15 Work Bags That Will Pass Muster in Even the Most Conservative of Offices

I’m currently sitting in the PurseBlog office in a backless tank top and a pair of Nikes, but I haven’t always worked in fashion, so I’m well aware that most women don’t get the same latitude when it comes to what they wear (and carry) to work. Every office is different on the details and every woman is different when it comes to work bag preferences, but there are enough commonalities for us to make some suggestions.

First: if you’re in a corporate environment, it’s probably a good idea to keep your color scheme neutral. Black, grey, tan, navy, burgundy, beige and very dark green will all work fine, and that gives you enough options to find something good. Second: it’s best to be discreet when it comes to designer names. Thankfully, many designers save their biggest logos for removable hangtags, and those can be tossed back into the dustbag from whence they came before you take your bag to work.

The third point is harder. We tried to choose bags that were roomy enough for a small laptop or a couple of files, but not everyone has to carry that kind of stuff, and some women prefer to do it with a dedicated tote bag to avoid stretching out their designer bags more than necessary. For women with a heavy load, shoulder-carry options are important, but some with lighter daily obligations might prefer the polish of a bag that’s carried in the crook of the arm. Variety is the spice of life.

With all that in mind, a seasonal change is a great time to update your work bag, and we’ve picked over a dozen bags that fit the bill in a variety of price ranges.