Best Work Bags for Women

Finding the Best Work Bag for Women

Life would be easier if a “one size fits all” bag existed for women, but that isn’t the case. Different careers and commutes require different designs and styles. For instance: Are you someone who heads straight to the gym when the clock strikes five? Or do you commute via a train, bus or a walk? In either case, a backpack (or a backpack hybrid) is a great pick for you.

On the other hand, you may be looking for a versatile bag that can fit multiple occasions — think office party to a relaxing hotel getaway. A tote or a tote-purse may be a better pick for you, because it will have one large compartment that can fit items of all sizes and shapes. Understanding your bag requirements before you make a purchase will give you a good chance of being satisfied on the first try.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Work Bag for Women

Before buying a work bag, make sure you think about its materials, features, style, durability and price.

Material

The material of your work bag plays a big part in not just its appearance, but also its longevity. Polyester and canvas tend to be the most affordable materials, for instance, but also show the signs of wear and tear the fastest. Traditionally, vegan leather was also less durable, but more recent synthetic blends are high quality and long-lasting. Other popular materials like leather and nylon are the priciest but also have a desirable look and feel. They are durable, too — leather is water resistant and nylon is waterproof.

Features

What are the most important features you need in your work bag? To begin, we highly recommend a bag with a laptop sleeve, a water bottle pocket and reinforced straps. Other useful features include small pockets for your keys and earbuds, anti-theft zippers and a structured bottom (if you don’t want the bag to fall over when you rest it on the ground).

Style

Your work bag doesn’t necessarily have to be a big purse! Popular and functional styles include sleek backpacks, totes, messenger bags and purse-backpacks or tote-backpacks. We particularly love tote-backpacks, because they offer the best of both worlds and the extra straps can be tucked away when you don’t need them.

Durability

Many work bags look beautiful during the first few months of use, but they don’t stand up to the test of time. So, how do you know if your bag is durable? Look for features like extra stitching on places of tension, reinforced straps and high-quality zippers. Waterproof materials on the exterior also add a certain toughness, and materials that are easy to clean are a huge plus.

Price

You may have already settled on a budget for your work bag, and that’s great! An upper limit will help you focus your shopping efforts on reasonably priced bags. However, we caution against buying bags under $20 — they tend to be less durable. The bags we recommend fall between $20 and $200, and the majority cost $30 to $100.

What Are the Different Types of Work Bags for Women?

Backpack

If you walk, ride a bike or take public transportation to work, a backpack is a great pick. It’s easier to carry than a tote because it distributes the weight evenly on your back, leaving you hands free. Though it’s difficult to dig through the pockets when you need something or keep the zippers protected from pickpockets, you can shift the bag to the front of your body when necessary. Plus, plenty of backpacks look and feel like purses, so you won’t look like a schoolkid walking into the office.

Tote

The tote bag is a classic for two main reasons: It has an elegant, simple design and ample space. It’s also easy to protect the bag from potential pickpockets because it remains close to your side. However, totes can get uncomfortable to carry because the straps dig into the shoulder, and the bag usually requires a hand on it at all times to ensure it doesn’t fall down. If you like the look of a tote but want to have other ways to carry it, consider a tote/backpack hybrid, which has multiple straps.

Crossbody/Messenger Bag

Like totes, crossbody and messenger bags rest on one shoulder. However, they have just one thick strap and the bag falls much lower on the body. They also have a flap-style opening and can easily fit a laptop, notebooks and other knick knacks. Messenger bags are not as popular as totes and backpacks, likely because they are a little uncomfortable to carry and are not as versatile.