The 11 Best Designer Tote Bags For Work
A classic tote bag is a must-have if you work in an office or find yourself going to meetings with clients. But what is a work tote and what qualities are most important?
Today, we’re sharing some of the best designer tote bags on the market as well as the features and functions you should look for in the perfect tote bag.
I’ve tried quite a few tote bags myself and can say from experience that they’re not all created equally. While it’s safe to assume that designer bags will typically be of higher quality, not all designer handbags are the same.
What is a work tote bag exactly? If you’re not familiar with the tote bag style, it can be defined as a square or rectangular bag with shoulder straps that make it easy to throw your bag over your shoulder.
When looking for a functional tote bag for work, here are a few key features that you may want to consider:
- Interior zipper
- Room for a laptop (if necessary)
- Metal feet
- Zip-top closure
- Dual interior compartments if you plan to go from work to the gym, etc.
- Real leather for longevity
Here’s a list of some of the best work bags on the market today.
Women’s Best Designer Tote Bags For Work
Louis Vuitton “Totally” Tote Bag
This is not only my favorite shoulder bag but it’s also my favorite bag of all time.
It’s the perfect size for a laptop and if you happen to be a working woman who’s also a mom, it has exterior pockets on either side, perfect for baby bottles (or a water bottle of course).
As a mom myself, I LOVE multi-functional bags. It saves me the hassle of having to swap purses for times when I’m heading out with the kids.
Additionally, the exterior pockets are extremely deep, meaning your bottles will never fall out.
It’s a large bag with a spacious interior and it has plenty of room for other important items like a makeup bag, phone charger, etc. If you’re looking specifically for designer bags that fit laptops, this one fits the bill.
This tote bag features gold hardware for the zipper and strap attachments, and it comes in the classic Louis Vuitton monogram print.
Another one of the key features of this bag is that it has a zip closure. This makes it more secure and leaves fewer chances of theft and/or accidental spillage.
In recent years, Louis Vuitton stopped offering this bag on their site (such a bummer!). However, you can find it on sites such as The RealReal, Poshmark, eBay, ReBag, and Mercari at ridiculously affordable prices.
For practical reasons, this is hands down one of the absolute best designer work bags out there.
Christian Louboutin Cabata Leather Tote
This leather tote bag comes in nude or black leather and is the perfect designer work bag if you’re looking for something a bit dressier.
While this bag features an open-top design vs the LV Totally’s zip closure, it does come with a small removable zip pouch for important items.
This is another versatile, large size bag in a timeless style that has ample room for all your work essentials. It also features the iconic red bottom that Christian Louboutin is known for as well as a red interior.
One downside to this bag is that it doesn’t have interior pockets. However, it does have a very roomy main interior compartment with total dimensions of 19.25″W x 12″H x 5.5″D.
Shop Tory Burch Perry Tote Bag
Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Tote Bag
If a bag with several compartments is a must-have for you then this Italian pebbled leather style by Tory Burch is one you don’t want to miss.
As the name implies, this bag features THREE separate compartments, including a center zip-pocket divider for all your miscellaneous must-haves.
Not only is this a perfect work bag, but it’s great for heading right from the office to running errands or out to happy hour with friends. It has enough room for all your daily essentials plus it comes in 6 gorgeous colors.
Additional features include 3 open pockets, protective metal feet so the bottom of the bag stays protected, a detachable charm, and a dust bag for storage.
Saint Laurent Shopping Leather Tote
If understated is more your style, this luxury work bag might be the perfect bag for you! It’s available in 3 neutral colors, features a magnetic snap closure, and is lightweight, roomy, and simple.
This bag is made in Italy, is 100% leather, and features a removable charm, removable zip pouch, and 10″ top handles.
All of the available colors are absolutely beautiful, but the beige/gold combo is my favorite because it is so versatile.
Shop Salvatore Ferragamo Tote Bag
Salvatore Ferragamo Travel Leather Tote
While this tote bag is one of the most popular designer travel tote bags, it also doubles as a great option for work.
This bag is a bit different from the others we’ve covered so far in that it features a turn-lock tab closure. it also features a faux-suede interior lining vs. a leather or cloth lining.
This tote also comes equipped with a removable zipper pouch for smaller items and is available in black or nude.
Coach Mollie Adjustable Shoulder Strap Bag
If you’re looking for a designer tote bag on a budget, this style by Coach is one you don’t want to miss.
Not only does it have a luxe look, but it also features adjustable handles as well as a detachable shoulder strap for shoulder or crossbody use.
This bag is made of double face crossgrain leather and is available in 14 different colors. It’s also one of the most affordable options on this list.
Bottega Veneta Arco Woven East-West Tote Bag
If a sturdy tote is more your speed, check out this woven leather option by one of the most legendary labels around.
Unlike the bags above, this unique design features a self-tying closure and is made of 50% lambskin and 50% calfskin.
The hardware is a gold finish and the interior features a removable zippered pouch. While this bag doesn’t fit laptops, it’s a great option for those that don’t need to carry their computer to and from the office.
Marc Jacobs Women’s The Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the classic tote bag, you’re in luck. The big block lettering of this popular style is certainly unique, and an added bonus is that it also comes in different sizes and colors.
If you’re looking for a practical purse that works both in AND out of the office, this just might be the bag for you.
The large size of this stylish tote measures 17in L x 6in D x 13in H while the mini bag clocks in at just 7.1in L X 4.3in D X 5.9in H. However, there are many other sizes to choose from.
Marc Jacobs actually has a page with a size guide for each of their tote bags. It makes comparing them side by side incredibly easy.
This style features a zip-top closure, 1 card slot, a dust bag, 2 open interior pockets, and 1 interior zip pocket. It’s also made of high-quality full-grain leather and has plenty of extra space for all the after-work items you need to fit in your bag.
Goyard St. Louis Tote
While most of the bags on this list are solid styles, Goyard tote bag comes in a monogram chevron print. It features an open top and is a lightweight, waterproof, and reversible design.
If you happen to walk a few blocks to the office every day the waterproof aspect might be just what you need.
Also included with this high-end purse is a removable pouch for smaller belongings.
Coach Willow Tote Bag
If a minimalist style is more your vibe, there’s a good chance this just might be the bag for you.
This imported leather bag features metal feet to protect the bottom and it closes with a magnetic turn-lock closure for added security.
It’s a generous size that can easily fit a laptop, cosmetics bag, and much more. We’re also giving it bonus points for being another one of the most affordable options on this list.
Jimmy Choo Nine2Five E/W Tote Bag
We couldn’t get through this list of designer tote bags for work without talking about this unique design by Jimmy Choo.
This bag is absolutely stunning and is large enough to go from work straight to the gym. While it doesn’t feature any adjustable elements, it’s roomy and practical for everyday use.
This bag is available in caramel and black. No matter which of the 2 colors you prefer, you really can’t go wrong. Both colors work well for every season and this simple design makes it versatile enough for virtually any outfit.
Shop Rebcca Minkoff Megan Tote
Rebecca Minkoff Megan Tote
Here’s another option for those that prefer a minimalist look. This supple leather bag is simple but has unique hardware that we’ve yet to see on any of the other bags which is the dog clip hardware in a matte black finish.
This bag is a more modern take on an otherwise classic bag and it comes in 11 colors.
Shop Christian Louboutin Tote Bag
Christian Louboutin Cabachic Leather Tote Bag
This one’s for our girlies who like to stand out from the crowd. Adorned with the brand’s signature spike embellishment this bag is sure to turn heads. It’s only available in beige but is an absolutely stunning piece of arm (or shoulder!) candy.
This bag has a detachable shoulder strap so it can easily go from the workplace to dinner meetings and it features a hook fastening for quick and easy access. It’s not one of the most affordable bags on this list but it’s surely one of the most beautiful!
Conclusion
While designer tote bags for work will certainly be more expensive than generic bags, the good news is that most of these totes have free shipping and free return shipping.
Ultimately, when comparing designer tote bags for work, you want to take into account what exactly will be carried in your bag and if you need it to be versatile enough for use both in and out of the office.
Everyone has different needs so jot down a list of what features are most important to you and use that to narrow down your options from the list above.
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