Why are there no decent women's bags that can take a laptop?

[OakPine]

I'm looking for a stylish bag to take to work.
It needs to hold a laptop, packed lunch, water bottle, and various other small things.

I don't want a rucksack or a nylon messenger bag. I want a big handbag that just happens to hold a laptop. I don't want anything that looks like a laptop bag.

Can anyone help please? What do you use now that you are back at work?
Thanks

I have the Maddox bag from Knomo knomo.com/products/maddox-laptop-tote-120-204-blk

I bought a few years ago in a cherry red colour. It fits quite a lot in there and the leather is still very soft.

Because it's our job to look pretty not to do anything useful.

It’s a shame Knomo reduced their colour range so much. I’m guessing it was due to supply issues the past couple years. I’m actually also looking for a new bag for later in the year @OakPine. I’ve held off because I tend to WFH anyway and am self employed.

@OakPine how about some of these in this article. A lot of them look nice but I’m not sure what your budget is www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g22591832/best-laptop-bags-for-women/

Had the same problem this week as I had to do some business meetings in town for the first time in two years. I would take a backpack if actually travelling, as need hands free for wheelie bag or similar. But for a day trip, I want a bag big enough for the stuff of the day that can also be a handbag, so I don't have to cart two things around.

I went for a Kipling Tote Art M although unlike every other Kipling I have, it doesn't seem to have enough internal pockets.

Thanks all. That Knomo bag looks roomy.
I was hoping for one with multi-compartments, because I'm quite clumsy and really want to keep my expensive work supplied laptop away from my water and sandwiches.

At the moment, I have a small handbag with my sandwiches, water bottle, spare jumper for the freezing office and all the other gubbins I carry about. I then have a horrible nylon laptop bag.

Loads of choice in TK Maxx.

I think you’d be better of buying a large tote and then using pouches or a bag insert for your organisation.

*OFF!! Fgs. I know what I want to write, stop messing with my spelling!

If I could afford one I would get this in black carterbags.com/products/the-slimline

But they are too £££ for me.

Mia Tui do exactly this kind of bag - some large handbag style, others more laptop bag-esque. All their bags (I think!) have insulated water bottle holders, zipped compartments, makeup pouches etc. I wouldn’t say they are super stylish, but they cater well for exactly this kind of thing.

Thanks Jings I’ve got two reduced ones in my basket now

I got this one from M & S. It looks surprisingly good for faux at £29.50.

I've got this workbag that fits a laptop comfortably from Hilary Johnson Handmade. It's years old and wearing well -- comes in lots of different leathers, and has a detachable shoulder strap. They also have lots of other laptop-friendly bags.

I recently got this one:
www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiH8e6Mw8P2AhXYgFAGHUxrDcsYABACGgJkZw&ae=2&sig=AOD64_2ZcKOjFlz-wqdAom_zSN7mTqIKGA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjTj-CMw8P2AhXBilwKHaO5BCsQww96BQgBEIEB&adurl=

It has a divider thing down the middle so I put my laptop on one side and the cables on the other so it doesn’t get tangled up. It’s big enough for a slim laptop, and all my handbag stuff and water bottle and scarf and wallet etc. I’m not completely sure if it would fit a lunchbox as well.

I love some of the ones on that list, thanks tribpot.

Thanks all. There are great suggestions there. I love mumsnet. I've spent ages trying to find something decent!

I have a mulberry bayswater, plenty of room for the laptop and whatever else, you can get liners for them too? Does end up a bit heavy but I only have to carry it around 100 steps a day!

Coach bags are often good for this

Le Pliage
Or a big Kipling tote if you want pockets.
I find a big leather handbag plus laptop too heavy.

Fairfax and Favor - Windsor Work Bag.

Don’t forget the ‘work’ element as there’s a normal Windsor too. Slightly pricey but very stylish and well worth the money.

I use either a large long handled Le Pliage shopper, or a large Cath Kidston tote, with my laptop bags inside, and a handbag insert for my personal stuff.

I've got one like this (only different colour) and can fit my standard size Dell laptop (in a case), my purse, some makeup, phone, bottle of water and a few thin files. Does get really heavy on my shoulder though!

I have one extremely similar to the Maddox bag - it looks near identical actually. Except mine is the Matalan version and about £250 cheaper

Fablou are good (though not compartments) and they’re not bank breaking prices so a couple in different colours wouldn’t be too pricey.