We recognize that a lot of women have put aside their heels during the pandemic — either temporarily or permanently — but for readers who still wear them at least occasionally (or would like to), today we've rounded up the best products to make high heels more comfortable.

Perhaps your heels have been gathering dust in your closet since March 2020 but some of your favorite work pants are too long to wear with flats — and now that you're returning to the office, you'd rather not pay to have them tailored (or re-tailored). And after a couple of years of working from home in sweatpants and Zoom shirts, it can be nice to feel “dressed up” every once in a while. (At only 5′, I also like feeling a bit taller occasionally…)

We'd already planned on doing this post before coming across these two high heels-related stories from the last couple of weeks, but they're worth sharing. The first, from The Guardian, reported on a new study that found that “[w]omen wearing flats were deemed more capable and prepared, and earned higher evaluations from both men and women in their 20s through their 50s.” (Hmm. That could be a topic for a whole other post…) The second is from a New York Times staff writer who tested Pashion's convertible heels for Wirecutter; she concluded that heels that convert to flats are “too good to be true.” Darn.

If you still like to wear heels sometimes and want to find styles that are comfier than the shoes you have, your first stop should be our Guide to Comfortable Heels (just updated!) We've also rounded up the top 10 most comfortable heel brands, as well as the best low heels for work (1.5″ or under).

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Psst: we just updated our picks for stylish heels from “comfort” shoe brands — check them out!

If you're seeking “comfort heels,” check out brands like Clarks, Naturalizer, Trotters, Cole Haan, Vionic, and Lifestride! If you definitely want a stable base, check out brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn — they're great as commuting heels (because you can maintain height for pants hemmed for heels), but they may also be just the ticket if you want something more comfortable.

Some of our latest favorite comfort heels for 2024 are below…

The Best Products to Make High Heels More Comfortable

No-Show Socks

Many socks labeled as “no show” don't live up to that promise when you wear them underneath a style of shoe with a low vamp and/or low sides. But if you want a barrier between your feet and your shoes, whether they're heels or flats, these two options have a super low profile as well as lots of great reviews: The Secret 2.0 Ultra Low_Cut sock from Sheec (it works under Rothy's and Tieks, just to name a couple) and the Ultra Low Cut No-Show Sock from Flammi.

The Sheec socks are designed to stay on securely and are handcrafted with a cotton sole, silicone grips to prevent slipping (with a non-slip guarantee), and seamless edges for comfort. They're $25 for four pairs at Amazon, which has the lighter nude shade and the black in stock, and $12 for one pair at SheecSocks.com. There, they're also available in a darker nude-for-you shade, and more sizes are in stock, to fit women's sizes 5–13 with their S–XL options.

The no-show socks from Flammi are also seamless with a cotton sole and a non-slip guarantee, and like Sheec socks, they also promise not to show under Rothy's or Tieks. The socks are odor-resistant and available in white, beige, black, pink, and green. They come in three sizes: 5–7, 8–9.5, and 10–11.5, and they're $9.95–$17.95 (for four pairs) at Amazon.

{related: the best nude-for-you pumps}

Heelho Shoe Inserts

Heelho promises “high heel heaven,” which, OK. While that may not exactly be realistic, Heelho's products — ball-of-foot pads ($10.99 at Amazon) and full inserts ($12.99) — have gotten hundreds of great reviews for making heels more comfortable.

Both types of inserts are designed to prevent your foot from slipping forward and to resist odors. The ball-of-foot pads are meant to be worn underneath open-toe shoes, while the full inserts will work in any shoes (including flats and boots).

Note: Heelho really emphasizes reading the instructions carefully and/or watching the instructional video on their website, so it sounds like precision makes a big difference here.

{related: the best foldable flats}

Vivian Lou Insoles

These insoles have an impressive resume — they were co-designed by a podiatrist and a rocket scientist. They are non-slip and are meant to improve your posture and reduce strain on your back, hips, and knees. (You can find many more details on the company's Science page, as well as the FAQ page).

You can choose from two styles: Classic ($29) and Couture ($49). The additional benefits the Couture offers are reduced heel pressure, better balance and ankle support, less pressure on the forefoot, and different right/left insole shapes. Sizes range from petite (4–5.5) to extra large (12–14). (The brand also has heel-cupping insoles for flats and athletic insoles.)

P.S. A portion of every VivianLou.com sale is donated to Dress for Success and a local transitional employment program for chronically unemployed women.

{related: the quest for comfortable heels}

Soulmates Blister Blocker

This anti-friction balm that's designed to prevent chafing and blisters from shoes has earned 400 five-star ratings at Amazon. (It's also meant to prevent chafing on other parts of the body — your thighs, for example.) The balm is waterproof; lasts up to six hours; and is vegan and free of PEG, alcohol, artificial dyes, fragrance, silicone, and parabens. Blister Blocker is $9.99 at Amazon.

Solemates also makes a sport version that's $14.95 at Amazon.

I've used Body Glide for this purpose in the past — and now the company has a version just for feet ($8.99 at Amazon). (We also mentioned Body Glide in this post from a LONG time ago on the best products for summer.)

CBD Stiletto Cream

This probably isn't an “all the time” solution, but for occasional heel wearers, there are now CBD creams designed to make your feet more comfortable in heels. Elizabeth reviewed this one from Lord Jones.

And when all else fails…

Kat and I have both written about our love for these band-aids that are designed especially for heel blisters (but can be used for other wounds). (“Love” may seem like a strong term here, but we all know how much blisters can hurt!) They also have more than 7,000 five-star reviews at Amazon!

Yes, Band-Aid Hydro Seal Blister Heels are pricey, but they really work, and they're far better than regular band-aids. They're waterproof, they stay on for at least a few days, and the hydrocolloid gel “provides the optimal wound healing environment.”

Readers, do tell: Have you ditched high heels, or do you still wear them either frequently or occasionally? What have you found to be the best products to make high heels more comfortable?

The post The Best Products to Make High Heels More Comfortable appeared first on Corporette.com.

We recently rounded up statement jackets for winter — fun, colorful, bold jackets — and I was intrigued to see this comment from an interviewer in a snowy climate, basically noting that many new graduates are wearing FAR too casual a coat over their suit for winter interviews. Here's her comment on interview coats for women:

So wonderful to see no puffer coats. They appear on so many fashion blogs (by people who only work from home!) as the only coat a woman needs. More than once when I’ve been interviewing candidates for a junior position, the candidate has arrived in a puffer coat that I know from the branding cost her well over $1k (so it’s not a cost issue for a new graduate.)

But several colleagues (male and female) have joked about [their] collegiate or excessively casual appearance — which is surely not what these women intend to convey. The same comments are made about male candidates in parkas.

Of course, if there is a blizzard going on, all bets are off. . . . [E]veryone needs a basic cloth coat — for interviews, for formal meetings outside the office, funerals, evening occasions.

I don't disagree — the puffer coat has come a long way in the past 10 years; my earliest association with it was the frumpy writer played by Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone. (Highly recommend if you haven't seen it; it's a classic rom com!) These days you can easily spend serious $$$$ on a puffer coat, but it still doesn't make it appropriate for interviews.

As we've noted before, in general your interview attire should be pretty bland — you want to keep the focus on your resume and not your fashion sense. (I've even argued that signs of ostentatious wealth are a bad thing for careers in which you are representing someone other than yourself, especially lawyers who may be in front of a jury.)

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women's Interview Attire!}

As I've also noted before, you should definitely make sure a suit blazer fits beneath your winter coat, which means you may want to size up a size (or three). Another good tip is that your coat should be longer than hip-length if you're wearing it with skirts or dresses… Look for something at least finger-tip length or longer.

{related: how to dress professionally on the coldest days}

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Classic Interview Coats for Women

Some of our favorite interview coats for women in classic styles include these styles and brands:

Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2024 include: olive / blue / green / caramel / black / gray (not pictured but also) – and don't forget to check out our editors' favorite washable winter coats!

{related: what to wear to work when it's cold outside}

Plus Sizes: The Best Coats to Wear Over a Suit in Winter

Hunting for plus-size coats for a winter interview? These are some of our favorites:

Readers, how about you — what are your thoughts on the best coats to wear over a suit in winter? What do you think of when you think of “interview coats for women”?

{related: how to do business casual in cold weather}

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / arkusha.

The post Interview Coats for Women: The Best Coats to Wear Over a Suit in Winter appeared first on Corporette.com.

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Collared women's shirts are a classic for a reason — and whether you're on the hunt for them as Zoom tops or for basic work outfits, we haven't done a roundup in far too long.

Readers, what are your thoughts — yea or nay on collared shirts? If you're going into the office, are they part of your work outfit rotation? Are you them out for the occasional Zoom call?

In the past we've talked about important issues such as whether the collar goes out or in, what color camisole to wear beneath a white blouse, how to keep white blouses white, some DIY options for gaping blouses, when to tuck your blouse, and 10 things to know about wearing button-front blouses.

Some of the Hall of Famers we've mentioned in the past include these lovely collared shirts:

• Hall of Famers: Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Foxcroft, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Universal Standard, Equipment, Tucker, Everlane
• Under $50: Amazon Essentials (2,400 good reviews), Clovery (1,600 good reviews!)
• Under $100: J.Crew, Brooks Brothers (frequent sales), Ann Taylor, Hawes & Curtis, Everlane
• Brands with interesting blouses for a splurge: Rebecca Taylor, L'Agence, Tuckernuck, Anne Fontaine, Tucker
• Iron-free: Brooks Brothers, Foxcroft, Talbots
• Organic: Eileen Fisher
• Crisp collared blouses: Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Foxcroft, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor
• Silky collared blouses (spots to check): Equipment, Halogen, Everlane, M.M. LaFleur, Banana Republic Factory, Mango, Vince, Uniqlo, The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Loft, Tucker
• Jersey collared blouses (definitely more casual!): Boden, James Perse, Eileen Fisher, also check Eddie Bauer
• Bodysuits: J.Crew, Express, Amazon, Tuxe, Express, Venus (but see our whole post on the best bodysuits for work outfits!)
• For busty women: The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Bravissimo, Exclusively Kristen, Foxcroft
• Bespoke (custom tailored): Sumissura
• Petite options: Hotouch (bad name but #1 bestseller!), Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor
• Tall options: Ann Taylor, Lands' End
• Maternity: Lands' End, H&M, Gap, ASOS (also check Target!)
• Plus sizes: Universal Standard, Foxcroft, NYDJ, Ralph Lauren, Lands' End

5 Best Women's Collared Blouses

Some of our favorite brands for silky collared blouses for women are below:

If you're hunting for some of the best collared shirts for women in plus sizes, many of our favorites meet the bill!

Of course, gaping can be a problem with button-front shirts. If your bust is the problem, definitely check out some of the best blouses for busty women — we've rounded up some above, but here are some pictures:

As of 2024, some great dress shirts for women with large breasts include The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Lands' End No-Gape shirts, eShakti's made to measure tops, Tradlands' “Boob-Gap Improving Button-Up,” and specialty stores like Exclusively Kristen, PerfectDD, and Miriam Baker.

Some of the top products to help you fix a gaping blouse include:

Readers, if you're a fan of collared shirts, which are your favorites?

Curious about older iterations of this roundup? Here they were in 2019 (modern blouses for suits), 2017 (best women's dress shirts ) 2014 (silk button-front blouses), and 2013 (crisp button-down shirts).

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

The post The Best and Affordable Women’s Collared Shirts appeared first on Corporette.com.

It's been far too long since we've rounded up plus-size suits for interviews! Readers, what are your favorite stores for plus-size workwear? Where did your last killer interview suit come from?

{related: the best plus-size women's workwear – wardrobe essentials!}

{related: 100+ great shops for plus-size work clothes}

Our Latest Favorite Plus-Size Suits for Interviews and Beyond

Where to Find Plus-Size Suits for Interviews

11 Honore – house brand, Veronica Beard, RTA, Cushne, Christian Siriano and more! 

1.State – you can find this trendy brand at Nordstrom and other department stores; not only do they often have of-the-moment cuts and colors but they often have basic suiting as well

Amazon – Jessica London, Calvin Klein, Kasper, Le Suit, Tahari, Marycrafts

Argent – Many of their workwear pieces go up to size 24, including some of their suits.

ASOS – Lots of affordable options from their house brand; sometimes from other brands as well

Bloomingdale’s – City Chic, Lafayette 148 New York, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Marina Rinaldi, Nic+Zoe, and Vince Camuto

Chadwicks – I've never purchased from this store, but they do have suiting options in plus sizes!

City Chic – This is a great brand for basic suits with a slightly trendy cut; you can find them at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's and on their own website (sizes 12-24)

Dillards – Calvin Klein, Investments, Kasper, Lauren Ralph Lauren 

Eileen Fisher – The brand (also sold at Nordstrom!) sometimes has plus-size blazers and other suiting options! (Readers LOVE these pants).

Eloquii – Lots of fun suits for work, with a few “9-to-5 Essential” options

Estelle – You can find this brand at Nordstrom and other department stores; they often have trendy suiting in plus sizes as well as more conservative basics

Etsy – Check for customizable options from shops like TielDorein and HeartMyCloset 

Full Beauty – A collection of brands including ellos, Jessica London, & Roaman’s

JCPenney – Le Suit, Evan-Piccone, Liz Claiborne, Alfred Dunner, and Worthington

J.Crew – J.Crew recently expanded their size range in general; many of their suiting pieces are now available up to size 24. 

Jones New York – This brand seems to be back after basically disappearing for several years; you can now find basics for work including black suits at Nordstrom and other department stores — historically they were always a favorite of women with an apple shape

Good American – This is one of the few brands with affordable suiting up to size 4X

H&M – They sometimes have blazers and suiting options!

Lands End (particularly their washable wool suiting) – also some pieces are carried at Kohl's!

Lafayette 148 New York (the brand is also available at Nordstrom!)

Lane Bryant*

Liverpool – This comfort brand (who makes some of our favorite office pants!) also often have matching blazers

Macy’s – Alfani, Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, Kasper, Nine West, and Tahari

MM.LaFleur 

Navabi – Lots of blazers in their own house line, as well as foreign brands such as Adia, Elvi, Frapp, Hermann Lange, Jo & Julia, Manon Baptiste, Nör, and Zizzi (free shipping over $399)

Nordstrom – Lafayette 148 New York, Halogen, City Chic, Vince Camuto, Nic & Zoe

Of Mercer – They offer extended sizes up to 20W

Off Fifth – Basler, Calvin Klein, Lafayette 148 New York, Max Mara

Simply Be – UK shop with limited workwear options but what they have is very affordable

Sumissura – UK shop with bespoke/custom suiting

Talbots (particularly their seasonless wool suiting) 

Target – Ava & Viv, Who What Wear, and more sometimes have plus-size interview suits

Universal Standard – They've expanded their workwear offerings substantially in recent years! Make sure to check out the “Fit Liberty” program if you're fluxuating sizes. 

What to Wear With Your Suit

Great Plus-Size Blouses

Comfortable Heels

We've rounded up a ton of comfortable heels for work, including low heels for work. Of course, you can always interview in nice flats, as well — we've rounded up some basic options for comfortable flats, as well as investment flats if you want to splurge a bit.

Wide Heels

Some of our favorite comfortable wide heels as of 2023 include (below): 1) Sam Edelman 2) Naturalizer 3) Walking Cradles 4) A New Day (under $30!) 5) LifeStride (also, N.B.: the styles at Inez, Margot, Ally Shoes, and Poppy Barley all look great and come in wide widths!…)

Some of our favorite comfortable wide heels as of 2023 include (below): 1) Sam Edelman 2) Naturalizer 3) Walking Cradles 4) A New Day (under $30!) 5) LifeStride (also, N.B.: the styles at Inez, Margot, Ally Shoes, and Poppy Barley all look great and come in wide widths!…)

An Interview Tote

Some of the best work bags for women as of 2024 include great totes from Cuyana (with a zipper), Tumi, Tory Burch (lightweight, a laptop tote), Lo & Sons, and Madewell (north/south). Also try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags! If you're looking for a budget tote (or one in a specific color) check this Amazon seller (22K+ good reviews) or this Amazon seller (60K+ good reviews).

(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here's our latest roundup…)

Jewelry for Work

Hunting for great jewelry for the office? As of 2024, we're long been fans of affordable brands like Mejuri and Jenny Bird, as well as mid-tier brands like Monica Vinader, David Yurman (especially this line), Dana Rebecca, and Stephen Dweck. For our $.02: spend money on things like a good watch (or watch strap), gold or diamond earrings, a pearl necklace, and more. Some of the earrings we've featured recently:

And some of the necklaces:

Other Stylish Plus-Size Workwear of Note

These brands don't necessarily include suits (at least, not often) — but they should be on your radar as sources for nice plus-size workwear.

You may also want to check out our latest roundup of designer plus-size clothing for professional women!

These are some of the best spots for designer plus-size clothing as of 2024… admittedly, a fairly broad interpretation because this category is such a narrow one! Our favorite spots for work outfit shopping are in bold!

• 11 Honoré (now owned by Dia & Co. – still some stock of DVF, Marina Rinaldi, Tanya Taylor, etc.) 
• Able Clothing
• Adrianna Papell
• Amour 781 (boutique of different brands; limited options up to 5X)
• Anthropologie
• BAACAL (limited options up to size 28)
• Bleusalt (limited options up to size 3X)
• Dia & Co. (subscription service) 
• Hours
• Hackwith Design House
• Gravitas 
• Jibri
• Karen Millen
• Kiyonna (sizes 0X–5X)

• Lafayette 148 New York
• LaLigne (XS-3X)
• MadeTrade
• Mara Hoffman (XS-3X)
• Marina Rinaldi/Persona by Marina Rinaldi
• Navabi 
• Nic + Zoe
• Of Mercer
• Pari Passu
• Pomp (Power Of My People)
• Poplinen
• PLVSH Style (subscription service)
• Rachel Pally
• Rita Phil Custom Fashion (custom skirts)

• Simone Aviv
• Summersalt (up to 2X)
• Tanya Taylor (00-22)
• TielDorein (Etsy store)
• Universal Standard
• Veronica Beard (00-24, but some warn that 24 = 20W)
• VigilanteLabs (Etsy store, custom suits for women)
• Vince (great for basics!)
• Wildfang (up to XXL)

Formerly on This List

• Henning – sold to Universal Standard
• Lord & Taylor – closing
• Moi Meme – shuttered
• Saks Fifth Avenue – Lafayette 148 New York, Marina Rinaldi, Nic + Zoe, Stizzoli
• White House | Black Market – no longer sells plus sizes

Readers, let's hear from you — where do you get plus-size suits for interviews? What are your favorite plus-size workwear stores in general?

The post The Best Plus-Size Suits for Interviews appeared first on Corporette.com.

Some of our favorite budget-friendly interview suits for women include stores like Banana Republic Factory*†, J.Crew Factory*†, Mango*, and Express†, as well as widely available brands like Anne Klein Executive, Vince Camuto*, Calvin Klein*†, and Tahari ASL. For a vintage vibe, check Amazon seller Marycrafts*. (* = some plus sizes also, † = petites)

Sure, we all know what work wardrobe essentials professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you're buying one for the first time or replacing one you've worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have. Today: we're hunting for budget-friendly interview suits for women!

Obviously, we cover a Suit of the Week every week, and we have our regularly updated Guide to Interview Suits as well as our recent overview of brands of suits for women for every budget— but we haven't specifically looked for budget-friendly interview suits in a few years, so let's round them up!

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

{related: If you're on the hunt for all the interview suits, check out our roundup of the best women's suits of 2024!}

(Here's our latest discussion on the top brands for affordable women's suits, as well as our previous discussion on cheap interview suits, as well as our discussion of whether you can mix black separates to make a suit (noooooooo!).

In general, if you're hunting for an interview suit, keep an eye out for options with a) suiting separates b) available in a solid, dark, neutral color, c) that fit your budget. By buying suiting separates you can get a better fit off the rack (such as by buying a size 10 pant and a size 12 blazer, and maybe even a petite skirt even if everything else is a regular size) — and you can make several outfits, particularly if there are two blazers, such as one that's collarless and one that's the traditional lapel+button.

(If you have problems finding suits in your size range, check our Guide to Plus Size Suits, Tall Suits, Petite Suits, and Maternity Suits!) Readers, which are your favorite budget-friendly interview suits? 

Hat tip to the commenters, who noted that J.Crew Factory has lightweight wool suiting — I don't think I knew that before! They have two-button suits, skirts, dresses with pockets, and trousers for $49-$75 per piece; they also have cotton suiting. Everything comes in sizes 0-20, in regular and petite sizes. (There are pros and cons to factory stores — if you happen to like them, note that Banana Republic Factory also has some great suiting options!) Pictured.

So many of my first suits were from T Tahari — so I'm happy to see that they now come in separates. Amazon has the widest selection currently, with tons of different styles of pants, skirts, dresses and blazers coming in black and navy. Prices range from $51-$118 right now. Pictured.

If you need a larger size range by way of petites, pluses, or plus-size petites, Talbots is your go-to — a LOT of readers love this suiting. Their seasonless wool suiting is what you want to look at — and if it's too boxy for you off the rack, do consider getting your suit tailored. (Here's our guide to suiting alterations to consider!) At full price, pieces are $129-$229 — but there are often sales.

These Anne Klein separates (available at Nordstrom and Macy's) are great basic interview suits if you're on a budget — it doesn't get more classic than this. As a curvy girl I've often liked the fit for Anne Klein better than Calvin Klein, which has more of a straight fit. The price point is generally $69-$119 per piece. Macy's has a ton of similar options from similar brands that offer separates like Kasper, T Tahari, and Calvin Klein. Pictured.

I hesitate to recommend Express suiting, even for budget-friendly interview suits, because I tend to associate it with looks that are often too tight and too curve-hugging — but if you know that going in you can be wary when picking out a suit. A major con to budget-friendly suit separates is that the pants can often feel frumpy (one of the reasons skirt suits can be easier!) so it's a major pro that Express blazers pair with their Editor and Columnist pants, loved by readers and on our list of great washable pants for work.

Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and Banana Republic are final options to consider if you're on the hunt for budget-friendly interview suits for women — they can feel a bit pricier, but are great first suits if you like the fit. For Ann Taylor, look for the tropical wool suiting or the all-season stretch — both will be great basics to take you from interviews to the first days on the job. Prices range from $98-$140 at Ann Taylor (with lots of different options for the fit of pants, as well as petite and tall sizes up to size 18). Meanwhile, over at J.Crew, note that they have phased out their longstanding suiting collection of Super 120s wool in favor of “Italian stretch wool” and “bi-stretch cotton” — the wool will be better for interviews than cotton, which will wrinkle easier (but be better for hot summer workdays). Another big option in this price range (and with tons of sales): Banana Republic! Their lightweight wool collection ranges from $98-$198, not including any BR discount of the day. Pictured.

Readers, what are your favorite styles and brands for affordable interview suits? What stores am I missing – have you found great budget-friendly interview suit at ASOS, Zara, Lord & Taylor, or any other stores? What do you look for in a suit for interviews? 

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments, as well as our collection of best-selling styles in our Guide to Wardrobe Essentials for Work!

This post was originally written in 2017, but updated substantially in 2020 except where noted.

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support.

The post The Hunt for Budget-Friendly Interview Suits appeared first on Corporette.com.

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

What do you think are the best interview bags for ladies? How does your answer change if you're looking for a work bag for your first day of work, business travel, and beyond?

As part of our general interview advice, we've rounded up 5 things to always bring to interviews and pondered “rules for interview shoes” (surprisingly there are some!), as well as shared tips on dealing with post-interview anxiety. Depending on where you are in your career, you may want to check out our best on-campus interview tips, the best job application tips for mid-levels, or readers' tips for women interviewing at high-level jobs.

{related: all our best tips for summer associates}

Our Latest Favorite Interview Bags for Ladies

As of 2024, if you're hunting for a lightweight tote large enough to fit a paper resume — the perfect interview bag for ladies! — these are our favorite options…

What Makes a Great Women's Interview Bag

Whenever I've looked for a great tote bag for an interview (especially a day of interviews like with OCI) I've appreciated tote bags nylon (lightweight) but structured (non-floppy, stand up by themselves on the floor), large enough for a folder (for copies of your resume), and ones that are are mostly a solid color without brash logos.

How is an Interview Bag Different From a Regular Work Bag?

How are the best interview bags for ladies different from regular work bags for women? As I've noted before, I think the best work bags in general may be leather (more polished), with room for a laptop or possibly a legal-size notebook, and have intelligent details like feet, keyfob chains, interior pockets, and more.

What Are the Best Interview Purses?

Call me old school, but I still think it's great to bring a paper copy of your resume with you to an interview — and that generally means bringing a bag large enough for a folder. Which… is not many purses! This is generally why we prefer tote bags as the perfect interview bag, compared to the elusive best interview purse.

That said, we do have our favorite professional purses…

Hunting for a great professional purse? In 2024, readers are loving affordable crossbody bags like those from Cuyana, Tory Burch, Lo & Sons, and Madewell.

In terms of a designer bag to suit your life as a professional, readers have been loving affordable(ish) luxury brands like See by Chloé, Polène, Strathberry, DeMellier, and Mansur Gavriel, as well as more designer bags like Chloé (particularly the Marcie line) and Mulberry. (If money is no object, Loewe and Bottega Venetta are always worth a look!)

Can You Bring a Backpack to an Interview?

I generally don't think backpacks are the best interview bags for ladies — they often read too young and too casual for the interview environment. There are exceptions here if you really need an ergonomic bag, but in general I'd avoid backpacks for interview outfits.

That said, a convertible tote could help you out — these have multiple straps (sometimes hideable) that help you wear it as a backpack in one situation and then convert it to a regular tote. (We've listed our favorites at the bottom of this post; you can also check out our post on the best work backpacks for regular days at the office.)

Should You Carry a Designer, Luxury Bag to Your Interview?

Should you bring a luxury work bag to an interview? I generally vote NO on this — in fact, the more junior you are, the less appropriate it is to bring an ostentatious, designer work bag to an interview. There are various reasons for this — you should know your office, you should know your boss before you dress better than him or her, and (for an interview at least) you don't want to come across as a person who doesn't need the money.

Regarding designer bags, we've rounded up the best luxury work bags, answered questions from readers wondering if businesswomen MUST have a designer bag, as well as questions from a young lawyer who wondered if she could buy a $2700 bag even though she was just starting out, and the intern with the $9000 bag (our first viral post, aw!).

What Are the Best Interview Briefcases for Women?

Should women bring briefcases to interviews? Again, I would say no, and part of this is because of a definitional issue. I think of a briefcase as having a very short handle, which means you have to be holding it all the time. If someone offers you a cup of coffee or bottle of water during your interview, your hands are now full — and you won't be able to shake someone's hand.

That said, we have rounded up classic briefcases for women — our latest favorites are at the bottom of this post.

A related question is the “professional padfolio,” or some of the more modern “leather clutches,” almost like large leather redwelds. These can be great and stylish — but again, you often have to hold them with your hand, which violates our rule about leaving your hands free.

Our Latest Favorite Interview Bags for Ladies

As of 2024, if you're hunting for a lightweight tote large enough to fit a paper resume — the perfect interview bag for ladies! — these are our favorite options…

Some Related Categories for Women's Work Bags

These may not be the best interview bags for ladies, but if you're willing to invest a bit more for an all-around great work bag, or if you're hunting for another specific kind of bag or purse, these are our latest favorites!

The Best Work Bags and Totes

Some of the most neutral, timeless options if you're looking for tote bags include these, pictured below:

Some of the best work bags for women as of 2024 include great totes from Cuyana (with a zipper), Tumi, Tory Burch (lightweight, a laptop tote), Lo & Sons, and Madewell (north/south). Also try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags! If you're looking for a budget tote (or one in a specific color) check this Amazon seller (22K+ good reviews) or this Amazon seller (60K+ good reviews).

(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here's our latest roundup…)

The Best Budget Work Bags

Looking for a great work bag under $100 in 2024? Some of our favorite spots to check include Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx. Specific styles include this Amazon tote under $15 and this affordable line from Samsonite (especially this backpack). Everlane's great ReNew bags are also under $100. The very trendy BÉIS bags are usually under $150 as well. If you just want a lightweight, basic nylon tote, this Amazon one looks great; Quince also has one that's getting great reviews.

Stylish Interview Bags for Ladies – A Closer Look

A Great Lightweight Interview Bag: Tory Burch

The Tory Burch nylon Ella is one of my favorite lightweight interview bags. It still has a bit of polish and style, because of / even though it has a large logo on the bag. I like that it stands up by itself, also.

A Great Affordable Interview Bag for Ladies: Quince

Oooh: this large nylon tote from Quince is new to me, but is getting great reviews — and it's only $89. I like the recycled leather trims, as well as the external slip pockets and internal laptop sleeve. Perfect!

The Best Amazon Bag for Interviewing

Amazon reviewers LOVE this nylon shoulder bag that's under $50 — it fits a laptop, water bottle, cell phone, wallet, lunch box and more. I love the flat wide base, as well as the fact that it has a zipper top closure!!

It's from Amazon seller YALUXE.

Other Great Work Bags for Women

The Best Laptop Totes

In general, I don't think you need to bring a laptop with you to an interview — but your mileage may vary! You can check out our roundup of the best laptop totes for women, for all the details, but our latest favorites are below.

Here are some of our favorite laptop bags for work in 2024: 

The Best Work Backpacks

Update: Hunting for the best work backpacks? Some of our favorites in 2024 are below — see the full post for all the details!

The Overall Best Work Backpack

Tumi Celina Backpack

$475 at Nordstrom

The Best Convertible Laptop Backpack

Lo & Sons Rowledge

$485 at Lo & Sons

The Best Affordable Backpack for Work

Samsonite Mobile Solutions Classic Backpack

$79 at Amazon

The Best Padfolios and Leather Clutches

Some of our favorite office padfolios for 2024 are below! If you want something monogrammed, check out Etsy, Leatherology, Levenger, Case-it, or (for a splurge), Smythson — you can still find them at Amazon, Target, or Walmart. (Also check out our roundup of executive clutches and leather document holders, as well as women's briefcases!)

The Best Briefcases for Women

Should women bring briefcases to interviews? In general I would say no, because I think of a briefcase as having a very short handle, and I think it's better to keep your hands free so you can shake hands, carry a cup of coffee, etc. That said, we have rounded up classic briefcases for women — our latest favorites are below.

Here are some classic briefcases for women that have been around for a while — in fact the Dooney & Burke option has been around since at least 2010.

The Best Luxury Work Bags for Women

Should you bring a luxury work bag to an interview? I generally vote NO on this — in fact, the more junior you are, the less appropriate it is to bring an ostentatious, designer work bag to an interview. There are various reasons for this — you should know your office, you should know your boss before you dress better than him or her, and (for an interview at least) you don't want to come across as a person who doesn't need the money.

As of 2024, some of our latest favorite luxury work bags (large enough to hold papers and a laptop!) include Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Saint Laurent, Kaai, and Demellier. Of course, note that a lot of our readers who are in big jobs note that they love their (more affordable) Lo & Sons bags, as well as their Tumi.

Looking for work backpacks to splurge on? Montblanc, MCM and Senreve (also!) are great, and readers are always huge fans of all things Tumi. Some of our favorites…

The Best Convertible Backpacks for Women (Backpack -> Totes)

I generally don't think backpacks are appropriate for interviews, either, but a convertible tote could help you out — these have multiple straps (sometimes hideable) that help you wear it as a backpack in one situation and then convert it to a regular tote.

As of 2024, some of our favorite convertible backpacks for work include options from Lo & Sons and M.Gemi.

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Updated social media images via Pexels / Ketut Subiyanto. Original social media picture credit: Shutterstock / Superlime.

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