The death of the ugly work bag.

28 new options. So we can finally call it.

So one of my followers (and clients and friends!), Sam, asked me about work bags. Specifically, it was about her hesitancy to spend money on something she would never use on a weekend. I was excited to tackle this, because I have a strong POV on it! And because I think it’s something many of us relate to.

Just look at

Leandra Medine Cohen

‘s recent post, the one on her amazeballs OB/GYN Isabel and what she wears. This line (and the image): “I have a fantasy work bag and a real work bag. I never wear the fantasy bag to work.”

Photo from Leandra’s story.

Look, there are lots of bag stories around, but I want to make three very specific points. And then I want to give you some (pretty extensive) very specific and unbiased recs at a few price ranges, both new and secondhand. Ready? Let’s start with the 3 points.

1. I really hate putting a laptop in what reads as a fabric “errand” tote. Don’t yell at me! And I know you’ve seen me double bagging, but I do it very specifically, running errands, with a belt bag or something else small and tight under the arm and say, dry cleaning in the tote. First of all, I don’t like how it carries, with this laptop sort of flopping against me. I don’t like the emptiness/unstructred-ness of the laptop in there, floating around. And then looks-wise, it reminds me of sticking your stuff in a grocery bag when it starts raining. It feels haphazard and stressful, what word is the opposite of “having your shit together”? That.

2. There are “bags you can fit a laptop in” and there are “work bags.” When YKYK. So think about whether you have a preference. I recently bought a used Hermes JPG Birkin. It fits a laptop, and unlike a standard Birkin, you can put it over your shoulder. But is it an ideal work bag? Not really. It’s heavy, and with the laptop in it, it can be awkward. I focused on no brainer work bags here.

3. And, there is a mental/emotional component. In particular if your work is a drag, a bag you use for going to work has this emotional stench that keeps you from using it on weekends. If changing jobs isn’t an option, you may just want a cheap work bag you don’t use on weekends. BUT in general I feel the same as I do about event dressing. That you have bags. Bags you use for things. Work being one of those things.

Now onto the bags.