:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ins-tier-3-primary-best-work-bags-women-ahuang-296-9601fa2c4b13436fac0dcb41bc3138de.jpeg "The 20 Best Work Bags of 2024, According to Fashion Industry Insiders")
There’s bag shopping, and then there’s work bag shopping—i.e., looking for an option that seamlessly marries personal style with practical need. And while the latter experience can still be plenty of fun, it does help to start with a checklist. For instance: Do you need something with enough room for a computer and a change of shoes? Or are you searching for the smallest possible tote that can still carry a laptop? Fashion writer Jalil Johnson says to consider the versatility of your purchase—and its durability. “I want the bag to handle the hustle and bustle of my busy life and sometimes double as a weekender,” he says. Meanwhile, construction is key for Shopbop Style Director Lauren Edelstein, who has some nonnegotiable criteria for her professional carryalls. “Avoid bags without interior pockets; there’s nothing worse than being late for a meeting because you’ve lost your notebook somewhere in the abyss of your tote,” she says. “And thin, uncomfortable straps can put a damper on a work commute.”
With these expert tips in mind, we’ve gathered 10 tried-and-true selections worth having on your radar, all rigorously vetted by the InStyle team. All of our picks are crafted with women in mind but are ideal for anyone who appreciates a stylish accessory for the most hectic days.
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Why We Love It: While there are tons of simple leather totes, this carryall gets the details just right: smooth leather with just a hint of texture, two strap options, and proportions that fit everything needed on a busy day—without looking clownishly big. The kicker? It comes in six classic colors and costs less than $300.
Who It’s For: Someone looking to streamline their daily bag situation to one ideal option that’ll both work for a commute and the rest of their 9-to-5 schedule.
Dimensions: 15.25 (W) x 12 (H) x 5.5 (D) inches | Drop: 6 or 10 inches
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Why We Love It: “The Longchamp Le Pliage Tote often gets criticized, but it’s a best seller for a reason,” says Johnson. Indeed, this time-honored pick offers everything you need from a work carryall—sleek design, durability, extra room—and for a far lower cost than many similar alternatives.
Who It’s For: This is the ultimate way to go if you want an investment piece that’ll last and feel relevant for a long time without a big, spendy price tag.
Dimensions: 12.2 (W) x 11.8 (H) x 7.5 (D) inches | Drop: 9.8 inches
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Why We Love It: If you have the leeway to skew a little more low-key, L.L. Bean’s iconic boat and tote is an efficient, unfussy, and fun way to go. “I would recommend personalizing it with your name or monogram,” suggests Johnson. “Ironic words and phrases can lose their charm over time.”
Who It’s For: Anyone who doesn’t need to dress up too much for their weekday gig and would like a work bag that doubles as a weekender. This bag is anything but flimsy.
Dimensions (for Medium Size): 13 (W) x 12 (H) x 6 (D) inches | Drop: 6 or 10 inches
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Why We Love It: Despite its roomy measurements, this machine washable nylon pick folds down to barely anything when you aren’t using it. The black color feels the most work-apropos choice; though, there are bolder colors and prints to choose from as well.
Who It’s For: The long-haul commuter who always manages to spill some coffee or breakfast on their bag every morning—or someone who simply wants a chic second, packable option to throw in a smaller purse on unpredictable days.
Dimensions: 12.75 (W) × 13.75 (H) x 8 (D) inches | Drop: 9.5 inches
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Why We Love It: Sifting through a simple leather tote often feels like a commuter cliché. But if said carryall happens to be sleek and structured with a vibrant red interior? Suddenly you’re making a memorable statement, especially with coordinated accessories like sunglasses or earrings.
Who It’s For: The professional with an Old Céline-packed work wardrobe searching for an equally sophisticated accessory to match.
Dimensions: 18 (W) x 11.75 (H) x 6.25 (D) inches | Drop: 9 inches
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Why We Love It: Not many totes of this size come with the option of a long (and adjustable) across-the-body strap, making it ideal for alleviating back and shoulder discomfort. As added perks, the quilted texture makes this crossbody bag feel more interesting than similar all-black options, and it comes with a handy internal pouch.
Who It’s For: The person with a chronically overstuffed bag who is so completely sick of constantly shifting it from one shoulder to another.
Dimensions: 13 (W) x 11.5 (H) x 10 (D) inches | Drop: 9.5 (handle) and 13.5–26.12 (convertible strap) inches
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Why We Love It: Crafted to seamlessly transform into a backpack with a pull of a strap, this slouchy pebbled leather tote is two impossibly chic bags in one. It also happens to come in eight elegant colors and has a zip-top closure to keep your belongings safe (a particularly important feature when you wear it as a knapsack).
Who It’s For: It’s a smart solution to alleviate any shoulder pain while hauling around a laptop and papers—and the occasional snack—all day.
Dimensions: 15.8 (W) x 14.2 (H) x 3.9 (D) inches | Drop: 9.5 inches
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Why We Love It: This is just the thing for days when you don’t need to haul your entire life to your place of work but still have a laptop and power cord to carry. Made from stain- and heat-resistant felted wool, it’s big enough to hold a computer—plus your daily essentials—while still seeming quite compact.
Who It’s For: Office dwellers searching for a purse that’ll work for other purposes too—this one is also fantastic for everyday errands. Consider one of the more playful colors, like red, if you plan to carry it on the weekend as well.
Dimensions: 15.5 (W) x 14 (H) x 5 (D) inches | Drop: 9 inches
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Why We Love It: Cleverly designed to fold in at the edges for a smaller size option, this elegantly curved silhouette feels far more sophisticated than your average commuter tote. As a bonus, it’s available in 11 colors and boasts a removable zippered pocket (an easy way to keep your ID and keys handy).
Who It’s For: Those in search of a work bag that doesn’t, you know, look like a work bag. This option—a favorite amongst in-the-know fashion girls—feels special but still quite practical.
Dimensions: 15 (W) 12.6 (H) x 6.7 (D) inches | Drop: 15.7 or 23.6 inches
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Why We Love It: There’s something just so cool about carrying a boxy, doctor bag shape in a sea of slouchy leather totes. This one, in particular, is high-functional thanks to its roomy proportions, magnetic top closure, and wear-and-tear-friendly finish.
Who It’s For: Those with an overbooked calendar of IRL meetings and no time to chase the chapsticks and pens that fall out of a soft tote when you set it down. This sturdy piece instantly solves the problem by standing up on its own wherever you might plop it.
Dimensions: 16.6 (W) x 11.75 (H) x 6.25 (D) inches | Drop: 7 inches
What to Keep in Mind
- Practicality: Our experts all agree: First and foremost, a work bag must be functional. “My top priority is space,” says Johnson. “Can it fit my laptop, a book, a change of clothes, and a pair of shoes? And can it still be comfortable on my shoulder, even over a bulky coat?” Edelstein agrees, adding that the ideal purchase marries all your functional needs with style. “With so many of us working remotely or hybrid now, the most practical bags should be roomy enough to fit your laptop, chargers, and essentials without looking like you’re transporting your entire office,” she says. A few things she suggests looking for? “Pockets for organizing and comfortable straps for commuting.”
- Material: Unless you’re okay with shelling out for a new tote every six months or so, it’s important to look for options that withstand wear and tear. “I would choose one in a material that’s built to last, such as leather, canvas, or nylon,” says Johnson. That said, if you’re drawn to bags with fanciful elements, you can still incorporate them by way of a silky or velvet lining and a bit of embellishment.
- Versatility: Yes, a work bag’s main function is getting you (and your stuff) to and from professional engagements. But it’s also helpful if the style feels chic and polished enough to take you into the evening as well. “Style-wise, it should be something that works with your everyday wardrobe and is versatile enough to transition from the office to an after-work event,” says Edelstein, pointing to designs with interesting details (like an unexpected fabric choice or bold color).
Your Questions, Answered
Which bags will always be in style and which are on trend right now?
For Nordstrom Associate Fashion Director Linda Cui Zhang, you can never go wrong with a tote. “It’s a comfortable, carryall style that streamlines a city office commute and holds everything from a laptop to a change of shoes to a water bottle and snacks,” she says. Edelstein calls out slouchy, oversized styles as feeling very specific to the current fashion zeitgeist. “And if you want to get adventurous, try the double-bag combo carrying a more functional laptop bag alongside a smaller bag,” she says. “This lets you get the best of both worlds with a chic layering effect.”
Should I update my work bag each season?
According to Johnson, there’s no need to update your commuter carryall but you may want options for warm and cold weather. “When I was commuting to the office, I did switch bags in the summer,” he notes. “I would usually opt for a straw bag because it reminded me of a tropical vacation (where I wanted to be) rather than an arctic office building (the hard reality).” Cui Zhang takes a similar approach and suggests canvas, crochet, and nylon as materials worth trying between Memorial and Labor Day weekends as well. “Try adding a custom touch with a bag charm around the handles brings out personality,” she says.
Why Shop With Us
Alison Syrett Cleary is a fashion editor and writer with over a decade’s worth of experience in the industry, covering everything from personal style to shopping recommendations to emerging trends. She consulted the experts below for this story:
- Jalil Johnson is a fashion professional, writer, and founder of the popular lifestyle newsletter Consider Yourself Cultured. His commentary and personal style have appeared in publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and he’s a frequent fixture on the fashion month street style scene.
- Lauren Edelstein is Shopbop’s Style Director and a beloved emoji artist. She has over 15 years of experience in the industry styling shoots for magazines and brands.
- Linda Cui Zhang serves as the associate fashion director at Nordstrom and has logged over a decade in the industry working with brands like Rachel Comey and J.Crew on merchandising and sales.
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