Work bag or laptop bag?

NotMeNoNo · 13/08/2021 23:53

I settled on a small cross body bag and a neat laptop bag rather than one giant bulky bag. Or a good laptop rucksack. Knomo?

Hawkins001 · 13/08/2021 23:55

@Hekatestorch

I am a hybrid worker (was before the pandemic) and tend to travel to different offices around England and Scotland.

I usually just take my laptop bag and put my notebooks and purse in there. My laptop bag is just the standard boring work issued one.

I was going to treat myself to a nice new work handbag, the realised I wouldn't want to carry 2 bags. I don't really use handbags outside work.

Would you get a really nice laptop bag, or a handbag and just accept you have to carry 2 bags?

And if anyone has some recommendations, I would really appreciate it.

I work in quite a corporate environment and often the first person people meet from our company. If that's helps.

Thank you in advance

I use those hybrid of a laptop trolley style bag, if that makes sense, it's like a business case on wheels with a handle.

Naz2009 · 14/08/2021 00:06

It doesn't sound like you need to carry 2 bags as you have been using your laptop bag to carry all you need.
Go for it, treat yourself to a new laptop bag. Depends on your budget, I like the ones from Coach. I like the classic leather look also prefer over the shoulder not a backpack style. The style you want is your own preference.

uk.coach.com/780.html

uk.coach.com/coach-metropolitan-soft-brief/88315.html

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 14/08/2021 00:14

I have this in dark blue (price varies by colour) and it’s excellent. Padded straps, spacious inside, covered zips, excellent customer service knomo.com/products/harpsden-waterproof-laptop-backpack-44-403-gry

Original poster

Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 00:17

@NotMeNoNo

I settled on a small cross body bag and a neat laptop bag rather than one giant bulky bag. Or a good laptop rucksack. Knomo?

That's a good point. My laptop bag can be fairly bulked out. Thank you. I have never heard of Knomo. I wi have a proper look now.

@Hawkins001 can you get luggage weight ones? In my last job, I had a pull along and the bag itself was so heavy. It really put me off. But maybe they are better now.

@Naz2009 I love that first one! Definitely something I would pick. My budget is about £500 but would be willing to go up if its something I really loved.

In my job, image is a huge deal and I am often dealing with multi millionaires who care about what car you have, where you live etc. I just have never had the money, until recently, to look at something 'high end'.

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Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 00:19

@GingerAndTheBiscuits that looks good. Very practical.

I am stuck between stylish and swish or making my life easier by being a bit more practical

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GingerAndTheBiscuits · 14/08/2021 00:22

Knomo have some swankier ones. I just chose one that looked like it would wipe clean and survive being dragged around on public transport

bringincrazyback · 14/08/2021 00:29

I have a Kipling Superwork and love it.

Plenty of space for laptop etc and looks stylish.

Original poster

Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 07:41

@GingerAndTheBiscuits

Knomo have some swankier ones. I just chose one that looked like it would wipe clean and survive being dragged around on public transport

I really should be practical though. The sensible part of my head says 'oh practical make life easier, looks comfy, cleanable etc'

Then another part takes over that's far less realistic and lives in a world where I am super put together and not running around places.

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Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 07:44

@bringincrazyback that one actually looks really great. Has its listed a while?

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Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 07:45

Lasted well? Note listed awhile

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Coffeepot72 · 14/08/2021 07:47

I have a small lap top bag (which I can’t fit much else into) plus my normal handbag. We’re going back to the office two days per week in September, and this will be the first time I carry any sort of computer between home and office, so I’m just going to accept I need two bags.

headintheproverbial · 14/08/2021 07:53

I have a laptop bag which is a smart one and big enough to fit everything in.

Then I have an A5 'pouch' (Jigsaw does these for example) which is big enough for cards, some cash, lipstick, tampon etc) which lives in the laptop bag which you can then pull out at lunchtime to nip to the shop or whatever. It has a strap for round your wrist to make it easy.

This sort of thing (mine was a bit more casual looking): www.jigsaw-online.com/product/henley-wristlet-clutch-leather/J43137_BK000

Original poster

Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 08:01

@Coffeepot72

I have a small lap top bag (which I can’t fit much else into) plus my normal handbag. We’re going back to the office two days per week in September, and this will be the first time I carry any sort of computer between home and office, so I’m just going to accept I need two bags.

Potentially I may have to just accept that. I am just one of these people who loses everything in their bag and anytime I have more than one I get stressed and can never find things I need. So many times I have ended up getting everything out of one bag, to find its on another. It's frustrating.

I am a grown woman with a professional Al job but too many bags is the things that stresses me out.

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Original poster

Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 08:05

[quote headintheproverbial]I have a laptop bag which is a smart one and big enough to fit everything in.

Then I have an A5 'pouch' (Jigsaw does these for example) which is big enough for cards, some cash, lipstick, tampon etc) which lives in the laptop bag which you can then pull out at lunchtime to nip to the shop or whatever. It has a strap for round your wrist to make it easy.

This sort of thing (mine was a bit more casual looking): www.jigsaw-online.com/product/henley-wristlet-clutch-leather/J43137_BK000[/quote]
See that would suit me. Everything I need for 'me' (cards, tampons, cash) in a pursue to just grab.

I love that one. Looks beautiful.

You have all been so lovely thank you so much

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Coffeepot72 · 14/08/2021 08:31

The A5 pouch is an interesting idea - hybrid working means I no longer have my own desk, so everything I need for the day will be in my handbag (eg, I will no longer have a work makeup bag/hair products etc that live in my desk drawer) but it would be nice to have a small pouch to use if I’m just nipping into town in my lunch hour. But then that’s three bags …

DirtyDancing · 14/08/2021 08:32

I have been through a few different bags and by far prefer a smart backpack with a small zip bag inside for taking to the loo/ shops etc.

Look up commuter backpack. There are some lovely leather / smart ones from places like Ospray, Nordace and Bellroy. Also check out Kapten & Son. I find that by the time I have out my water bottle & coffee cup, charger, phone, snack & brolli in, a laptop bag isn't big enough. I would advise to have padded shoulder straps, I made the mistake of not for my first bag.

hellsbells99 · 14/08/2021 08:38

After recommendations on mumsnet, I bought my DD a Miatui bag when she started her first job. It is fab. Lots of pockets. She had this one miatui.com/collections/mia-tui-bags/products/zoe-multiple-colours

Coffeepot72 · 14/08/2021 08:39

I’ll be carting so much stuff to/from the office that I may need a small suitcase!

hellsbells99 · 14/08/2021 08:40

This is the official laptop bag they make but she fits her laptop in the Zoe version we bought
miatui.com/collections/mia-tui-bags/products/sarah-laptop-bag

ttcsucks · 14/08/2021 08:41

I have a handbag that's big enough to fit my laptop so if I were you I'd do the same kill two birds with one stone.

A tote style shopper bag should do it.

CornishTiger · 14/08/2021 08:45

I have a Kipling bag that holds a lot but I’m eying up some of these more stylish ideas!

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 14/08/2021 08:49

I have all sorts of travel bags and what not and its a disorganised mess.

Now I just use my LV neverfull and some pouches
one for make up
One for office stuff (pens notepad and mouse)
One for phones and wallets
My laptop is fairly lightweight though

Original poster

Hekatestorch · 14/08/2021 09:22

@Coffeepot72

The A5 pouch is an interesting idea - hybrid working means I no longer have my own desk, so everything I need for the day will be in my handbag (eg, I will no longer have a work makeup bag/hair products etc that live in my desk drawer) but it would be nice to have a small pouch to use if I’m just nipping into town in my lunch hour. But then that’s three bags …

Yeah, it's a lot of stuff when you don't have a desk drawer. At head office, I had dilute juice, extra make up deodorant, hot chocolate powder, coffee, tea bags, files etc in my drawers.

My head office desk is still there, but I won't be there as much. I cleared all that the morning of lockdown one, when I got called in the morning and advised to come get anything we needed.

Its amazing how much stuff you have that you don't realise. I have managed to get it down to the minimum for visits elsewhere and going to 'try' to stick to that. Though I do have a soft spot for stationary

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Cherry321 · 14/08/2021 09:29

I tend to use a large tote like this one. I have it in a few colours. But my laptop is small and light.

www.radley.co.uk/wood-street-large-zip-top-tote-bag-aw21-b119f6/