How to Wear a Sling Bag

It’s official, I’m obsessed with my sling bag. For a while, I didn’t understand how to wear a sling bag, thinking it was a glorified fanny pack. But now, I’ve figured it and am completely on board with the wardrobe necessity.

OK. So let’s be honest here. Is a sling bag a fanny pack? A bum bag? YES! But instead of it hanging around your waist, you can make it into a small crossbody bag that sits closely to your body or you can make it a one shoulder bag depending on your preference and the silhouette of the bag. Get this sling bag!

How to Wear a Sling Bag

• sling bag (crossbody)
• shoulder bag (over your shoulder)
• bum bag (around your hips)
• fanny pack (around your waist)

I love wearing this bag as a sling bag – over my shoulder and across my body. But the best part is that you can wear the same bag multiple ways. Just make the strap shorter or longer as needed between your waist, your hips, over your shoulder, or across your chest!

You can also see it in this casual mom outfit. Well, pretty much any mom summer outfit too – it’s just so handy (or rather hands free, I guess)!

Wear a Sling Bag Across Your Back

When I’m a comfortable setting and/or I need my hands, I like to wear my sling bag across my bag. I don’t usually adjust the strap between wearing it across my chest or across my back, but you’ll definitely need it long enough to go across your back. Otherwise it’ll end up between your shoulder blades.

How to Wear a Sling Bag Across Your Chest

I prefer to wear a sling bag across my chest like a crossbody bag. It provides easier access and rarely feels in the way. As a small chested woman, however, I realize that I don’t have as many things to consider in wearing it across my chest.

If you find that you have to be more intentional with placement, then there are few things to keep in mind when choosing your sling bag. First, the straps must be largely adjustable so you can make it hit at it’s most comfortable and flattering location.Second, look for straps that have a jump ring or the like connecting the strap to the bag. If the straps is sewn straight into the bag, you won’t have the flexibility you need.

Why is it called a Sling Bag?

You can easily ‘sling’ the bag back and forth from your front to your back. I’m guessing that’s the history of the name there. Fanny Pack and Bum Bag are similarly named as is shoulder bag. Gotta love straightforward naming!

Side note, this sling style is a great way to wear a purse with a poncho outfit or even as you learn how to wear a shawl!

Fanny Pack Styles

The sizes and materials used to make sling bags is so varied, you can find exactly what you want. I was pretty set on wearing my sling bag in front, but now I’ve come to love wearing it other ways as well. There is no single way to wear them!

This leather sling bag is from the sustainable leather company O My Bag. It comes in black, a bigger size (“maxi”), and made of plant based leathers in slightly different styles!

While this one came with this cognac leather strap and an adorable black and white knit strap (see it styled here), you can pick from a wide variety of straps, which are all so fun.

How to Choose the Right Crossbody Sling Bag for You

Be Mindful of Size

The size of sling bag you purchase depends on the style you want and your sizing. A bag is going to look much bigger on a smaller frame, so it’s just important to note the measurements.

I’m also fairly broad chested (still small-chested just wider across), so I have a wider frame on which to wear a sling bag cross the front.

Take Note Of Materials

Sling bags comes in all sorts of materials – leather, nylon, cotton, etc. It’s important to note the materials not only of the bag but the straps as each will lay differently. Nylon and other synthetic materials, for example, won’t mold to your body as well, but they’re softer right off the bat.

A leather bag will certainly take a bit of wearing in, but then it will conform beautifully to your body and sling bag needs.

Check for Strap Adjustability

The straps should be largely adjustable so you can make it hit at its most comfortable and flattering location on you. It’s also crucial to have this range of sizing to switch between wearing your sling bag across your chest, across your back, on one shoulder, and as a bum bag/fanny pack as desired!

If you’re wondering if you wear a sling bag on front or back, the answer is either, but you need a bag that’s able to maneuver back-to-front just as easily.

Note Strap Attachment to Bag

Straps that have a jump ring or the like connecting the strap to the bag provide the greatest ease and comfort. If the straps is sewn straight into the bag, you won’t have the flexibility you need. The picture just below shows how to straps attaches to the ring, allowing it to move around as needed.

Sling bags also come in cotton, canvas, nylon, and so much more. Here are a number of sling bags that are lovely – well made and in a variety of styles and colors.

Besides being a B Corp and using sustainable leather in their pieces, I love the quality of O My Bag as a company. This is a piece I assume will last me a good, long time – with proper care of my leather pieces.

Shop the matching sunglass case – a sturdy, perfect addition to my daily necessities!

This sling bag is a key part of all my outfits these days – based loosely on these fall capsule wardrobe essentials!

How to Style a Sling Bag with Different Outfits

I wear my sling bag frequently, and with all kinds of outfits.

Layered over a TShirt

When I have a few layers on, I like to wear my sling bag between layers. In this black jeans with a blue jean jacket outfit, you can see how I wear it over a tshirt and under my denim jacket.

Over a Shirt or Dress

Just like the outfit in the photos here, I love to just throw on my sling bag. I wear it over tees, tanks, and even dresses. Just so easy.

Layered over Vests

Since vests are usually a piece of outerwear I leave on, I like to wear my sling bag over my vest, so I don’t have to worry about needing to take it off if I step inside – or the like.

Over my Shoulder

For smaller sling bags, I do occasionally wear them over my shoulder like a regular purse – it’s just an easy way.

Photography by Sacramento Photographer Val Leddy