the ultimate designer bag list: 10+ bags that fits your work laptop

I’ve spent weeks, if not months, browsing through so many different bags I’m sure I could talk about it for hours. Now that I’m going to the office more often, I’m looking for my holy grail, everyday, designer bag that can fit my standard, non-Apple, work laptop. My corporate finance job gave me a standard thick HP laptop which is tiresome to carry around. Commuting with a small bag and my laptop bag has been really annoying and I’m running out of hands to carry everything with me. This is especially the case when I also need to carry an umbrella.

I have been using my Balenciaga City Medium as my default work bag, but it’s honestly not the most convenient. I’m a fan of the look and I’m happy that it fits my laptop plus a little bit more. But, the City Medium also gets super heavy and the straps are not that comfortable. As an alternative, I got the Bottega Veneta Jodie – but, sadly, it’s only suitable for day-to-day errands as it doesn’t fit my work laptop 🙁

With that, I’m back to searching for the perfect designer bag that can hold everything from my work laptop to miscellaneous items like an umbrella, my lunch and a sweater if I want to. It’s been a journey and honestly I’m still undecided. I found a ton of bags that meet my criteria and a little bit more. But, I simply can’t decide. In this article, I’ll list my first top 10 picks ranked from most loved / makes the most sense to least loved / not for now. After that, I’ll also list some additional honorable mentions. These will include bags that I love and wish could work out, but it’s just not it.

Before we start, it might be good to expand on my top 4 criteria:

1. The minimum dimension should be at least 25cm x 35cm (9.8 in x 13.8 inch) to be sure that I can fit my thick non-Macbook work laptop.
2. This bag should be my default grab and go when I need to carry a lot of stuff. Meaning it should be practical (nothing too delicate) and it shouldn’t be difficult to use. I don’t want to think twice about which bag I need to grab, it should be my simple solution.
3. It should ideally be suitable for both the professional setting and day-to-day. An extension to the second point, I want this bag to be my default bag for work, traveling & out and about for errands.
4. I want it to be timeless, stylish and simple. Ideally, I’d be able to use this bag for the many years to come.

With that being said, here is my top 10 pick:

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored to write this article and the opinion is fully mine. But, this article contains some affiliate links, meaning I might earn a small commission if you decide to purchase from the link.

1. the Row Park 3 Medium

The Park 3 Medium tote is one of my top contender. It’s just perfect in terms of style, material, and practicality. The tote is so simple and yet so beautiful. It has minimal branding and again, I really appreciate its simplicity. The design makes it very timeless and I can honestly see myself wearing this for the many years to come. It’s made out of 100% calf leather and I just know it’s gonna be soft and smooth like butter. I mean, you can already see it back on the tote. The thing looks so floppy and mushy, it’s perfect. Also, that type of unstructured slouchy built is actually quite nice for a carry all tote. Another thing that I love is their square ish bottom. Most totes are really flat and wide and that’s often unflattering for my body type. With a square bottom, the tote becomes less wide in length and also not too flat. In theory, this should look more flattering.

Honestly, the Park 3 Medium is a clear winner for me. I love the simplicity and it just looks and feels very functional and practical. But, if that’s not for you, the alternative to this is their North south park tote. I’m personally not the biggest fan of the shape and the lack of slouch. But, it’s still a good bag to check out.

2. Wandler Joanna medium tote

This is such an elegant and simple bag at an incredible price point. I really love the dark brown shade and I think this fits beautifully in a corporate setting. Very, very elegant and secure looking bag. I have no doubts that it’ll fit my thick work laptop. I’m only hesitating cause it looks like it can’t hold much more because of the shape and magnetic closing.

A bit off track, but I’ve also fallen in love with the mini version. The shape is so simple and elegant and tiny, I can see this turn into a timeless bag that I can still wear far in the future. It’s not what I need now, but I think I’ll come back to this one asap.

Not sponsored, but use  EXTRA10  at checkout to get an extra 10% off if you purchase this from Matches Fashion and  HL40  to get this bag at 40% off at Luisaviaroma.

3. Celine Trifold

This bag is phenomenal but sadly discontinued. It’s still available on the secondhand market but, I’m a little bit hesitant to buy one that way. It’s not that I don’t like buying secondhand, I just usually don’t go the preloved route unless I’m 100% sure that I know how to authenticate it myself. I’m always worried to spend a ton of money on a secondhand bag only to have it not be authentic.

Even with that concern though, I still really love the Celine Trifold and it’s one of my top contenders. The shape is really unique and I absolutely love the functionality. The bag has a big main compartment and multiple closing mechanisms (like a zipper and a ribbon) that let you change the shape of the bag. It’s also looks quite spacious. All in all, it’s a really chic designer bag that would be perfect for carrying around a work laptop. Don’t even get me started on the colorway. I haven’t seen a single color that I dislike.

4. Saint Laurent shopper tote

This bag has a been a staple for many for quite a while now and I can see why. It has a simple, classic design that’s both timeless and trendy. And, it’s practical. It’s made of durable yet buttery soft calf leather and it also has a generous size and a slouchy shape. Just perfect for carrying everything, whether you’re heading to work or running errands. It’s honestly a good and sensible choice. The only hesitation I have personally is with the overall shape. It looks quite long and more rectangular. Sadly, that’s usually not the most flattering shape for my body type. I’m pretty short so having a long bag can throw off my overall proportions and it’s just not that flattering. I don’t know how to describe it and maybe it’s just all in my head.

Don’t let that stop you though. Overall, it’s a really good choice for anyone who’s looking for a versatile designer bag that is just practical and can fit a work laptop. The design is also super simple and timeless. And, again, the colorway is gorgeous – it pairs well with most outfits. It’s honestly a very sensible and great choice.

5. Tod’s (e.g. the Holly medium tote, Timeless suede tote, etc.)

I only know Tod’s for their shoes and I was so amazed when I came across their bags. They have so many great options but my personal favorite is their large suede tote. It is stunning. I love the color, the size, just everything about that tote. Sadly, as much as I love the suede – I’m also not convinced that it’ll be the most practical or hard wearing. Don’t get me wrong, Tod’s is well known for their high quality suede, but even so, the nature of suede alone makes it unreliable. If anyone has this bag, pleaseeee let me know how it’s been for you. I’m dying to know how it’s held up.

Besides the suede tote though, I found other great options made out of grained leather that looks to be more durable. They’re equally as beautiful and probably a better option. But, personally, I just don’t find myself to be as drawn to them as I am to the suede tote. Just something to keep in mind, I noticed that these totes often have a middle compartment. I’m sure that they are handy at times but I can also imagine that it can be really limiting on certain occasions.

In any case, Tod’s is high up on my wishlist and I’m really curious to give their bags a go.

6. Chloe Mony Medium

It was again love at first sight.

This bag is so refreshing to see and I just love it. I feel like this bag will help me somehow channel my inner equestrian girl dream. The dark brown shade is so elegant and sophisticated, and the decorative whip-stitched seams and tassels add a touch of charm and refinement. Besides the gorgeous design though, it just seems practical and durable. It’s a good size and looks like it can carry a lot. Plus, it’s made out of calf leather which is usually a bit more durable.

But, I don’t know. As much as I love the look and the shape, I’m not sure if I’ll still love it in the long run. It’s really beautiful, but imagining how I would style it is not getting me as excited as I thought it would. Maybe it’s the structure of the bag, or maybe it’s just not the right fit for me personally. I don’t know, it’s hard to say.

7. Demellier London

This bag really reminds me of Celine for some reason. I can’t really place my hand on which exact model, but it gives me so much Celine vibes minus the hardware. Anyways, that’s besides the point – This bag gorgeous on its own despite its reminiscence of Celine. The shape is quite beautiful and elegant and it looks quite well-made. It also looks objectively functional. The size and the closing mechanism is a huge plus for me.

I find myself coming back to this tote quite a lot during my research. But, I always hesitate at the end. I feel like I’ve seen this too many times on Instagram and I honestly can’t tell if I really love it because I love it, or because I’ve just seen it way too many times. As much as I love the overall shape, I also don’t love how structured it is. I tend to appreciate slouchier bags more so I’m not really convinced this will keep me happy in the long run. I also have mixed feelings about the gold hardware. It looks beautiful but I also find that it makes it look a bit busy. I don’t know.

All in all, it’s an elegant designer bag at a very good price point that can surely carry your work laptop. It’s definitely worth checking them out.

FYI they have a promo right now that gives you 20% off with the code  BF20  (link). More sales updates here.

8. Polène Cyme

I’m really surprised at how much I love this tote. I’ve honestly never really been drawn to Polène. It’s not that I dislike them, but I haven’t really fallen in love with any of their designs. I found most of them quite feminine and it wasn’t exactly my style. The Cyme tote, however, love at first sight. I love the shape and the curves, and it’s once again reminiscent of the Celine (I’m guessing I do have a type). The leather of this tote also looks sturdy enough that it can survive any daily commute and that’s absolutely vital in my view for a work tote. It’s also really spacious and I love that. Plus, I find it really cool that you can adjust the shape of the bag by folding it inwards to make it smaller.

All in all, it’s not a bad choice. It’s currently out of stock and only available for pre-order, but if you really want it, it might be worth waiting a few months to get it. Personally, I don’t think this bag is fully what I’m looking for. But, it’s definitely a great option I want to keep in mind.

9. Saint Laurent sac de Jour

Ugh, this is an absolute beauty. I’ve been crushing on it hard for ages now. I even featured the smaller size in one of my first articles. It’s just so chic and it’s one of those bags that, in my opinion, can just work with any outfit It also kind of reminds me of a Birkin, but with half of the price tag. I honestly really want it but it’s unfortunately highly impractical. You can’t really carry it around your shoulders and imagine how heavy it’ll be with your laptop inside and having to carry it with only your hands.

Solid craftmanship though and it looks like it’ll age very well. It’s such a stunner, I’m really, really, into it. Sadly, it doesn’t meet most of the criteria I’ve set for myself and I have to prioritize this bag the least </3

10. (NEW) Bottega Veneta Andiamo

The Bottega Veneta Andiamo has taken social media by a storm and I have to add it. I genuinely like the simplicity and overall built of the bag. But, this is insanely expensive for what it is, especially because realistically, you’d need the larger version to comfortably fit your thick work laptop. I did see a video of someone fitting their thinner Macbook in the small version, so it’s definitely a better option if you don’t have the thick work laptop like I do. Another alternative, of course, is the Bottega Veneta Arco. This bag is absolutely stunning, but I decided not to include it because it doesn’t seem as practical having only the short handle. I know myself and I feel like, this would end up feeling too heavy to carry just on my arm or hand and I’ll end up not wearing it.

Bottega, in my opinion, is a classic and a true investment piece. I remember it even 10+ years ago seeing my teacher at school wearing it on the first day of the semester and her styling it really struck me. She was so effortlessly classic and I wanted her style. Bottega has been and will always be a classic.

11. Loewe cushion tote

I’m a huge fan of Loewe and this specific cushion tote. The design absolutely gorgeous and it’s the perfect contemporary tote to carry your work laptop. I just love the colorway and the shape. It also looks super practical and I have no doubts about Loewe’s quality. Sadly, this needs to be at the bottom of my top 10 picks. Personally, I just don’t see it working well in a professional/formal setting. It’s a bit too casual because of the canvas and I just don’t think it’s suitable for my current work environment. I know they have the leather version as well, but I just love the canvas look more.

It makes me sad because I really, really, want this tote, but I don’t have a huge need for it now. I think I’ll definitely come back for this tote in the summer. But, for now, it has to go on the bottom of my list. It’s just not fitting all of the criteria that I have set for myself </3 </3

Side-note: I have a page on my blog dedicated to Sales Updates. On this page I list all the stores that are currently participating in a (private) sales program and the relevant discount codes. Definitely have a look there before you make a purchase in case I have a discount code for you <3

Honorable mention of bags I also love but doesn’t fully meet the criteria / just not it:

– Khaite Lotus

I want the Lotus to work out so badly, but it’s just too impractical. The suede is honestly stunning, but in my experience suede has never really been hard-wearing nor waterproof. The shape is beautiful but, with the rounded bottom – I don’t know if it’ll exactly fit what I need. I also feel like this bag only looks good when it’s basically half empty. I can imagine that when it’s filled, it’ll just lose its shape and becomes too bulky looking. And again, while the shape is absolutely stunning, it’s just too open and impractical if you want to carry your laptop. Maybe I’m wrong about all of this, please prove me wrong because I want this bag to work out so badly. In short, I just wish this bag solves all my problems but it’s just not fully what I’m looking for. Ugh it sucks, but I just can’t justify the hefty price tag for something that’s not 100% perfect.

– (NEW) Khaite Sara

I updated this article as soon as I saw this bag on mytheresa. Oh my god, I am at loss of words. This is so stunning. The suede, the shape, the color. I absolutely want this bag and it looks sizable enough to carry a laptop. Whether or not it’s practical, I am not sure. But this is definitely a really good bag to check out if you are looking for something a little bit different. I also love the studded version here, I feel like it’ll go so well with the viral Alaïa studded ballerina flats.

As a general side-note: Khaite has been killing it lately. I love every single piece they’re making, bags or clothes. I want to be at a place one day where my first stop for shopping is Khaite. Imagine just having an unlimited budget to go on a shopping spree there. Don’t even get me started on the Khaite Marca dress – this is the dress I want to be buried in it or married in.

– Goyard Artois tote

I’ve known Goyard for many years now and I love their print and their colorways. But, I’ve never had faith in their quality. I can’t even imagine spending so much money on a canvas bag that is so quick to fall apart. But, of course – your money your choice. Now that it’s become increasingly popular and almost viral, I can’t help but also feel somewhat tempted to get one myself. The Artois line has a reinforced bottom which should be a bit more hard-wearing than the St. Louis. But, at the end of the day, the majority of this bag is the thin canvas and I don’t know. It’s a chic IYKYK designer bag that can easily carry your work laptop, but it’s just too expensive for what it is.

Goyard, I’m coming back for you though in the future!

– Dragon Diffusion

Dragon Diffusion is an amazing brand and they high quality made to order bags woven in India. They have meticulous standards in the leather quality, the craftmanship and also the ethical and fair working conditions for the women crafting these bags. They have so many options that fit a work laptop, my favorite being the Santa Croc. But, the Nantucket or Triple Jump is equally as good. Heads up: these bags do take 10 weeks to ship as they’re made to order. But, if you want a shorter delivery time, I highly recommend checking out Matches Fashion. They have the best selection of pre-made Dragon Diffusion bags which have shorter delivery time.

As a side-note: I’ve been wanting the small Santa Croc for myself, but it sadly has to be outside of work purposes. Look at how adorable that is. It’s definitely such a classic and a beautiful piece that can last you many, many, seasons.

– Proenza Schoeler White Label

I can’t believe I didn’t know this sooner. But, Proenza Schoeler actually has a sub-brand named PSWL (or the White Label). It’s kind of like a more affordable, more casual version of the main brand. They have a bunch of bags and other stuff that are really nice at a lower price point. Most of these bags that I found are actually from their White Label.

I really love these bags because they look really fun and creative and very reasonably priced. The only downside for me is that they don’t really look as professional (unless you work in a creative industry or your work has more of a casual setting). The twin leather tote is more minimal and looks more professional, but it might not be big enough to carry a lot of stuff. If you just need a simple laptop bag and not a bag to carry everything, these White Label totes would be perfect. Personally, I’m looking for a bag that can carry everything or an all in one :).

– Celine (Phantom Large, Phantom Cabas, Large soft, Sangle bucket)

I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now, but I’m a huge fan of Celine. I was really debating if I should get the Phantom Large cause it’s so stunning. The suede, the slouch, the overall shape, ugh… I have a huge crush and I just can’t get enough. The Phantom Large came out years ago and it’s a really old style but I really don’t care. I still think it looks stunning, just highly impractical for the purpose I need it for. Sadly, my Celine Phantom Large dream was short-lived and I had to let go of the idea of getting it.

Besides the Phantom Large though, there’s a ton of good options from Celine which I’ve included in the slider. None of them really makes me super excited so I’m skipping them. But they’re definitely a great honorable mention for anyone who’s looking for a practical tote that is appropriate for work and more.

– Prada Carolyn shopper

I’ve seen this Prada Carolyn shopper all over my Pinterest. It’s again the case of ‘Do I love it or have I just seen it too often’. It’s in a very classic style, but it’s not particularly special or unique. I can see how it would work for some people, but it doesn’t fully match my wants and needs or my personal style. It looks too rigid and structured, and even though it has the right dimensions, I doubt that you can fit much more besides a laptop in the bag. It’s probably very suitable for someone who’s more minimal and only needs to carry their laptop, but for me, it’s just not the right tote.

Side-note: the gloss or shine on this bag is just downright hypnotizing. I just can’t stop looking at it. I mean, it’s just so shiny and sleek, it’s hard to resist. It’s just a very chic designer bag and it’s the perfect way to carry your work laptop if you want to make a statement at work.

The rest of the honorable mention summarized in photos:

And, there you have it! I know there are lots of similar articles out there, but none of them really covered all of the bags that I personally wanted to talk about. I had a lot of fun putting this piece together and I hope it was helpful for you too. Let me know if you’d like to see this series expanded, I think it’d be super fun to write another one. In any case, I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment down below. Thanks for reading! <3

Also, side-note: I just finished another article on a 10+ list of Celine jacket alternatives to get you started for Fall. If you’re interested, you can find that article right here <3

x
Hana

tag: designer bag work laptop, alt tag: designer bag work laptop