A great work bag needs to be two things: practical and stylish.
When choosing one, ask yourself: Is it durable? Can it hold all your essentials – laptop, notebooks, planner, wallet, keys, and makeup? Is it light and comfortable enough for your daily commute?
To check all these boxes, consider investing in timeless, luxury work bags.
If you already like to collect luxury bags, you know that there’s a designer bag for everything. One for Sunday brunch, one for shopping, and so on. But what designer bag do you carry to work?
Take a look at our top 15 designer work bag picks to find your signature.
1. Hermès Kelly 28 Exotic Alligator Vert Cypress
This designer bag from Hermès, measuring 28x22x10 cm, is bound to make heads turn. Carefully crafted with exotic leather, the ladies who own it make a bold statement. You can easily own a pre-loved Hermès Kelly 28 Exotic and impress everyone in the next board meeting.
2. Chanel Flapbag With Handle [Labmbskin]
Made with pure Black Lambskin Leather, this lady’s favorite comfortably settles in a tense corporate environment. It measures 25x15x8cm, which makes it easy to carry – and hard to forget.
With gold hardware and genuine leather, this work bag is a little expensive. However, you can buy a pre-owned Chanel (as good as new) without breaking the bank.
3. Hermès Birkin 35 Retourne Togo Orange
The vibrant orange color of this bag speaks a lot about your style. Perfect for meetings, dinners, and all occasions that are not too formal. Hermès Birkin 35 Retourne Togo Orange comes with a dustbag key/lock, clochette, which adds to the overall functionality.
4. Hermès Kelly 25 Hss Epsom Gris Asphalte
This Hermès Kelly bag oozes sophistication and class. The color, the material, the artistic build—everything is perfect for the corporate setting. The yellow/golden handle and a prominent stitch around the bag give Hermès Kelly 25 Hss Epsom a bold and elegant look.
Remember, you can always have a pre-loved Hermès Kelly if you have a specific older model in mind.
5. Chanel WOC Caviar
When it comes to simplicity and style, nothing can beat Chanel WOC Caviar. This bag is an ideal choice when you want to make a bold statement without spending too much time on your apparel and accessories. We really like the pale yellow champagne colour of Chanel WOC Caviar – easy to carry and clean, this bag can up your corporate game in style.
The best thing about this bag is that it is perfect for every occasion.
6. Hermès Kelly 25 Retourne Togo
This Hermès Kelly bag has a touch of sophistication and a traditional touch that speaks for itself. If you want a bag that can subtly fit your attire and is easy to carry, then this one is for you. Hermès Kelly 25 Retourne Togo’s golden clip handles add more class and elegance to the bag.
7. Chanel Mini Kelly
Chanel Mini Kelly is an ideal bag for all types of corporate environments. It is easy to carry and hard to forget. The new one can be a little expensive, but you can easily buy the same pre-loved bag at a much lower price tag.
8. Hermès Birkin35 Faubourg Tropical
If you want to turn heads at a board meeting, Hermès Birkin35 Faubourg Tropical is the right option. This bag is also ideal for semi-casual, official gatherings where you want to look nothing but stylish.
You may find this one from Hermès a little pricey, but when compared with its look and the style boost it offers, it’s good value for money.
Alternatively, you can choose one of these bags as a pre-loved item.
9. Chanel Drawstring Bag
The Chanel Drawstring Bag is big when it comes to storage while still looking pleasing to the eyes. With this bag, you will never run out of storage space, and making a bold statement will be a lot easier.
The golden handles and chain add more oomph to the overall design and feel.
10. Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap
If you want to carry (almost) everything with you, the Jumbo is for you. Crafted from calfskin, the Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap can be your go-to bag for daily corporate needs. No matter what the occasion, this bag can fit any style and almost all attires.
The long cross-body strap provides extra ease and comfort when roaming around, and the calfskin gives more durability to the bag.
11. Metier London Incognito Tote
If you like designer work bags that feel luxurious at the touch, the Metier London Incognito Tote won’t disappoint. Available in various sizes and colors, there’s an Incognito tote for everyone.
For work, we prefer the Incognito Large Cabas Bag. It features a sleek, minimalist design that’s both spacious and incredibly light. With its over-the-shoulder handles, carrying it is a breeze.
Plus, the contrast created by the lower panel and handles adds a subtle touch of style to its understated look. External magnetic pockets and internal compartments offer a smart balance of form and functionality, making this shoulder bag a versatile choice for your daily needs.
If nothing else about this bag impresses you, the lush Italian suede definitely will. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen on a designer work bag.
12. Ferragamo Tote Bag
For a bag with a structured design, check out the polished structure of the Ferragamo East-West Tote Bag.
Sleek, roomy, and gender-neutral, this long-handled tote is ideal for a hectic day in the city. It’s crafted from hammered calfskin and even features a large front flap that opens to a fabric-lined interior with a zip pocket.
Still not impressed? You’ll also find an ID card holder and custom tab conveniently attached to the front handle.
Other than its structured build and sleek calfskin, what we really love about the East-West tote is the range of colour options. It’s available in all the work-friendly shades you can think of – midnight blue, mascarpone, light camel, pure black, and so on.
Sure, the price tag did prompt a double take on our end, too, but it’s truly worth the investment. Designer work bags like the East-West tote are made to last, and the simple design makes it so it doesn’t look outdated in the next few months. This tote will outlast all the fast fashion trends of this year.
13. Yves Saint Laurent Shopping Leather Tote
This one’s for the corporate girls who would rather not flaunt a massive brand logo on their work bag like the previous option. The Yves Saint Laurent Shopping Leather Tote is sleek, stylish, and luxurious without being showy.
The smooth leather is one of its many upsides, warmed up with gold-toned hardware. With this shopping tote, you won’t ever be out of space. You can put your laptop, makeup, documents, and other essentials – it’s practically bottomless.
But that’s not what really caught our eye. This designer work bag features a detachable inner purse to hold your smaller valuables and clean your bag with ease. What more could one want in a work tote?
Wait, it doesn’t end there. The YSL shopping tote also features a magnetic snap tab, leather lining, and a Cassandre charm.
14. Loewe Anagram Printed Leather Tote
Loewe is one of the top luxury handbag brands. Believe it or not, they have more to offer than just ultra-mini handbags that can only fit loose change. Their Anagram Printed Leather Tote is an office must-have.
It’s a versatile bag designed for both elegance and practicality. It features hand-woven short handles for a chic top-handle carry, as well as a detachable shoulder strap for the days when you need hands-free convenience.
The mini version, crafted from classic calfskin, stands out with its bold Anagram logo embossed on the front. If you were wondering how to make a statement at work, there’s your answer.
The tote closes with a calfskin tie fastening, keeping your valuables safe even if you bike to work. Inside, you’ll find a single slip pocket for easy access to smaller items, and the gold suede lining adds the finishing touch of luxury.
Lastly, it comes in two colors: khaki green and tan – you’ll never have to worry about whether it’ll match your work fit.
15. Everlane New Day Market Tote Bag
Looking for a boxy carryall? You need an Everlane New Day Market Tote Bag.
This isn’t your typical tote. With its sleek “leather” finish and a roomy interior for all your daily essentials, The New Day Market Tote is a modern twist on the classic design, minus the harmful materials. (Hint: it’s not really leather.)
It’s made with Bio-Alloy™ and a plant-based Bio-PU leather alternative, along with an FSC-certified Lenzing™ viscose backing. So, the New Day Market tote may look and feel just like leather, but it’s far from it.
Plus, the bio-based material is lightweight, vibrant, and high-performing, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% and cutting water use by 83% compared to traditional chrome-tanned leather. Talk about a win-win!
Takeaway
Now that you’ve read our guide, you know exactly what designer bag to take to work tomorrow. Is it the boxy carryall or the city backpack?
Whatever you choose, browse our pre-loved to shop chic work bags from all your favorite designers and climb the corporate ladder in style.
