Linjer Crossbody Purse Review & What Fits Inside

I’d be inclined to say that my bag of choice these days is a small cross body bag. I love the option of going hands free, and I like to try and scale back what I carry out of the house with me where I can. Which is why when I was given the chance to road test the Linjer Crossbody Purse, I jumped at the opportunity.

Wearing Everlane polka dot cami, Lover broderie anglaise midi skirt (old but love this option), ATP Atelier sandals, c/o Linjer Crossbody Purse, Linjer Petite Watch, Reliquia earrings

I’ve talked a bit about Linjer before, but what really resonates with me is their refined and thoughtful designs, meticulous attention to detail, and luxury quality materials. It’s this slow approach which I really admire; co-founders Roman and Jenn want to create products that are built to last but won’t cost you the earth. After using the bag pretty solidly over the last month, I wanted to talk through my thoughts on the Linjer Crossbody Purse, and share what I’ve managed to fit inside (spoiler: it’s actually quite a lot!).

Linjer Crossbody Purse

Linjer’s Crossbody Purse is a sleek half-moon design, with a curved edge along the top and a flat base and made from a smooth and supple leather. It opens with a double zip closure in a pale gold hardware, which makes for easy access as well as providing security from any sticky fingers.

The interior of the bag is lined with Linjer’s signature beige cotton twill lining – an element that I think always elevates a bag a notch and makes it feel more luxurious – with two internal slip pockets. I like to use the slip pockets to separate some of my go-to essentials, like my card case, my car key, and a lip balm or lipstick, as they make for easy access.

Finally, at the base of the bag you’ll find four metal feet (perfect for propping up on the ground!), and there’s a detachable, adjustable leather strap.

The bag comes in three sumptuous hues: burgundy, black and navy. Being a creature of habit, I naturally gravitated towards the classic black, which has a soft subtle sheen to it. As per the sling bag and the soft tote, it’s made from a vegetable tanned leather, a process that requires both skill and patience. If you’d like to learn a little more about the tanning process, Linjer have explained it on their website here. But essentially, it’s a 30 day process using organic materials, during which time the dyes full penetrate the leather embedding the colour within in. The beautiful thing about vegetable-tanned leathers is that the colour will patina over time, adding a lovely richness to colour of the leather.

Wear & Tear

I’ve been using the bag daily since unboxing it on my Instagram and so far, it’s really stood up to the challenge. Personally, I like to put a lot of emphasis on properly caring for the items in my wardrobe – whether it’s a blazer, a pair of shoes, or a handbag – but that doesn’t mean I want to go to the extra effort of babying my belongings. And, I haven’t felt a need to baby this bag.

While the style of the bag is structured, the leather has a lot of give to it. It softens against your hip when worn cross body if it isn’t full, but I’ve found that it still retains its integrity when taken off and perched on a table or bench top.

I can be a little clumsy sometimes and have managed to nick the top of the bag with my car key, which I was able to easily buff out using the natural oils from my thumb. Mine doesn’t have any visible nicks or scratches to the lining or the exterior leather, and the integrity of the structure is still intact – basically, it looks brand new even though I’ve worn it practically daily for the last month to do everything from walking the dog and grabbing groceries, to attending a gallery opening and a high tea with friends.

Being made from a smooth Italian leather, it’s more delicate than Linjer’s soft tote or sling bag, both of which are crafted from a hardy grained leather. So it probably goes without saying that any serious scratches are likely to show up, and by that very same token, I wouldn’t overstuff it either to avoid any bulges or creases to the exterior leather. Experience tells me that it’s the kind of bag that will age gracefully with proper maintenance and care, and over time I’ll be sure to use a good leather cleaner and conditioner on the bag (Roman and Jenn recommend the brand Collonil).

What Fits Inside?

I’ll admit, I was a little surprised with how much I could fit inside. On first look, the Linjer Crossbody Purse appears to be a petite bag option which would fit your key essentials and little else, but I’ve found that to be far from the case. In addition to the below list, I’m also able to tuck a foldable nylon carry bag inside.

• The Handmaids Tale
• Charlotte Olympia zippy coin purse
• Charlotte Olympia cardholder
• Louis Vuitton key holder
• Elleme sunglasses
• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Perfume
• Aesop Hand Sanitiser
• Apple iPhone 8 Plus (Sailor Moon iPhone case is from here)
• YSL Tatouage Couture Lip Stain

If you’d like to see how this all fits inside the bag, you can check out my latest YouTube video here.

Final Thoughts

You all know how much stock I put in finding good classic pieces for your wardrobe that will last you for years, and that is never more true than when it comes to your ‘accessories’ wardrobe. If you tend to dress more minimally – like myself – then it is these accessories that will often be the statement makers or finishing touches of your outfit. And the Linjer Crossbody Purse really has been that and then some for me.

Despite its relatively compact size – which keeps the bag feeling quite lightweight even when stuffed full – it fits quite a lot. More than just the essentials. I’ve been making more of an effort to start reading regularly, which means if I’m on the train anywhere, I like to be able to cart my book along with me too, so it’s a bonus that I can tuck a small/medium sized paperback and still have room for my keys, wallet and phone.

The standard of the finish, the details, and the quality of the leather are all what I’ve come to expect from Linjer; from the unboxing experience, to the actual product, it’s that luxury look and feel without the designer mark up.

One of the qualities I really love about the Linjer Crossbody Purse is its dual functionality. I’m just as inclined to wear it cross body as I am wearing it as a top handle bag. While it’s a subtle change, its that combined with the luxurious smooth leather which makes the bag feel so versatile; I’ve worn it both with jeans and a tee to run some errands, as well as with a cute mini dress and heels for a more formal event.

A good cross body bag is such an essential in my day-to-day wardrobe, but what had really been missing was something in a classic black leather that I could carry around in my hand that wasn’t cumbersome. And this ticks all those boxes. It’s both elegant yet practical at the same time, in a classic timeless silhouette which I can really see standing the test of time. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but I love Linjer’s ethos; it’s something that really resonates. Premium quality bags without the premium price point, and their crossbody purse is yet to disappoint.