Does this bag say serious business woman to you?

[echinaceadreams]

I've fallen in love with This bag! could I use it for the commute to the office?

That would get dirty so quickly, and one thing that is not at all serious businesswoman is using a dirty bag.

The bag you linked to looks more like a picnic bag, OP! Did you really think anyone would say that it looked like a business bag?

I mean I wear shoes with flowers on them, brightly coloured dresses, brightly coloured dresses with flowers on them...AND am young. Still never yet had a problem being taken seriously and am in fact circa 5-10 years ahead of where you'd expect most people my age to be in their career.

If you like the bag, I think it will be perfectly suitable as a work bag (except potentially for the not that comfortable straps).

It’s a very nice bag, but it’s more suited to being out and about at weekends. If I saw you with this in a meeting I wouldn’t think less of your professionalism, but I would think you were probably carting your hobby kit about, not your laptop and policy documents.

I try not to pay attention to people’s presentation but if I’m honest I am quite impressed by a Mulberry Bayswater or a Celine - if you can afford £1200 on something as trivial as a bag you’re obviously doing well.

No, that is not a business-appropriate bag, and I really don't think you should listen to anyone who says it is.

It's pretty, cute, and whimsical. Sweet as a baby bag or a beach bag.

If you're in a situation where you want to be taken seriously at work, you need to start again from scratch.

While you and @StarlightLime have a point it really depends on the work environment.
Pokémon rucksack would be fine where I work - blue hair - whatever- but the dress code is casual anyway. I give updates to the board via video call wearing my favourite skull earrings and nobody bats an eyelid. Big multinational firm.

Wearing a full-on business suit with a casual bag (or any other casual item like flip flops) is just going to look odd and not put together. There are plenty of flowery items that scream business by their cut, so flowers aren't the issue.

I think it's the shape and design of this bag that makes it look more casual. Ok in a smart casual environment, 50/50 complete formal. In any case it looks too flimsy to be used on the commute and likely to get dirty quickly.

Wow, just noticed the price. Not worth that. I’d have guessed £40 max.

I'm not anxious just female in a male dominated industry and yes fairly young for the position I'm in.

Depends on who is going to see it. Commuters on the train + colleagues until you shove it behind your desk/into your locker for the day = fine. If you’re taking it into client meetings then no, I’d pick something less whimsical and more formal looking.
But again, it really does depend on the industry and how visible the bag will be. A surveyor driving to sites to meet clients and the bag will just be in your car? Fine. Academia? Fine. Whimsy and eccentricity are practically encouraged. Finance consulting meeting clients in boardrooms in the city with documents/laptop in tow. Nope. Try again.

Not sure why the reactions are so negative about the question. I am in a very formal industry too.

Our assistants and support staff could have a bag like that, I could not, or well I could but the presumption would not be I would be one of the professionals.

For the materials I would look at leather or similar, and I would choose a neutral or jewel colour.

@Zezet has it bang on. If you’re a young professional it’s very easy to be overlooked as someone very junior or temporary, so you do need to ‘dress the part’ until you’re senior enough not to give a shit.

It's clearly designed as the go to bag for sitting in a tree with. I think that's your answer!

Exactly. Thank you very much. I think you understand the situation. I don't want to completely erase any individuality I have but there is an absolute limit!

You've understood the situation thank you

Hehehe I'm tempted to get it anyway and sit in trees at weekends

What does a serious business woman look like?

I am a serious business woman and mostly wear yoga pants.

But if you're talking about in a city, dragons den style, then no... It doesn't say that.

In the nicest possible way, until you’re high enough up the ladder that you can wear or do what you like, that’s not an appropriate work bag, and sadly yes, in most areas (with the exceptions noted above) you will
indeed be judged.

Accepted in the spirit it was intended. I shall go back to looking at brown/black/grey

No but I would not assess someone capability as a business professional on their choice of bag.

I'm sure you would subconsciously if it was a ridiculous bag

I think you could add things like forest green or navy blue or oxblood red to the list of serious business colours, especially in a more experience luxe material like leather. You don’t have to have a grey backpack if you want something different.

Before WFH I had a beautiful Loewe bag, very serious vibes but in yellow as its my favourite colour. It's not all work and no play.

Thank you - Good idea

I think it might be the pattern on this one that makes it a no

Why do you need something to tell people you're a 'serious' business woman🤔