I have a weakness for two things: shoes and bags. Okay, I actually have a weakness for like a million other things: puppies, Trader Joe’s ice cream sandwiches (trust me), diet coke, and historical romance novels, just to name a few. BUT let’s talk work bags – I’ve got the ultimate guide to work bags for you.
I’ve rounded up six work bags that I own and have used for (mostly) years. Included are my real thoughts on each bag/tote/satchel. This post is is no way sponsored by any bag maker so you know there’s no underlying bias. If you’ve got a question and I don’t answer it in my review leave a comment or DM me on instagram and I will answer it!
For each bag I’ve rated it in three different ways:
1) level of investment (out of five $)
2) amount of storage capacity (out of four items – phone, tablet, padfolio, laptop)
3) dress code (out of three – casual, business casual, business professional)
Then I give you my honest verdict; usually in three words or less! (P.S. every photo is clickable)
now, drumroll please… may I present to you…
The Ultimate Guide to Work Bags
The Senreve Maestra
The ‘it’ bag you’ve seen everywhere. It doesn’t hold everything I need comfortably but it does hold a lot. I really can’t fathom spending that much on a bag. If it’s in your budget, more power to you, but for most people, that’s a month’s rent. You can sign up for emails and get a tote on sale. It might be ‘damaged’ but my grey tote was beaucoup off because there’s a scratch on the inside, I honestly can’t see it, nor do I care. The other sizes – Midi etc are just too small to hold anything for work. Pass on them if you need to hold work things.
The Tory Burch Robinson Tote
I’ve had this tote for four years (mine is an old version) and besides some wear on the straps it’s still in great condition. It was and is expensive but if I were to keep track of price per wear I’d bet I’m at less than a dollar each use. I’ve carried a laptop and files in this bag plus a charger and a snack. It will be a staple for years. There is only one middle pocket that zips so make sure to put your essentials in the zipper pocket.
The Mark & Graham Carolina Tote
Just purchased this bag (about a month ago) and it’s my new favorite. It’s has structure, it stands on it’s own, and with all different compartments I honestly think I can carry a puppy in here in addition to my laptop and files. Since you know puppies are another one of my weaknesses, act surprised if you see it on my stories… Monogramming is available and the quality of it and the bag is outstanding. This is an incredible bag for a solid price; it’s worth it.
The Barrington St. Anne Tote
This tote is cute and it’s fun that you can choose your design and monogramming comes free but bottom line is, it’s a simple tote that’s overpriced. The quality is nice but I really can’t stomach paying almost $200 for a tote with no compartments etc. Some of the designs won’t fly in professional workplaces or even conservative workplaces. There is a similar design with a zipper so it can be closed but it can’t hold as much if you zip it.
The Dagne Dover Signature Tote
This tote comes in two sizes: Signature and Classic. Signature is bigger. You can fit the kitchen sink in the Signature and it’s got an insane amount of compartments and functionality. There is a place for everything. The Classic doesn’t fit quite as much but it gets the job done. The only things I don’t like about these totes are that they are wide open at the top – no closure; and the shoulder straps stay up on the Signature. On the Classic they fold down which I prefer.
The Longchamp Large Le Pilage
This is a classic bag, I was obsessed with Longchamp in college but now I realize, this bag might not be worth my obsession. The only reason this tote made the list is because it’s simple, it’s recognizable, and it’s so damn easy to clean. This has no functionality though so it’s not worth the purchase unless you’re a Longchamp fanatic. The tote is casual so watch out carrying it in a professional workplace. I’m also not a fan that it doesn’t stand up on it’s own.
Standing up on it’s own: the ability of a bag to stand up on it’s own is a quality that is very important to me. If might not be to you but here’s the reason why I look for it in a bag. Let me tell you why…
During an interview in law school I carried the Longchamp bag to an interview, since I was still carrying a backpack to class and hadn’t quite switched to totes yet. As I was leaving the interview I tried to reach down to grab my bag but I couldn’t reach the handles because it was slumped into a heap by my chair. I was trying to say goodbye and rummage around for my bag without looking and it was a nightmare. My face was bright red. I vividly remember this and hence the ability of a bag to stand on it’s own is a quality I look for in my work bags.
All in One bag: I despise carrying a work tote and a purse so I tend to keep my essentials: keys, phone, wallet, vaccine card, chapstick etc in this All in One bag that I can put in my work tote and then take it out for lunch or dinner. There are two sizes of these and I prefer the smaller one. I sometimes carry it as a clutch for dinner on the weekends too!
No denying these are INVESTMENT bags. You can find chic bags at Target, Marshall’s, and any department store. Look for one in a dark neutral color: black, navy, grey. Watch for fraying especially at the seams and straps, you can easily trim those with nail scissors. You don’t need to spend beaucoup bucks on work bags but if you WANT to then I hope this really is the ultimate guide to work bags for you!
