12 Best Work Bags for Women: Totes, Briefcases, and More
Whether you have a long commute to the office every day or you only need to emerge from your work-from-home life a few days a week, having a good, reliable work bag is a must—no matter your profession. We’re partial to the tote bag, but that’s not the only option for a modern working gal! Whether you prefer tote bags, sporty backpacks, or retro-inspired briefcases, we’ve done the hunting to round up the 12 best work bags for women.
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12 best work bags for women
1. Best work tote bag: Carl Friedrik
We’ve looked high and we’ve looked low for the best work tote bag. For an all-around, high-quality tote that you can invest in once and wear forever, there are few better choices than the Ashby by Carl Friedrik. Available in Cognac, Black, or Grey, this work tote bag is the perfect combination of elegance and efficiency. It’s spacious. It’s made in Italy out of Vachetta leather. And you can even personalize it with your initials. One reviewer sums it up perfectly: “It looks beautiful and carries everything I need for the flight or a conference day.”
Price: starting at $595
2. Best work-appropriate backpack: Lo & Sons
If you’re not willing to give up the comfort and efficiency of a backpack, don’t worry—you can still nail that business-chic look without having to turn to a stuffy, old briefcase. And when it comes to sophistication, there’s no one better to level up the humble backpack than Lo & Sons. Their Rowledge work-appropriate backpack is a sleek, black nylon backpack that effortlessly converts into a tote when you want to up the professionalism. Available with Gold, Gunmetal, or Silver hardware accents with Lavender, Grey, Camel, or Azure lining, this backpack is the perfect work companion—in the office or on business trips. One reviewer agrees, saying “I had been searching for a new travel and work/laptop backpack for a while. The Rowledge ended up being The One!”
Price: starting at $465
3. Best work tote bag with trolley sleeve: Calpak
If your work frequently takes you around the globe for business trips (lucky you), then you know how annoying it is to fuss with multiple bags at the airport. Enter the Haven Laptop Tote Bag from Calpak. This work tote bag is outfitted with a trolley sleeve so you can glide through the airport with comfort, style, and grace. Plus, it comes with a removable laptop sleeve, pockets galore, and thick, durable handles for comfort on the go. So far, it passes this reviewer’s test: “I’m a traveling corporate gal that needed a professional work bag big enough for my work laptop and other travel necessities … Highly recommend this bag!!”
Price: starting at $178
4. Best minimalist work bag: Cuyana
Tote bags are getting increasingly intricate, with pockets, zippers, and snaps taking up more and more real estate. While these extra bells and whistles can certainly come in handy, sometimes it’s best to get down to the basics. That’s why we love the Cuyana Classic Easy Tote. This minimalist work bag trims the fat to just give you the good stuff: soft, Leather Working Group-certified leather; durable double handles; and an airy, pliable construction. “Love this bag! Perfect work tote!” says one reader, while another gives it an “A+” saying, “I’ll definitely purchase more in the future.”
Price: starting at $268
5. Best fashionable work bag: BOSTANTEN
We think all of the work bags for women on this list are fashionable, but we also know that backpacks and vintage-inspired styles aren’t for everyone. If you want a work bag that’s a little less retro, a little less practical, and a little more haute couture, turn to the BOSTANTEN Briefcase for Women. This fashionable work bag is available in six neutral hues, including two tones and elegant prints, like Black Crocodile. It’s made out of genuine cow leather with durable silver hardware and soft fabric lining—and it’s also giving serious Anne Hathaway in Devil Wears Prada vibes. (IYKYK.) It’s “absolutely beautiful,” according to this Amazon reviewer, and “so classy,” according to another. Just press ADD TO CART and, in the words of Miranda Priestly, “That’s all.”
Price: starting at $170
6. Best vegan leather work bag: Fossil
If you love the leather look but are looking for a vegan option, Fossil is here to answer your prayers. The Fossil Women’s Kier Vegan Cactus Tote Bag is a sure-fire way to nail style, efficiency, and love for our furry friends, all in one look. It’s made out of cactus and 100% REPREVE recycled polyester lining via a non-harmful, environmentally responsible manufacturing process. Plus, it comes with a removable zipper pouch, adjustable and detachable shoulder straps, and a 15” laptop sleeve. Available in eight colors and prints, this vegan leather tote bag is being called the “perfect big purse” and a “classy and well-crafted vegan bag” from some of Amazon’s reviewers.
Price: starting at $192
7. Best expandable work briefcase: TUMI
Laptop. Cables. Water bottle. Lunch. Notebook. Pens. Wallet. Whew! There’s a lot to pack in your daily work bag. If you feel like your current bag is (quite literally) bursting at the seams, consider converting to the TUMI Alpha 3 Expandable Organizer Leather Laptop Briefcase. This expandable work briefcase features an accordion file organizer, a padded tablet pocket, multiple pockets for accessories, and a removable laptop sleeve so you can efficiently squirrel away all your work must-haves. If you’re not a TUMI fan yet, this work bag may convert you. Just ask this reviewer, who says, “I’m a TUMI fan now. This is a high-quality and elegant briefcase I take with [me] everywhere for remotely working … I’ve taken it on multiple flights … and [it] compliments a roller carry-on perfect[ly].”
Price: starting at $825
8. Best women's briefcase: Time Resistance
Who remembers Mad Men? More importantly, who remembers all the fabulous '60s fashion on Mad Men? If you want to channel a little Joan Harris in your daily work routine, bring this women’s briefcase to the office. The Time Resistance Leather Briefcase is made in Italy out of full-grain cowhide leather with tear-resistant lining and strong YKK zippers. Shop the retro envelope-style design in classic Black, Brown, or Dark Brown, or go a little more stylish in Blue or Green. Just be prepared: You will turn heads in the office. One Amazon reviewer calls this briefcase “exquisite,” another “SUPERB!” and a third “Awesome design, a timeless piece.”
Price: starting at $266
9. Best packable work bag: Longchamp
When you’re living that location-independent life and jetting around the globe, you need to pack efficiently. So for your next visit to a foreign co-working space, try bringing a packable tote bag, like this one from Longchamp. The Longchamp Le Pliage Large ShoulderTote Bag is one of the brand’s best-selling items—and it’s an instant ticket to that French-girl-chic style. Shop it in Deep Red, Lichen, Plum, or any of its 16 color options. No matter your choice, you can’t go wrong. “These French nylon and leather bags are classics,” agrees one reviewer. Another adds, “My favorite purse! I can bring it to the beach one day and wear it to work the next.” Perfect for a woman on the go.
Price: starting at $255
10. Best vintage-inspired work bag: BRASS TACKS
Power dressing doesn’t always have to be a modern, streamlined look. Instead, how about a sophisticated, vintage style? If that’s your jam, turn to the BRASS TACKS Leathercraft Vintage Briefcase Messenger Bag. One part modern messenger bag and one part briefcase, this vintage-inspired work bag is the perfect pick if you want to live life like you’re in a sepia-toned photograph, like this Amazon reviewer who says, “Love this distressed leather look.” But don’t worry—this bag isn’t all looks and no substance. Another reviewer affirms, “This is such a nice bag. It has a genuine leather flap. The canvas is thick and real. It’s also waterproof.”
Price: starting at $110
11. Best work bag with pockets: Samsonite
Do you know the excitement of trying on a cute dress and realizing it has pockets? We get the same feeling when we check out this work bag with pockets from Samsonite. Because there’s your average tote bag … and then there’s the Samsonite Women’s Laptop Briefcase. With two zipper pockets and three large zipper compartments, this tote bag features a special internal and external organization system that’ll help you organize and de-stress à la Marie Kondo. Truly, it’s a one-a-kind work bag, according to this Amazon reviewer: “I had the bag on the watch list for a long time and looked around for alternatives but in the end I didn't find anything that was even close to as well cut.”
Price: starting at $205
12. Best budget work bag: BOLOSTA
If you’re not thrilled about spending your hard-earned work money on a bag that you’ll mostly use, ya know, at work—we get it. That’s why we also scoured the web for la crème de la crème of budget work bags—and we think we've found it in the BOLOSTA Laptop Tote Bag. This budget work bag is made out of premium canvas fabric with polyester lining and a leather handle. It has a padded pocket for your laptop and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap alongside the top-carry handles. Plus, the cream-colored canvas with a blue stripe is a classic look that'll work with both your summer and winter wardrobes. “I was surprised how nice this bag was for the price point … It looks nice and I do get compliments,” says an Amazon reviewer. What more do you need?
Price: starting at $27
Work bags for women - common FAQs
What color bag is best for the office?
The best color bag for the office is a neutral shade, like black, brown, or gray, since these basic colors will match almost everything in your closet. But you can also comfortably experiment with color in the office, too! Keep things elegant by shopping for jewel tones or muted pastels, like navy, plum, or green.
What bags do women typically take to work?
Most women take a tote bag to work because tote bags are spacious, comfortable, and work with most outfits in your work wardrobe. But who says you can’t shake things up? Some women go more classic by carrying a briefcase to work or go modern with a sporty (but elegant) backpack for their office life.
What brands carry work bags for women?
The best brands that carry work bags for women are Carl Friedrik, Calpak, Lo & Sons, and Cuyana. These brands are tried-and-tested when it comes to quality, and their timeless, elegant designs mean you can wear the same bag to work day in and day out—and still look stylish.
