Work bag - help me decide!

[headcheffer]

Help me decide please wise S&Bers! I'm returning to work after my second mat leave in three years, and my longchamp has finally given up the ghost. I'd like something more stylish and grown up, and that makes me feel good when I use it. My style is fairly simple and classic, and I wear mostly black tan and cream with the occasional jewel colour thrown in. Want a bag in black or tan. I have £170 that I've recently got from sale of another item, and could top this up to £250 for the right item. I commute to the city once a week, and have to carry the usual laptop and big water bottle etc and ideally I could fit my lunch in too but happy to use a separate bag for this. I would also need to use the same bag when attending conferences etc too.

I saw the first bag bizarrely on a woman in soft play (working while her kids play, genius), and asked her where it was from as it was really nice. I was shocked when it was so cheap and it's been on my list for a while, but since then by budget has increased and now I have the rest on there too! Sorry for the long links!

www.parfois.com/en/gb/bags/laptop-bags/15”-laptop-bag/200433.html?dwvar_200433_color=_KK&dwvar_200433_size=L&cgid=104#lastIndex=12&cgid=104&start=1&sz=30

www.luluguinness.com/products/black-large-crossgrain-ivy-tote

www.johnny-loves-rosie.com/collections/tote-and-weekend-bags/products/black-large-stella-tote-bag

lawfullondon.com/products/lotus?variant=40864211763247

lawfullondon.com/products/rosa?variant=40864213073967

lawfullondon.com/products/aspen?variant=44759094395198

Any other suggestions welcome!!!

I really like the 1st one... and there would be enough left over for shoes!

The ability to put on my shoulder is a must for me. Even if it is just for the moments of getting my child out of the car and the bags in the house.

Bag number one does this but maybe lacks compartments.

They’re all nice styles but I’m shocked that none of the Lawful ones are leather given the price. No alternative suggestions I’m afraid: I’ve been looking for a separate laptop bag as I don’t want to carry it in my handbag but haven’t managed to find exactly what I want yet!

The "vegan leather" these days does annoy me, but hey ho. I've found this now too and it IS leather but I'm not sure on Kate Spade as a brand? www.brandalley.co.uk/18590320.html

If you are spending that much, I would definitely get real leather.

Daughter has lots of Kate spade bags. I would check vinted first though as there are lots of ME on there. They are nice bags. Try Osprey too, I have had my work bag for at least 3 years from there and I am not gentle with it and it still looks good, they have pretty linings too some of them.

https://www.rowdybags.co.uk/products/maple-leather-tote-bag

I keep seeing these bags online at the moment and I think one might have to go on my Christmas list

I use a Coach bag for work

https://uk.coach.com/products/willow-tote/C0689.html?frp=C0689%20B4%2FBK

i am a Longchamps fan too - adore them. i really like the Lulu Guinness tote from the above though. smart for work but not too “corporate” so you could use at the weekend too for with the kids. you could totally fit a pair of trainers in there too!

You ok hun? 😂

I just brought this for work only been using a week so can’t really say how get yet but will inform

https://www.tribalsociety.co.uk/collections/bags/products/leather-nylon-rucksack

OP I had been looking for a bag with the exact description as you for MONTHS! I was also a bit dubious of buying a ‘brand’ like KS or Osprey and the only other ones I liked were £500+ 😅

I ended up with this one. Quite a bit under your budget but it’s great quality and a v classic style which will age well
https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-tote-bag/p/clp60581826?color=BLACK#intid=plpnav_swatch|pid_pg1pip11g2r3c2

Have a look at the Polène Cyme. It's my go-to everyday bag, beautiful quality leather, light, spacious, interesting shape, good choice of colours.

https://uk.polene-paris.com/products/numero-douze-camel-graine

I'd get a black North Face Borealis Tote for £65 and spend the rest on perfume and takeouts. 😋

I have a fabric Marc Jacobs tote that I use for my laptop etc for days I go into the office and then a small cross body handbag as well. I got mine from Selfridges and it has held up incredibly well, has a cross body strap and smaller handles. Plus it's lighter than leather so won't feel too heavy when full. Cost me about £250 but I'm probably down to £1 per use after just over a year.

I absolutely love the Lawful London bags. I use a Longchamp at the moment but it is starting to totally die on me and I've been looking for a replacement. Very tempted to get the Lawful Sienna!

I recently got one from Oh My Bag Amsterdam and am really pleased with the quality.

I like the look of the Rosa, and the fact that the bottom has discreet studs to protect it when on the floor (also the structure prevents collapse). But... It's likely to be heavy I think and that's an issue with only a thin strap. The lotus had a good thick strap. Oh and the ability to zip is important for me.

I would get the first one for work and then the Johnny Loves Rosie one :)

The lack of pockets on the Lulu Guiness one would end up annoying me.

Oh, and it says there only a few left of the first one in black, so if you want that, don't hang about ;)

I really like the lulu guinness one and the jonny loves rosie one after. The lawful london one is too expensive for something that is not real leather. I'm more of a backpack person for work and like the look of their backpack but put off by the price and vegan leather.

I think the second one down is the nicest. It's no fuss stylishness. And it's in the sale.

https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/signet/242121

When I finally offloaded kids and had spare money, I treated myself to 2 of these. Brilliant bags made for women who work. Robust and well made. And greet for oversea travel - roller briefcase would take emergency overnight stuff as well as working stuff. Perfect for walk on baggage in case hold suit case went walkabout for a few days

https://knomo.com/collections/laptop-bags