15 Best Small Purses to Carry When You Only Need Your Phone and Card
When I'm on vacation, be it a hotel stay or a cruise, I often face the same fashion dilemma: Do I bring a purse with me, or just carry my phone and room key in my hand? If I'm heading for a quick dip in the pool or walking to grab lunch, I don't want to have something in my hands at all times, but it also feels silly to carry around a mostly-empty crossbody bag. Cue the small purse: slim, lightweight bags meant for just a phone, card, and maybe a lip balm or other tiny essential. Tiny purses are perfect for travelers—they take up little suitcase space, keep you hands-free, and don't weigh you down during a busy afternoon of sightseeing.
Plenty of travel-friendly brands like Cuyana, MZ Wallace, and Quince make small purses that are just as stylish as they are functional. Consider carrying one of our 15 favorite small purses the next time you're heading to the hotel bar or that coffee shop across the street from your Airbnb.
Our top picks:
- Best small leather purse: Cuyana Concertina phone bag
- Best with a little extra room: MZ Wallace Metro crossbody bag
- Best for active travelers: Lululemon Easy Access crossbody bag
- Best small designer purse: Gucci GG Marmont mini bag
- Best Amazon find: Ododos crossbody bag
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Cuyana Concertina phone bag
Our editors rave about Cuyana's sustainably-made leather goods, namely the Easy Tote Bag and System Tote Bag. The brand's Concertina Phone Bag is equally well-made and sleek. This petite pebbled crossbody bag with an adjustable strap and gold hardware offers three sections for organizing your essentials. As slim and minimalistic as this bag looks, it's actually surprisingly roomy—it fits a wallet, phone, hand sanitizer, and a few lip products.
Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody bag 1.5L
Lululemon's new Easy Access crossbody bag is perfect for active days hiking, biking, or clocking 20,000 steps on a city walking tour. It's made of water-repellent fabric, so you can safely bring it along on rainy travel days. The two-way zipper makes opening and closing this bag simple, and its multiple pockets help you stay organized. If you already love the brand's viral Everywhere Belt bag, you'll equally adore this crossbody for its versatility.
Quince Italian Leather Phone Crossbody
Made from 100 percent Italian pebbled leather, this slim crossbody looks a lot more expensive than it is. Currently priced at $50, Quince's crossbody bag features a snap closure, an adjustable strap, and convenient credit card pockets on the interior—meaning you can leave your bulky wallet behind and just bring along your room key. Choose from olive (pictured), dusk blue, stone, burgundy, cognac, navy, and classic black.
MZ Wallace Metro Crossbody bag
MZ Wallace is one travel-friendly brand we turn to for just about every type of bag—weekenders, totes, fanny packs, and small purses, too. The Metro Crossbody bag is great for busy parents on the go: soft, lightweight, and it fits more than you think. Made of the Metro collection's signature diamond-quilted material, the bag features a long adjustable strap, one main compartment for your wallet and phone, and a zippered exterior pocket for other essentials like your AirPods or some cash.
Athleta All About Phone Crossbody bag
The under-$30 All About Phone crossbody bag is perfectly named and perfectly priced. Affordable, sleek, and ultra-soft, this super slim bag fits just your phone and keys. It's made from recycled polyester fabric and has a thin adjustable strap. It's a nice option for sightseeing, museum hopping, or hiking.
Paravel Crossbody phone bag
Paravel designs some of our editors' favorite luggage, so it's no surprise it offers an elevated, slim crossbody bag for travelers. Made from premium recycled vegan leather, this phone bag keeps you hands-free in style. It features a magnetic closure, a zippered pocket on the back to keep cards secure, and a D-ring that lets you add an optional clip-on pouch for your AirPods. And as with everything from Paravel, you can monogram the bag to make it even more personal.
Baggallini Arlington Mini bag
One of the most affordable options on our list, the Arlington Mini bag is simple in design, yet supremely functional. The lightweight, water-resistant crossbody bag features three card slots, a passport pocket, and an interior pocket to keep small essentials organized. Bring this one along on your next day trip—there's enough room inside to stash a bottle of hand sanitizer or sunscreen.
Gucci GG Marmont Mini bag
If you're loving the mini bag trend, but want something elevated enough for a night out, consider a designer option that will last for years to come. We're eyeing this classic Gucci style, with quilted leather, antique gold-toned hardware, and the brand's logo. It features two card slots on the interior and there's enough room for your phone, lip gloss, and some cash.
Dagne Dover Mara phone sling
Dagne Dover has plenty of practical bags and purses for all sorts of occasions, whether you're looking for a diaper bag or a laptop case. The brand has a few great mini options, too, like this neoprene phone sling. Bring it to a concert or show when you want to be hands-free. It'll fit your cards, Chapstick, and other small essentials—there's also a sleeve pocket on the back where you can slip a phone into, making this one among the roomier options on this list.
Louis Vuitton Micro Chantilly
Louis Vuitton's Micro Chantilly is the perfect mix of sophistication and fun. Style it with a casual dress and some sneakers for a museum opening or dress it up for a dinner date with some heels. It features a removable and adjustable strap, a magnetic flap closure, and the brand's iconic monogram-coated canvas. Don't let its unique shape fool you—it's surprisingly functional, with more room than you'd think.
Everlane The Cactus Leather Mini sling bag
Hyer Goods phone sling
Behold: A leather phone sling that will look chic with every outfit in your fall capsule wardrobe. This slim and sleek crossbody bag is one of the smallest options on our list, neatly carrying only your phone and a few cards. It's elegant enough to wear day or night.
Ododos Crossbody bag
This under-$25 Amazon find has racked up an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars. Made of a durable, water-resistant nylon, this practical sling is a great option for running, hiking, or other outdoor adventures. It can be carried as a belt bag, shoulder bag, or a sling—making it a versatile option to toss in your carry-on just in case. It also comes with a removable small pouch that holds your AirPods or a lip balm.
Kate Spade Veronica North South Phone Crossbody
Kate Spade's classic pebbled leather looks incredibly chic on this stylish small purse. Whether you're headed to lunch or to the airport, this versatile bag helps you look more put together while securely holding your phone and passport. Choose from Black, Manta Blue (pictured), Violet Mist, or Bungalow Brown.
