Unless you already own one, you won't realise just how stylish and functional crossbody bags can be. They're a great alternative to a standard tote, often more spacious than the shape and size would have you believe, and full of little niches and pockets that all women love.

They're rarely at the blow-the-budget level price wise, and they're definitely not relegated to being fashionable arm candy for the young and frivolous only! They're available in a gorgeous array of colors, designs, styles and sizes, not to mention that some are cute, others are hot and some are just plain 'wow'!

You can opt for useful, functional and goes-with-anything black, or maybe you're a mom, run off her feet, needing a bag that covers several bases? If you love being organised and being able to locate your keys, loose change, cards and lipstick in a snap, there's the perfect match for you too. In fact there's a cool cross body bag for just about everyone.

Baggallini Uptown Bagg

As crossbody bags go, you don't get more compact and dedicated than the Baggallini. It's a great little tote, similar to a messenger bag and available in a range of 11 different colors. From black through to khaki, mango to steel blue, there's enough shade variations to allow you to go with the flow or let your hair down and choose something that's vibrant and sassy.They're a firm favorite as a day purse, or for those that are always on the go and need a reliable purse to help keep them moving.

There's a variety of pockets, both inside and out, with a roomy interior, as well as a spot for credit cards, keys, a cell phone and more. The strap adjusts with ease and all the fastenings/zippers are more than capable of standing up to the usual comings and goings in the life of a well-loved purse. Almost indestructible, attractive and highly functional - the bag for the girl on the go.

Baggallini Uptown Bagg List Price: $74.95

Large ''Ziggy'' Crossbody Bag

This is a large crossbody bag, extremely spacious and full of great little pockets, faux zippers and the potential for carrying some seriously girly luggage around. The Ziggy is available in three colors: black, red and blue and the strap is so long that you can hang it either high or low on the hip.

It's a great choice for the student, the workaholic, even the fashion conscious mommy. It's a well made bag, quality hardware, a faux leather exterior with a lovely cotton/nylon mix lining. It's a bag that you can be laid back with, due to the size, yet it's got enough compartments and pockets to still offer plenty scope for organizing your more important bits and pieces. Great looking cross body bag - gorgeous, spacious and right on-trend.

Large ''Ziggy'' Crossbody Bag

LeSportsac Shellie Cross-Body

This crossbody bags totally adorable, sassy and still highly functional. You can buy it in a range of fun and fabulous colors and designs, or choose to go for something a little more understated and elegant looking. It's definitely a simple, unfussy bag, an ultra long adjustable strap, a roomy interior, several zipped pockets and the fabric, being nylon ripstop, is as tough as it gets.

It's a great little bag, good for carrying small and important items, the type that you take with you for lunch, to the cinema or when you're out and about and need something that's small but perfectly formed. The way that the strap is attached allows you to use it as a cross body or as a shoulder bag, and the fact that it's lightweight yet strong means it has potential for when you're out shopping - and you have some extra space available to fill with new purchases!

LeSportsac Shellie Cross-Body

LeSportsac Deluxe Everyday Cross-Body

Of the various crossbody bags on the market, this one is a hugely popular style and design. It's another from the LeSportsac brand name and it's a larger, more rounded version of the previous bag. It's big enough to carry college books for the avid student, and equally big enough for the working woman's office portfolio.

Again, it's available in a range of colors and designs and depending on whether you prefer something fresh and vibrant, or muted and cool, you do get 14 different patterns and styles to choose from. It features a series of zipped pockets, a long carry strap that runs around the whole bag, reinforced stitching, a contrasting lining and a durable manufacture all round. Lightweight, reliable - tough yet gorgeous.

LeSportsac Deluxe Everyday Cross-Body

Fossil Crosstown Flat Crossbody

I love Fossil bags, who doesn't? Of all the leather crossbody bags, this one's the best seller by a long mile. The material is a beautiful soft yet durable leather, which you can purchase in either a red, brown or a natural shade. It features the well-known brand logo, an easily adjustable strap and a variety of different pockets.

There's a place for your cell, your PDA or other similar sized gadgets, your loose change and keys, must-have makeup and more. It's a great size, 10 inches square, and it's the little details that get my vote. The quality of the stitching, the lining and the hardware all help to create a cross body bag that will look as good on your hip in five years time as it will the day you buy it.