Choosing the right crossbody bag is tricky. On the one hand, you want it to fit all of your essentials. But on the other, you don’t want it to feel too heavy on the shoulders. After owning several crossbody bags throughout the years, I am glad I finally found a style that checks off all the important boxes. Two months ago, I traveled to Italy (read what I packed HERE), and my MZ Wallace Pippa quickly became my go-to, everyday bag. After a few months of good use, I am happy to write a thorough review of what makes this quilted crossbody handbag a must-have.
I also own both their regular and large sizes, so I will share a comparison of the two. MZ Wallace generously gifted me their Magnet Crosby Pippa bag when I visited their flagship store over the summer (which I recapped HERE). Their large size comes in a beautiful Caramel, and is part of their newer collection from 2023.
Quilted Crossbody Bag: Style & Exterior
The Crosby Pippa uses the same signature fabric as other MZ Wallace quilted designs: lightweight nylon. However, what I love most about this crossbody is its unique accordion design. Having these dividers helps the bag to stay compact, and organized at the same time. Also, this quilted crossbody handbag can be easily converted into a clutch by removing the straps.
What Fits In My MZ Wallace Crosby Pippa Crossbody Bag
In addition to the neat accordion design, this bag has many internal compartments. This part was excellent for traveling because I could unzip it and easily find everything in its place. I know some people have shared that their Metro Tote can sometimes feel like a ‘bottomless pit‘ because of how soft and spacious it is. However, the Pippa is a small enough bag where you can clearly see which items are in which pocket.
Inside the bag, there are:
- 2 Small Pocket Slots: I leave things like lipstick, hand sanitizer, and my wallet card holder in here.
- 1 Zippered Pocket in the Back: This pocket spans the width of the bag, and inside it are 2 more thin slots.
- 3 Deep Accordion Slots: These are super spacious and big enough to fit a long wallet, my keys, and even my Air Pods.
- In-Between Accordion Slots: Based on how this bag was stitched together, the space in between each accordion fold are additional slots!
- Middle Snap Button: If you have valuables in the bag, you can secure it in the middle interior pocket with a snap button. When traveling, I actually kept my passport in here!
Interchangeable Straps
Impressed by how much it can hold? In addition to these numerous compartments, I love that the bag comes with 3 interchangeable straps:
- Adjustable Leather Strap: It is designed to be a longer shoulder strap. But I really enjoyed wearing it as a shorter crossbody that helped my bag to sit higher up. I also think this strap would make a very petite-friendly crossbody option.
- Chain Leather Strap: I haven’t worn this strap out yet, but it easily converts the Pippa into a night-out, dressier look. With the quilted design and this elevated strap, this bag gives Chanel-esque vibes.
- Woven Nylon Strap: My least favorite strap because the edges feel a little abrasive and I am nervous they will pill my sweaters or coats. However, this strap is a true crossbody and can be lengthened!
A look at the MZ Wallace Large Pippa – Caramel. You can see the side by side size comparison below.
Regular vs Large Size Comparison
Pulling the measurements from the site, the regular Pippa is ~2.23″ smaller in width than the large bag. Given that the regular size fit all my essentials even during my travels, I would say the MZ Wallace Pippa is a great size. However, if you are looking for a little extra space, the Large Pippa is a great option while not looking too oversized.
Aside from these dimensions, the inner compartments are exactly the same. The only other difference would be the straps. While the MZ Wallace Pippa comes with a solid colored, sleek nylon strap, the Large Pippa comes with a striped strap that feels a bit softer. I personally preferred this style more. (Note: This difference only applies to the Caramel color. For other colorways, the straps are identical across sizes)
(Comparison of the straps – Magnet Crosby Pippa vs Caramel Large Crosby Pippa)
Additional Considerations
Overall, I think the Crosby Pippa is a beautiful quilted crossbody handbag. It is lightweight, easy to carry, and very versatile. However, I agreed with some of the website reviews: you need to be thoughtful of what you pack inside. For example, items that are bulky or irregularly shaped can cause the accordion folds to bulge.
I don’t pack anything that would cause this issue. But if you overstuff the bag, it does expand outside of its original shape. My best suggestion is to divide your items evenly among the 3 big slots, and stick to items that are flatter in shape. For example, wallets or a small pack of tissues would be fine.
