On the hunt for a work bag (that also fits snacks and a laptop)

You asked, I scrolled. Sleek, chic totes under $500 that say “I am a professional adult” even when you’re in a sweatshirt. Plus, a few dream splurges...

Welcome back to another installment of the Style Notes column at Downtime. Today, I’m sharing the fruits of endless hours of digging through various brands’ and retailers’ websites to bring you the best finds. I opened many, many tabs so you don’t have to! [Reminder: You can always opt out of the Style column right here.]

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Q: Can you help me find a good work bag for spring?

I sure can. And spoiler: I’ve been looking, too.

Technically, I work from home, but that hasn’t stopped me from becoming deeply invested in the idea of a polished, grown-up bag. Something that says, “I’ve got my life together,” even if I’m wearing a sweatshirt with some avocado on it from toddler snack time (which I am).

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Something that fits a laptop or iPad without feeling like a laptop bag

• Structured enough to balance out any soft, oversized clothing

• Under $500, ideally. Though I have included a few splurges below, because I believe in aspirational scrolling!

• Will fit a iPad and/or laptop, plus all our other daily accoutrements (wallet, book/Kindle, snack, lip balm, sunnies, emergency post-daycare snacks, etc.)

• Feels “polished,” i.e. leather, has a bit of hardware, feels sleek, chic, and professional (and absolutely NO logos)

Before we get into the list, I need to level with you. I want to be the kind of person investing in a sleek new work bag this season, but realistically, I’ll be hauling my laptop in a trusty LL Bean Boat Tote (or maybe this Land’s End one??) to and from the coffee shop. I also have my beloved zip-top Longchamp¹, a true workhorse that’s been with me through several life stages. Love to be in my schlubby, WFH, snacks-in-the-pocket parenting era. If anyone wants to invite me into their office so I can cosplay a Real Office Worker™ for the day, please do. I’ll even wear trousers!

Work Bags I’d Recommend to a Friend (You):

UNDER $500

1. Madewell’s bucket leather totes are gorgeous. I prefer their suede, but this black one looks nice too. $169 (plus 30% off now, at the time of writing).

2. A large, structured tote. Fits a 16” laptop and easily fits onto your shoulder. It can stand up on its own when you set it down. Just a good, basic bag with no visible branding. I’d love to find more work bags in this silhouette… $368.

3. A bucket tote with just enough room for up to 14” laptops. It reminds me of Celine’s bucket bags. Love the subtle gold hardware detail. $278.

4. Cuyana’s leather tote is a crowd favorite and I can vouch for their quality! $268

5. A woven faux-leather tote that has Dragon Diffusion vibes, at a lower price point. It would add some nice textural interest to a work outfit. $198.

6. A simple and chic suede shopper tote, very now in a rich caramel color. $149.

7. A raffia meets leather moment for more casual work environments, on sale for $149. (Note: Check the sizing to ensure it will fit your laptop. The site says it has a height of 12.5”)

8. Another suede shopper bag option in a 70s vibe burnt orange colorway. $99.

9. Another beautiful suede option, though if you’re feeling adventurous (and your workplace is more casual,) this red patent leather color would be my pick. FUN! $390.

10. A wild card for you: a leather lime woven bag. (Check the measurements; a smaller laptop would fit.) $475.

11. A beautiful, woven, black leather tote with an elegant shape. Would fit a tablet. $350

12. Bonus find! A vintage Banana Republic *leather* woven tote from the 90’s. $159.

A quick PSA: I love searching secondhand sites first before buying a bag. You might be surprised by what you find! I like using the Beni Chrome extension for this, and doing a quick search of Vestiaire, Depop, TheRealReal, etc. to see if any of these pop up secondhand. Save your money! :)

OPTIONS IN THE $500–$1000 ZONE (aka “I just got a promotion” energy):

1. A uniquely shaped leather tote. You can also tuck the sides in for a completely different shape. Made in Spain. $540.

2. Tory Burch, I see you. This bag is so chic and gorgeous, and the PRICE is RIGHT! The petite version in white is at the tippy top of my wishlist. $568.

3. Demellier makes the most beautiful bags that are understated, yet not boring. This green suede tote is so pretty. The classic black version is on my wishlist. (Note: This bag does not fit a 13" device or higher; it can only fit an 11" laptop or iPad—but they’ve got a larger version, too!) $595.

4. Veronica Beard makes a polished, simple tote with an adjustable strap and belted detail. $598

5. I just love the color and shape of this suede tote so much!!! $675.

6. A classic, understated black leather tote, made in Italy. I love the little gold hardware detail. $795

7. Don’t sleep on Longchamp! I was delighted by this chic hobo/bucket tote bag. Chic!! (Check dimensions, as always. It’s got 11.8” in height.) $825.

8. An everyday carry-all soft leather tote, with a bold interior lining. This one doesn’t have a zip top, so beware, chaotic commuters. $895.

And just for fun, here are some of my personal DREAM work bags…

She’s a beaut.

If we’re talkin’ totes with no budget, I love this Tom Ford, this new suede Toteme, and think Savette can do no wrong. This Proenza is so nice, too (or really any of the Proenza totes). And if anyone has five grand to send my way (LOL)…

Q: I need some transitional jacket ideas!

I recently shared my linen trench coat (a secondhand find on TheRealReal, though it’s also on The Outnet for more than what I paid) on Instagram and got this question in my DM’s.

Transitional jackets have always been tricky for me, as someone who lives in a climate where the idea of a transitional jacket seems really nice for about two weeks in the spring. After that, you basically want to wear a linen dress, preferably with built-in A/C for most of the muggy days whilst swimming through - er, walking - the humid air.

But still, they are such a draw. A jacket is the first thing someone will see on your body. A neutral jacket can tamp down an exciting top (or bottom), a structured jacket can give some polish to all your drapey soft things, and a jacket can also help you mess around with proportions and length in a playful way (I love wearing a long trench with shorts or a mini, for example).

Neutral jacket, exciting shorts! (By Malene Birger linen trench, the best $12 sweatshirt, ALIGNE crochet shorts*, Freda Salvador fisherman sandals*. *=PR gifts)

This is subjective of course, but IMO the best transitional jackets are not stiff and allow for movement and breathability for maximum versatility as we enter the warmer spring months.

Here are some ideas, continued beyond the paywall today…

• The barn jacket. I was gifted this ALIGNE jacket and have been wearing it quite a lot. This white canvas barn jacket version feels fresh for spring. I love the bell sleeves and vintage-y texture of this one from Alex Mill. And of course, Barbour x Alexa Chung if you can find ‘em!

• The trench, full length. Mine is from Sezane, and I love it. It’s a minimal, classic shape, and the gingham interior lining is a thoughtful design touch. J.Crew has this waterproof version that’s really cool. This trench from Banana looks good, too.

• The trench, cropped. I like one with loose, exaggerated shape (mine is from COS last year), or one that allows you to belt it, like this one, if you’re into a more fitted silhouette. (This is on my wishlist but def a splurge.)

• A car coat. I think a car coat is basically a trench, but slightly shorter? With a smaller collar? Here’s a good one. I’m also intrigued by this version from Marine Layer, but I have not jived with the quality of their fabrics in the past, so someone will have to report back. I also found this secondhand car-coat-meets-quilted-barn-jacket if you’ve got $450 to spend. Etsy’s got some cool vintage options (search “vintage car coat”).

• A cropped, casual, sporty jacket. I just bought this linen blazer-meets-bomber situation from Banana Republic. It feels sharp but also…casual? It lets you move and isn’t so stiff, you know? It’s SO lightweight. I love it and can’t recommend it enough; it feels like what I need in my mom life. I am tempted to buy the khaki color. I also This from MANGO feels like a similar idea. Honestly, this Free People jacket also comes to mind when thinking about this category.

• An oversized denim jacket. A close cousin of the above. This season I’ve seen a frankensteining of the barn jacket with denim. My favorite denim jacket is my Gap x Doen piece from last year (here’s a size Large on Poshmark) as it’s got fun balloon-y sleeves, but I also just bought this one from Banana Republic in a lighter wash and on-trend contrast collar, and oh my god, I LOVE it.² It’s soft, not too heavy, allows for movement, and I like that the buttons are “hidden” when snapped shut, with a zipper closure option, too. [ETA: Just saw that this is now sold out. I am sorry! Keep your eyes peeled for a restock or similar styles!]

  

  You could wear it with jeans, over an A-line midi dress, over a mini dress, over a pair of trousers, and it would look very cool with shorts with a similar length hemline. Lots and lots of ideas.

• A leather jacket. This is numero uno on my wishlist right now, but my lifestyle (and, again, the temps here in D.C. and how quickly it goes from balmy spring weather to melting-hot) doesn’t quite justify it. I love a boxy shape, or an oversized take to throw on with shorts, jeans, trousers…you name it. Maybe one day?

• A blazer, maybe? I’m not really a blazer gal right now (again, it’s a lifestyle thing, I rarely need to look so buttoned up), so blazers are out for me, but I do love seeing them on others. This cropped, boxy ponte version from Banana caught my eye recently. It would look great with any high-rise jeans or trousers. I also love a cinched-effect blazer—for spring, try one in a linen or twill fabrication, like this one.

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Do you have any more work bag recs to share with the group? Please drop a note!

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading my style rabbit holes! Back to your regularly programmed bookish cozy content soon. - Alisha

1. Mine is a black-on-black colorway with silver hardware but I can’t seem to find it…

2. What is happening at Banana Republic?? Why is everything suddenly so good!