The 18 Best Designer Work Bags for Women to Commute in Style

Coach’s new Brooklyn Shoulder Bag is a breakout star of the fall 2024 season. From the runway to the shoulder of off-duty Bella Hadid, the vintage-inspired leather tote brings aesthetic versatility and simplicity for schleps around the city.

Constructed with Coach’s natural grain leather, the supple carry-all offers a wide-open well for a 15-inch laptop and other earthly belongings such as notebooks, small tech, a spare sweater, or a Stanley Quencher Cup. An internal slip pocket allows easy storage of small items, while a magnetic top closure keeps everything secure. Choose from rich fall hues for the season ahead, like this nutty Brass/Maple colorway, or other options like sleek black, dark ruby, and warm suede.

Editor testing and review notes: “Coach’s smooth leather truly needs no introduction. This bag is softly structured yet doesn’t weight you down, and I find the shoulder straps impressively sturdy (and long enough to fit over puffer jackets!) compared to other leather bags I own. I drop everything in this thing for a full day ahead, from my office essentials to gear for my evening workout class. I love that this bag is uniquelly minimal too — it goes with literally every outfit in my arsenal and brings polish without overwhelming my carefully curated look.” — Commerce Writer & Producer Olivia Cigliano

What testers say: “Really nice bag to throw on and go! Though I have fond memories of the Coach bags and briefcase I had in the ’80s-90s, that leather weighed a lot! This leather is supple and soft but sturdy. I love that I can fit a lot in it, but do have to dig around in the dark inside looking for things.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $495

The Longchamp Le Pliage renaissance has arrived. Designed in 1993, the tote bag style is simplistic and spacious. It makes sense that the silhouette is popping up everywhere, especially as the “quiet luxury” aesthetic and the demand for spacious bags take over. It’s the best nylon designer work bag on our list, as it features two durable leather shoulder straps, a zipper and snap closure, and an especially convenient waterproof composition.

It’s a particularly suitable piece for those who are always on the go but don’t want to compromise style for practicality. While the totes are durable and spacious, they’re never bulky, making them a breeze to carry around. Most ideally, it has a collapsible structure, so you can tuck it into an overstuffed suitcase if you’re going on a work trip.

Editor testing and review notes: “The Longchamp Le Pliage wasn’t on my wishlist but I purchased it to test it out after hearing a lot of chatter about it. After getting my hands on it, I fully understand the appeal. The pebbled leather straps are the perfect length to put on your shoulder comfortably and it falls in a great place hanging off of the arm. I love that it’s made with durable nylon material, so I can throw in all of my things and head out the door without concern — it’s more resistant to scratch marks than a full leather bag. My only critique is that it doesn’t have a flat base so it’s not as structured, but that’s sometimes a plus because it lets it fit comfortably against your body. Even if it’s not your main work bag, it’s worth having.” — Commerce Director Adam Mansuroglu

Price upon publish date of this article: $155

Our editors love Mansur Gavriel bags, as the brand never falls short on functional, durable construction and timeless style. The Everyday Soft Tote is a mainstay in the daily urban uniforms of Julianne Moore and Katie Holmes, as it can pair with chic staples like a tailored coat or trendy adidas Samba shoes for long days on your feet.

The bag itself is defined by ultra-smooth and lightweight leather, as well as a seemingly bottomless main compartment that can store your work essentials like a laptop, designer water bottle, an extra sweater and then some — like your post-office workout gear or a change of clothes for dinner. Plus, this best leather designer work bag also includes an interior hanging pouch to organize small items.

Editor testing and review notes: “This Mansur Gavriel work bag looks simple to the eye, but the beauty of its design is all in the details. The buttery-soft leather isn’t stiff, so it drapes beautifully when I carry the bag on my shoulder. It has a pretty sizable capacity, so I like to make sure that I’m not overstuffing it to the point of shoulder strain. When I pack it with my laptop, a pouch of personal items, and a water bottle, it’s perfect.” — Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan

What testers say: “Absolutely love the style of this hobo. It’s relaxed and easy-looking, lightweight, and just a cool bag to carry. Love the seaweed color.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $795

This small-but-mighty Béis Work Tote is clean-cut and compact, with the capacity to hold a 13-inch laptop, headphones for your commute, a large cosmetic pouch, and more. From the brand best known for thoughtful and functional features, Béis designed this holy grail work bag with a secure, full-zip closure, removable shoulder strap, trolley pass-through strap (so ideal for work trips), water bottle pocket, and an interior padded laptop sleeve.

Plus, there’s a key-ring leash, removable interior zip pouch — which doubles as a clutch— and tons of little pockets to give smaller must-haves like pens, cords, and hand creams their respective places. Choose from one of the brand’s tried-and-true neutral hues, like beige or black, or introduce texture with croc-embossed options.

What testers say: “The bag looks even better on hand. It feels very premium and is high quality. Also feels and looks very sturdy. Overall excellent bag definitely would recommend.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $128

You can’t go wrong with Marc Jacobs’ The Tote Bag: This bag is a designer cult classic, and ‘It’ girls everywhere have been toting it around town year after year. It’s even popular on TikTok, with over 400 million views of shoppers talking about how spacious and lightweight it is. This large, leather version has one main compartment that can fit a large laptop and one interior zipper pocket for credit cards, a key fob, or small headphones. It’s also available in numerous shades prettier than the next that you can customize to your wardrobe depending on the season.

What testers say: “Excellent size and quality. Perfect and stylish everyday quote.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $450

It’s no secret that Cuyana’s leather goods have captured the hearts of “quiet luxury” dressers worldwide, including celebrities like Zoe Saldana. Not only are its designs crafted from the finest Italian leather in Turkey that wear well over time and get better with age, but they’re also timeless, allowing you to wear them over and over again without hesitation. This minimalist-friendly design is sleek, slender, classic. It has a double handle for easy carrying and a spacious interior to store all of your necessities. The everyday bag is offered in five core colors ranging from black to grey and four seasonal hues like butter yellow and burnt orange, so there’s an array of options to suit anyone’s taste.

Editor testing and review notes: “I have a couple Cuyana handbags that range from small shoulder bags to this sizable tote. The brand never lets me down in terms of quality and value — the materials and construction are comparable to my designer bags that go for quadruple the price. This stylish work bag features loads of internal compartments that keep my delicate items like sunglasses away from my laptop’s sharp corners. Since I take the subway to work, I appreciate that it fully zips to prevent theft.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $298

If you’re in the market for a work bag with lots of organizational features, consider Freja’s Paloma Tote an on-the-go office. Sleek and compact, this vegan leather bag is designed with three main compartments: One center zip-top slot for a 16-inch laptop and two magnetic-snap side compartments for smaller tech, documents, and magazines or notebooks. Its two shoulder straps are narrow yet sturdy, with enough length for fitting over hefty winter coats or bending your arm inside the bag to grab a pen or water bottle as you walk.

Editor testing and review notes: “This is some of the most luxurious vegan leather I’ve touched. Like all Freja New York handbags, this tote is done in vegan ultrafiber leather, a patented material that’s Oeko-Tex certified and sourced from recycled plastics. It has a barely-there pebbled finish that masks any scratches or stains (however, it’s worth noting that these imperfections disappear when I take a damp washcloth to the surface of the bag). It’s lined in a similar material with a suede finish — super soft to the touch.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $368

At first glace you may assume this tote is made of leather, but you’re actually looking at meticulously woven neoprene. The Naghedi St. Barths Large Woven Tote Bag is an ideal option for those looking for a non-leather work bag but don’t want to sacrifice on sophisticated aesthetics. Not only does the neoprene construction make it exceptionally lightweight, it’s also not as precious as other materials. Plus, it’s totally waterproof — no need to sweat inevitable coffee spills or rainy weather.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’m always amazed by how much this tote bag can carry — I’ll fill it to the brim with heavy items like a full water bottle, an extra pair of shoes, and my overstuffed makeup bag when I’m traveling. The strap stretches slightly when the bag is full; this makes it easy to slip on the shoulder and also creates a bouncy, buoyant feeling that makes what you’re carrying feel lighter than it would in a standard canvas tote.” — Sullivan

What testers say: “This is a fabulous tote! I use it everyday for work. Lightweight and waterproof. Love it. Carries everything I need for a day!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $340

Tory Burch’s Ever-Ready zip tote is all about function. Made from a lightweight material that is water-resistant, the durable shape will be your go-to pick for everyday use. Top handles will rest comfortably on the shoulder while you store everything from a 13-inch laptop to your workout clothes for a post-work sweat session. A removable zippered pouch adds to the versatility, and let’s not forget the print, inspired by Tory’s fascination with basketry, which is subtle yet memorable. 

What testers say: “Love this bag! It is roomy enough to fit many items without it feeling too big. I can use it to go into the office, to go to the beach or to travel with. You name the activity – this bag can come along. The material inside and out is awesome, feels extremely durable and has an elevated vibe to it. It holds its shape well, and is not slouchy. The two organizational compartments – are helpful, and hold loose items. I appreciate that there is a zipper to close the bag as well.” 

Price upon publish date of this article: $298

While rich leather and deep tones are always in fashion for fall, bags dressed in warm brown suede are especially trending this season. Ralph Lauren’s Bellport Tote in “Cinnamon” exemplifies coveted motifs with timeless flair. Angular from the front and expandable from the side, this trapezoid-shaped tote features flexible storage for a day’s worth of essentials without compromising style appeal. What’s more, the suede construction is actually reversible — what’s better than two bags in one? — and features brand signatures like full-grain leather handles and hardware that nods to equestrian heritage.

Price upon publish date of this article: $898

If you invest in a luxury work bag, let it be this one from Brochu Walker. For those unfamiliar with the brand, its ethos centers around quality and conscious design — this silhouette is no exception. We love so many things about this bag, starting with the rich brown suede that’s sumptuous and elevated but, most importantly, screams fall. Next are the thoughtfully designed, gusseted side tie details that add style and let you adjust the size. Think of this as a bag for your lifetime.

Price upon publish date of this article: $898

The JW Anderson Corner Tote is an elevated take on the classic canvas tote, with leather handles and trims, recycled cotton lining, and the brand’s signature gold chain link. It has a very wide, structured base, with plenty of space to store a cashmere sweater or even a folded puffer jacket, along with a small interior pocket that can be removed to wear as a wallet. We love that this dark navy and brown colorway can seamlessly pair with any look, whether you’re keeping it casual in straight-leg jeans, or opting for elegance in a lace dress.

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,050

“The textured, buttery suede on this bag makes for the lushest, everyday tote,” Hsu says. “A chic alternative to everyday black that can elevate any work outfit!” If you are not toting your laptop around, the mini Lotus shape may look small, but it surprisingly holds a lot.

The top-handle design and sculptural silhouette made from soft calfskin suede drape beautifully and effortlessly. Wear with a Canadian tuxedo look for a casual office setting or with leather pants and a blouse when you need to be a little more dressed up. 

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,980

Pulling from Loewe’s signature Spanish roots, the Flamenco bag’s design was crafted to mimic the ruffles of a dancer’s skirt. Using a cinching technique at the top, complete with knotted drawstrings, the flouncy shape brings femininity to an essential leather bag. Due to its minimalist construction, the Flamenco can be worn from the office to meetings and beyond and service both a conservative and creative workplace environment. Choose the larger size option of this bag to fit all your everyday essentials and more.

Price upon publish date of this article: $3,250

Three words: classic, iconic, unforgettable. Gucci’s Diana Tote is an investment you will never regret. Named after Princess Diana, this leather tote is elevated far beyond a typical work bag, with exclusive luxury notes from Gucci’s heritage bamboo top handles to antique gold hardware.

It’s designed to last for decades to come, with supremely versatile features like two optional canvas and leather shoulder straps for crossbody converting and removable leather belt handle shapers. Inside, you’ll enjoy two zip compartments and two main compartments for easy organizing. This style is ideal for after-work outings, as it doubles as a 13-inch laptop bag and an incredibly chic purse in its own right.

Price upon publish date of this article: $5,000

This bag means business — it’s already dressed for work! Slouchy yet structured, this roomy Prada leather tote offers just enough space for your stack of books, papers, and small tech. The removable belt adds to its sophisticated aesthetic and functions as a cinchable top closure, while an optional crossbody strap doubles-down on the versatility factor. Whether you’re headed to a meeting or grabbing drinks with the girls after work, this designer tote bag makes any outfit look chic from work to play.

Price upon publish date of this article: $6,100

“This roomy tote is truly perfect for all things work-related,” Hsu tells WWD. “Bottega’s signature leather weaving allows for a sturdy tote that’s fashionable yet functional. Its vibrant color also adds a playful touch to any work attire.”

This celeb-loved bestselling bag features a wide and deep silhouette, with a detachable zipper pouch, and longer top handles that comfortably fit over the shoulder. Bottega Veneta’s exceptionally opulent intrecciato — Italian for “braided” — weave is not only boundlessly timeless, but exceedingly durable, making for an investment piece you can love for a lifetime. This rich green “Aloe-Gold” colorway plays as both a pop of color and a neutral, and pairs with sophisticated ensembles for any season.

Price upon publish date of this article: $9,500