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.

It's been a while since we've seen north-south totes for work, so I thought we'd do a roundup. If you're unfamiliar with the terminology, an east/west bag is one that is more horizontal than vertical, e.g., your typical tote. A north/south bag, by contrast, is taller than it is wide.

There are pros and cons to these. I find them to be sleeker bags that tend to have less wasted space inside the bag… but that said, if something has fallen all the way to the bottom of the bag, it can feel a bit like you're digging around to find it.

Readers, what are your thoughts — do you like north-south totes for work? Which are your latest favorites?

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Our Latest Favorite North-South Totes for Work

Some of our favorite north-south totes for work in 2024 include options from Madewell, Cuyana, BÉIS, DeMellier, MZ Wallace, Tumi, Banana Republic, and Everlane.

The Best North-South Totes for Work in 2024

The Row

I always think of The Row as a leader in the trends, so let's start here. I love this gorgeous, minimal north/south tote. The leather looks fabulous, and at 11″H x 13″W x 6″D it's not too big, but not too small. It's $1,690 at Neiman Marcus, available in three colors for preorder.

Nordstrom has a different north/south tote from The Row with a bit more structure and handles at the top if you prefer that, but that one is $4,950.

Other great splurge options include this Givenchy tote, this Mulberry tote (ooh, and in pretty colors too!), and this Bottega tote.

DeMellier

In the “fancy but only three figures” department, I luuuurve this tote from DeMellier. The linear gold details on the magnetic flap really elevate it! This bag has similar dimensions to one above (13.7″H x 12.9″ W x 5.1″D) and is $585.

Tumi

Tumi's north/south tote definitely has a more utilitarian feel than a lot of these bags… I love that it has a trolley strap! The bag is lined, and at 15″W x 15.5″H x 4.5″D this one feels a bit larger than the other bags. It's $295 at Nordstrom.

Another great option with a trolley strap (AND convertible backpack straps): this laptop tote from Lo & Sons. Cuyana‘s north/south tote is just under $300 as well, with an add-on insert for $98.

(Also around this price range: the Vida collection of bags at Banana Republic, which are $380 for the more structured versions.)

MZ Wallace

MZ Wallace's classic, nylon, quilted look has gone through a few iterations over the years, and I like this tighter weave along with a more structured bag. The bag is $285 at Nordstrom — it's nice that it comes with a detachable strap as well as interior pouch (plus a zippered top and two exterior zip pockets).

Everlane

Everlane notes that its north/south tote is among the bestsellers — I like that folded detail on the outside pocket. It's available in four colors for $250.

Amazon Seller Montana West

If you're looking to try the trend, or want a very specific color, Amazon seller Montana West has you covered. This one comes in 25+ colors, including a really saturated kelly green, a delicate light blue, and a Barbie-approved hot pink. The bag is under $35 (with a 30% coupon today!).

Another great option under $100: the BÉIS North/South tote, $98 at Revolve.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

{related: check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels!}

The post The Best North-South Totes for Work 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.

It has been WAY too long since we've done a roundup of the best work bags for women — which are your favorites right now, readers? Do you prefer backpacks for work, or another style?

For my $.02, a great work bag for women:

• has a closed top like a zipper
• has organizing features like pockets, water bottle sleeves, sometimes even a zippered outside compartment for your commuting shoes/gym shoes
• isn't too heavy — my preferred material has always been nylon; faux leather is also going to be pretty lightweight; leathers and coated canvas are the most durable but add weight
• is large enough to fit a folder with your resume in it (if you're interviewing)
• IDEALLY has additional thoughtful details like metal feet, a long interior keychain, and one pocket accessible from the outside

I've rounded up a ton of options: splurges, super affordable bags, laptop bags, bags with trolley sleeves (to fit over your rolling suitcase for business travel), smaller/indie brands focused on bags for work, and vegan brands.

Readers, have you bought a work bag recently that you love? Which are your all-time favorite work bags for women, and why?

In the past, we've pondered whether totes or backpacks for work are the best, talked about how to organize your bags, shared silly thoughts about what your tote bag says about you, and asked the readers how many bags they bring to work.

In addition to this roundup, we've also rounded up the best bags for interviews, the best briefcases for women, the best work backpacks, AND the best stylish work bags for petites. (We've also rounded up the best bags for law students!)

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 the intern with the $9,000 bag (our first viral post, aw!), and a young lawyer who wondered if she could buy a $2,700 bag even though she was just starting out.

Our Latest Favorite Work Bags for Women in 2024

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…)

Our Latest Favorite Affordable Work Bags for Women

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.

Our Latest Favorite Laptop Totes

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

Our Latest Favorite 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

Our Latest Favorite Luxury Work Bags

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…

Our Latest Favorite Professional Purses

I generally consider professional purses to be smaller than a work bag, but maybe that's me!

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!)

Notes If You're Looking for a Very Specific Type of Women's Work Bag

• Usual Suspects (reliable brands or stores to check first): Cuyana, Tumi,  MZ Wallace, TJ Maxx, Lo & Sons
• Under $100: Amazon brand ($12) — also check your local Nordstrom Rack or T.J.Maxx!
• Splurges: (see all of our favorite luxury work bags here!): Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Saint Laurent, Kaai, and Demellier… lesser splurges include Lo & Sons bags, as well as Tumi!
• Laptop bags for women: Lo & Sons, Tumi (also check for laptop sleeves from Society 6 and, of course, Amazon)
• Backpacks for work: Tumi, MZ Wallace, Lo & Sons (convertible!), Herschel (see our whole roundup of stylish backpacks for work!)
• Briefcases for women: (see our roundup of the best briefcases for women!): Dooney & Bourke, Carl Friedrik, Mulberry, Cluci, and Hermes
• Leather clutches / large leather folders: Leatherology, Etsy, Cuyana, Smythson
• Nylon/lightweight work bags for women: Tory Burch, Lo & Sons, Tumi,
• Trolley sleeves for business travel: Tumi, Lo & Sons, Vera Bradley, Herschel, and Baggalini
• Former reader-favorite brands that may be rebranding/closing (just speculation since they're really hard to find right now in the usual places): Lodis and KNOMO London
• Smaller/independent brands focusing on bags for work: Cuyana, Lo & Sons, Dagne Dover, Gigi New York, Alesya, Shinola, Jemma Bags, July, Daame
• Vegan: Matt & Nat, Gunas New York, Senreve
• ORGANIZING INSERTS for totes: Omystyle (12,000+ good reviews at Amazon), Olunsu (5,600+ good reviews at Amazon)

The Best Work Bags for Women – Office-Friendly and Great for Work Outfits

The Best Amazon Work Tote: Nodykka

Amazon is hard to beat in terms of affordability, but you do usually get what you pay for, so watch out for that. Still, this bestseller from Nodykka has 22,000+ glowing reviews and comes in over 100 colors (!!!), with reviewers loving how affordable, lightweight, and versatile the bag is.

(Another great Amazon tote bag option: this tasseled tote from Dreubea, with 60,000+ great reviews.

If you're looking for a tote with more organization/pockets, do keep in mind that you can buy extra inserts for tote bags for around $15 on Amazon — Omystyle and Olunsu are both incredibly highly rated. You can also get a ton of plain laptop sleeves at Amazon or a HUGE variety of styles at Society 6.

Some of our favorite spots to check include Nordstrom Rack and T.J.Maxx — a 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.

The Best Lightweight, Professional Tote: Tory Burch Ella

I've never been a huge fan of the big Tory Burch emblem (where does this fall on the “cheugy” continuum, if you care?), but it's hard to find highly-rated nylon bags that are lightweight and have stood the test of time. This one has been a bestseller for YEARS — if you're looking for an affordable classic and lightweight interview tote, it's a great investment. It's $198-$228 at Nordstrom, and it's wonderful to see that they now offer a version made from recycled nylon.

A more affordable but floppier option is this Tumi Voyageur bag, on sale for $69 — but that one has a trolley sleeve for your rolling bag. Also look to Lo & Sons for excellent nylon bags, many of which are 50% off right now.

The Best Convertible Work Bag for Women: Lo & Sons

There are a TON of Lo & Sons bags that have been loved by the readers (they're always on our lists of the best work bags!), many on sale right now — the Seville laptop bag, the OG. I'm featuring the Rowledge here because it's that unusual bag that is a business-appropriate backpack for work that converts to a north/south tote with a top handle. If you're looking for something like this, definitely consider Lo & Sons.

Another super popular north/south tote (but not a backpack) is Madewell's Transport tote.

The Best Leather Tote with a Zipper: Cuyana

If you're looking for a classic leather tote bag with a zippered top, I think most readers would agree that the Cuyana bag is the one. It's a smaller brand, people rave about the leather and durability, it comes in 10 colors, it can be monogrammed, it has inserts or tech sleeves you can add on — and it's only $195. The brand's website also notes that they are LWG Silver certified, “ensuring the leather is tanned responsibly against measures like traceability, resource consumption, and effluent treatment.”

The Best Splurge Work Bag: Bottega

Looking for a splurge tote? There are so many great bags here. I think the one I'm currently drooling over is the pictured Bottega Venetta East/West Tote — it just looks so cool. I'm always a fan of Bottega, though, because I feel like their leather and craftsmanship is impeccable, but the brand recognition is lower than some of the more logo'd brands.

The pictured bag is $2450 at Neiman Marcus; NET-A-PORTER also has some options.

In addition to Bottega's totes, if you're in the market for stylish work bags, I'd also consider 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.

More Great Work Bags for Women – Recently Featured

Quince Revive Nylon Tote

If you're hunting for a really lightweight laptop bag, this nylon tote from Quince is getting great reviews, and it has a laptop sleeve. It doesn't have a top zipper, which isn't ideal especially for laptop totes — but otherwise I like the recycled leather trim, as well as the external slip pockets. It looks perfect!

The bag is selling for $89.90, and currently comes in five colors.

Quince

This large nylon tote from Quince looks like a great lightweight tote interview bag for women — and it's getting great reviews. I like the leather trims (all recycled leather), as well as the external slip pockets and internal laptop sleeve. Perfect!

The bag is selling for $89.90, and currently comes in five colors: oxford blue (pictured), black, latte, olive, and a really pretty mulberry.

Madewell

Madewell's North/South Transport tote has been a reader favorite for years (and years) — but it's nice to see that they've got a more traditional tote in the same collection. I love that it has a zippered top, and two interior pockets for smaller items like keys and phone.

It has a 4.75″ handle drop, and a adjustable crossbody strap that is 15-19.75.” The bag is 11.75″ tall, 11-16 inches wide, and 5.5″ deep. It's $198.

Liselle Kiss

If you like a bag with an open top (great for shoving more stuff inside, am I right?), this leather tote from Black-owned brand Liselle Kiss looks fabulous.

The bag, sized 18″ W x 6″ D x 12″H, is $425 at Bloomingdale's.

Readers, do tell — which do you think are the best work totes for women in 2024?

Social media picture credit: Shutterstock / Superlime.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

The post The Best Work Bags for Women in 2024 appeared first on Corporette.com.

Someone tweeted (X'ed?) at me just last week, asking about the best briefcases for women… I suspected that they meant “general work bag,” but on the off chance that they meant a traditional briefcase, I was intrigued.

(In general, the correct answer for “best work bag for women” is either Cuyana or Lo & Sons.)

We haven't talked about the issue in a LONG time, though… so I thought I'd round up some briefcases for women.

Do YOU use a briefcase? (And if so, please list your city!) What brands do you like best?

Here's another question — have you ever had a briefcase made? One of my family members swears that she and all the other working women she knew had that done in the early '80s…

Are Briefcases Right for Professional Women in 2023?

Readers have discussed this in comments from time to time — the briefcase. One commenter advised the readers that in her big city, “not a single woman lawyer I know under the age of 50 carries a purse.” This led to a small debate between briefcase-carrying women and non-briefcase carrying women.

To my eyes, though, in 2023 it's rare to see a briefcase. Most women I know carry a tote bag for when they need space to carry documents, and/or a backpack when they really need to carry a laptop.

Those frequently carrying files may switch to a tote/purse combo, but even then it seems like something I saw a lot more of a few years ago, before the cloud, flash drives, remote logins, and other convenient telecommuting tools were as common.

(I've even written about what your tote bag says about you.)

What is a Briefcase, and How Is It Different From a Tote?

In my mind, the defining feature of a briefcase is that it has a short handle and is meant to be carried at your side, or maybe dangling from the crook of your elbow. It should be large enough to fit at least a pad of paper, ideally a legal size. They don't have to be deep, but they should be large enough to fit at least a 1″ binder. They can be made of a fabric or leather, although I tend to think of them as a being made of a good-quality leather. I also tend to think of them as having enough structure that they can stand up by themselves.

Contrast that to the classic tote bag: These generally have much longer shoulder straps, although they may also have a short handle as well. Tote bags are also frequently much deeper than briefcases; some even fit an extra pair of shoes, a water bottle, or even a lunch bag.

If you prefer a more modern idea of a briefcase, you may want to look into some of the larger padfolios or leather document holders out there. These can be carried under your arm like a clutch, or carried in your hand like a redweld folder. (See below for some of our latest favorites!)

Our Favorite Briefcases for Women

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.

Some Great Trendy Briefcases

The Luxury Briefcase: Mulberry Bayswater

If you're hunting for a gorgeous leather bag with some designer cachet, check out this Mulberry satchel. like the fact that it has feet (so rare these days!!) and smartphone pockets, but do note that it's unlined.

The pictured Bayswater is one of the largest sizes; it's $1,650 at Nordstrom.

The Modern Semi-Briefcase: Leatherology

I feel like this is briefcase-adjacent, but a reader had been looking for a large leather clutch/folder just like this, and this was suggested by one of the readers. It’s gorgeous! I love how it’s like a cross between a padfolio and laptop sleeve — almost like an elevated redweld.

The pictured holder is $150 at Leatherology; it’s available in five colors.

Hunting for something similar but more affordable, or with a wider range of colors? Etsy shops have a number of options, including this $30 leather folder, this Macbook laptop sleeve with pockets for $90, and this option for $50. And, of course, you can just buy plain redwelds (or, hopefully, get them from your office supply closet).

The Affordable Briefcase from Amazon: Cluci

This “briefcase for women” at Amazon looks great. I like the options of the long strap (handy for your commute) and the shorter handles (more attractive), and the fact that it’s real cowhide but under $180 is great.

There are seven colorways (including burgundy, always great with navy), and I particularly like the multicolored accordion side, which reminds me of a redweld in the best way. It has tons of great reviews at Amazon.

The Convertible Briefcase: Senreve

It's somewhat rare to see a briefcase that converts into a backpack, so this entry in the category from Senreve is appreciated! It is more on the “satchel that CAN be a backpack” side of things, perhaps with a healthy dose of “so long as you don’t put anything heavy into it while wearing it as a backpack” kind of caveat.

The bag comes in a ton of colors, and there are even “vegan leather” options for $695-$995. The pictured version is $995.

The Best Alternatives to Briefcases for Women

The Best Work Tote Bags

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 Laptop Totes for Women

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

The Best Work Backpacks for Women

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

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…

Stylish Padfolios for Women

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!)

Admin note: this post was originally written in 2010 but has been updated substantially as indicated.

The post The Best Briefcases for Women appeared first on Corporette.com.

Recently, the WSJ had an article entitled “The ‘Perfect’ Handbag, According to Women in Their 20s, 30s, 40s and 70s” (gift link) — so I thought it might be fun to discuss here! What is your ideal handbag at this moment in your life? What do you regularly carry — and how is a weekday different from a weekend or vacation day?

(Along similar lines, we've asked the readers how many bags you bring to work, whether you guys purchase designer bags, whether women in certain professions MUST carry a designer bag, and (long ago) what the best bags are for walking to work. We've also, ahem, wondered whether an intern can carry a $9,000 bag to work.)

Kat's Ideal Bag: A Statement Bag That Isn't Too Small

One of the things that I found so interesting about the WSJ article is that my handbag tastes have gotten much smaller over the years. I used to want to carry everything! There were years where I wanted to fit an entire second pair of shoes and a cardigan — perfect for the commute or a spontaneous decision to grab dinner with a friend after work.

These days I'm much more minimal in what I bring with me: If I have space for sunglasses, tiny wallet, and lip gloss I'm OK.

Something that has stayed true all my life, though: I prefer a conversation bag. I want something that's interesting, that makes a statement about my style — so an unusual color or other detail is a must. I also prefer something that's comfortable to carry, so I do like a crossbody.

With unlimited funds, I'd probably choose something like this gorgeous ombre Chanel 2.55 flap bag (for sale at What Goes Around Comes Around for $7,150). I'd also go for the pixelated Loewe puzzle bag I posted recently, the crazy fun Ferragamo print bag, or the Valentino One Stud in a bright enough color, or (my newest obsession) the Mulberry Amberley crossbody in a bright color. (Or, OOH, apparently Mulberry had a print edition a few years ago).

Psst: here's what I used to carry in my diaper bag, and here's what I carried in my purse back in my lawyer days.

Elizabeth's Ideal Bag: The Large-Enough Crossbody

I’m not a “bag person,” so I tend to take a pretty utilitarian approach to handbags. For me, the ideal everyday bag is one that can be worn cross-body and is just large enough to easily hold my wallet, phone, sunglasses, and sunscreen. My preference is something with a classic-looking style and made out of a sturdy material, because once a bag is mine, I’m going to use that thing for the next 5+ years. (My current work bag is a Cuyana tote that I received as a gift in 2019 and my everyday bag is a Marc Jacobs crossbody from 2016. I am not gentle with them, and they’ve held up amazingly.)

If I had to buy a new bag to add to the rotation, I think I’d want something like this woven mini messenger bag from Clare V. I like that it zips securely at the top, and it looks like I could fit in all of my necessities without having to play a complicated Tetris game every time I take something out and put it back. The leather also seems like it would hold up well for 5+ years of daily use.

The bag is $385 at Clare V and comes in evergreen, a natural woven checker, and a black rattan — you can find it at Clare V as well as Nordstrom and Anthropologie.

Ann's Preferred Bag: A Not-To-Small (and Packable) Crossbody

In my 15-ish years as a lawyer, my handbags have gone from large to small and back again. After experimenting with everything from supersized totes (hello Longchamp Le Pliage) to slender bags that hung off my forearm (a pebbled leather, no-name Italian bag from Filene’s Basement — RIP), I’ve settled on what I consider a not-too-small crossbody.

For work, it fits right into my backpack if I don’t feel like carrying multiple bags on my commute, and it has enough space for the essentials (wallet, keys, phone, and a small cosmetics bag) without being too heavy. Since I don't carry much, a single interior pocket for keys or a subway card is enough for me.

Something like this Mini Pashli Leather Satchel ($695) from 3.1 Phillip Lim is right up my alley.

Kate's Ideal Bag: A Lightweight Tote

I am a serial monogamist for everyday bags. My ideal for daily use is a medium-size tote / shoulder bag with lots of pockets and wide straps. Lately, I like nylon for its flexibility, durability, and water resistance; plus, it gives me more vegetarian cred than leather (kidding).

On the inside, my everyday bag must have room for my (tiny) umbrella, my sizeable wallet, sunscreen or hand moisturizer, my phone, and random stuff like hand sanitizer, tissues, a pen/Sharpie, a teeny-tiny notepad, bandaids, etc. — plus smaller bags/pouches to hold (1) a few lip balms and pocket mirror, (2) rarely-used cards (3) a few small beauty-related items. (It's kind of a lot.)

I typically go with practical, basic styles from middle-aged-mom brands like Baggallini. (I mean, I AM a middle-aged mom, if we're calling mid-40s middle age. Are we? I don't wanna.) A few years ago, I had a LeSportsac bag I really liked (and according to GQ, LeSportsac is back?). I'm just not a fancy-bag person.

My current everyday bag, the ANDI Small from ANDI ($148), is a great style — a very light, medium-sized nylon tote with lots of pockets, and non-slip straps (plus a detachable crossbody strap). The things I carry regularly don't fill it up, so there's always room to slip in random items like a Kindle.

If I were looking for a bag to replace it, I'd be tempted by the pictured tote from Tillie ($238), which has great reviews and is available in 11 solid colors / prints.

The post What Is Your Ideal Bag? appeared first on Corporette.com.

Here's a little question for the designer handbag lovers (and the designer handbag curious, ha): Do you prefer limited edition handbags or classics? What do you think the pros and cons are of each?

(Yes, yes, in part this is inspired by this afternoon's Coffee Break, which is ah-ma-zing.)

I remember being in my 20s and being blown away when a friend — who I thought was a reasonably sane person — dropped serious money on a Murakami x Vuitton bag. I just remember being so confused at the time because it felt like that was the kind of bag you only bought after owning a whole slew of classic, been-around-for-years Vuitton bags.

{related/classic Corporette: the intern with the $9000 handbag}

Cut to me a few years later when I bought a black leather epi Alma bag — super classic… but boring. (It's still available at all the Vuitton stores and online.)

I still love my Alma bag — and she still loves her Murakami bag — but they fit us in different ways. The Alma bag was kind of who I thought I should be; who I was trying to grow into, whereas the Murakami bag encapsulated a lot of the joie de vivre I generally associate with my friend — it's quirky and insouciant and a bit witty. As we've gotten older, I may “fit” the Alma bag better than I did in my 20s, but it doesn't really say anything to me other than remind me of who I thought I should be or would be. Let's put it this way: I wore it to a funeral last year and felt Very Proper.

On the flip side, when my friend looks at her bag, I hope it encapsulates that joyful, figure-it-out attitude that yes, you need in your 20s, but frankly serves you well your entire life.

So I'm curious: If you've bought limited edition designer bags, which ones have you bought — and why? Were you a huge fan of the collaborator? Did something about the LE bag speak to you in a way that the other bags did not? Do you feel like the resale market is better for a limited edition bag? (Also, where are your preferred places to buy such bags?)

Pictured at top: I don't recall the exact bag my friend got, but What Goes Around Comes Around has a ton of bags from the Murakami/Vuitton collab — this one is available for $8,650.

More Corporette Discussions About Designer Bags:

• The Best Luxury Work Bags (2023 roundup!)
• Dressing Better Than Your Boss, Designer Bag Edition
• How to Upgrade Your Handbag Collection (due for an update!)
• Designer Bags, Purses and Budgets

The post Designer Handbags: Do You Prefer Limited Editions or Classics? 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.

If you had an unlimited budget, what would your work bag be? We thought we'd go on a hunt for the best luxury work bags…

I remember years ago discussing the Prada Saffiano tote — the general consensus at the time was that NO, you do not need a super fancy, expensive, designer luxury work bag. In the years since, a ton of readers with big jobs (partner, C-suite, etc) have noted that they adore this $578 bag (frequently on sale!) and any of these $400-$700 bags — and it's probably worth noting that these can be more functional, as well, since they are designed to hold laptops and, in many cases, fit over the handle of a rolling suitcase.

(In fact, we've even discussed how in some situations, carrying a bag that is obviously expensive can work against you, particularly in situations where you're representing people other than yourself. Or, you know, if you're an intern carrying a $9000 handbag. Know your office and your job!)

Still — there have been a lot of reader discussions recently where women are looking to splurge on bags, so I thought we'd do a roundup of the best ones if you ARE on the hunt for a luxury work bag.

(We’ve also discussed when “must” you carry a designer bag to work — and how to deal when your offensive client uses your designer bag to “joke” that he’s paying you too much. Ah yes, and how to deal when your boss tells you dress too well — or perhaps just feels bad that you're dressing better than your boss. Aw, and Jean from Extra Petite rounded up her favorite stylish work bags for us.)

We've rounded up the best work bags for women in 2024, the best work backpacks, the best briefcases for women, and the best bags for interviews. (We've also rounded up the best bags for law students!) We've also pondered whether totes or backpacks for work are the best, talked about how to organize your bags, shared silly thoughts about what your tote bag says about you, and asked the readers how many bags they bring to work.

Our Latest Favorite Luxury Work Bags and Luxury Work Backpacks

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.

Some of Our General Favorite Work Bags for Women of 2024

These start as low as $50! Note also that, while we'll go through the best luxury work bags in a bit, there are a TON of our readers who have big jobs (law partner/C-suite type jobs) who adore this $578 bag (frequently on sale!) and any of these $400-$700 bags.

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…)

Some Of The Best Laptop Totes (Reader Favorites!)

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

The Best Backpacks for Work in General

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 Luxury Work Bags of 2024

Tom Ford Tara Tote

This Tom Ford bag looks amazing if you're looking for an extra large bag — it is is 12.5″ tall by 20″ wide by 8″ deep, so quite large. I love the size in proportion to the (20″) shoulder straps.

It's $2190 at MyTheresa; Bergdorf Goodman has a similar option.

Bottega Veneta Andiamo Large Tote

I've long been a fan of Bottega Veneta's woven leather look — it's the ultimate in quiet luxury. I haven't seen a bag large enough for work papers until this one, though.

The pictured bag has an open top with magnetic closure, as well as an adjustable knot strap in the center — in the various images you can see women carrying it in the crook of their elbow, like a briefcase, and over the shoulder. It's 13.8″H by 16.5″W x 7.1″ deep — so should you want to carry work papers in it, you can.

It's $7990 at Neiman Marcus.

DeMellier Maxi Montreal Tote

DeMellier only has a few bags that are big enough to include in this roundup, because many will not fit a magazine, let alone a laptop. (They're gorgeous as handbags, though!)

But they do have one bag — the Maxi Montreal tote — that is big enough to fit a 15″ laptop. It's currently available in limited colors only.

If you aren't familiar with the brand, they note that “all our pieces are crafted ethically in Spain using the finest sustainably sourced materials, and for every piece sold, DeMellier funds vaccines and treatments aimed to save the life of a child in need.”

Lovely! The pictured bag is $735 at DeMellier London.

Saint Laurent LouLou

Saint Laurent's LouLou bag's largest size is bigger than some of the tote bags I've seen. It's missing a lot of the interior organization other bags have — no laptop sleeve, no pockets for eyeglasses or water bottles, and

Still, at 10.6″H x 5.5″W x 14.9″D, it's plenty big enough to carry your work papers and all your essentials. I like that the bag has feet.

The pictured bag is $3,550 at Neiman Marcus; if you prefer a gold monogram instead of tonal, check out Nordstrom.

Mulberry Bayswater

If you're hunting for a briefcase-like bag for work, this gorgeous leather satchel from Mulberry should definitely be on your list. I like the fact that it has feet (so rare these days!!) and smartphone pockets, but do note that it's unlined. This version only has a flap closure, but they also make zippered versions that look a bit more like regular tote bags.

In terms of dimensions, the bag is 10.5″ H x 14.25″W x 6.5″ D, with a handle drop of 6″.

The pictured Bayswater is one of the largest sizes; it's $1,650 at Nordstrom; you can also find it at Mulberry and other fine department stores.

Kaai Pyramid Tote

We featured this bag from Kaai a few weeks ago in a dusty blue, and it's still on my mind. It's definitely a bit of a splurge, but I love the origami-like folded leather.

Their pyramid tote fits a 15.6″ laptop, has a zippered top (YAAAS), and is $799. The brand is sold in a lot of places in Europe, or you can get free worldwide delivery on orders over $125.

Mulberry Bayswater Leather Tote

Mulberry has been around for years, but is having a bit of a trendy moment — the brand is known for their understated sophistication. I like the “iconic postman's lock” and the interior removable flap pocket. This one is only 14″ wide, so it won't be big enough for most laptops, alas.

This bag is $900 at Nordstrom.

(Also around this price range: these gorgeous totes from Strathberry!)

Christian Louboutin Cabata Leather Tote

Louboutin has a nice selection of interesting (but not TOO interesting) leather work bags. I'm loving this one with embossing and metal spike details — all with pops of that classic Louboutin red.

This bag is $1850 at Nordstrom and other department stores.

Burberry bags are also around this price range — they have some truly beautiful embossed totes that keep selling out at department stores.

Chanel

Chanel tote bags aren't sold online — but we'd be remiss to not include the brand. Their basic leather shopper tote has been around for ages, and while it's on the smaller side, it's a total classic.

These bags are around $5800 — contact your local Chanel store for more details. (If you know what you're doing, you can also find a ton of them on resale sites.)

Readers, what are your thoughts — what are the best luxury work bags for women?

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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