At the PurseBlog offices, we have the privilege of thinking of handbags as a fun thing, but we that for a huge number of women, the bag they interact with the most is the one they haul back and forth to work. In many cases, that bag needs to carry a laptop, paper files, a packed lunch and beyond, and it needs to be discreet enough to fly under the radar of snooping coworkers who like to count other people’s money. That’s quite a tall order.
In some of those cases, a designer bag just isn’t the answer–either the load is too heavy to make sense in a bag not built for pure functionality, or anything betraying a high-end source will be judged as unprofessional. In slightly less extreme cases, and no matter your budget, we think the ten totes below will serve the purpose admirably. All can be shoulder-carried, and all of them are big enough to hold a 13″ laptop, in addition to your regular purse contents, and often far more.
Alexander McQueen Heroine Tote
$2,085 via Nordstrom
Alexander Wang Prisma Tote
$850 via Nordstrom
Balenciaga Papier A4 Zip-Around Tote
$2,295 via Balenciaga
Botkier Soho Tote
$298 via Shopbop
Bottega Veneta Large Accordion Tote
$3,550 via Neiman Marcus
Gucci Swing Tote
$1,350 via Gucci
Lanvin Fringe Tote
$1,450 via Neiman Marcus
Smythson Panama East-West Tote
$895 via Neiman Marcus
Vince Camuto Shylo Tote
$248 via Macy’s
Vince Medium Tote
$545 via Shopbop
Bottege Veneta I love! I have it. Such a beautiful bag!
I like the McQueen bag but it needs a little skull somewhere 😉
IMO, I wold add the Tory Burch York to this list. I have both sizes but the bigger one is my favorite. A laptop fits perfectly
Was thinking the same thing. The large one is a perfect work bag
Why do you never feature Tory Burch? Her Robinson collection is perfect.
That is a great collection!
That Lanvin bag is even more beautiful in person.
Sophie Hulme bags are also great for work, especially when logo discretion is important.
Where the heck is Everlane!??!?!?!!?!?
Purseblog is anti-everlane. I am 100% sure it is a very deliberate exclusion at this point!
Not anti-everlane, just haven’t had in on our radar. I’ll check it out!
Another great bag that is missing on this list I got recently was the Hyde tote from this brand R3form. Really great style, holds everything, even laptop, and doesn’t look so plain. Not too bad on price either considering its a leather bag…. paid $298. Totally worth it.
I tried the Wang Prisma tote. Leather is delicious and bag is beautiful. The drawstring can’t bear the wight of a full workday load (this is without laptop). The metal ring is where two ends of the strap meet- this strains visibly and looks like it will give way, and the thin straps cut deeply into one’s shoulder.
It broke my heart to return this bag- but alas, it is not at all suited to be a workhorse work tote.
It’s ridiculous to me that a high end bag is viewed as unprofessional. What’s unprofessional about liking high quality items as opposed to a pleather bag or a briefcase?
I think the SDJ should’ve made the list. Now I see why everyone likes Bottega! Nice.
Super cute totes! If your looking for similar style tote bags that are fashionably affordable you should also check out http://lithyc.com/
Collection which you are displayed are really awesome. Especially “Bottega Veneta Large Accordion Tote” is perfectly suitable for anyone. Here I found some of the latest collection from http://www.bnmwholesales.com wardrobe. I found that they are affordable to anyone.