A work bag is one of the hardest working pieces in any handbag collection—no pun intended—so, when it comes to choosing your office arm candy, it's important you get it right. And with 2025 bringing in so many great handbag trends,there are countless fabulous styles to choose from.
If you split your time between working from home and commuting into the office, you'll need a bag that works extra hard. Think an expensive-looking holdall that's smart enough for work days and cool enough to go out with afterwards, but also roomy enough to fit all your essentials—yes, we're asking for a lot. We're talking a laptop, charger, water bottle, travel coffee cup, and a whole host of other office-related paraphernalia that you obviously can't be caught without. We'll tell you from experience: whether you use a small Windows laptop or a large 15-inch MacBook, a tiny shoulder bag simply won’t cut it.
Marie Claire's Fashion Editor, Clementina Jackson, snapped wearing the Prada Re-Nylon Tote
Sadly, chic laptop-friendly bags are surprisingly hard to come by—unless you know where to look, that is. So, we've decided to source them for you, roping in our chicest fashion industry expert friends to share what styles they actually take into the office. Think: statement-making suede shapes, uber-luxury labels, and clever design details that may of otherwise passed you by—yes, there's a bag with it's own water bottle compartment.
Alternatively, if you are dead set on showing off your new (small) designer handbag in the office, you could always double up—a trend that we're seeing more and more of on the catwalks. A chic tote will allow for added practicality and maximum comfort alongside your mini bag, or pair with a backpack to keep things completely hands-free.
So, without further ado, read on for our carefully curated selection of shoulder bags and totes that are the perfect balance of chic and practical for all of your work outfits.
Shop the Chicest Work Bags That Actually Fit a Laptop
Best for: wear and tear
Our Fashion Editor, Clementina Jackson, is regularly spied around the office sporting a particularly cool Prada tote. "I picked up my Prada tote bag in the brand's outlet outside Tuscany more than 10 years ago, and it's been my work bag practically ever since. It fits a laptop, umbrella, chargers, water bottle, as well as all the other essentials, and despite being packed to the brim almost daily, it's still in great condition. You can't be too precious about a work bag because it will inevitably suffer wear and tear over time, so the nylon exterior makes this the perfect choice—while the signature Saffiano leather details and gold hardware add a touch of designer chic."
Material: Recycled nylon and Saffiano leather
Colours: Black, blue, beige
Dimensions: 43 x 15 x 31cm
Best for: quiet luxury vibes
If you're a fan of The Row, Manu Atelier deserves a spot on your radar. The cult-favourite Le Cambon bag still qualifies as an investment piece but it comes in at a fraction of the price of the Margaux. In a soft latte shade of suede, it feels both timeless and perfectly in step with the season’s quiet luxury mood.
Material: Suede
Colours: Deep brown, tobacco green, cachemire, camel, navy, sughero
Dimensions: 35 x 22.5 x 21.5cm
Best for: small brand shoppers
Jewellery designer Claire Hill has stepped away from the well-known luxury labels and invested in a smaller, UK-based, female founded work bag brand to carry all of the essentials whilst livening up every outfit. "This vibrant leather tote goes with everything and can fit a shed load of stuff in," says Hill. Adding, "I carry my office around with me, so laptop, phones, notebooks, lunch—I pack it to the brim and walk or cycle to work and its not let me down yet."
Material: Leather and cotton canvas
Colours: Red, brown
Dimensions: 32 x 12.6 x 29cm
Best for: changing shape
Our contributing fashion editor, Lauren Cunningham, is rarely spotted without this trending taupe Polène Cyme bag. "I'm a carry everything but the kitchen sink kind of girl while my girlfriend prefers to fly light—aka, shove all of her belongings into my tote, too—and this Polène offers the perfect solution. It has two handle lengths, meaning you can carry it on both your shoulder and in your hands, and magnets that help create different shapes. Plus, the chic colourway has earned me plenty of compliments."
Material: Leather and suede
Colours: Camel, cognac, black cherry, taupe, ebony, root, black, and more
Dimensions: 38 x 17 x 32cm
Best for: luxury bag lovers
True luxury lovers, allow us to introduce you to the Delvaux L’Airess bag (unless you're already well acquainted, of course), the go-to style of senior publicist Letitia O'Neill. "This bag is so good. It's the perfect size for a laptop and all those random things you need to throw into a bag, of which I have plenty. It also has shoulder straps for easy carrying, but the handle is especially cool."
Material: Leather
Colours: Black, sesame
Dimensions: 45 x 21 x 39cm
Best for: adding colour to your work wardrobe
Just because you're heading to the office, colour doesn't have to be off the cards. This merlot tote from Aspinal will add the perfect punchy hit of colour to dreary early mornings, and it will hold the clunkiest of laptops, too.
Material: Leather
Colours: Tan, black, navy, merlot, taupe, coral, and more
Dimensions: 43 x 15 x 26cm
Best for: influencer-led fashion fans
This is actually our Fashion Writer, Sofia Piza's work bag and probably one of the best she's tested. "I've used this bag everywhere from the office to the airport, and can confirm it's incredibly comfortable and stylish whilst being fully functional. It even fits my 16-inch laptop." Even better, it's one of the hottest influencer-loved bags of the moment, so it gets extra cool points, too.
Material: Suede
Colours: Brown, black, white, tan, red
Dimensions: 44 x 15 x 32cm
Best for: timeless design
For stylist Bee Newham, her go-to work bag is a longtime fan-favourite. "I've been using the the Longchamp Le Pliage for work and travel for over 10 years. It comes in a variety of colours, is spacious and really durable," she says. "I can easily fit in my laptop, make-up and water bottle and it’s also very lightweight, meaning my shoulders don’t ache after a long day of shopping with my clients."
Material: Recycled polyamide
Colours: Brown, black, paper, navy, eucalyptus, and more
Dimensions: 31 x 19 x 30cm
Best for: statement style
Demellier's classic New York bag is a viral success that is rarely in stock. If you, like us, have been eyeing it for a while, now is the perfect time to invest. Coming in an impressive eight colourways, there's a shade to suit every workwear vibe.
Material: Leather
Colours: Grey, black, tan, off-white, burgundy, and more
Dimensions: 34 x 14 x 27cm
Best for: carrying everything
While you may not want to squeeze a laptop, your running shoes, and your trusty tupperwear into a chic Bottega Veneta Sardine bag, the Hop Large Intrecciato Leather Tote offers a more practical alternative. It's so big, in fact, that it can carry all of the above (and more) while still looking perfectly polished.
Material: Leather
Colours: Black, light brown, dark brown, green, indigo
Dimensions: 58 x 8 x 35cm
Best for: boardroom to bar
"I absolute love my chocolate suede bowling bag from COS," says fashion journalist, author, and content creator Stephanie Yeboah. "I have the oversized version, which is roomy enough to fit my laptop as well as several notebooks and space for electrical accessories, and it’s versatile enough to be worn with any outfit without overshadowing what I’m wearing. It’s definitely a statement piece that takes me through all seasons."
Material: Suede
Colours: Brown, grey
Dimensions: 40 x 18 x 27cm
Best for: eye-catching design
For anyone searching for a more sculptural work bag, creative consultant Amber Siegel has a particularly chic suggestion. "Both the Neous Pavo and Aries bags comfortably hold a laptop without compromising on aesthetics," she shares, noting both feature prominently in her office bag rotation. "The Pavo doesn’t have intensive zips or external pockets but is instead crafted with fluid clean curves that make it deceptively big—like a perfect contemporary Mary Poppins bag!" Plus, it's gotten her countless compliments.
Material: Leather
Colours: Chocolate, grey, sand, black, taupe
Dimensions: 50 x 25 x 36cm
Best for: simple and functional
Opting for a burgundy work bag is a great way to incorporate a colourful yet elegant hue into your everyday office wardrobe. This maxi bag from luxury Scottish leather brand C.Nicol features long straps that will comfortably fit on your shoulders, a minimalist fastening and zip top closure to keep everything inside secure. Plus, it will fit a small laptop, too.
Material: Leather
Colours: Purple birch, latte, black
Dimensions: 38 x 15 x 27cm
Best for: chic shape
Now, very few work bags are as strikingly chic as this Yuzefi style, the go-to pick for public relations agency founder Flo Van Der Spek. "I was looking for an everyday bag that was chic but also fit a lot in, and found it with the Yuzefi Large Mochi," she shares. "I love the pebble effect of the leather, it means it doesn’t look easily worn and adds some texture to my outfits, and everything easily slots inside—my laptop, book, gym kit, bottle of water, and more. Plus, I always get complimented on it and feel it really elevates any look."
Material: Leather
Colours: Espresso, black, pine, cranberry, taupe, and more
Dimensions: 26 x 13 x 31cm
Best for: on-trend style
While Prada's it-buckle bag unfortunately won't fit large laptops, it's too chic not to include on this list. It's a true investment piece you'll love for years to come and effortlessly leans into the office-core look. So, if you don't have to cart your tech around with you, consider yourself in luck.
Material: Leather
Colours: Clay grey, black, caramel
Dimensions: 37 x 14 x 27cm
Best for: logo lovers
"As a freelancer working in public relations, I carry a whole portable office with me every time I leave the house, so the bigger the bag the better," says Melissa Mert. "I treated myself to a Celine Louise Bucket Bag for my birthday and it’s honestly not left my side since. It slings perfectly on my shoulder and fits all the essentials into it perfectly. It also has a longer strap, so it sits comfortably on my shoulder, even when it’s weighed down with my laptop and notebooks."
Best for: packing light
Remember those foldaway shopping bags that tucked neatly into a pocket? Loewe’s Puzzle Fold Tote is the elevated alternative. Designed to flatten down to almost nothing, it’s the chic solution for those days when you’re only carrying extras one way.
Material: Leather
Colours: Sand, taupe, navy
Dimensions: 38 x 14 x 31cm
Best for: practicality
You can tell that Neer London bags are designed by an experienced traveller. This beautiful leather tote has a dedicated compartment inside to keep your water bottle upright, as well as two internal pockets, and a recycled clear TPU slip pocket for your keys, cards and phone. What really sells this bag are the long shoulder straps and discreet luggage loop at the back, so you can easily attach it to your hand luggage when travelling, too.
Material: Leather
Colours: Dark tan, black, grey
Dimensions: 34 x 15 x 28cm
How we chose the best work bags
Luckily, as fashion editors, we’ve honed the art of finding the perfect piece for every occasion—be it a wedding guest dress, a holiday look, or an office-appropriate bag. You know the kind: roomy enough to fit all your essentials, stylish enough to elevate any outfit, and secure enough not to spill everything across the tube floor.
But alongside our own obsession with well-crafted bags, we’re surrounded by an equally discerning circle of industry insiders—from designers to PR leads—each with a sharp eye for pieces that are both beautiful and practical. So, we tapped into that network to help curate a definitive edit of the best work bags out there. The kind that withstand daily wear, heavy loads and still look effortlessly pulled-together.
