Fashion
13 Of The Best Work Bags For Women That Are Both Stylish And Capacious
Feb
It’s not just a happy twist of fate, either. As Net-A-Porter Fashion Director, Kay Barron explains: ‘Micro bags have been on trend for so long that it often means carrying multiple bags just to fit everything you need. With more people returning to the office full-time, it’s so much easier to just have one larger bag that holds everything. Now we’re seeing oversized bags making a comeback on the runway, allowing you to carry all your essentials whilst still making a fashion statement.’
Indeed, it’s this very combination of new-season trend and genuine everyday essential that makes this wave of designer work bags such a must-have – and has us justifying a seriously splashy investment.
But not all work bags were created equal. ‘The perfect work bag is a very important investment, especially if you’re a commuter,’ explains Barron. ‘It’s all about finding the right balance of style and practicality and depending on your job, what’s functional can vary for everyone. You need to consider size, durability and support, since most of us end up carrying everything from laptops to our lunch.’
In short: the more ludicrously capacious, the better. Opting for a bag made of high-quality leather will help in terms of longevity – and only gets better with age – while a design featuring multiple strap styles gets extra points for comfort, too. Think of it as your ‘everything bag’, capable of carrying all but the kitchen sink, but that rather than detracting from your look, serves only to elevate it even more.
From Bottega Veneta’s supersized Andiamo and Ferragamo’s Hug tote to the decidedly more affordable high street heroes, these are the best new work bags for women who want style and substance in equal measure.
13 Most Stylish Work Bags To Shop Now:
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- Dimensions: height 27cm, max width 53cm, depth 18cm
- Material: leather
- Extras: adjustable shoulder strap, front pockets, internal zipped and slot pockets
With its multiple pockets, detachable shoulder strap, and adjustable width, this Balenciaga beauty is everything we love most about fashion’s new work bag obsession. The ultimate carry-all for the discerning commuter.
- Dimensions: height 34cm, width 44cm, depth 20cm
- Material: lamb leather
- Extras: three internal compartments, zipped centre compartment, internal slot pockets, adjustable shoulder strap
Bottega Veneta’s supersized Intrecciato is by far one of the most in-demand bags of the season, frequently selling out within minutes of returning in stock. It’s huge yet discreet in design, with multiple internal compartments as well as a longer strap option – not to mention incredibly chic.
- Dimensions: height 23cm, width 40cm, depth 10cm
- Material: leather
- Extras: inner pocket
COS’s just-dropped interpretation of the classic noughties bowling bag would make for an excellent addition to any workwear wardrobe. It’s suitably spacious while still being fashion-forward, and simple enough to ensure it goes with everything. Even better, it looks (and feels) far more expensive than it actually is.
- Material: cowhide leather
- Extras: internal pocket, shoulder strap
Tap into the cow-print trend and bring a little Western flair to your commute in one fell swoop by investing in this Massimo Dutti bag. We’d style with oversize tailoring and ruched leather loafers for a fresh take on workwear.
- Dimensions: depth 21cm, height 27cm, width 39cm
- Material: brown suede calf leather
- Extras: detachable adjustable shoulder strap, internal slip pocket
This supple chocolate-brown suede version of Ferragamo’s Hug bag is both bang on trend and classic enough to stand the test of time. Tuck nonchalantly under your arm, or wear cross-body when it’s full to the brim.
- Dimensions: height 22cm, width 42cm, depth 18.5cm
- Material: leather
- Extras: three internal compartments
Alaïa’s cult east-west bag has had an office-appropriate makeover for 2025, and while it might not fit your laptop, gym kit and change of shoes, you’ll at least look the part.
- Measurements: height 37cm, width 34cm
- Material: leather
- Extras: inner pocket
Leopard print never fails to bring a flash of fun to a situation, so why not spruce up a tired office ensemble with this fierce ponyhair tote? In fact, the plainer the outfit it’s paired with, the better.
- Dimensions: depth 16cm, height 30cm, width 55cm
- Textured leather
- Extras: Internal slip and zipped pocket
Follow in the stylish footsteps of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle by making your work bag a DeMellier. The sustainable Spanish brand is known for its timeless luxury handbags that won’t break the bank – and this sleek burgundy tote is a perfect example.
- Dimensions:
- Material: height 29.5cm, width 28cm, depth 15cm
- Extras: three internal slip pockets
Master of minimalism, Toteme has nailed the brief yet again with its glossy brown croc bucket bag that’s both roomy and sleek – and will elicit pangs of envy from colleagues and party people alike.
- Dimensions: height 32cm, width 38cm, depth 17 cm
- Material: Italian calf leather
- Extras: two handle sets, removable inside pocket
Polène is a Parisian leather goods brand with a fierce cult following, that recently opened a London flagship store due to demand. Its signature style? The sculptural and instantly recognisable Cyme, that can be worn two ways – basket-style for work, and as a flower-like closed bag by night. Genius.
- Dimensions: length 31cm, height 28cm, width 14cm
- Material: coated canvas, leather trim
- Extras: removable shoulder strap, interior zip pocket
The iconic LV Neverfull is officially back, and in its latest reversible version, decidedly cooler than ever. It comes in three colours, can be transformed into a hobo silhouette, and as for its carrying capacities, the clue is in the name.
- Dimensions: depth 10cm, height 25cm, width 44cm
- Material: calf leather
This isn’t the biggest of work bags, but it’s a best-seller for a reason. Hand-made from vegetable-dyed strips of woven leather, it’s incredibly well-priced considering the workmanship that has gone into it, plus it fits most laptops and adds a fun pop of colour to even the dullest of office uniforms.
- Dimensions: width 40cm, height 26.5cm, depth 24cm
- Material: suede leather
- Extras: interior zipped pocket
Belted bags are having a moment of their own right now, and perfectly feed into the office-core aesthetic vibe. We love Manu Atelier’s Cambon style, that now comes in an extra-large size to accommodate a 16-inch MacBook as well as all those other everyday essentials.
Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
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