The Best Work Totes for Women


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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 totes for women — which are your favorites right now, readers? Do you prefer backpacks for work, or another style?

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

  • a closed top like a zipper
  • 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)

I’ve rounded up a ton of options from splurges, super affordable bags, bags to splurge on, 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 tote recently that you love? Which are your all-time favorite bags for work, and why?

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(Curious for older versions of this post? Here they are from 2018, 201720162014201320122011, and 2010).

If you’re looking for a work tote under $50, this one is really close — this reversible tote is $51 at Nordstrom. It doesn’t have too many bells or whistles — it’s made from a PETA-approved faux leather and has removable “zip wristlet.” It has almost 2000 great reviews at Nordstrom!

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.

If $51 is too rich for your blood, this simple Amazon tote has more than 14,000 good reviews and is a mere $12 — and it comes in a zillion colors. If you’re on a budget, I’d also recommend taking a look at your local Nordstrom Rack or TJ Maxx since they tend to specialize in this kind of bag. Target also currently has some highly-rated bags under $50 from Universal Threads and New Day.

Hunting for more vegan-friendly options for work totes for women? Check out Matt & Nat, Gunas New York, and Senreve.

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 best-seller for YEARS — if you’re looking for an affordable classic this is 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.

There are a TON of Lo & Sons bags that have been loved by the readers, 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.

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 you’re looking for. It’s a smaller brand, people rave about the leather and durability, and It comes in 10 colors, can be monogrammed, 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.”

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 a splurge, I’d also consider MCM, Prada, Christian Louboutin, The Row, Mansur Gavriel, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Ferragamo, and Nancy Gonzalez

Social media picture credit: Shutterstock / Superlime.

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