Laptop bag / Handbag hybrid

[SausageRoll2020]

We'll likely have the option of working in an actual office with actual people again soon which for me is awesome but it has sprung to mind that this will mean having to haul my laptop back and forth.

So I'd love any recommendations you might have for a laptop bag / handbag hybrid so I'm not awkwardly carrying two bags but have enough room for everything.

To add a bit more info on what I'm hoping to find;
Reasonably stylish but doesn't need to be super fashionable
I am absolutely not a back pack person
Fairly neutral-ish colour without being black and boring
Big enough for a 17" laptop, notebook, brolly, packed lunch, normal handbag bits etc
I commute on foot
Happy to go to around £200 or so for something that is decent quality but ideally a little less

Feel free to tell me I'm looking for the impossible!

Are you looking for something more stylish than this for example:
www.wardow.com/uk/piquadro-ili-briefcase-black-ca3996s86-n-en-1.html
I'm just trying to gauge what direction to take this in.

You could go for a briefcase style (like the one above) or a backpack style (that would also have handles to carry it like a bag) like this:
www.wardow.com/uk/the-chesterfield-brand-kuta-laptop-backpack-c58029401-en-1.html

Backpacks don't have to look like rucksacks of old. They can be quite stylish and may allow for more room to allow you to carry the other bits and pieces that you mention.

I have a Longchamp La Pliage bag for work and find it really useful to get everything in. No internal pocket so may need a laptop cover

Knomo is good, I have been using it for ages.
knomo.com/collections/womens-laptop-bags

Have a look at Knomo.com

I think it might be cheaper for you to replace the laptop with a smaller one than to get a new laptop bag to be honest! Lots of the bags that I've seen are for (at biggest) a 15" laptop. You really are looking for the holy grail for a bag that can take a 17" laptop and all the other bits and bobs you want.

I'm never one to shy away from a challenge though.

Would there be anything on Cuyana that grabs your attention:
www.cuyana.com/

The 17’ laptop makes it hard. Most women’s bags are designed for up to 15’ the best options at the size are likely to be backpacks.

You could try Knomo, I have had one of theirs for about 3 years and it still looks pristine.

knomo.com/collections/womens-business-bags

Rad let also have some nice ones but be wary of anything with a flat strap as the liquid leather on the sides tends to split. Rolled straps seem OK though.

www.radley.co.uk/handbags/work-bags-for-women/

www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/dash-all-day-duffel/LW9CRTS.html

eu.telfar.net/collections/shopping-bags/products/large-cream-shopping-bag

This one is from Next and is a bit more than your budget:
www.next.co.uk/style/st747263/661299#661299

[quote LookItsMeAgain]This one is from Next and is a bit more than your budget:
www.next.co.uk/style/st747263/661299#661299[/quote]
The same one has got £75 off on the Radley site. Like a bargain bag even better!!

Wow! that's some markup on the Next site then isn't it!!!

Thanks for all the responses today, had a rather busy work day so not seen these until now but will take a look at all the suggestions above.

To those who mentioned the 17" laptop making it harder, its a company supplied computer and also I find it easier to work on than a 15" as when I'm WFH it's my only screen. I did find it a bit annoying that the designs aimed at women only seem to go up to 15" whereas those marketed at men are much more spacious (and yes I'm aware a bag doesn't have a gender, not really bothered about who it's marketed to but do want it to look nice).

I am not sure if this would fit but I have the 15 inch wenger one and I quite like it. Although I switched to backpack later when it was getting too heavy.

Wenger 605496 ZOE 16" Women's Business Tote Bag, Padded laptop compartment with Expandable Main Compartment in Black {14 Litres} https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PXNX1JH/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttiR9BTKN26RFWC6A6S1XW0

I have a Kate spade from the outlet that is big enough. It's like this one but mine is black, cream and beige. Goes with most outfits

Aspinal of London do some lovely bags that fit laptops.

I'm in a similar situation and struggled all lot with this. I have to continue working from home so have to carry the laptop back and forth, and I've got used to home cooked lunches so need to be able to transport that too. I've sent a few baths back for being too small or too busy with pockets/sections. At the moment I've got my fingers crossed awaiting delivery of a distressed leather tote from an etsy shop called Sotton leather. If it's OK it'll be a steal at a fraction of the cost of the bags I've returned.

Have you looked on sites like currys?

17” laptop? Are we in 2005??

That massively narrows down your options because you’ll also have to account for it’s peripherals like a huge charger and whatever else you need. You likely won’t have room for personal items in a dedicated 17” laptop bag. Especially not a brolly or lunch

Honestly I would try Amazon if you want a laptop back that fits the bill.

Otherwise just get a huge tote handbag that can fit everything in, but if you commute on foot your shoulder might not tolerate the weight long term

I've got a large mulberry tote I got in the sale. Fits pretty much everything in it, but I do have a smaller laptop

@wingsnthat I have a very modern larger screen laptop and my charger is very small so not necessarily.

Anything in Fossil?

If you're doing a commute on public transport @SausageRoll2020, I would think that over time, you will benefit (as will your back and shoulders) from getting a good backpack for the laptop rather than a satchel/messenger style bag for this behemoth of a laptop (I'm only joking about the laptop).
I'm wondering why your employer didn't provide you with a docking station or USB hub device and an external monitor that you could hook up any size laptop to, to allow you to work off that instead of just the laptop screen? Would that be an option for you?

@LookItsMeAgain my employer has offered monitors etc but I simply don't have the space for them, I already have to put everything away when I finish work so that we can eat dinner at the table! (I love my home but it wasn't designed for working in!)
I'll be commuting on foot on just found out today that our new office location is only about a 15 walk from home so nice and easy. And thankfully this laptop is much lighter than my old one which was a pain to carry around.
I agree that you are right about back packs being healthier for the back and shoulders but I really really don't like them so whilst my body can cope (and I see a lovely osteopath once a month) I'll continue to avoid the very very sensible back pack option

I used to use a large Michael Kors tote for my laptop, something like this: www.michaelkors.co.uk/sullivan-large-saffiano-leather-tote-bag/_/R-30S1GNXT7L
which will (just) fit a 17 inch laptop. But my back was far happier when I got a smaller laptop and a Knomo leather backpack.

[quote SausageRoll2020]@LookItsMeAgain my employer has offered monitors etc but I simply don't have the space for them, I already have to put everything away when I finish work so that we can eat dinner at the table! (I love my home but it wasn't designed for working in!)
I'll be commuting on foot on just found out today that our new office location is only about a 15 walk from home so nice and easy. And thankfully this laptop is much lighter than my old one which was a pain to carry around.
I agree that you are right about back packs being healthier for the back and shoulders but I really really don't like them so whilst my body can cope (and I see a lovely osteopath once a month) I'll continue to avoid the very very sensible back pack option[/quote]
I completely understand

I'll keep looking for you but it does seem strange that women's bags only go up to a 15" laptop whereas men's bags can take larger laptops.

Who knew the world of laptop accessories/bags was so sexist ?!?!?!?