Getting dressed for work is something that women’s fashion magazines and websites tackle regularly, and with varying results. (Who thinks that putting a blazer over a crop top is going to fly as a good day-to-night option in most workplaces?) Because we spend most of our time thinking about a particular part of the fashion industry, though, we’d like to think that we can scope out good workwear with slightly more accurate results.
A lot of you sent in questions about selecting a solid work bag when we asked to hear about your fashion problems for Ask PurseBlog, so we thought it might be most expedient to tackle this issue en masse. Below, we’ve selected over two dozen bags that we think will fit in a lot of different work environments, beyond just your standard Prada Saffiano Totes and Louis Vuitton Neverfulls. Some are on the slightly more casual end, while others will pass muster in even the strictest of corporate headquarters, and we found good-looking options starting from just $240.
All of the bags will fit a small laptop (and if your laptop is bigger, many of the bags come in a larger size), and almost all can either be carried on your shoulder or include an optional shoulder strap. When it comes to a work bag, fashion means very little without the function to go with it.
Alexander Wang Prisma Tote
$850 via Barneys
Annabel Ingall large Isabella Tote
$450 via ShopBop
Baggu Oversized Tote
$240 via ShopBop
Balenciaga Padlock Work Tote
$2,395 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Botkier Soho Tote
$298 via ShopBop
Bottega Veneta Roma Tote
$3,600 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Cambridge Satchel East-West Tote
$290 via ShopBop
Chloé Baylee Tote
$2,115 via Net-a-Porter
Coach Crosby Carryall Bag
$398 via Coach
Dolce & Gabbana Sicily Bag
$1,895 via Net-a-Porter
Fontana Top Handle Satchel
$4,730 via Barneys
Givenchy Obsedia Tote
$2,845 via Net-a-Porter
Gucci Ramble Leather Tote
$2,950 via Gucci
Jimmy Choo Alfie Tote
$2,150 via Net-a-Porter
Kate Spade Holden Street Olivera Bag
$378 via ShopBop
Loeffler Randall Open Tote
$395 via ShopBop
Louis Vuitton Marly MM Bag
$2,810 via Louis Vuitton
Mansur Gavriel Large Saffiano Tote
$595 via Barneys
Marc Jacobs Incognito Bag
$2,300 via Net-a-Porter
Meli Melo Reversible Thela Bag
$1,264 via ShopBop
Rebecca Minkoff Amorous Satchel
$325 via ShopBop
Reed Krakoff RK40 Bag
$1,990 via Net-a-Porter
Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Bag
$3,490 via Net-a-Porter
Smythson Panama Tote
$850 via Barneys
Thakoon Downing Classic Shopper
$1,650 via Barneys
The Row Classic 5 Tote
$3,150 via Net-a-Porter
Tomas Maier Buckle Tote
$1,480 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Valentino To Be Cool Tote
$2,775 via Barneys
Valextra Work Tote
$3,400 via Barneys
Victoria Beckham Liberty Tote
$1,650 via Net-a-Porter
whoaaaw, Amanda! Awesome effort – as a working / travelling corporate gal, this is right up my alley – I have to put a lot of thought in the bag I carry depending on whom I am seeing that day. The unwritten rule is to pick a luxe bag with no visible logo, leather that screams high end , model not that easily recongizable – but can fit a slim lap top.
don’t forget the celine mini luggage 🙂
You are either joking or a moron
That would work in an office that’s okay with a little bit of flash, but since the bag is so recognizable at this point, I wouldn’t recommend it for a conservative office unless no one there would recognize it.
I know what you mean. My office is mid way conservation and I get passing comments about my bags (because I carry ALL my bags to work from the flashy to conservative). I just tell them to sod off (in my mind). lol.
I just bought a bag that fits well with this category! I can’t believe Ralph Lauren doesn’t get as much recognition as the other mid range purses. I love the quality and it’s cheap too!
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-newbury-double-zip-collection?ID=1797334&CategoryID=52282#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D63%26ruleId%3D%26slotId%3D5
I LOVE crazy colors, even at work! I wish you would do an article on the beautiful new Coach neons, I’m not a Coach girl but those are beautiful bags in simple shapes and just the right amount of interest for me 🙂
Great post!
I’m always on the hunt for great work bags that don’t all look the same. I have three neutral bags that I use the most and in my opinion, adds nothing to my work attire as they seem more like travel bags.
I need bags that are big enough to fit my tablet or laptop, documents, a huge wallet and my lunch box but structured and polished. Not ones that look as if I’m going on a weekend getaway.
A black Mulberry Bayswater has been my workbag for the last 3 years – I am somewhat clumsy and spill my workbag on a rather regular basis – open totes were a nightmare.
I am obsessed with that Sac due Jour! Next on my wish list for sure. For work, I alternate between my Givenchy Antigona and Everyone Petra Tote. Love them both!
Do most people just carry a tote to the office that doubles as a purse? I carry a tote and my handbag. In my tote goes any paperwork, shoes, lunch items, etc. And in my handbag are the usual items – cell, wallet, cosmetic bag, keys, etc.
I carry two, but I also drive everywhere. A man in the office once commented that it looks like you’re traveling if you carry more than one. I have way too much work stuff to tote around everyday.
I really, really hate carrying two bags at any time, so doing it every day for work isn’t an option. I might look at it differently if I drove to work every day, but since I ride the subway, there’s significant advantage to lightening the load as much as possible.
I tried doing that just to keep from carrying my tote everywhere while I’m at work but the weight of my bag became too much.
Really great post Amanda! I think another bag that fits into this category is the Moynat Rejane! It is simply beautiful, classy, and discreet!
Not sure if you’ve ever had one, but I bought a Rejane and quickly returned it. It was very stiff and the top was narrower than the bottom. Definitely wouldn’t be able to fit papers or files into it, especially not a laptop. The quality was wonderful, though. Very similar to Delvaux or Hermès.
Great compilation Amanda! My SIL just bought the LV Marly in RED for work and it is beautiful!
….and of course, the Fred&Eve patent leather tote! Just stunning! x
Thanks for this! Finding the perfect work tote has been a never ending quest for me for years. As nice as many of these suggestions are, I do wonder whether they can hold the weight of an average laptop…
I have an average laptop for work. Carry it everyday in the large rebecca minkoff MAB. Highly recommend. It’s the best work bag for an average laptop I’ve ever found.
i would definitely add the everlane petra line here! mine is the magazine but i also like the market
I love them all! Never seen that Gucci before, it’s awesome! I love the little subtle studs.
A list like this is incomplete if it doesn’t mention the Mulberry Bayswater. I have the Sac du Jour and the Marly and there is no comparison. The Bayswater is light, incredibly comfortable, elegant and very practical. After years of researching and trying all sorts of other bags, it is the only bag that I am completely pleased with. Not to mention you can stuff that sucker.
The alexander wang bag scratched my car real good…i have the doctor briefcase and totally regretted buying it
There are a lot of beautiful bags in this collection and it’s great to see more than the usual names — although the shoulder straps on a few of them don’t look like they are sturdy enough to be comfortable once the bag is “fully loaded”. Thanks for pulling together a great selection!
Great post! I’m a surgeon and couldn’t find a bag that was appropriate (when I’m not at work, I’m totally casual). With international meetings, you have to dress up a bit. I like the prada saffiano tote, which I’m surprised didn’t get a mention, since it was the one that all the salespeople recommended to me. I settled on this Gucci bamboo handled tote from this year, which has lots of pockets, but what I end up using more is that Mulberry bayswater that people have mentioned. Mulberry is not a very known brand in the states, and I like that it’s a bit more subtle. Plus, it can be quite casual as well.
For work I use a Neverfull GM to haul files and my laptop to and from work. I keep a Céline Trio inside of the Neverfull that I use when going to lunch or pulling clothes
I use a Marc Jacobs franchesca bag or a never full gm. They’re both good totes to carry for work
The Botkier tote looks amazing! My daily tote is the Friday & River cross body bag, http://fridayandriver.com/collections/bags/products/classic-leather-tote-bag-natural . The natural leather is aging nicely, but I’d love to pick up one of these as well.