Why Crossbody Straps Are Taking Over in 2025

Crossbody straps didn’t just emerge overnight. They’re the kind of accessory that quietly builds swagger in streetwear, sees flashes in festival crowds, then pops up everywhere once people realize how useful and stylish they are. It’s no longer just about keeping your phone safe; it’s about how you carry it.

When Apple rolled out its own crossbody strap at the iPhone 17 launch, the move felt inevitable. It wasn’t just tech for tech’s sake; people everywhere were already using phone straps to stay hands-free, elevate outfits, or simplify what they carry. Instead of burying phones in bags or pockets, straps let them live outside, visible, wearable, part of the look. Business Insider noted that Apple “joined an existing trend” with its strap launch. 

Fashion contexts agree. In The Guardian, there's a feature called “String theory … why holding your phone by a thread is the new ‘in’ thing,” talking about how phone straps are becoming must-have accessories, praised for freeing your hands and making outfits pop.  Meanwhile, on outlets like AppleInsider, crossbody straps are now getting compared side by side: style vs. price vs. utility. It’s not enough to hold a phone; you want durability, comfort, flair. 

And it isn’t just tech geeks or accessory blogs. Celebrities are using this style too. People.com recently covered how stars like Martha Stewart, Gal Gadot, and others are favoring crossbody phone cases and straps for casual outings. Suddenly, the strap is acknowledging its place in daily style, not just on a runway or in a post. 

So when someone says the phone strap is “just an accessory,” that’s half true. It is about aesthetics, but it’s also solving real problems: bulky phones, tiny pockets, bags that you don’t want to carry all day. It’s about marrying practicality with identity, and that’s why this thing has legs.

Utility Meets Innovation

Crossbody straps stand out because they’re not just stylish, they’re evolving into multi-use essentials. At MyBat, we’ve leaned into that evolution. The Tether Crossbody Strap + USB-C Charging Cable looks like a sleek braided cord, but hidden inside is a full USB-C charging and data cable. It’s the kind of hybrid that Wired has described as the “future of accessories,” where one item can serve multiple purposes.

Other designs bring in versatility through storage. The Wild Thing Adorn Series Crossbody Strap Wallet merges a detachable wallet with a stylish strap, letting you carry cards, cash, and your phone all at once. In a world where Fast Company calls “simplification the new luxury,” this type of all-in-one design is more than convenient; it’s aspirational.

Fashion as a Driving Force

If the function of crossbody straps caught attention, fashion is what pushed them into cultural relevance. The Gleaming Prism Beaded Strap is a perfect example. With iridescent beads that catch the light, it feels closer to jewelry than tech gear, making your phone a centerpiece rather than an afterthought.

Publications like Who What Wear and Elle have highlighted designer bags with distinct straps in their style roundups, noting their ability to flex across outfits: casual errands, nights out, or even layered into high-fashion fits. And as People pointed out, celebrities are normalizing straps in everyday settings, proving they’ve become more than runway props;  they’re lifestyle staples.

Everyday Practicality

Crossbody straps aren’t just style statements; they solve real-world problems. Commuters love them for keeping phones accessible while juggling coffee and bags. Travelers rely on them for boarding passes and maps. Parents appreciate the freedom to stay hands-free while wrangling kids.

The Posh Crossbody Wallet Case was designed with this kind of practicality in mind, blending a phone case, wallet, and strap into one piece. It speaks directly to a culture of mobility and convenience; proof that the best accessories are the ones that disappear into daily life, making things easier without you having to think about them.

Why Crossbody Straps Are Here to Stay

Trends can feel fleeting, but crossbody straps align with larger cultural shifts. Phones are bigger, pockets are smaller, and people are carrying less overall. At the same time, fashion is increasingly about function, sneakers for every occasion, bags that double as tech sleeves, and now straps that merge utility with identity.

Apple’s adoption of the strap confirms what culture was already signaling: this isn’t a gimmick, it’s a new standard. As Business of Fashion has described, the convergence of fashion and tech accessories is reshaping how we define style itself. MyBat’s range of straps, from the charging-ready Tether to the expressive Gleaming Prism, is proof of how versatile the category has become.

Conclusion

Crossbody straps have shifted from niche accessory to cultural mainstay, bridging the gap between fashion and function in a way that feels both natural and inevitable. They’re practical, stylish, and increasingly personal.  The kind of accessory that says as much about your lifestyle as your sneakers or your bag.

At MyBat, we’ve embraced the trend not just by following it, but by pushing it forward. With designs that charge, store, or shine, our straps aren’t just about carrying your phone; they’re about carrying it with intention.

Explore all of our crossbody straps today: Tether, Wild Thing, Gleaming Prism, and Posh.

Hands-free, fashion-forward, and here to stay, crossbody straps are defining how we carry our phones in 2025.