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The Best Work Tote Bags to Carry to the Office All Year Round

Both functional and stylish, these work tote bags will actually have you wanting to go work at the office in person.

a model holding a gucci jackie bag
Photography by Huy Luong for L'OFFICIEL Spring 2023

Even if you work completely remotely, every working individual needs a trusty work tote bag. But there are certain criteria that must be met with work tote bags: First, they must be practical— meaning lots of pockets for those small items that get lost in the chasm and lots of room for your larger items. Two, they must be functional, so any pockets have to be easy to reach and it's lightweight enough to carry around all day. Three — and this is the most important of all — work tote bags must be stylish, after all any accessory (purses included) is an extension of the outfit you have on.

While that may seem like quite a tedious checklist, there are plenty of brands that check off all those boxes and more. From simple silhouettes to slouched styles, from soft suede to washed leather, L'OFFICIEL has found the best work tote bags that will take you from a workday to a night out.

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Charles & Keith

With its oversized silhouette and minimalized design, this eye-catching bag is perfect to bring to the office, though it has easy day-to-day wear appeal. Boasting ample storage and a detachable inner pouch, this subtly slouchy number is the crème de la crème of work tote bags.

Tubular Slouchy Tote Bag, $96, Charles & Keith

black work tote bag against a white backdrop
Kaai

Say goodbye to the days of losing all your things in the never-ending purse abyss. Kaai checks off all the boxes of the essentials for work tote bags. Roomy? Water-proof? Multiple pockets? Comfortable handles? Check, check, check, and check. 

Pyramid, $799, Kaai

brown work tote bag against a grey backdrop
Cos

As seen on the Cos Fall/Winter 2023 runway, this shoulder bag exudes understated elegance. Refined but practical, it comes with a number of external utility-style pockets and a zipped interior pocket to store all your essentials, in addition to the curved strap that seamlessly fits comfortably around the shoulder.

Pocket Shoulder Bag, $285, Cos

black work tote bag against a white backdrop
Mango

A spacious interior, reliable fastener, and adjustable strap make for the key essentials of work tote bags — ones that Mango has perfected and more. The shopper-style design can comfortably fit your laptop and notebook, later transitioning as chic arm candy to wear while enjoying an evening out.

Shopper Bag with Padlock, $80, Mango

black work tote bags against a white backdrop
Staud

Staud's Shirley Leather Bag is a new take on work tote bags, highlighting a geometric square top handle and an inner zip pouch that will take you from day to night. The soothing shade of brown falls in line with the traditional autumnal color palette, setting up the perfect opportunity for ample monochromatic moments this season.

Shirley Leather Bag Saddle, $295, Staud

brown work tote bag against a white backdrop
Coach

Be it a busy weekday or a weekend at the park, Coach's oversized work tote bags truly hold everything you could possibly need. The simple, clean-lined silhouette makes for a timeless number though the Coach badge and signature emblem add a distinctness to it, making this bag ideal for those who opt for something understated but still recognizable.

Field Tote 40 With Coach Badge, $650, Coach

coach brown work tote bags
Khaite

Khaite showcases work tote bags that are the pinnacle of luxury. Made of pebbled calfskin this roomy bag is truly designed for work, featuring sculptural folds at the base that offer additional space and protective brass feet to keep it in mint condition while on the go.

The Medium Amelia Tote, $2,400, Khaite

brown work tote bag against a light backdrop
Chloé

Chloé adds a subtle free-spirited, boho touch to work tote bags with its signature whipstitching and fringle-like decorative seams. It's crafted with sustainability at the forefront, constructed with eco-friendly washed calfskin leather — effortlessly upholding responsible luxury.

Chloé Mony Leather Tote, $2,750, Moda Operandi

brown leather work tote bags against a white backdrop
Marc Jacobs

When thinking about work tote bags, the first brand that comes to mind is none other than Marc Jacobs. The brand's now iconic The Tote Bag is ludicrously capacious, offering so much space it could be used as an overnight bag for a weekend trip. Completely contemporary and incredibly durable, it's a tote bag meant to last for years to come.

The Large Tote Bag, $225, Marc Jacobs

marc jacobs black tote bag against a white backdrop
Acne Studios

Acne Studios finds a fashion-forward way to reimagine work tote bags with its Musubi Leather Tote. Made of supple calf leather, the purse comes with dual top handles and two knotted sides that give discreet balletcore energy in an office-friendly manner. From a laptop to an iPad to books and more, the roomy interior can carry it all. 

Acne Studios Musubi Leather Tote, $1,650, Saks Fifth Avenue

black work tote bags against a white backdrop
Me + Em

Me + Em blends high-quality craftsmanship with contemporary design elements resulting in the best of the work tote bags category. A true work-to-weekend bag, it has stylish features including soft innovative suede, leather trims, and gold-toned hardware. Functionality-wise, it comes with exterior and interior pockets along with a built-in laptop sleeve that will protect your valuable tech.

East West Day Tote, $950, Me + Em

green suede work tote bag

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