19 best work bags for women that are chic and practical
Hybrid working is great… until it comes to swapping your WFH desk for the office and transporting your belongings in one fell swoop. Investing in the best work bags for women is where we've landed on the ‘making life easier’ front, and thankfully there are lots of styles to choose from.
While office days are exciting (it's certainly nice to have to think about what to wear to work instead of joggers and slippers), hauling everything you need together to actually complete said job is a whole other story. Yep, getting out of bed more than 10 minutes before we start work is truly motivating, but how stressful is it trying to ram your laptop, notebook, headphones and water bottle into a flimsy canvas bag when you've got less than two minutes to leave the house?
Sturdier than your go-to beach bag and just as innovative as one of the best laptop backpacks, though arguably more chic, a good work bag will see you through the years.
Take Mulberry's Bayswater tote, for example; considered an icon, the slim silhouette is eternally practical and spacious enough to fit all the essentials – from your laptop to your makeup pouch. Or, Saint Laurent's Bea bag; a slouchier alternative that has been seen on the arms of every means-business woman out there. It's a Hailey Bieber favourite.
Skip to: Shop the best work bags for women 2024.
Best work bags for women, at a glance:
- Best work bag for women overall
- Best laptop work bag for women
- Best work bag for women for organisation
- Best luxury work bag for women
- Best affordable work bag for women
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How we tested the best work bags
The best work bags for women need to be strong enough to carry all those important things (your planner and stationery etc), but they also need to be #fashionable. That backpack you took on a girls' weekend away with you a few years ago won’t suffice, and neither will your trusty bum bag or cute mini bag. Sorry. You need a practical design but one that won’t make you look like Will from The Inbetweeners – unless that’s your vibe. Team GLAMOUR is in the office three times a week, so we've taken the time to test, try and chose the majority of the work bags in this round up so you don't have to.
Something like a tote bag is ideal and definitely on the right track, though you may want to go for one with a compartmentalised interior so that A) you can actually find things inside it and B) it’s more secure and safe on your commute. Think baby-changing bag – with all of its nifty pockets and various straps and handles – but more glam. It’ll need to suit your outfit, too, so go for something that can be worn with a blazer or trouser suit just as well as a summer dress.
If you're less of a handbag more of a rucksack kind of girl, then find the best laptop backpacks for women here (including neoprene styles and a Tory Burch and Everlane design), as well as the best travel backpacks here. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
Below, the 19 best work bags for women to browse before your next office day.
Work bags with interior compartments: Roomy laptop bag
This slim, water-resistant backpack from Antler features a back sleeve to slot over a suitcase handle – so its ideal as a carry-on travel bag when you're on a business trip – and has a zipped, padded pocket that acts as a laptop compartment/laptop pocket and charger holder, as well as other slip pockets and exterior pockets. It's also available on Amazon.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 16.5 inches.
- Dimensions: 40cm x 28cm x 17cm.
Best bags for commuting to work
This timelessly elegant tote is the perfect companion to your work-to-weekend wardrobe, if you're looking for a fits-all style. Inside the tan leather bag you'll find space for your laptop alongside multiple pockets.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 14 inches.
- Dimensions: 28.9cm x 45.9cm x 15.4cm.
Save when you shop for the best work bags for women with these Aspinal of London discount codes at checkout.
Work bags with shoulder strap: Messenger bag
Somewhere between a laptop sleeve/laptop case and a hands-free cross-body bag, this design will limit you to just carrying the essentials. Which is probably a good thing, to be honest.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, according to reviews up to 14.5 inches.
- Dimenions: 38cm x 33cm x 14cm.
Save when you shop for the best work bags, including crossbody strap bags, with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
Well made work bags for women
Selling out on more than one occasion, DeMellier's The New York bag is a proven favourite among working ladies. It comes in smooth leather as well as croc-effect, but we love how chic this one looks.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 13 inches.
- Dimensions: 58cm x 27cm x 14cm.
Top handle work bags for women
Polène bags have a special place in our hearts, even more so when they are suitable for work as well as play. This one comes in 16 different colourways, too, and features three interior pockets including one zippered pocket for your smaller belongings.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 13 inches.
- Dimensions: 32cm x 16.5cm x 23cm.
Work bags under £100: Vegan leather effect
The Signature Tote from Katie Loxton is a popular one for the working woman courtesy of its spacious interior and chic design. It's understated yet looks really expensive, despite its under-£100 price tag, and can be paired with the matching purse and card holder for a streamlined commute into the office.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 20 inches.
- Dimensions: 30.5cm x 51.2cm x 16cm.
Classic work bags: Navy zip-top bag for versatility
Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag
All you need do is sit on the tube during rush hour to see how popular Longchamp's Le Pliage tote bag is with commuters. It fits everything but the kitchen sink, and features a small internal pocket alongside a large main compartment.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 13 inches.
- Dimensions: 31cm x 30cm x 19cm.
Best faux leather work bags for women to stay organised
Our favourite pick in terms of functionality, courtesy of a zipped pocket to the middle (which will happily house your phone, wallet, keys and more), this Mango bag comes in three colours and features a detachable key ring detail. It sells out regularly, though, and we're not surprised at £50, so if you want it you'll need to act fast.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to a 15-inch laptop.
- Dimensions: 40cm x 27.9cm x 30.4cm.
Save when you shop for the best work bags for women with these Mango discount codes at checkout.
Office bags for women: Gucci transport tote
Combining three of Gucci's unmistakable signatures - the interlocking 'G's, the 'Supreme' motif and the striped webbing - the Ophidia tote is the perfect work bag for fans of the label's maximalist approach. It fits your laptop, makeup bag, lunch and more valuables.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 15 inches.
- Dimensions: 38cm x 28cm x 14cm.
Best work bags for women on the high-street
Tan Leather-Look Laptop Tote Bag
Complete with twin top handles and an adjustable shoulder strap if you want to go hands-free, this laptop tote bag looks way more expensive than it actually is. It comes complete with a protective sleeve, too.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 15 inches.
- Dimensions: 38cm x 31cm x 11cm.
High-quality leather work bags: Brown work tote
Bayswater Classic Grain Leather Tote Bag
The perfect everyday bag, the Bayswater Tote from Mulberry is eternally practical and spacious enough to fit all your essentials – from an iPad to a pair of shoes. The classic pebbled leather style closes with the iconic Postman's Lock, and features a luxurious suede lining. Use the internal, removable pocket to store your most valued essentials.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 19 inches.
- Dimsenions: 30cm x 49cm x 15cm.
Best work bags for women: Black and White
Anik Spacious Felt Logo Tote Bag
With room for everything, the Anik tote from AllSaints is crafted from a soft felt material to a modern structure and features the brand's iconic name embossed to the front. You can adjust the length of the straps to suit your preference or mood, too.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 19 inches.
- Dimsenions: 29cm x 54cm x 16cm.
Best work bags for women: Woven Knot Bag
Melie Bianco The Brigitte Woven Faux-Leather Shoulder Bag
The Melie Bianco bags from Anthropologie are all over Instagram RN. Taking inspiration from other woven bags, this oversized design is capacious enough to fit your daily work essentials and see you to the bar for cocktails after hours.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 15 inches.
- Dimsenions: 50cm x 30cm x 2.5cm.
Best carryall oversized work bags for women
If super slouchy and oversized is your vibe then this leather tote from & Other Stories is the style for you. It fastens via magnet at the top for easy access and features a generous inner pocket too – though it's more so one of those bags you'll just end up chucking everything into as opposed to keeping organised.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 17 inches.
- Dimensions: 43cm x 52cm x 11cm.
Best work bags for women: Minimalist
Naghedi St. Barths Medium Woven Tote Bag
Available in four different earth-toned colours, the St. Barths bag from Naghedi comes complete with a separate pouch for your loose belongings (think lip balm, house keys, airpods and tampons). It's the perfect grab-and-go design.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 16 inches.
- Dimensions: 24cm x 43cm x 17cm.
Work bags with magnetic snap closure
The Vancouver Tote in Croc Effect
Compatible with 13-inch laptops, the Vancouver tote bag exudes class. The iconic magnetic double-bar lock is both practical and statement-making, and opens to reveal a spacious inside that's neatly complemented by three interior pockets; two slips and one zipper pocket.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 13 inches.
- Dimensions: 33cm x 35cm x 13cm.
Tan work bags for women
We love the adjustable strap to this bucket bag from Mango, almost as much as we love the compartmentalised interior and goes-with-everything colour. In fact, there's not much we don't like about the entire silhouette to be honest.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 13 inches.
- Dimensions: 35cm x 35cm x 13cm.
Save when you shop for the best work bags for women with these Mango discount codes at checkout.
Best work bags for women: Wishlist
Chloé Woody Medium Leather Tote Bag
You've seen the Chloé Woody canvas tote on the arm of virtually every influencer, but the latest leather edition is spot on for work. It's less likely to show signs of wear and tear, but it still looks just as chic, and, more importantly, makes you look like you're in the know.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 14 inches.
- Dimensions: 29cm x 36cm x 12cm.
Best work bags for women: Hobo style
Saint Laurent Bea Textured-Leather Tote
If you can't treat yourself when it comes to your work bag, AKA the bag you'll use every day and be seen with 24/7, then when can you? Invest well and it'll last you a lifetime, and there's no better investment than some Italian leather from Saint Laurent. If you love the shape of the Cuyana System Tote then you'll be all over this.
- Does it fit a laptop: Yes, up to 19 inches.
- Dimensions: 28cm x 49cm x 14cm.
Save when you shop for the best work bags for women with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
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