Work Bags

[PenCreed]

Where would you buy a work bag that can take a laptop? My work have moved to hybrid working we're all going to be issued laptops which we'll have to take back and forth from the office. I'd like something a bit more stylish than my day-hiking backpack to cart it all back and forth. My pre-pandemic work handbag might fit a laptop (it could fit a bottle of wine if I went to the shops on the way home) but I don't want to permanently load up my shoulder like that. Every "laptop bag" I've seen so far is a bit blokey - I'm not asking for florals, just something a bit more interesting!

Any ideas?

Knomo bags are lovely. I have a couple of backpacks (beaux and Berlin) and a shoulder bag (audley).

I like Coach for bags

My problem with laptop bags is that, generally, once you put a laptop in, there's not much room for anything else. So, I usually just go with a giant slouchy handbag type thing. I've found some that have straps long enough to be cross body for days when I'm carting a load of stuff.
www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/highland-distressed-hobo/?category=bags&color=047&type=REGULAR&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

I also tuck a small bag inside for purse and phone so that if I go out at lunch-time, I don't have to drag a giant bag around with me all the time.

I got my light green flowery laptop rucksack from amazon. It fits my laptop and a few notepads/ ring binder file, and my iPad! It had a few zip pockets at the front and one on the back. I can fit a hell of a lot in it! (Teacher so have lots of crap) Have a look on Amazon.

I forgot to say - I would say get a proper laptop bag because they have the protective padding inside. A normal large bag won't and it would be a shame to risk damaging the laptop

Thanks all, some good things to look at! I'm trying to be careful so as not to keep buying More Stuff, as well as getting something I like and is useful.

Have you looked at Mia Tui? They have work bags, laptop bags and rucksacks in lots of different colours. Faux leather but that means they're cheaper!

I have a leather backpack from fossil. I love it, took years to find it. It was expensive but so worth it.

I have a Mia Tui ‘Sydney’ backpack, has a padded laptop compartment and plenty of other space, also comfortable to carry.

I like Paul Costello outlet for work bags. I got mine from tk maxx. £90 and has lasted me 5 years.
My current one is the echitta day bag. I have a sleeve for my laptop that I bought separately.

I'm going to get a new one with compartments as don't carry as much anymore.

If you have the budget- I would recommend the Aspinal London Tote in Large.
It is £650 though- but can come down to £450 in the sales (however black is not usually in the sale).

I have had to carry a laptop since 2000. I tried all sorts of laptop bags trying to be more stylish and “professional”. A backpack with a laptop sleeve just has massively better ergonomics. Admittedly, the laptops have gotten much, much lighter over the years, but I have also gotten older and my joints more sensitive.

Post lockdown I’ve given up on stylish work bags and embraced the proper rucksack. I have a plain black one that comfortably fits laptop, umbrella, water bottle, folders and random handbag stuff and doesn’t give me back ache. And a smaller black leather rucksack fit days when I don’t need to pack my kitchen sink.

But I’ve abandoned heels for flats and morning blow drying for a ponytail, so I might just be unstylish and middle aged now .

I haven’t blow dried my (curly) hair for over a decade so maybe I’m just not stylish and should embrace middle age

Knomo backpacks are amazing! Expensive but last and last, and look smart to the end - my previous ones were often cheaper but didn't last.

Aaaaah, that Aspinal bag is lovely but a bit over budget (tempting though it is). I’ve also done something to my back this week which I then exacerbated by carrying a bag on one shoulder, so sadly backpacks are going to be the way to go. I’m glad I’m not alone in embracing practicality post-lockdown!

I have a samsonite one- I got the smallest one that fitted my laptop, and it's great as it is quite slim, so easy for commuting, and I can't carry the kitchen sink with me! (Although they do do bigger sizes if you want more room).

Esin Akan, I’ve got this one and fits my laptop, water bottle, lunch and makeup bag, the designer used to work at Mulberry I think, good quality as well and not crazy expensive

www.esinakan.com/collections/womens-leather-tote-bags/products/large-kensington-black-leather-tote-bag

I got a nice targus one from amazon a while ago, it's very much knomo style but was about a quarter of the price. I do actually have a bag buying problem though (hence the 3 knomos plus a knomo knockoff). The knomo beaux is gorgeous though.

You can always buy a protective sleeve/case for your laptop, which makes it safer to carry in any normal bag. Like this:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078CYF65L/ref=twister_B077WTFP6C?th=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I use this small backpack:

www.johnlewis.com/kin-sette-tote-backpack-black/p3763329