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The 25 Best Work Bags That Will Make You Look Chic and Professional
Commute in style.
Byrdie
TL;DR
If we could only have one work bag in our collection, we would choose the Cuyana System Tote, which merges beautiful leather construction with functional features and size. For a more affordable option, we recommend the Quince Triple Compartment Tote, which is just as sleek and functional. And if you want something timeless and polished, opt for the Coach Willow Tote made of plush pebble leather.
The humble work bag has undergone quite a rebranding process based on the styles of yore. Designs now excel at complementing your work outfit with gorgeous finishes, interesting silhouettes, and plenty of eye-catching accessories that will spark office chatter. And while the outside certainly matters, what’s on the inside counts since these bags need to be functional enough to carry a day’s (or weekend’s) worth of everyday items, from tech accessories to makeup essentials.
As editors who regularly commute and travel for work, we can attest that nothing is worse than a bag that hurts your shoulders, can’t hold all your needs, or breaks in the middle of your trek. That’s why we spoke to experts and researched—including testing—the best work bags from our favorite brands that offer unbeatable durability, functionality, style, and comfort.
Top Picks
Cuyana System Zipper Tote 13-inch at Cuyana
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Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Work Tote at Quince.com$174
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The Horse Teddy Tote at Thehorse.co
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Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote at Amazon$260
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MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote at Nordstrom$275
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Monos Metro Tote at Monos.com$245
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Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag at Calpaktravel.com
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Coach Willow Leather Tote at Amazon$350
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Freja NYC Paloma Tote at Revolve$368
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Pond Los Angeles Transform Tote at Pondla.com
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Best Overall
Cuyana System Zipper Tote 13-inch
Material: Leather | Colors: Black, caramel, cappuccino, dark olive, +more | Dimensions: 10 x 17.25 x 5 inches (13-inch); 11 x 19 x 5.5 inches (16-inch)
You can’t have a conversation about work bags without talking about Cuyana. The brand’s offerings are so sleek, functional, and, therefore, easy to justify. This style is made out of luxurious Italian pebbled leather—which better withstands scuffs and scratches than smooth leather—and feels soft on our shoulders. While the tote looks simple on the outside, it features three different compartments on the inside, including a protective laptop sleeve. We like the zippered version for extra security, but you can also opt for the open top design.
Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor: “This do-it-all Italian leather tote simplified my commute (and my life) all while making me look more chic and put together. It keeps me organized thanks to a laptop sleeve, pockets, and a pouch that double as a clutch in a pinch (like last-minute drinks or an event). Plus the colors—Dark Olive, Cappuccino, Caramel, etc.—are stunning neutrals that go with everything.”
Best Work Bag With Compartments
Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Work Tote
Material: Leather | Colors: Black, cognac | Dimensions: 10.5 x 15 x 5 inches
Quince is known for making luxury pieces at affordable prices, and this work tote is a prime example. Just like the Cuyana pick above, it’s made from real Italian pebbled leather and features three compartments for organization, but it is under $200. It’s a big upgrade from the canvas tote we were using before, and we especially love how the padded zippered compartment keeps our 13-inch laptop secured while commuting on the subway.
Shannon Stubbs, writer: “It looks as nice as more expensive luxury bags, but for under $200. It also has a lot of storage space, with a mix of pockets, zipped compartments, and little pouches, so it’s great to fit everything in its own proper space. I also love that it has a zippered spot for my laptop—it’s pretty big, so I can also fit my charger and notebook in there as well.”
Best Large Tote
The Horse Teddy Tote
Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, coffee, olive | Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 5 inches
There are two types of people in the world—those who like structured bags and those who like unstructured bags. If you fall in the latter camp, let us introduce you to our favorite roomy tote. Made from premium cowskin leather, the Teddy tote is soft and slouchy and perfectly conforms to whatever we need it to hold for the day. The large size fits everything from our laptop and makeup bag to snacks, while the minimalistic design keeps it chic and lightweight. And if you’re worried about keeping your valuables secured, rest assured knowing it has a metal clasp and a zippered compartment for keys and cards.
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Credit: Byrdie -
Credit: Byrdie
Star Donaldson, social media director: “I’ve tried so many work bags, and I’ve found that something slouchy that can fit everything is my favorite. I bring this bag with me on my daily commute, and I love how it’s flexible and can fit much more than just my laptop. It fits snugly under my arm so I feel secure on the train, but can also reach for anything inside with ease.”
Best Packable
Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote
Material: Polyamide canvas | Colors: Black, red, turquoise, +more | Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches
Looking for a bag you can stuff into another bag until you need it? This one’s for you. The Le Pliage Tote folds into the size of a paperback book, then unfolds into a full-sized travel tote big enough to fit a laptop and letter-sized folders. While Longchamp is experiencing a revival, we’ve been wearing the same tote for years, thanks to the amazing quality of the durable nylon and leather finishings.
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Ali Webb, associate editor: “The versatility of the Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote is unreal—I carried it for years in college to take me from work to class to dance rehearsals, then continued to use it as a work and travel bag for a while after. The design is incredibly roomy (I’ve fully put it to the test, and it holds everything you might need and then some) while also including a small pocket at the top for convenient access to essentials like your wallet, keys, and lip balm.”
Best Travel Work Bag
MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote
Material: Nylon,leather | Colors: 17 | Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.4 x 12.7 inches
If you travel a lot for work and are looking for a work bag that can double as a carry-on, we highly recommend the Metro Deluxe Tote from MZ Wallace. Made from quilted nylon, the bag expands to hold a ton of objects yet remains impressively lightweight. It comes with six interior pockets and five exterior pockets to ensure all your knickknacks have a place. Plus, there’s a luggage sleeve as well as a detachable crossbody strap if you want to go hands-free. The signature quilted design and vivid colors are so chic, you’ll be happy to tow this around your trip.
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Emily Cieslak, associate editor: “This is the only bag I take to the airport. Because of the unstructured shape, there’s always more room to squeeze something in, making it great for trips where you know you’ll be bringing more things back. No matter how much I pack in, the bag always fits under the airplane seat, and the wide, nylon straps never hurt my shoulders. I also like all the various pockets, which make it easy to slip your phone in and out of while traveling.”
Best Storage Options
Monos Metro Tote
Materials: Vegan leather, cotton twill | Colors: 5 | Dimensions: 15.7 x 12 x 7.2 inches
If you’re looking for lots of places to store post-its, pencils, and various office gear, you’ll find them inside this tote, which is equipped with a padded compartment with a magnetic closure to keep a 14-inch laptop or tablet safe, as well as pockets that can hold a water bottle, phone, credit or metro card, and lip balm or mints.
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Emily Cieslak, associate editor: “So often work bags only come in black or neutrals, so I love this vintage green to add a pop to my outfit. The slim silhouette also prevents me from overpacking and keeps all the items inside standing upright and secured.”
Best Messenger
Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag
Material: Polyurethane leather | Colors: Black, chocolate, cream, +more | Dimensions: 12.5 x 16 x 5 inches
A cross between a messenger bag and an over-the-shoulder tote, this design gives you the best of both worlds. You can sling the wide strap across your body while still having the sleek look of a simplistic tote. Further, the bag comes with a laptop sleeve—equipped with seven additional pockets—that you can remove when you want to carry your laptop to the next meeting. Alternatively, you can take out the interior and just use the spacious bag as a market tote on the weekends. With a luggage sleeve, it’s an ideal travel companion, too.
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Credit: Byrdie -
Credit: Byrdie -
Credit: Byrdie
Best Designer
Coach Willow Leather Tote
Material: Pebbled leather or coated canvas | Colors: Black, dark stone, chalk, +more | Dimensions: 15.75 x 10.75 x 5.75 inches
Coach’s Willow Tote is elegant and timeless, just like the brand. It’s made from pebbled leather, which resists scuffs, and you can choose from solid neutrals to the iconic logo. The sleek silhouette features a zipped middle compartment that’s perfect for protecting your 13-inch laptop. The rest of the design is fairly minimal, so you can easily slip things in and out as you need them. The turn lock adds that final touch of metallic flair.
Best Vegan Leather
Freja NYC Paloma Tote
Materials: Vegan leather | Colors: Pecan, taupe, black, espresso, + more | Dimensions: 19 x 10 x 6 inches
Worn by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Alix Earle, female-founded bag brand Freja New York is known for their scrumptious vegan leather. “I’ve tried a lot of bags, and I’m convinced Freja makes the best vegan leather,” says Cieslak. “The material looks and feels so real, I find myself forgetting it’s not actually leather!” Besides the material, the bag impresses us with how much it can hold. It has a middle zippered compartment that’s large enough for a 16-inch laptop and two side compartments that can fit 13-inch devices. Not to mention six other pockets that keep you organized while maintaining a sleek silhouette. If you like the look of the Cuyana or Quince totes above, but want a vegan version, this is it.
Lauren Pardee, senior editor: “This bag is the perfect work bag. It’s huge without being too big, which makes commuting difficult. (Trust me, I’m commuting on the NYC subway!) I love how it has three big main pockets and tons of little compartments in it as well. Today I have a laptop, charger, bulky headphones, a bunch of couch swatches from Crate and Barrel, a wallet, makeup, a hair brush, a tampon, string headphones, and a pack of gummies, and my bag still feels empty and light. Plus, the leather is so chic—I got the brown hue, and it matches pretty much everything I own.”
Best Convertible
Pond Los Angeles Transform Tote
Materials: Leather | Colors: Stone, black, cognac, +more | Dimensions: 11.5 x 7 x 13.5 inches
Whether you want to wear it as a tote, crossbody, or backpack, this bag has enough storage for all your work needs. Its features include a laptop sleeve that fits a 15-inch laptop, side pockets for items as big as drink bottles, and a waterproof and scratchproof exterior, making for a versatile bag that’s built to last.
Best Tote-Backpack Hybrid
Kreya Nova Backpack Tote
Materials: Nylon, calfskin straps | Colors: Black, forest green, midnight blue | Dimensions: 17.5 x 13.75 x 5.5 inches
Have you ever schlepped a heavy tote and thought to yourself, “I wish I could turn this into a backpack?” Well, with the Kreya Nova bag, you can. In just a few seconds, the calfskin straps go from tote to backpack, helping you evenly distribute the weight. Yet this isn’t your middle school backpack—the nylon material comes in sophisticated shades like forest green and midnight blue, while leather adds a nice contrast. Inside you’ll find a roomy compartment large enough to carry a 16-inch laptop and a tablet, plus work essentials like chargers, wallet, water bottle, and more. We also love the outside pocket for storing our metro card and phone.
Shauna Beni-Haynes, former senior editor: “My Kreya Nova is my absolute favorite bag for work due to its versatility and comfort. The adjustable straps can be changed to turn the bag from a backpack into a shoulder tote in seconds, which I absolutely adore because sometimes I have a lot to carry home from the office, and I don’t want to put all the weight onto one shoulder. I love that the shoulder straps don’t dig into my shoulders, and it has a very spacious main compartment. It also has a nice minimalist look, which allows it to pair well with various pieces in my wardrobe.”
Best Compact
Béis The Work Tote
Material: Vegan leather and polyester | Colors: Black, beige, pink, +more | Dimensions: 14.25 x 11 x 6 inches
The bigger the bag, the more likely you are to overpack, so that’s why we appreciate this compact design that still holds all that you need for a day’s work. It offers room for a 13-inch laptop, keys, a water bottle, and much more. Other features include a removable zippered pouch and a suitcase sleeve for easy traveling.
Shauna Beni-Haynes, former senior editor: “It’s very functional, with wide shoulder straps that don’t dig into my shoulder, magnetic interior closures, key leash, water bottle pocket, and a sleeve you can use to pop it onto a suitcase. I also love the two side pockets and the back slip zip pocket, which makes it super easy for me to find my wallet and cell phone.”
Best Laptop
Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Water Repellent Tote
Material: Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, leather | Colors: Raven, navy, khaki, deep plumg | Dimensions: 12.6 x 18.9 x 4.7 inches
Think of your most organized friend—this is that person in bag form. Though it’s not extremely large, every inch has been thought out to be most efficient. It features a padded laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 16 inches. You’ll find two holders to secure your water bottles or umbrellas, a stretch mesh pocket for valuables, and a key clip. The front has two pockets with internal organization while the backside flaunts a slip pocket for documents or anything you want easily on hand. Not to mention there is a trolley sleeve as well. The polyester fabric is practical yet still looks chic in navy, black, khaki, or plum. Oh, and there’s an AirTag slip pocket. Genius!
Best Budget
Nubily Laptop Bag
Material: Polyurethane | Colors: Black, beige, blue, brown, pink, purple, +more| Dimensions: 16.7 x 5.7 x 12.6 inches
This waterproof bag is the solution for the indecisive and accident-prone among us. It’s available in over a dozen colors from a peppy pink and an eye-catching lavender to more muted neutrals like khaki and dark green. But where’s the fun in choosing just one? The lower price point also makes this pick hard to resist, or keeps us from adding a couple of color shades to our carts. And rest assured that a bevy of internal pockets will keep all of your valuables from rolling around the bottom.
Best for Moms
Monos Metro Duffel
Materials: Nylon | Colors: Carbon black, Oxford blue, juniper green, +more | Dimensions: 16.3 × 11.2 × 7.2 inches
What sets the Monos Metro Duffel apart from other bags is its modular system, which is interchangeable and easy to swap out based on what you need (or don’t need) that day. The attribute makes it an ideal choice for moms who may be shuffling between multiple obligations and settings throughout the day.
Best 16-Inch
July Everyday Large Tote
Material: Cotton canvas | Colors: Black, dark brown, natural | Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.8 x 6.5 inches
We love this 16-inch tote because it combines the easy care of a canvas tote with elevated details that you would see in a luxury leather bag. Unlike your favorite throw-all tote, it has the features to keep you organized like an internal pocket for your 16-inch laptop, a detachable internal water bottle holder, and a zip top to keep everything secured while you commute. The inside is coated to protect from spills and, best of all, the tote is machine washable. Coming from luggage brand July, it’s equipped for both work and travel thanks to the luggage sleeve.
Best Open Top
Telfar Medium Shopper Bag
Material: Nylon | Colors: Black, chocolate, pink, +more | Dimensions: 14.75 x 19.25 x 7 inches
“Telfar’s Shopping Bag is a repeat sellout for a reason: It comes in an expansive range of color options (I went with classic cream), is made of durable vegan leather, and has a practical, versatile design that’s ready to hold whatever you need for the day,” says Webb. If you are deciding between the medium and large sizes, Webb says the medium is the ideal work bag, since it can easily hold a laptop plus keep smaller items secured in its internal zipper pocket.
Ali Webb, associate editor: “I’m routinely carrying arguably too much (a smaller purse, several makeup products, and countless miscellaneous items), and I don’t have issues fitting any extras I accumulate inside the tote throughout the day—I sometimes call it a ‘Mary Poppins’ bag for this reason.”
Best Black
Marcella New York Kelly Tote
Material: Leather | Colors: Black pebble, onyx, bone, latte, red, +more | Dimensions: 21 x 20 inches
Slouchy, triangle totes have been all the rage this year, and we finally found one that fits your laptop. This design is more affordable than its designer counterparts, but it’s made from 100% European soft leather. It comes in both smooth and pebbled black leather, giving you the option to choose the ideal texture for your aesthetic. Thanks to its roomy, slouchy fit, it’s able to fit a 13-inch laptop, water bottle, and a notebook (or good read). The wide, sturdy flat strap ensures it won’t slip off your shoulders while you’re power walking to work. It’s ideal for those who prefer a soft bag over a structured one, and since it doesn’t look like a “work bag,” it can work overtime through the weekend.
Best Faux Leather
Calpak Kaya Laptop Backpack
Material: Faux leather | Colors: Black, gunmetal black, caramel, navy, +more | Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 inches
This compact yet spacious, vegan-friendly backpack is the perfect balance of stylishness and sophistication. With a laptop compartment and multiple interior pockets, it’s super functional too. Heading on a business trip? You can slide it over your suitcase handle with the handy trolley sleeve on the back.
Best Leather
Leatherology Uptown Vertical Tote
Material: Leather | Colors: Black, bordeaux, navy, cognac, smoke | Dimensions: 15.5 x 14.75 x 3.5 inches
If you’re a fan of genuine leather totes, Leatherology is the way to go. This sizable satchel is buttery-soft yet durable and long-lasting, with plenty of room for all the essentials, plus three organizational pockets. Though it doesn’t have a designated laptop compartment, it’s certainly big enough to fit one. And you can always buy a laptop sleeve separately.
Best Backpack
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack
Material: Neoprene, recycled lining | Colors: Dark moss, gray, +more | Dimensions: 11.5 x 5 x 17 inches
For those who prefer wearing a backpack but don’t want to feel like they are back in grade school, let us introduce you to this stylish design from Dagne Dover. It includes a padded laptop compartment to keep your electronics safe, while its eco-friendly neoprene material made from plastic bottles is lightweight and comfortable to carry throughout the day.
Best Canvas
Baggu Zip Duck Bag
Materials: Canvas | Colors: Blue pixel gingham, chartreuse pixel gingham, pistachio, black, +more | Dimensions: 15.75 × 11 × 4.75 inches
This canvas tote is fairly no-frills on the inside, making it ideal for everything from a grocery run to your daily 9-to-5. The real fun comes via the interesting patterns and prints available on the exterior. We also love the addition of a long strap, which allows you to go hands-free as needed, and the single interior zipped pocket.
Best Structured
Silver & Riley Convertible Executive Bag
Material: Leather | Colors: Olive green, black | Dimensions: 15.5 x 10 x 5.5 inches
For a bag that truly accomplishes it all, look no further than the Silver & Riley Convertible Executive Bag. Its charming design looks similar to a mini duffel bag, yet the quality leather and gorgeous straight stitching set it leaps and bounds above anything you carted to summer camp. What really piqued our interest is how you can wear it three different ways: Carried by the top handles, across your body, and as a backpack utilizing the two back straps.
Don’t let the compact size fool you—you’ll be amazed how much you can store inside thanks to thoughtful organizational features like pen slots and a laptop pocket that keeps tech secure with a snap closure. What’s more, it will hold everything without feeling too heavy since the structured design and flat bottom evenly distribute the weight of your items.
Best Splurge
Senreve Maestra Bag
Materials: Vegan leather | Colors: Storm, latte, onyx, +more | Dimensions: 16 x 10.25 x 6.75 inches
Though this work bag is a bit of an investment, it’s worth it if you’re looking for a stylish and high-quality vegan leather work bag. The crossbody style also converts to a tote or backpack bag, giving you added value in the form of versatility.
Best Statement
Mifland Utility Tote
Material: Leather | Colors: Multi | Dimensions: 17 x 22 x 6 inches
When you’re carrying a Mifland tote on you’re arm, there’s a slim chance of showing up to work with the same bag as anyone else. A little like the couture of handbags, every bag is hand-painted with impeccable detail and made of leather cut and assembled by hand, so each one varies in its final look and ensures that yours truly can’t be duplicated. Its careful construction, in which the brand employs a figure eight stitching method that uses a strong, waxed thread for a sturdy finish, also translates to a super durable design able to withstand years of wear and tear.
What to Look for in a Work Bag
- Size: When choosing your perfect work bag, handbag designer Sherrill Mosee says to first consider what you’ll be keeping in the bag from day to day. You want a bag that’s big enough to hold your laptop and gym shoes, yet not too large that it becomes cumbersome.
- Organization: Work bags should marry style with function. Think about what you need daily—pens, phone, business cards—and determine whether your tote of choice has the means to hold all of those things (and allow for easy access). “Look for bags with multiple pockets and compartments to keep items organized,” says stylist Catherine Bibeau. “This prevents digging and makes it easier to find what you need quickly.”
- Straps: If you’ll be hauling around a large laptop, you might want to ensure the tote offers a hands-free way to carry it. A strap that’s long and strong enough to support the added weight is also important. Bonus points for wide, padded straps to cushion the weight on your shoulder.
- Material: “For a professional, classic, and timeless look, opt for a leather bag. They’re extremely durable, making them a great long-term investment,” says Bibeau. “Nylon is much lighter than leather and is water-resistant, which is a big plus if you ever get caught in the rain, and the fabric is easy to clean with a damp cloth. Canvas is the perfect everyday casual bag because it’s super heavy-duty and can withstand the hustle and bustle of daily life.”
How We Tested Work Bags
Byrdie
As magazine editors in major cities, we are constantly running from office to events, so we’ve tried our fair share of popular work bags. When testing out different styles, we’ve kept the following factors in mind and used them to determine which bags are best:
- Comfort: No matter how much your bag needs to hold, it should remain comfortable. We looked for work bags that hold everything we need, yet don’t get too heavy or have straps that dig into our shoulders.
- Organization: The best work bags offer enough pockets to keep us organized without making us wonder where we put what. We looked for bags that offered functional pockets that made our commutes easier while discarding the designs where pockets were too small or difficult to open. We also looked for bonus features like key leashes or luggage sleeves.
- Durability: Whether the bag was made from leather, nylon, or canvas, we looked for styles that held up well for months and years without major damage like broken straps or deteriorating materials.
- Versatility: Ideally, you can use your work bag for your commute, business trips, and even on the weekends when you need more space. We looked for designs that proved versatile thanks to features like convertible straps, packable materials, etc.
Meet Our Experts
Byrdie interviewed the following experts for this story:
- Sherrill Mosee is the founder and designer behind the bag brand MinkeeBlue. Mosee used her master’s degree in engineering to solve a problem she calls “overload bag syndrome” and is an alum of Macy’s Philadelphia Fashion Incubator.
- Catherine Bibeau is a renowned fashion stylist with over a decade of experience in the industry.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Cieslak is an associate editor at Byrdie who has six-plus years of writing about beauty and fashion. Having lived in major commuter cities like New York and London, she has tested a range of work bags and has become an expert in identifying the materials and designs that will last forever.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-work-bags-for-women-5213827
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