A Work Bag Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
Five classic-but-not-dull bags – plus a chic spring-summer workwear combo.
Most of us like to make a safe choice when it comes to our work bag - and justifiably so. Not only does it tend to be on the pricier end of purchases, but it’s also stuck by our side Monday through Friday (or however many days you have to schlep in). Given the high stakes, it’s easy to veer towards something that’s simple and stolid and totally unalluring in the belief that it’ll ‘go with everything’. But life is too short to lug around a sad black mum bag – and we can be more imaginative than the Saint Laurent shopper.
I’m personally of the view that your work bag is where you can have a bit more fun on the weekdays. There are fewer rules around what is and isn’t allowed – the only real necessities are that it feels relatively polished and that it’s got enough room for all the bits you have to ferry back and forth. Black is always the default choice, but I say don’t be afraid to go for chocolate browns, stone greys, creams and khakis too. And look out for chic details (chains, top-stitching) that will give it an added splash of personality.
Below, I’ve curated a short list of options that I’d personally invest in if I’d chosen a stable corporate career over a chaotic creative one. (I’ve picked out bags that are nice and roomy, but do be sure to square up the dimensions against your laptop. And if you end up purchasing one, let me know!)
A crochet tote from Nanushka
RRP: £995
For me, this Origami Tote from Nanushka is the perfect work bag. It’s neutral enough to play nicely alongside everything in your standard corporate wardrobe and not too High Fashion for the office. But it’s also undeniably eye-catching thanks to the patchwork pattern and crochet stitching – and I guarantee you that any colleague with an ounce of taste will ask you where you bought it. The only potential drawback is that, like most of Nanuskha’s accessories, it’s ‘vegan’ – which is to say if you’re a leather-only kind of person, then this sadly won’t be for you.
A khaki green bag from DeMellier
RRP: £480
Opting for an olive or pistachio for investment pieces is my personal no-brainer way to instantly give Fashion Person. It automatically wears well with all your neutrals (white shirts, beige trenches, black tailored trousers) – but you also look like you’ve made a deliberate style choice. This New York bag from DeMellier caught my eye as much for its colour as its winged shape and the subtle contrast stitching. And for me, the fact that the brand is independent, woman-led and actually gives two hoots about sustainability is a huge plus.
An oversized ‘pouch’ from Victoria Beckham
RRP: £1,290
Personally, I’m buying whatever Victoria Beckham is selling – makeup, accessories, fragrance, whatever. I adore her taste and her handbags especially have always had a Philo-era Céline feel to them that I love. The brand’s Jumbo Tote is pretty dependable – but if you fancy something more exciting, then try the Jumbo Chain Pouch, which measures at 36cm wide and 28cm tall, so plenty of room for all the important stuff. And for after-work events, you can ditch the handles and carry it around like they did at the show and in the campaign.
A suede tote from Proenza Schouler White Label
RRP: £450
Proenza Schouler is one of my all-time favourite fashion brands, and its diffusion ‘White Label’ line is pretty fabulous too. IMO their bags are especially underrated – I’ve had various versions of their (almost sold-out) ruched tote on my wishlist for months. I wrestled between their coated canvas tote and their Bedford style for this, but the latter won out just because it feels a little more compact and put-together for client-facing meetings. I adore the stitching detail on the handles – and would personally go for navy suede over black leather to shake things up a bit.
A boxy bag from J W Anderson
RRP: £850
My personal work bag is the J W Anderson Belt Tote in Grey – it’s roomy, it goes with everything and because it’s not super precious I don’t mind it getting knocked about a bit on the Tube. (Most importantly, I got it for a steal with my Net-A-Porter discount when I worked there.) However if you fancy something a touch sleeker, then try this one. Due to its relatively straightforward shape, I’d opt for a slightly less obvious colour that will add some lightness to a dark suit – although even if you settle for the black, that chunky chain detail will still give it an edge.
… and a bonus outfit
While I generally try to steer clear of the fast-fashion giants for environmental reasons, H&M-owned Cos is one of the few high-street brands I feel a smidge less guilty spending money on – simply because their clothes are of such incredible, long-lasting quality. Moral disclaimer aside, while scrolling through their website, I came across this gorgeous pinstripe combo that I thought would be dreamy for the office during the summer. It’s the sort of ready-made outfit you don’t even have to think about – but equally you can split up the pieces and mix them in with stuff you already own. 10/10.
