Recs for lovely bag large enough to fit laptop?

[FirmlyRooted]

I've been going through the posts on handbags in the sales on here recently and have spent far too much time on the Coach, Osprey and Longchamp websites. BUT I don't think most bags would fit a laptop which is a must for me to justify that kind of money. Do you have any recommendations? Or should I just give up and get a separate boring laptop bag to go with a fancy handbag?

I've just had a big promotion and am planning on treating myself to a bag that looks like I mean business

[silkpyjamasallday]

I'd keep your laptop in a bag meant for a laptop, then have a fancy bag that you really really love as your promotion treat. I bought a bag from Russel and Bromley which fit my MacBook Air for uni, the metal holding the straps snapped in two after only a few weeks, laptop also got majorly dented from falling out. Waste of £250 because I didn't need such a big bag the rest of the time. Get something you can use all the time rather than getting something unnecessarily fancy (and probably not practical irl) to hold your laptop.

[cowfacemonkey]

I’ve been eyeing up this one www.johnlewis.com/wenger-ana-15-6-inch-laptop-tote-bag-black/p2667749
I already have to carry more than one bag because so I want to have just one for laptop, diary and files and the a separate tote for resources. So annoyed cause I’ve just left John Lewis and forgot to look at it in the flesh so to speak

[cowfacemonkey]

Sorry terrible typos!

[BusterTheBulldog]

I’ve got a Bayswater which fits my MacBook Air (and all my other ‘stuff’) in a treat.

[Betty777]

I had this issue a few months ago and got myself the Madewell Transport bag. similar to this with a zip top - www.madewell.com/the-transport-tote-53228.html

It's pretty unstructured but I've put a small oblong piece of foam in the bottom to protect laptop/ so I don't have to be that careful about bashing it when placing on the ground.

Everlane do similar cheaper ones

[WhatNow40]

I have this one, it's £85 and is real leather. Very roomy and fits laptop plus notebook, paperback, lots of post it notes etc I carried 3 laptops in it at one point!!

[FirmlyRooted]

Some very good points, I am concerned about the bag taking the weight as I end up schlepping the laptop all over the place. Perhaps a decent laptop bag is the answer, but my view of laptop bags are something my dad would have. A function and no style...

[FirmlyRooted]

Going through all the links the Wenger in JL looks great. Ideally I'd like a shoulder strap as well so I can have hands free for young kids, school bags, coffee etc

[FirmlyRooted]

Betty - does the Madewell tote have any kind of zip? Need to hide my mess

[skiptrip]

If you're looking for a dedicated laptop bag then Aspinal have some very smart ones, but they are pricey (but there's a sale on, and it's treat...): www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/small-mount-street-bag-in-smooth-burgundy

Some nice totes on there too but I know what you mean about needing to hide the clutter. I use a cheap tote for my laptop and use a separate nicer handbag for the stuff I always carry everywhere. Annoying carrying two bags though.

[FirmlyRooted]

I love the colour of the Aspinal bag, interestingly it's in the men's section. It's more money than I've ever spent on a bag but I'd so much more use out if it than a spa weekend or a fancy dinner out...

[HundredMilesAnHour]

I've been using a Vince Camuto pleated leather hobo bag for my work laptop for the last 3 years and it's still going strong. It's not meant to be a laptop bag but that's why I like it. My work laptop is VERY heavy. Despite the weight, laptop plus my leather A5 notebook, cables, purse, make-up, umbrella, phones etc, the Vince bag looks as good as new. It has very solid fastenings for the shoulder strap so they can really take some weight. I get lots of comments about what a nice bag it is although I'm so used to it these days but when I first saw it (in a dept store in Toronto), I had to have it!

If you want a handbag that works for a laptop rather than a laptop bag that works as a handbag, I would definitely look at Vince Camuto bags as they're very well made and really do last well. They have them on The Outnet fairly often.

[WineNotTea]

I also use a hobo as my laptop bag, mines a cheapo pillar box red one but I love it and it’s roomy enough for laptop, cables etc plus my other gubbins. I’m on the look out for similar but in navy and/ or grey.

[coffeeagogo]

I bought myself a mulberry Bayswater as it fitted my laptop in with space to spare and is a classic

[ToooTicky]

I have the Aspinal small mount street bag in oxblood saffiano, I’ve had it about 5 years, used it loads and it still looks like new! It’s a great bag, both practically and looks wise, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

I also have a Bayswater that takes my small Dell laptop plus a few bits and pieces. I love the bag but don’t like to use it to carry the laptop often as I know it’s going to distort the shape, it was too expensive to risk that.

[FirmlyRooted]

The Bayswater is lovely, and Mulberry has a sale on the zipped version! I should never have asked for advice, you're leading me astray There are no laws on having to tell your husband exactly how much your new bag cost are there?

[FirmlyRooted]

Just took a look at the Vince Camuto site, very very nice but not much in the right size at the moment. I'll be in NY in a couple of weeks so maybe I'll go see a few in person, should be cheaper as well. No thanks to the dismal performance of the pound though!

[ToooTicky]

Haha, I always tell my husband that he doesn’t need to know how much bags cost unless he wants to buy one for me - that usually kills the conversation nicely

[Betty777]

Yes OP, the Madewell Transport comes with or without a zip (there are a few similar models of slightly different sizes - best check the US website to see)
The woman I bought it from called the one with the Zip the London version - i.e: necessary here for security ;-)

[RippleEffects]

I don't go to lots of meetings needing a laptop but wanted a bag for those ocassion I do. Didn't want something too briefcase like.

I got This from Amazon It's leather under £50, lots of pockets and nice handles.

I've got an oldish Mulberry bayswater, lovely leather but no padding in my one. Don't know if the designs changed but wouldnt trust my laptop in one without buying an additional padded slip for it to go in first.

[SorrelForbes]

I have a Knomo Maddox and love it. It has a laptop compartment, RFID pouch, a secret pocket at the top which is useful for cards, key find etc. And there's lots of room for folders, chargers etc.

[Didsomeonesaybunny]

Kate Spade has a range of lovely large handbags. I actually got a Kate Spade laptop bag for my work laptop because it’s quite heavy but for my MacBook Pro I use my large black leather Kate Spade.

[Dateloaf]

Placemarking!

[Clickncollect]

I have a Bayswater (not for a laptop though) and it is soooo heavy when it’s empty that with a laptop it must be super heavy! How do those with the Bayswater that carry a laptop feel?

[HolgerLowCarbingLoser]

I would definitely get a beautiful bag that you love as your reward for your promotion, and a separate one for your laptop.

It’s a far better way to do it, because it means your bag is much more likely to be perfect outside of work too, and your laptop is far better protected. Plus no handbag, however pricey or good quality, is made with the intention of carting around the weight of a laptop, so straps are likely to fail at some point.