The Only Two Work Bags You Need
Compared to the rest of my closet, when it comes to bags, I feel like a minimalist. One look at my wardrobe additions and you’ll see that I don’t really purchase bags all that often. For some reason, I’m super picky about bags…and I rarely fall in love with them like I do other articles of clothing. I own 15 bags, two of which are my work totes. And honestly, I only use one of these totes on a daily basis. The other tote is great for travel!
When it comes to work bags, you want something that will look professional (or as professional as needed for your office) and hold up over time. You may also want something that can withstand commuting by foot, bike, or via public transportation, and you may also want something that can take you from work to dinner out, or work to the gym. Function is the name of the work bag game.
Of course, there are far more work bag options that the two totes I’m sharing here. Buy what works best for you and your situation! Would you rather opt for a backpack because it’s easier to commute with one? Go for it! (I shamelessly wore a backpack through grad school.) Need a wider variety of bags to chose from to go with various outfits? Buy ‘em up!
I’m only sharing two work bags primarily because I only have and use these two bags, but also because work bags can get expensive quickly. These are the bags I recommend splurging on to get the most bang for your buck. The only two work bags you need, if you will.
The 2 Best Work Totes for Everyday and Travel
1. Everyday Leather Tote
A good leather tote is a classic and perfect for the office. I’m not sure that it’d ever go out of style! Plus, it goes with any and every outfit. Grab one with a zipper closure if you’re commuting on public transportation or by foot, and opt for one with a crossbody strap for more stability and weight distribution.
As a birthday/new job gift to myself, I purchased the Madewell medium Transport tote in English saddle in the fall of 2017. I’ve carried it to the office every day since then (minus the 14 months I spent working from home). It’s got a few more scratches now (ugh, my nails scratch it so easily), but otherwise, it’s held up beautifully since I got it almost 4 years ago. Check out all the ways I wore this bag so far below!
There is one small interior pocket with zipper closure, but otherwise the inside is roomy and unlined. It also came with a shoulder strap, but I never use it. Madewell also offers the classic Transport tote; I opted for the slightly smaller medium tote because I’m short, and I also didn’t need more room provided by the larger tote. The medium Transport tote is available in a zippered version as is the larger Transport tote if you’re needing something with more security.
I shared what’s really in my work bag a few years ago, and it’s pretty much still the same! I have a new water bottle and new sunglasses, but otherwise it’s all the same. I also bring my Kindle with me to read during lunch and a pair of Bose headphones to replace old earphones. You’ll find a face mask and cardigan stuffed in there, too!
Shop Everyday Leather Work Totes
2. Large Zippered Tote
Even though I love my leather tote and carry it daily, I do not travel with it. I like to have more security when I travel and really stuff my bags full to avoid needing to check a bag. For any work travel (actually, for any travel whatsoever), I carry my Longchamp Le Pliage Neo. It’s always my personal item when I fly because it can slide under the seat in front of me, even when stuffed full.
I opted for the Le Pliage Neo because I love the sleek, all-black look of the nylon and leather accents. And since everything is black, the bag goes with every outfit. I actually bought this bag back when I was in grad school and carried it on every “work” trip (to academic conferences, symposiums, etc.).
Like the Transport tote, the Longchamp Le Pliage Neo is roomy and features one small interior pocket (with no zip closure). The exterior is entirely nylon with leather straps and features a zipper with one snap button closure at the top. I can fit my personal laptop, external hard drives and SSDs, laptop charger, Kindle, journal, wallet, water bottle (empty pre-security), phone, sunglasses, and basically anything else. It fits a lot and closes with (usually) no problem!
In additional to the Le Pliage Neo, Longchamp also offers the original Le Pliage tote in a large size. These totes come in multiple colors and feature contrasting brown leather trim and straps. Check out how I wore my Le Pliage Neo tote in the outfits below!
