Whether you’re heading into the office every day or splitting your time between meetings and travel, your work bag needs to handle it all. We asked female founders, CEOs and business owners what bags they rely on every day. We paired their firsthand recommendations with our own research on features like organization, durability, comfort and overall design. The Béis The Work Tote earned our top spot as the best work bag overall after three founders independently named it their go-to pick, while the Staud Piper Tote stood out as our favorite laptop work bag for its padded interior and refined silhouette. The commuter-friendly Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack won for being the best hands-free option. Ahead, discover all the work bags that stood out across every category, from elegant leather totes to spacious backpacks and more.
The best work bags combine comfort, smart organization and a polished design that works beyond the office.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Our Top Recommendations
Three founders we spoke with named the Béis Work Tote as their favorite work bag, praising its smart organization, spacious interior and versatility. Inside, you’ll find a padded laptop compartment, multiple zip and slip pockets, pen holders and a key leash that keep everyday essentials neatly sectioned out. “This is one of those everyday bags that makes a busy life feel a little more organized—there’s a place for everything, so I’m not digging around for my phone or keys,” says Marya Khalil-Otto, CEO and president of Vitality Institute. “It looks polished enough for meetings but is still practical and comfortable for running between the office, lunches, appointments and evening plans.”
Stephanie DiPisa, founder of Solara Suncare, also appreciates the functional details, including the top full-zip closure that keeps belongings secure and a luggage sleeve that slides over a suitcase handle for easier travel. Shvona Chung, founder of Lautir Beauty, echoes that sentiment, noting that the tote is roomy enough to fit everything from her MacBook Air and iPad mini to snacks, a water bottle and a makeup bag.
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Gap
Gap Suede Slouchy Tote Bag
A good work bag doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Gap’s Brown Suede Bag proves that simple details and quality materials can go a long way, pairing a rich suede finish with a spacious silhouette that easily accommodates daily essentials. Seema Bansal Chadha, co-founder of Venus et Fleur, says it’s one of her favorite affordable finds. “I love mixing high and low, and this bag is such a great example,” she says. “The brown suede looks incredibly chic and elevated, but it’s also practical enough to fit my laptop and everything I need for a busy workday.”
While the style doesn’t look like a typical laptop bag, Staud’s tote includes a padded middle compartment to snugly fit your computer on the go. The clean silhouette keeps it office-appropriate, while the roomy interior comfortably has space for other work essentials without becoming bulky. Amy Zalneraitis, co-founder and chief brand officer of We Feed Raw, reaches for it whenever she wants a more elevated look. “It’s structured enough to elevate an outfit, but soft enough that it doesn’t feel precious, and it comfortably fits my laptop without making me feel like I’m carrying a briefcase,” she says.
Quince
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Tote
Quince nails quiet luxury classics, like this elegant woven tote. It has a fabric lining with an interior zippered pocket and two slip pockets, and comes in five gorgeous, work-friendly neutrals. “My commute to work is a short one—downstairs to my home office, or a short drive to Odele HQ,” says Lindsay Holden, co-founder of Odele Beauty. “The work bags I keep coming back to are the ones that are best for travel—unstructured, packable and lightweight.” As a result, this textured leather tote is her go-to, and it checks the box on size, too. “It’s an incredible value, seemingly bottomless, and it can easily accommodate everything I seem to accumulate during the day,” Holden says. She loves that she can pack smaller bags within it, and it balances nicely on a carry-on while traveling. For an additional option from Quince, we also recommend the Italian Leather Triple Compartment Work Tote.
Loeffler Randall
Loeffler Randall Dina Travel Tote
This stylish tote is cut from durable, washed nylon with an elevated, easy-to-wipe-down finish. While it comes in five colors, Liz Eiccholz, co-founder and creative director at Weezie Towels, favors the leopard print, and also appreciates the spacious interior. “It fits everything I’m hauling on the daily—robe samples, workout clothes, tennis racket, laptop, lunch… and more robe samples,” she says. “Plus, it has just enough pockets to keep me feeling organized, a zip closure and a suitcase sleeve if I need it—all of my must-haves.”
Chloe
Large Chloé Spin Tote Bag
The Chloé Spin Tote is a chic choice for anyone whose workday doesn’t end when they leave the office. The slouchy silhouette strikes a sophisticated balance between casual and elevated, making it easy to pair with both tailored workwear and evening outfits. Carrie Gross, co-founder and chief creative officer of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, says it’s one of her go-to work bags because it’s less structured, which makes it comfortable to wear on her shoulder all day. The gold hardware also adds a nice touch to any outfit.
Calpak
Calpak Diaper Tote Bag With Laptop Sleeve
Working moms tote a lot of stuff, so they need a bag that can accommodate work-life, mom-life and everything in between. This strategically designed option from Calpak has a ton of helpful features—including top handles and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap, insulated bottle pockets and a laptop sleeve to accommodate a 16-inch laptop.
“As a mom running a business with two little ones and a third on the way, this multi-tasking bag literally helps me juggle it all,” says Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily. “It’s lightweight and has a built-in padded laptop compartment as well as external and internal pockets that I can easily access with one hand, so I stay effortlessly organized.” Yoon also likes that it takes her from “mom-mode to work-mode without needing multiple bags or pitstops back at home to grab things.” Other pluses according to Yoon, who has owned this bag for more than two years: It doesn’t look like a traditional diaper bag and works well with a range of outfits. Plus it has a luggage sleeve to slip over a suitcase when traveling.
Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Dagne Dover is beloved for bags that are practical and stylish. The brand’s sporty Dakota Neoprene Backpack has an urban vibe, and it comes in small, medium and large sizes to suit different needs. “I love how spacious and durable this bag is,” says Sarah Potempa, co-founder of Beachwaver, who has had the medium-size version of this bag for a year. “I’m always on the go, and this bag makes it easy to stay prepared no matter where I’m headed. I use it during the week when commuting to my local office in my hometown, and the quality has really held up, even with my busy schedule.”
French luxury brand Polène is known for its craftsmanship and thinking outside of the box when it comes to bag design. This sculptural style features an artful blend of folds and curves that are both structured and slouchy. It’s not just pretty—it’s functional, too. The Cyme has handles in two lengths so it can be worn as a shoulder bag, handbag or casually slung at your elbow. It has a removable zippered pocket for items like keys, phone or lip gloss; and it features a magnetic closure. This style is a favorite of Preston Lane co-founder and CEO Lisa Manice. “It is the best, and it holds a laptop,” she says. “Right now, I commute between two offices and live in two homes, so my MacBook is the most essential item I have.”
Priceline
Celine Flat Luggage Bag
For those ready to splurge, the Celine Flat Luggage Bag delivers the quality and functionality you’d expect from a true investment piece. Despite its streamlined profile, the interior easily fits a laptop, notebook, wallet and other everyday essentials. Cleo Davis-Urman, co-founder and CEO of Barrière, carries her Celine Flat Luggage Bag daily. “The perfect work bag does exist, and it’s this one,” she says. “It’s deceptively spacious and functional enough for the daily commute, and polished enough for meetings, dinners and events.” She also loves unique details like the signature smile zipper, which, she says, “makes luxury feel playful.”
Cuyana
Cuyana Tall Easy Tote
The Cuyana Tall Easy Tote has loads of personalization options, making it an especially meaningful purchase or gift. There are three different size options, and you can add a monogram for a custom touch. Kerrigan Behrens, co-founder and CEO of HiNote, has carried her Tall Easy Tote for years after receiving it as a bridesmaid gift. “It has always felt especially personal,” she says. “It is polished enough for work, roomy enough for a laptop and daily essentials and has held up beautifully.”
How We Tested The Best Work Bags For Women
When determining the best women’s work bags, we began with a broad search of the market before narrowing our picks based on our experts’ testing insights, specs and features.
- We considered bags from top-rated brands in both women’s fashion and travel.
- We consulted busy female founders and CEOs for their favorite work bags, from roomy totes to sleek backpacks to styles that double as diaper bags.
- During their testing, the female founders we consulted considered each bag’s practicality and features, including things like internal compartments, zippered pockets and laptop sleeves. They also assessed each bag with respect to commute type and durability. Some of the founders we spoke with have short commutes via car, while others use their work bags for travel through airports. Each bag on this list was used for a minimum of several months, and in most cases, a year or more.
- We included bags that not only came recommended by the business leaders we spoke with, but those that are thoroughly vetted according to our fashion team’s standards, market knowledge and research.
What To Consider When Choosing A Work Bag
Selecting a work bag should be fun, rather than another to-do in your daily grind. Here are features to keep in mind when choosing a stylish bag for the office.
Pockets
Think about what you’ll be toting around in your bag. Structured slip pockets are nice for keeping papers and presentations wrinkle-free, and drop-in pockets provide organization for things like cell phones, pens and cords. At least one zippered pocket is ideal for keeping valuables secure and safe from falling out if your bag tips over.
Dedicated Laptop Space
Most women tote around a laptop or tablet in their work bag, so pay attention to the actual size of your device to be sure you purchase a bag that can accommodate its size. Some bags have padded laptop sleeves while others just have pockets, and you may need to buy a separate, more protective case.
Comfortable Straps
Consider how you carry your bag. If you typically carry a work bag slung over one shoulder, look for longer straps or adjustable straps. If you prefer to have a hands-free commute, look for a sophisticated backpack or messenger-type style with padded straps that can be worn comfortably across the body.
Material And Durability
Most work bags come in leather or vegan leather, although some come in nylon or things like neoprene. In general, leather has the most elevated appearance. All of these materials tend to be durable, but a bag’s construction can also affect its overall weight. In general, leather styles are slightly heavier, but it also depends on the hardware on the bag. Because work bags tend to carry heavy cargo—like laptops and thick presentations—it’s worth investigating a bag’s weight before purchasing.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted fashion team spends a lot of time researching accessories that combine fashion and functionality. We’ve written about the best crossbody bags, best briefcases for men, best carry-on backpacks and more.
- Forbes Vetted fashion editor Hana Hong and former writer Molly Calhoun reported this story. They have extensive experience writing about office-appropriate clothing, including the best work pants for women and the best dress shirts for men.
- Deputy editor Jane Sung edited this story. She has two decades of experience covering men’s, women’s and kids’ fashion and accessories.
- We considered our firsthand experience with the brands on this list, including Gap, Calpak and Béis.
- For this story, we consulted 13 female founders and CEOs for their insights on what makes a great work bag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
