If you’ve been searching for a versatile bag that you can carry from the office to afternoon coffee to a weekend hike, look no further than a casual yet sophisticated sling bag.
With a minimalist, sleek leather design, comfortable shoulder strap, and multiple ways to wear it, this contemporary take on a messenger bag is the perfect trendy piece to carry with you on all your daily adventures. Our version, the Bale Sling Bag, is the perfect mix between a fanny pack, traditional crossbody sling bag, and travel backpack. It’s a modern take on several beloved classics.
With such versatility, you might be wondering: How do you wear a sling bag? Here are three of our favorite ideas on how to wear this gender-neutral bag that’s perfect to style for a wide variety of occasions.
The Bale Sling Bag
Before delving into the specific ways you can style your sling bag, here’s a look at its different features.
Named after the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia — where all of our leather goods are handcrafted — our Bale Sling Bag is curated to match your individual everyday style and accompany you wherever the day may take you.
With a large zippered pocket, the main compartment is roomy enough to carry an iPad, book, wallet, headphones, a water bottle, and any other essentials you need for the day without being bulky. The lined interior ensures all your valuables stay safe. And a front zippered compartment gives you security and easy access to your keys, sunglasses, and more.
The Bale comes in two neutral leather colors, black and rust brown, so you can match it with whatever you’re wearing for the day. And one of the best parts, a comfortable leather adjustable crossbody strap gives you multiple ways to wear the bag: As a shoulder bag, as a chest bag, or as a one-shoulder sling backpack. It’s comfort, style, and versatility you can’t compare.
How to Wear a Sling Bag
With so many different styling options, you may be wondering: How do I wear a leather sling bag? Gone are the days of needing multiple purses, a fanny pack, and a mini backpack. The adjustable leather sling bag is the complete carry-all.
Here’s a look at a few different ways to wear a sling bag.
Carry It Close
For those who want quick access to their belongings and the anti-theft security of keeping their belongings close, wear the sling bag over one shoulder and across your chest.
It’s a modern take on the classic fanny pack or hip pack.
Whether you’re commuting on New York’s subway or enjoying an outdoor concert in Colorado, this sling pack style will keep your cell phone, credit cards, and other belongings safe and accessible. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the day hands-free, without worrying about where your belongings are and who can access them.
With two zippers inches from your hands, wearing it as a belt bag across your chest gives you peace of mind while looking stylish.
Over the Shoulder
For those who want a hands-off bag or purse with the accessibility that a crossbody bag provides, move the adjustable strap to be longer and wear it on your hip.
This style is perfect for everything from weekend errands to post-work drinks.
Whether you’re dressed down in athleisure or dressed up in business casual, a sling bag transitions easily as a sleek and stylish messenger bag.
As a One-Strap Backpack
If you’re one who wants a totally hands-off daypack, wear the Bale as a one-shoulder backpack.
It’s especially great if you’re searching for a smaller travel bag you can bring on a short hike or another weekend adventure. Stash everything you need for the day, including a water bottle, snacks, portable charger, sunscreen, and more — without carrying a bulky or uncomfortable bag around.
And for those who want a laptop backpack just big enough to carry a mini laptop or iPad, this is the perfect fit.
The Best Sling Bag: Transitional Style
The best part of this versatile sling bag is you don’t have to commit to only wearing it one way.
Wear it across your chest at the farmer’s market on the weekend, then throw it over your shoulder when biking home. Move the adjustable strap to be long, and style it across your body as a messenger bag when heading to meet friends for lunch.
Wherever you go, the Bale goes with you — never sacrificing style, comfort, or ethics.
Complete the Look
If you’re searching for accessories to accompany your sling bag, look no further.
A Compact Zip Wallet
Our Parker Clay Meskel Square Zip Wallet is compact, yet with eight card slots and a cash slot, it has all the room you need to stay organized. With a zipper surrounding the wallet, you’ll never have to worry about losing your cards again.
A Handy Pencil Case
Creatives, note-takers, tech gurus, and artists look no further. The Eyob Pencil Case slides neatly into the sling bag, keeping all your pencils, chargers, and other small goods organized. The sophisticated, sleek design pairs effortlessly with the Bale to tackle whatever the day may bring.
A Leather Passport Holder
For the world wanderer, our Addis Leather Passport Holder is the Bale’s perfect partner. With two credit card slots and two interior pockets, you have an extra layer of security for your credit cards, passport, other IDs, and travel documents. It’s more than a passport holder — it’s a passport wallet.
Combined with the Bale, you’ve got the complete multi-use pair for all your travel adventures. It’s a dynamic duo built for the world.
Sustainable, Ethical Leather Bags With a Purpose
Choosing stylish leather goods doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or ethics.
Like all our products, our Bale Sling Bag is made with high-quality, full-grain, sustainable Ethiopian leather. Each item is designed to get better with age and features unique variations in color, grain, and texture. Not only is it the ideal bag to carry all you need for the day hands-free — it directly supports the local artisans who handcraft each product.
We believe in handcrafted, quality products that get better with age and directly support the farmers, artisans, and everyone else who touched it along the way.
It’s quality leather goods you can be proud to support.