20 Chic and Practical Work Bags For Women

Mad Men, 9-5 and The Devil Wears Prada give glimpses into cultural interpretations of women’s workwear over the years. It’s often too polished or pretty to sacrifice comfort. You shouldn’t have a choice between making your life easier or giving you confidence when you step into the office. These best work bags for ladies are a great way to strike the right balance between fashion-forward and practicality.

Olympia Gayot, head of J.Crew’s women’s and children’s design, says, “A great bag for me must be multi-functional and streamlined. I want it to be stylish, but also keep me organized.” Gayot, a mother, prefers a bag that isn’t too heavy and has pockets to store her essentials like her phone or sunglasses. The key factor for the trend setter is versatility. “I need a bag that can be worn with many outfits and colors. It should also be versatile enough to transition easily into the night when I go out for dinner or another event.”

If you are looking for trendy options, these are great. But don’t forget to consider more simple styles when making a purchase. Gayot says, “I love neutrals because they offer versatility. But that doesn’t mean it must feel boring or flat. If you consider the subtleties of a neutral bag, it can make a statement. Unexpected colors are my favorite in the neutral range. Shiny black, pale buttery yellow, shiny red, deep marine blue, or reflective silver are all options.”

Keep all this in mind and you will find many options that will suit the needs of women who are constantly on the move (and that can be paired with a women’s suit set). You should consider spacious commuter bags, lightweight everyday bags, well-designed laptop bags, and small statement bags. Find the best stylish and functional handbags to complete your workwear ensemble.

BEST HOBO BAG
Coach Soft Tabby Hobo

This bag is easy to style up or down thanks to its slouchy silhouette. It’s described as “refined” by one reviewer, who also noted that it is a great size. It’s not too big or small. Roomy. Soft, durable leather. This was the quality that attracted me to the brand in 1990s. Amazing bag!

BEST CLASSIC SILHOUETTE
Tory Burch Lee Radziwill bag

One reviewer wrote that the bag is sophisticated but not too stuffy. It has plenty of storage space, and you can use it as a top handle, or shoulder bag.

BEST LEATHER OPTION
Everlane The Cactus Leather Oversized Hobo

The chicest eco-friendly bag you will find, made with organically sourced prickly cactus. This is Everlane’s first ever plant-based textile that can be used as an alternative to leather. We love it.

BEST MINIMAL TOTE
Cuyana System Tote

This elegant leather bag is simple and lightweight. It’s big enough to carry all your essentials but not too large. You can order the removable pouches separately, but they will snap in and out to organize your items.

BEST NYLON BAG
Ganni Shoulder Bag in Black Nylon

This nylon work bag from Ganni is an excellent choice if you are looking for something that can withstand a little wear and tear. The minimal design is easy to match with professional attire.

BEST MODERN SHAPE
Ree Projects Ann Medium East-West Tote Bag

This soft tote can be carried by either the top handles or the cross-body strap. The versatility of the bag is just as appealing as its modern design. The open top is secure and organized thanks to its divided compartment interior.

BEST LOGO BAG
Gucci Horsebit 1955 GG Supreme Bag

For adding luxury to your work look, a structured logo bag like this Gucci shoulder bag is a great investment. You’ll love it for years. It’s not trendy so it’s timeless. The leather trim elevates this to professional workwear.

BEST SLOUCHY TABLE
Polene Numero Neuf

The full-grain leather blush bag is a great alternative to a boring traditional tote. The bag can carry everything, but its slouchy silhouette makes it feel more modern than a traditional tote. The shoulder strap can be removed.

BEST SUEDE BAG
The Row N/S Park Suede Tote

The Row’s minimalist designs are perfect for those looking for an investment bag that you can use every day with many different outfits. This bag’s spacious interior can hold everything, even a quick athleisure change for your workout.

BEST WOVEN LEATHER BAG
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Shoulder bag

The shoulder bag can hold a small tablet or laptop without being too heavy for busy, on-the-go days. This padded bag is timeless and durable, with a modern interpretation of the label’s Intrecciato pattern weave.

BEST STRUCTURED BAG
Medea Tote in leather from Dieci

This tote by Medea has a shopping bag-like look and is a cheeky version of a leather tote. You can store your laptop in the bag while still maintaining a fashionable attitude.

BEST SCULPTURAL BAG
Wandler Lin Leather Shoulder Bag

Every work bag doesn’t have to be practical. Wandler’s playful bag can hold all your essentials while still being stylish enough to be worn out for weekends brunch. Convertible fortune cookie-inspired folds can be found on the side wings, which allow for additional space when necessary.

BEST STATEMENT BAG
EDAS Yshaia leather shoulder bag

You have the freedom to have some fun with accessories if you work in a creative environment. The bag’s structure allows it to retain a professional feel while the large acrylic buckle detail and color on the adjustable shoulder strap make it stand out.

BEST OVERSIZE LEATHER TABLE
Miu Miu Leather Shoulder Bag

Some prefer to have a smaller bag for everyday use, but this Miu Miu luxury carryall is a great option for those who want to be more efficient. The bag is supersized, which is a key trend this season. It combines structured elements with a flexible silhouette.

BEST FOR TRAVEL
Senreve Gemelli Tote

Senreve was created to serve working women who value functionality and style. This eco-friendly, vegan carryall is made from cactus leather and features seven pockets for organization, an external pocket, and a double buckle strap to secure the bag to any suitcase. It’s perfect for professional travelers.

BEST VINTAGE-INSPIRED BAG
Mansur Gavriel M Frame Bag

Frame bags are a classic silhouette that can be worn today, but also feel appropriate for the Mad Men era. For a period look, style a high-neck silk sheath or dress with heels. On weekends, you can switch to jeans and sneakers to bring down the structure.

BEST BACKPACK
Demasa Backpack

The backpack is a classic handbag style that’s often overlooked. This backpack by Andrea and Daniela, a Mexican sister design duo, is sleek and elegant. it’s sustainably-minded, too. It can hold reusable mugs and has an exterior pocket that is carved out.

Gayot says, “I have always found that I prefer a smaller bag to carry around as my everyday work bag. It keeps me organized and prevents me from stuffing it with unnecessary things. It’s important that I have only the essentials with me when I am walking to work. If you have to go shopping, she suggests that you roll a small canvas bag and keep it in your pocket.”

BEST BOLD BAG
Prada Cleo Brushed Leather Shoulder Bag

Gayot says that she loves quite a few new Prada shapes over the past few seasons. “Some new and some old revivals. They have a futuristic, timeless look due to the type of material, hardware and size.”

BEST FABRIC BAG
Loewe Cubi Anagram Small Leather-Trimmed, Logo-Jacquard Tote

Leather is the most popular option for work handbags. However, it can be fun to switch in a fabric option. It’s still well-constructed and feels as professional as other shoulder bags or carryalls in the collection.

BEST TOP-HANDLE TOTE
Proenza Schouler Pipe Bag

This bag is a hybrid between a tote bag and a handbag. You can keep your items safe with the top flap and the straps are long enough that you can still carry it over your shoulder.