm to dry areas. This balm helps protect, soften and moisturize leather, plus get rid of any blemishes.
Apply a leather protectant
Portland Goods shares that light colored leathers, like Sunflower and Tulip, are more prone to stains and discoloration from oils and dirt. I experienced this with a yellow leather crossbody purse from Fossil I used to own. That wouldn’t deter me from buying one of the lighter leathers though. They’re beautiful and can be the pop of color your outfit needs on any given day. To prevent stains on your handbags, Portland Goods suggests applying a leather protectant like Leather Protection Cream by Furniture Clinic. You can also use this multi-purpose cream on shoes, furniture and leather car seats.
Visit Portland Leather for more tips on how to care for leather handbags.
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