16 Chic Work Bags For Every Budget and Commute
Tired of lugging around a bulky, unorganized bag to work or across your school campus every day? Believe us, we know the struggle. This is precisely why we searched the internet to uncover the best work bags for women that are great for commuting, with plenty of room to fit necessities like a laptop, water bottle, snacks, and even an emergency lipstick (because obviously). With a slew of options — including work bags with compartments that will help keep everything organized — there's no doubt you'll meet your match.
We uncovered bags from brands like MZ Wallace, a PS editor-approved style from Cuyana, the perfect work tote for commuting from Béis, and luxurious selections from Tory Burch and Mansur Gavriel — all of which will help to add a more elevated touch to your office wardrobe this year.
From classic choices like large everyday tote bags with room for everything to chic work bags that double as great going-out accessories, don't be afraid to branch out and try something unique. A backpack with a professional look can be a great option for hands-free commuting, and for a more stylish approach, we've included work bags with zippers and crossbody bags that can hold essentials without weighing you down. Upgrade your trip to work and make a serious statement with our below picks for the best women's work bags that are both functional and fashionable.
— Additional reporting by Angela Elias, Krista Jones, and Haley Lyndes
Best Faux-Leather Work Bag
Montana West Vegan Leather Tote Bag ($11, originally $30)
No work wardrobe is complete without a classic tote bag incorporated into it, and this faux-leather style is one of our very favorites. Besides its obvious, stylish appeal (and the fact that it's available to shop in over 10 different colors), we appreciate that this work bag boasts a zipper design, providing a practical and protective functionality.
A Bestselling Work Bag
Waterproof Leather Laptop Bag ($33, originally $35)
If Amazon reviews are any indicator of what work tote bags are worth investing in this year, then this deep bag is truly an essential. With more than 11,000 rave reviews, shoppers hail the accessory for its ample interior space (large enough to fit a laptop, travel makeup bag, and so much more), sleek leather exterior, and waterproof design which ensures you can take the work laptop bag with you anywhere you go — rain or shine.
Best Work Bag With Compartments
Laptop Tote Bag For Women ($37)
This top-rated Amazon accessory is the perfect size to hold all of your essentials, from your laptop and documents to your keys and phone. The work bag's vibrant blue-green coloring is incredibly versatile, giving users the freedom to easily match it with just about any outfit, regardless of the occasion or setting. Whether you're heading to the office or hopping on an airplane, this versatile tote is built for work and has got you covered in any and all circumstances.
Best Laptop Bag For Women
Kenneth Cole Reaction Risky Business Messenger ($102, originally $160)
Large tote bags for work might be regarded as the quintessential office style, but we'd argue that compact crossbody bags like this business messenger are just as chic and practical. The designer accessory is built to last with its Columbian leather make, and shoppers rave about the style's practical interior, which comes complete with fully-lined, tear-resistant lining.
Best Work Bag For Travel
Béis The Weekend Travel Bag ($108)
With a relaxed canvas exterior and practical, zippered design, this travel bag from Béis is a stylish addition to any outfit. It features an interior zip, outside compartments, and smartphone pockets for smaller items, as well as top carry handles so the everyday bag can be carried however you'd like. With its lightweight design, this work tote bag won't weigh you down on your daily travels — whether that's simply your commute to work or even a jaunt to the airport. Plus, it's even PS editor-approved. Read our Béis Weekender review to learn more.
Editor Quote: "The Mini Weekender Bag has top handles and a removable and adjustable crossbody strap, making it easy and convenient to carry around. I appreciated the thick and cushioned padding on the longer crossbody strap as well as rolled top handles. Another clever feature is the expandable, clamshell-like zip-top opening of the top compartment. The bag opens up quite wide, so you can easily see and access your stuff and take out your electronics, which came in handy when going through security." — Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, Commerce
Best Sustainable Work Bag
Cuyana Recycled Sling Bag ($128)
If you want a bag that's both easy to carry and good for the planet, get this recycled sling bag from Cuyana. The unique shape holds so much, and it even has an adjustable strap. The practical work bag is knitted from upcycled 100-percent Global Recycle Standard-certified landfill plastic, making it a sustainable choice you can feel good about carrying — regardless of where life takes you.
Best Zippered Work Bag
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote ($155)
If you've spotted this Longchamp tote countless times on your morning commute or travels through the airport, it's for good reason. The deep bag is wrapped in a sleek nylon material that's smooth to the touch, and also super easy to clean. Even if you spill on or inside the bag, reviewers say the style's nylon material makes it easy to wipe off — and ensures it'll remain a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.
Best Bucket Tote
Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote ($178)
A favorite among Nordstrom reviewers, this sumptuous leather bucket tote has a minimal design that's accented with a gold-toned buckle. It features a magnetic closure, an adjustable strap, an interior wall pocket, and can fit most 15-inch laptops. It comes in three colors, but this Chocolate Raisin shade is our top pick.
Best Work Bag For School
Leatherology Classic Leather Tote Bag ($185)
Unlike other office bags, this tall work bag boasts a vertical design, which makes it perfect for those looking to carry a laptop or any other long tech essentials. The product comes in a variety of colorways, and is also wrapped in Leatherology's signature leather material — which our editors are obsessed with.
Best Laptop Backpack
Dagne Dover Dakota Medium Neoprene Backpack ($195)
When you need something utilitarian but chic, this Dagne Dover backpack is a fail-proof option. It's big enough to hold all of your essentials and has a laptop sleeve, interior zip pockets, and padded shoulder straps. The fabric is crafted from durable scuba-knit material and comes in muted shades, like this Dune color.
Best Overall Work Bag
Cuyana Easy Tote ($268)
This oversize tote bag is one of Cuyana's most popular styles — and it's already a favorite among PS editors, too. The work tote's unstructured design is perfect for all kinds of needs — including your commute to work — as its soft composition provides extra interior space that can fit everything from a laptop and planner to a water bottle, pair of ballet flats, and more. Read through the Cuyana Easy Tote product review to learn why this bag is worth the investment.
Editor Quote: "As someone who has had some time to take the product for a spin, I can confirm: it really does live up to the airy hype. I'm notorious for carrying a lot of stuff with me wherever I go — whether it's to the gym, airport, office, and beyond, I always have plenty of my own daily essentials in tow. As a result, I've historically had to rely on bulky, heavy, and downright inconvenient totes to keep all of my handbag must haves organized. But thanks to Cuyana's Easy Tote, I get the space of a deep and chunky tote, all without any of the hassle or added weight." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce
Most Spacious Work Bag
MZ Wallace Medium Metro Deluxe Tote ($275)
Looking for a large work bag you can take just about anywhere? Snag this popular silhouette from MZ Wallace. The nylon material is a great lightweight choice that's easy to carry, easy to clean, and designed to hold up in all types of weather — even if you get caught up in a rainstorm. It also features a zip top, a crossbody strap, and tons of useful interior pockets that can help keep your essentials organized even when you're on the go — making it a great pick for students who have a lot to commute with in between classes. Read our review of the MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote to learn more.
Editor Quote: "In terms of what I like about this travel tote, the list is actually pretty endless. For one, I appreciate the bag's organization-heavy design. The accessory features 11 pockets in total, including a protective laptop sleeve (designed for 13" laptops), two exterior pockets, two zippered collar pockets, and a multitude of other tucked-away compartments that provide even more room to hold all my essentials, including my travel makeup bag, passport holder, silk eye mask for those daunting red-eye flights, and snacks (because of course)." — KW
Best Belt Bag
Clare V. Grande Perforated Leather Belt Bag ($325)
For days when you don't need to lug around a laptop and want to be hands free, this belt bag is perfect. You can sling it around your hips and still fit a surprising amount of necessities in it. The perforated leather, shiny hardware, and beautiful craftsmanship make it the kind of bag you can take from the office to happy hour.
Best Designer Work Tote
Tory Burch Perry Tote ($398)
This designer tote bag features a zip interior pocket, letting you keep your laptop in a cushioned and secure space. The sleeve in the middle, which divides the tote bag into two sections, allows you to easily organize all of your other things. It comes in a handful of color choices, but this pastel shade makes it one of the best work bags for styling.
Best Canvas Work Bag
Proenza Schouler White Label XL Coated Canvas Tote ($450)
Crafted from high-quality canvas material, this designer work bag features a sleek and structured silhouette. The square shape and crossbody strap are part of what makes it one of the best women's work bags, and we especially love the versatile color palette with black, white, and brown hues. This travel bag is bound to elevate your commute (and wardrobe).
Best Large Tote Bag For Work
Mansur Gavriel Zip Tote ($645)
Don't get deterred by the hefty price tag on this designer work bag — reviewers claim the luxurious style is worth every penny. The bag is crafted from an Italian Saffiano leather that looks as sophisticated as it feels. Plus, with an interior zipper accent, it's easy to keep your essentials protected inside.
Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.
Angela Elias is a contributing editor for PS Shopping. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.
Krista Jones is a former editor of commerce at PS.
Haley Lyndes was an assistant editor for PS Shopping where she found and tested the best home, beauty, and fashion products. She is a graduate of Northern Vermont University and has nearly five years of experience in both written and broadcast journalism.