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The Best Work Bags for Women to Make Your Commute Easier

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Heading back to the office like much of America’s workforce, and in need of one of the best work bags for women? While it’s certainly a chore, there are clear advantages to meeting in person with colleagues. Plus, with the right accessory in tow, you can make your commute (and overall daily life) much easier. With that in mind, it’s important to find the absolute best work bag to suit your lifestyle that will last you a long length of time as well. Before finding a work bag that you feel will elevate your aesthetic, there are factors to consider before going through with your purchase.

It may seem hard to determine what type of work bag is best for you, but it will be much simpler with the help of this guide to steer you in the right direction. Out of all of the different options to choose from, we’ve hand-selected a collection of amazing options to get you started. Read on to discover the best work bags for women!

The 15 Best Work Bags for Women

Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote in Black at Nordstrom

Best Overall Work Bag: Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote

$155
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Water-resistant
  • Super roomy
  • Three color options
  • Thinner shoulder straps
  • Very thin material
  • No organization on the interior
ALDO Adraree Faux Leather Crossbody Tote Bag in Bone at Nordstrom

Best Affordable Work Bag: ALDO Adraree Faux Leather Crossbody Tote Bag

$65
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Affordable
  • Structured design
  • Comes with attachable crossbody strap
  • Too small for laptops
  • Only two color options
  • Few reviews
kate spade new york all day leather tote in Blazer Blue at Nordstrom

Best Leather Work Bag: kate spade new york all day leather tote

  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Beautiful textured leather
  • Metal lock on the interior
  • Comes with a detachable zipper pouch
  • Thin shoulder straps
  • Only one main compartment
  • No reviews
Madewell The Zip-Top Medium Transport Leather Tote in English Saddle at Nordstrom

Best Zip Leather Work Bag: Madewell The Zip-Top Medium Transport Leather Tote

$188
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Two ways to wear
  • Adjustable long strap
  • Three different leather colors to choose from
  • Too small for laptops
  • Thinner shoulder straps
  • Slouchier style
ROYCE New York Personalized Leather Tote with Wristlet in Navy Blue - Gold Foil at Nordstrom

Best Monogram Work Bag: ROYCE New York Personalized Leather Tote

$298
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • High quality
  • Three different monogram options
  • Included detachable wristlet
  • No organizational compartments
  • Thinner shoulder straps
  • A bit expensive
HOBO Sheila Medium Satchel in Black at Nordstrom

Best Medium-Size Work Bag: HOBO Sheila Medium Satchel

$298
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Adjustable and detachable crossbody strap
  • High-quality patent leather
  • Roomy interior
  • Not large enough for laptops
  • Few reviews
  • No interior organization
Rebecca Minkoff Darren Deerskin Leather Shoulder Bag in Black at Nordstrom

Best Bucket-Style Work Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Darren Deerskin Leather Shoulder Bag

$378
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Spacious interior
  • Compact design
  • Lock closure
  • Only one color option
  • Expensive
  • Not meant for larger items
Béis The Weekend Duffle Bag in Black at Nordstrom

Best Gym Work Bag: Béis The Weekend Duffle Bag

$108
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • More affordable
  • Multiple compartments
  • Durable and spacious
  • Only two color options
  • A bit large for day-to-day wear
  • Thinner shoulder straps
Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag in Slate Green at Nordstrom

Best Canvas Work Bag: Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag

$225
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Top zip closure
  • Interior zipper pocket
  • Flexible and foldable fabric
  • Thin material
  • Few organizational features
  • A bit pricy
Tory Burch Ella Nylon Tote in Tory Navy at Nordstrom

Best Nylon Work Bag: Tory Burch Ella Tote

$248
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Super spacious
  • More affordable
  • Amazing reviews
  • No organization on the interior
  • Doesn't have a zipper on top
  • Only two color options
Cole Haan Grand Ambition Leather Convertible Backpack in British Tan at Nordstrom

Best Convertible Work Bag: Cole Haan Grand Ambition Leather Backpack

$328
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Great reviews
  • Multiple functional pockets
  • High-quality straps
  • Only two color options
  • Straps are a bit thin
  • Higher price tag
Hedgren Elvira RFID Water Repellent 15-Inch Laptop Tote in Sepia at Nordstrom

Best Anti-Theft Work Bag: Hedgren Elvira RFID Tote

$125
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Anti-theft technology
  • Padded material with interior laptop compartment
  • Water-repellent fabric
  • Only one color option
  • No reviews
  • Sportier look for work
Aimee Kestenberg Rocker Leather Tote in Almond at Nordstrom

Best Sustainable Work Bag: Aimee Kestenberg Rocker Leather Tote

$228
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Extra large size
  • Spacious interior
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • A bit pricy
  • Few reviews
  • May be low in stock
Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Tote in Black/Gunmetal at Nordstrom

Best Travel Work Bag: Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Packable Nylon Tote

$150
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Water-resistant material
  • Super roomy
  • Attachable to suitcase
  • Only one color option
  • Only one additional pocket on the interior
  • Thinner fabric
MCM Medium Liz Reversible Shopper in Jet Black at Nordstrom

Best Designer Work Bag: MCM Medium Liz Reversible Shopper

$695
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reversible design
  • Amazing reviews
  • High-quality
  • More expensive
  • Only two color options
  • Thinner shoulder straps

Finding the Best Work Bags for Women: A Buyer’s Guide

Finding a best work bag may seem like a simple task, but there’s a lot to consider before making a purchase. Some people are more confident shoppers, but if you’re the type who’s unable to make a final decision, this guide will hopefully be able to help.

There may be important questions to ask yourself which you haven’t even thought of, or questions which will help you narrow down your options. From the size of the work bag, to the quality of the material and the price, you’ll be able to figure out which styles are best suited for what you’re looking for.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Work Bags for Women

When choosing the best work bags for women for your needs, it may help to consider the following features:

Price

The money you’re willing to spend on a work bag is a personal choice, but if you’re going to use the bag frequently, certain options may be worth the higher price tag. But there are a variety of different price points to choose from in the realm of high-quality work bags. There are more affordable options, and incredibly expensive ones. Consider how much you’re able to pay for a certain bag, but if you have your heart set on one particular purse, there are check-out options you can choose to pay off your purchase over time!

Size

What do you need to carry to and from work on a regular basis? It’s important to think about this before purchasing a work bag so you’re not left with an overstuffed tote which becomes harder to drag around. You want your bag to make your life easier, and not more difficult. Check out the dimensions of the work bag you’re considering buying to make sure it can fit larger items. Or if you don’t need to carry around as much, pick out a smaller one!

Additional Pockets

If you value having multiple compartments to keep yourself organized, pick out a bag which has different pockets on the interior and the exterior. Plenty of work bags will only have one large compartment, which may work for some, but if that doesn’t vibe with your needs, avoid these types of purses.

Material

Because the work bag you choose is going to be used frequently by nature, you want to make sure the quality of the material is durable and will last. This is important to consider if you know the things you carry in your work bag will make it heavy. There’s nothing worse than a bag falling apart on your commute! To make sure this doesn’t happen, look into more sturdy materials when selecting a new work bag.

Reviews

Of course, everyone will have their own opinion on any given product, but reading reviews will give you a better picture of the bag you’re considering buying. Tons of reviewers will even go as far as to add their own photos of the bag you’re buying, so you’ll be able to get a better sense of what you’re in the market for!

What are the Different Types of Work Bags for Women?

The following are the most common types of work bags for women.

Tote Bags

This style of bag is easily the most popular to shop for while looking for a new work bag. These purses are larger and roomier, which can fit more of your items which you need to take with you to the office. With that said, tote bags can come in all different shapes and sizes, so it’s important to check the specs and see if the bag in question will actually work for you!

Backpacks

If you want to go hands-free or want a bag that will be more evenly distributed on your shoulders, a backpack is the way to go. The only issue which can come up with finding a backpack for work is they don’t always appear as professional. But there are plenty of high-quality options which have chic qualities — and even convertible backpacks which you can wear as a regular purse as well!

Smaller Purses

If you don’t need to carry around a laptop or a higher volume of items for work, you can definitely get away with carrying a smaller purse. Even though you may be able to use a more compact work bag, you still want it to have enough room to fit all of your essentials for your an entire day, so keep that in mind on the quest.

What are the Different Uses for Work Bags for Women?

The following are the reasons why people use work bags for women.

Commuting

Whether you take public transit or drive to work, you’re leaving the comfort of your home, so you want a proper bag that will carry everything you need to get through the day. You can’t just rock a simple crossbody purse when you’re commuting to work, which is why the proper work bag is absolutely necessary in this case.

Broader Travel

Commuting to work is a form of travel, but some people travel much father distances depending on what type of job they have. If you’re the type of person who does find themselves racking up frequent flyer miles, finding the right bag that you can also travel with is something to consider!

Everyday Life

While it’s trendy to carry around smaller purses, this simply doesn’t work for everyone. If you’re the type of person who loves carrying around a slew of items at all times, your work bag may be used for more than just the weekdays!

Additional Questions and Tips to Choose the Best Work Bags for Women

When narrowing down your list, ask yourself these questions and consider these buying tips help to ensure you pick the best work bags for women for your needs. 

How much am I willing to spend?

When it comes to considering the price of the work bag you’re thinking about buying, you may want to ask yourself how much you can afford to spend. If you think you can swing a higher-priced work bag, and it meets your expectations, go for it!

How versatile is this work bag?

A work bag is usually a constant in day-to-day life. You’re not likely to swap it out often, so if you’re looking for a new one, you want to make sure it’s the type of bag which you know will team well with many different ensembles.

What will I use it for the most?

Are you primarily using this bag for your weekdays, or do you want a work bag which can be used for other purposes as well? Everyone has different goals when shopping, so that will factor into how you make your decision on which work bag will best suit your needs.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Check out these related product articles below:

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