The 28 Best Work Bags for Women of 2023 | by Byrdie

Read on for Byrdie’s edit of the best work bags to buy online, along with some tips for what to look for when shopping.

When it comes to the perfect work bag, fashion and function should be in perfect harmony. It should be a bag that you don’t feel embarrassed to be carrying and one that holds everything from a laptop to a giant water bottle to fun extras like gym clothes, a lunchbox, and more. Because there is such a demand for excellent work bags, there is also a lot of variety on the market. From backpacks to messenger bags to vegan leather options, there are work bags of every shape, size, and color. We tapped handbag designer Sherrill Mosee to help make the decision process run a bit smoother.

Sometimes, the little things make looking forward to another work day more enjoyable. Maybe it’s the promise of a latte from the local coffee shop, catching up with your office bestie, or grabbing your favorite bag on your way out the door. The best work bag has that hard-to-find combination of comfort, style, flawless organization, and storage space and can help you look and feel confident from your commute to your desk.

Best Overall

Cuyana System Tote

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com

You can’t have a conversation about work bags without talking about Cuyana. Their offerings are so sleek, functional, and, therefore, easy to justify. This style is made out of luxurious Italian pebbled leather but still offers design-forward structure, as it is, in fact, an organizational dream. Plus, with 13- and 16-inch size options, it can hold all your stuff, no matter how big your laptop is. For more personalization, there’s an option to monogram it.

Price at time of publish: $278

Material: Leather | Colors: Black, Caramel, Cappuccino, Dark Olive, Light Stone | Dimensions: 10 x 17.25 x 5 inches (13-inch); 11 x 19 x 5.5 inches (16-inch)

Best Large

Kate Spade Essential Large Work Tote

Kate Spade

View On Amazon

View On Katespade.com

The Kate Spade Essential Large Work Tote is another classic bag with a lot of room. It boasts six interior slip pockets, an interior zippered sleeve, and more. According to the brand’s website, it fits a large wallet, an iPad, an A4 binder, and a 15-inch laptop, among other things.

Price at time of publish: $398

Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, Morning Sky, Bungalow, Mineral Grey | Dimensions: 1.6 x 14.2 x 6 inches

Best Value

BÉIS The Work Tote

Revolve

View On Beistravel.com

This bag was designed for all the true boss ladies out there, or the aspiring boss ladies, according to Shay Mitchell’s brand BÉIS. It offers room for a 13-inch laptop, keys, a water bottle, and much more. Other features include a removable zippered pouch and a suitcase sleeve for easy traveling.

Price at time of publish: $118

Material: Vegan leather and polyester | Colors: Black Croc, Cognac Croc + more | Dimensions: 16.75 x 13.5 x 7 inches

Best Designer

Bottega Veneta Tote Bag

Bloomingdales

View On Bloomingdales

Looking for a designer bag that can withstand everyday use and commutes? This Bottega Veneta tote would be a great option. It offers all of the essentials, such as pockets for organization and a zippered top for security, and it’s crafted from rubber instead of the label’s signature leather, so you can count on durability.

Price at time of publish: $1,600

Material: Rubber and cotton/polyester | Colors: Black | Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 16 inches

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Best for Laptops

Calpak Kaya Laptop Backpack

Calpak

View On Calpaktravel.com

The Kaya Laptop Backpack is perfect for digital nomads who find themselves heading on a plane for work with their laptop and a few essentials. It’s equipped with a 15-inch laptop compartment, as well as several other interior pockets. Beyond that, the luggage sleeve and adjustable straps make it incredibly comfortable to bring to work—no matter how long or short your commute may be.

Price at time of publish: $128

Material: Faux leather and polyester | Colors: Caramel, Blush, Navy, Gunmetal Black, Black + more | Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4.5 inches

Best Budget

A New Day Reversible Tote Handbag

Target

View On Target

This tote is a great size for holding all of the day’s necessities but also offers a bonus of being reversible. This means you essentially get two bags for the price of one—and that price is pretty reasonable to begin with.

Price at time of publish: $37 for Olive Green

Material: Polyurethane | Colors: Black/Brown, Olive Green/Gold, Brown/Gold | Dimensions: 14.5 x 14 x 7.75 inches

Best Structured

Cuyana Leather Triple Zipper Overnight

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com

This bag is for anyone who finds themselves going on frequent work trips—or really just needs a ton of extra room in their bag, for something like after-work gym attire or a stack of books for a graduate school class. The leather is top quality, something Cuyana is known for, and the multiple pockets and zipper compartments make it easy for you to stay organized (and look chic while doing it).

Price at time of publish: $498

Material: Leather | Colors: Black, Stone | Dimensions: 12.5 x 15.5 x 5.75 inches

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Best Messenger Bag

Cuyana 13-Inch Messenger Bag

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com

Available in both 13- and 16-inch versions, this messenger bag gives you options based on the laptop you have or how much storage you need. Along with a built-in laptop sleeve, it also has a thick, adjustable shoulder strap for maximum comfort while carrying. Though, its best feature is perhaps that it looks nothing like a work bag.

Price at time of publish: $378

Material: Leather | Colors: Black, Cappuccino, Light Stone, Soft Rose | Dimensions: 9.8 x 13.8 x 3.9 inches (13-inch); 10.4 x 15 x 3.9 inches (16-inch)

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Most Durable

Lo & Sons Seville Aire Tote

Lo & Sons

View On Loandsons.com

The nylon body of this tote is built for durability. It also has a huge selection of inner pockets (including a laptop sleeve) to help you stay as organized as possible. To suit as many shoppers as possible, it comes in both 13- and 15-inch versions. The zipper top also means everything stays organized, secure, and tucked away from the elements.

Price at time of publish: $478

Material: Nylon, polyester jacquard, and leather | Colors: Black, Navy | Dimensions: 18.5 x 5 x 12.5 inches (13-inch), 20 x 5 x 13 inches (15-inch)

Best on Amazon

Nubily Laptop Bag

Amazon

View On Amazon

With thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, this bag is a solid contender for an affordable work bag. It offers a laptop compartment, a shoulder strap, a top zipper closure, and a water-resistant outer material to keep things in place on even the busiest of workdays. Plus, the style is available in a wide range of colors to cater to every taste.

Price at time of publish: $46

Materials: Polyurethane and polyester | Colors: Black, Beige, Blue, Brown, Dark Green + more | Dimensions: 16.7 x 5.7 x 12.6 inches

Best Sustainable

Dagne Dover Large Neoprene Backpack

Dagne Dover

View On Nordstrom

View On Dagnedover.com

View On Lyst.com

With thousands of positive reviews across several e-retailers, this neoprene backpack is a customer favorite, to say the least. It includes a padded laptop compartment to keep your electronics safe, while its eco-friendly neoprene material is lightweight and comfortable to carry throughout the day.

Price at time of publish: $195

Material: Neoprene and recycled lining made from plastic bottles | Colors: Onyx, Dark Moss, Storm, Dune, Heather Gray + more | Dimensions: 13.25 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches

Best Suede

Brandon Blackwood Large Mandeville Tote

Brandon Blackwell

View On Brandonblackwood.com

If you prefer suede over any other material, the Large Mandeville Tote is for you. With its luxe brown hue and polished silver hardware, the bag is so simple but stylish and thus easy to wear with so many outfits. In terms of functionality, it features multiple interior compartments, plus a detachable pouch and name tag, to make it easy to stay organized.

Materials: Suede | Colors: Brown | Dimensions: 11 x 14.7 x 8.25

Best Canvas

Dagne Dover Vida Cotton Tote Bag

Dagne Dover

View On Dagnedover.com

Sometimes, it’s the simple things that surprise you. In this case, it’s this 100 percent organic cotton tote that seems rudimentary but is oh, so practical. With multiple inner and outer pockets (including one made for laptops up to 16 inches), it holds a ton of stuff. So, if your job is on the more casual side, this would be a great option.

Price at time of publish: $175

Materials: 100% organic cotton canvas | Colors: Onyx, Natural + more | Dimensions: 18.5 x 6.25 x 14 inches

Best Vegan

Senreve Maestra Bag

Neiman Marcus

View On Senreve.com

Though this work bag is a bit of an investment, it’s worth it if you’re looking for a stylish and high-quality vegan leather work bag. The crossbody style also converts to a tote or backpack bag, giving you added value in the form of versatility.

Price at time of publish: $995

Materials: Vegan leather | Colors: Merlot, Taupe, Black, Forest + more | Dimensions: 12.25 x 10.25 x 6.75 inches

Best Classic

Tory Burch Robinson Tote

Bloomingdale’s

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View On Nordstrom

View On Saks Fifth Avenue

With two exterior slip pockets, six interior slip pockets (including a 13-inch laptop sleeve), and an interior zip pocket, this tote gives you no reason to be disorganized. The classic silhouette, which comes from a collection named for the designer’s parents, Budy and Reva Robinson, combines quality, convenience, and style.

Price at time of publish: $398

Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, Bistro Brown | Dimensions: 11.6 x 14.3 x 6 inches

Best Modern

Everlane The Italian Leather Studio Bag

Everlane

View On Everlane.com

If you’re looking for a work bag that holds all the essentials but strays away from the traditional work bag silhouette, this Everlane option would be a great pick for you. The elongated silhouette is large enough to hold an 18-inch laptop, and it also boasts multiple pockets and a comfortable, adjustable strap. Minimalists will appreciate its simple elegance for transit from the office to, well, just about anywhere.

Price at time of publish: $250

Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, Cognac, Moss | Dimensions: 13 x 6.25 x 9.75 inches

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Best Waterproof

Maverick & Co. Explorer Light Backpack

Maverick & Co.

View On Maverickandco.co

Attention, commuters: Here’s a style to fit your needs. This backpack-style work bag was designed with lightness in mind and is water- and scratch-resistant for durability. It’s also spacious, and it offers several compartments, such as a 16-inch laptop compartment and multiple, easy-to-access outer compartments.

Price at time of publish: $199

Materials: Nylon and vegan leather | Colors: Black, Navy | Dimensions: 15.9 x 11.4 x 5.3 inches

Best Convertible

Pond Los Angeles Transform Tote

Pond Los Angeles 

View On Pondla.com

Whether you want to wear it as a tote, crossbody, or backpack, this bag has enough storage for all your work needs. Its features include a laptop sleeve that fits a 15-inch laptop, side pockets for items as big as drink bottles, and a waterproof and scratch-proof exterior, making for a versatile bag that’s built to last.

Price at time of publish: $285

Materials: Leather | Colors: Stone, Burgundy, Peony, Black | Dimensions: 11.5 x 7 x 13.5 inches

Best Statement

Brandon Blackwood Jumbo Kuei Bag

Brandon Blackwood

View On Brandonblackwood.com

Brandon Blackwood’s bags are as functional as they are fashionable, making them the perfect choice when you’re looking for something more striking than the typical neutral tote bag for work (though he excels in that category as well). Aside from basic black, this vegan leather design comes in aqua blue, cream lizard embossed, and bright beige. Carry it from its top handles or make use of the adjustable shoulder strap.

Materials: Leather | Colors: Green | Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.8 x 5.1 inches

Best for Moms

Monos Metro Duffel

4.8

Monos

View On Monos.com

What sets the Monos Metro Duffel apart from other bags is its modular system, which are interchangeable and easy to swap out based on what you need (or don’t need) that day. The attribute makes it an ideal choice for moms who may be shuffling between multiple obligations and settings throughout the day.

Price at time of publish: $210

Materials: Nylon | Colors: Carbon Black, Oxford Blue, Juniper Green, Dover Grey, Ivory, Saddle Tan, Mahogany | Dimensions: 17.5 × 10.6 × 9.6 inches

Best Backpack

MinkeeBlue Nichet Backpack with Lunch & Shoe Bag

MinkeeBlue

View On Minkeeblue.com

If you’re looking for the functionality of a tote but prefer a backpack style, then you’re in luck. This backpack has a designated place for all of the essentials and so much more. Commuters will love that it features multiple zippered pockets, including one that is designed to safely store a pair of extra shoes. It also has a suitcase sleeve to fit comfortably over the handle of a roller suitcase, as well as a lunch bag for snacks or a light lunch.

Materials: Vegan leather and twill | Colors: Steel Grey, Navy Blue, Black | Dimensions: 13 x 5.5 x 15

Best Rated

Madewell The Transport Tote

Nordstrom

View On Bloomingdales

View On Madewell.com

View On Zappos

Functionality and style combine in Madewell’s Transport Tote which, as its name suggests, is roomy enough for travel or just the daily work commute. We love the interior pocket and that the leather is sourced from a tannery that achieved a Gold Rating from the Leather Working Group, which works to promote sustainable environmental practices in the leather industry.

Price at time of publish: $178

Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather | Colors: English Saddle, True Black Brown, True Black | Dimensions: 13.7 x 14 x 6.2 inches

Best Color Selection

Dreubea Women’s Soft Faux Leather Tote Shoulder Bag

Amazon

View On Amazon

If you’re looking for a specific color of tote, chances are you’ll find it with this option. It’s also practical, containing one large pocket and a smaller pocket, for accessories like a cell phone. The price is great, but it also comes in more than 100 different colorways, from matcha green to peachy pink.

Price at time of publish: $20

Materials: Vegan leather | Colors: More than 100 options, including Purple, Khaki, Matcha, and Pink | Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.4 x 4 inches

Best Adjustable

Madewell The Zip-Top Medium Transport Tote

Madewell

View On Amazon

View On Nordstrom

View On Madewell.com

A top handle, zip-top, and an adjustable strap mean you can carry this bag cross-body or by holding it the classic way. It contains both an exterior and interior pocket and we also love the material—a semi vegetable-tanned leather with a softly worn waxed finish that deepens into a distinctive patina over time.

Price at time of publish: $188

Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather | Colors: English Saddle, True Black Brown, True Black, Dark Cabernet | Dimensions: 12.2 x 11 x 5.5 inches

Best Storage Options

Dagne Dover Signature Legend Tote

Dagne Dover

View On Dagnedover.com

If you’re looking for lots of places to store post-its, pencils, and various office gear, you’ll find them inside this tote, which is equipped with a padded compartment with a magnetic closure to keep a 13” laptop or tablet safe, as well as pockets that can hold a wallet, phone, credit or metro card, and lip balm or mints.

Price at time of publish: $255

Materials: Vegan leather and recycled polyester | Colors: Onyx, Bleeker Blush, Graphite | Dimensions: 13.7 x 11 x 4.5 inches

Best Splurge

Freja New York Lafayette Tote Cappuccino

Freja New York

View On Frejanyc.com

View On Modesens.com

View On Verishop.com

With subtle panel accents and a double magnetic closure, this luxurious tote keeps all your items safe and secure. What’s more, it contains one main compartment and three slot pockets and offers enough interior space to fit an up-to 16″ laptop.

Price at time of publish: $378

Materials: Vegan leather | Colors: Pecan, Taupe, Black, Oat, Cappuccino | Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 5.5 inches

Best Everyday Tote

Baggu Duck Bag

Baggu

View On Amazon

View On Baggu.com

View On Urban Outfitters

This bag is fairly no frills on the inside, making it ideal for everything from a grocery run to your daily nine-to-five. The real fun comes via the interesting patterns and prints available on the exterior. We also love the addition of a long strap, which allows you to go hands-free as needed, and the single interior zipped pocket.

Price at time of publish: $42

Materials: Canvas | Colors: Various including Checker, Cow, and Khaki | Dimensions: 15.75 × 11 × 4.75 inches

Best Expandable

LeSportsac Everyday Zip Tote

LeSportsac

View On Lesportsac.com

View On Urban Outfitters

This recycled nylon tote is incredibly durable, which is high on our list of reasons for giving it a go. But it’s also expandable, allowing you an extra two full inches of vertical space. There are also five pockets, including one that fits a phone as well as a full-length zip pocket on the back.

Price at time of publish: $90

Materials: Recycled nylon | Colors: Black, White, Grape Wine | Dimensions: 12.2 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches