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Show up to the office in style.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Oct 01, 2019
Carrying your papers, laptop and phone in a briefcase may be professional in the working world, but they are often oversized and clunky. Instead, you may want to opt for a work tote.
A work tote is more than a big purse. They are tote bags that look professional, while still looking stylish. You can carry your laptop, phone, files and folders, and everything else that's traditionally in a purse, like a wallet or planner.
That’s not to say work totes can’t be cute and trendy. They can! And all while getting important jobs done.
1. Madewell Medium Leather Transport Tote
Clean, modern and completely unfussy, this roomy leather tote is topped with comfortable over-the-shoulder straps.
(Nordstrom, $158)
2. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote
A customer-favorite, water-resistant nylon tote is offered in a range of colors, each is trimmed with embossed leather for classic contrast.
(Nordstrom, $145)
3. Tory Burch Perry Leather Laptop Tote
A clean-lined design beautifully showcases the rich leather of a lightweight laptop tote that features a well-organized interior.
(Nordstrom, $348)
4. Soul Carrier Align Tote
This handbag is spacious enough for a laptop and all your work essentials, while fashionable to wear to all your social events. A detachable strap allows you to wear it as a cross body for effortless travel. The side panels reveal a glimpse of cowhide, a symbolic reminder to let your inner soul shine through.
(Soul Carrier, $476)
5. Rebecca Minkoff Stella Leather Tote
Contrast-painted edges accentuate the clean, modern lines of a spacious leather tote that's an around-town essential.
(Nordstrom, $118)
6. Olive & Cocoa Luxe Noir Leather Tote
An essential classic, this impeccably crafted bag is made from thick 100 percent genuine raw leather and features an easy unlined interior with plenty of room for all your everyday essentials, a unique gusseted bottom, and sturdy reinforced handles with a 9" drop.
(Olive and Cocoa, $159)
7. Victorinox Victoria 2.0 Carry-All Tote
This bag is roomy enough for all your essentials. And with its zippered tablet pocket and leather shoulder straps, it offers protection as well as comfort. Detailing, like the gold/silver zipper, leather trim and V-stitching, adds a polished finish to a great-looking, hardworking tote.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
8. COACH Central Tote Bag
Whether you’re strutting from the car to your office, or hitting the subway on your morning commute, the Central Tote Bag from COACH is the perfect polished staple to complement any blazer or pair of pumps.
(Macy's, $295)
9. Hobo Cecily Tote
With a broken-in-look and beautiful shine, this little number is perfect for heading out on the town in chic, sophisticated style. The Cecily Tote brings a pop of color to a sleek, classic silhouette. And it comes in five gorgeous colors.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Urban Originals Somebody Else Vegan Leather Tote
The Somebody Else Vegan Leather Tote proves that Vegan Leather Bags can be fashion forward and functional. Stay chic, organized and animal friendly using this roomy tote detailed with divided interior compartments and made from PETA-certified vegan leather.
(Nordstrom, $108)
11. Overbrooke Large Vegan Leather Tote
Features plenty of interior space for all sized items, a removable bottom piece for added stiffness, and a convenient inner pocket for small items. Has a comfortable vegan leather exterior and shoulder straps, with cotton canvas interior pocket.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Cole Haan Bayleen Tote
Lightweight bag with no lining and removable inside pouch, it's 100 percent leather. This beautiful bag is deep enough to hold a laptop and other odds and ends needed during the day.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
13. Michael Kors Voyager Crossgrain Leather Tote
The luxurious Voyager tote by Michael Kors is sure to be your next favorite, with 100 percent Crossgrain leather and 100 percent Polyester Lining. Textured leather meets signature gold-tone hardware for a sleek and sophisticated look.
(Macy's, $278)
14. Crest Design Water Repellent Nylon Shoulder Bag
Made of premium water-repellent nylon with heavy duty hardware, it has detailed streamlined stitching and fully lined with polyester fabric. The bag is sturdy enough to keep its shape without any support.
(Walmart, $38.98)
15. Kate Spade New York Canvas Book Tote with Interior Pocket
This book bag is made of a heavyweight canvas, making it durable enough to tote around all your things. Features an interior pocket to store your loose items.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
16. Vera Bradley Iconic Commuter Tote
The Commuter Tote features a trolley sleeve and 2 front slip pockets, 3 pen pockets, and 3 interior pockets, including a padded pocket for your laptop or tablet. The Commuter Tote features a separate padded compartment specially designed to keep your laptop or tablet safe.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
17. Overbrooke Reversible Tote Bag
This large and reversible tote bag is built for everyday use. Uses a durable and flexible double-sided vegan leather. Reverse the bag for a different color and look. Contains a removable coin purse, wristlet and closes with a simple hidden magnet.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. Nautica Mainlander Tote
The mainlander tote brings fashion with functionality. The outside alone has three slip pockets, for keys, phone. Top zip feature to pass the front seat test. Inside has two slip pockets and one inside zipper pocket.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. Travelpro Luggage Crew Carry-on Underseat Tote Bag
Compact carry on bag professional travelers can rely on that fits under airline seats. Versatile rear strap for connecting with luggage handles for hands free transport. Tough SUPRA zipper heads are engineered to resist damage, wear and tear.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. Kate Spade New York Cameron Women's Laptop Tote
This Kate Spade bag has a center zip that divides compartments. On the exterior, there is a hanging charm, and logo at center top. Interior is jacquard spade lining, and has one zip, two slip pockets.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
21. TW Lunch Tote
The vegan leather, two-compartment design is hand sewn. The tote allows for you to carry both hot and cold items in its insulated sections.
(TW Tote, $49.99)
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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