Bag decison help!

[firebrand123]

If you had a John Lewis voucher to put towards a bag, which needs to carry laptop, water bottle and other bits and bobs for work, which of these would you go for??

https://www.johnlewis.com/strathberry-osette-leather-shopper-black/p111499180?deepLink=false

https://www.johnlewis.com/coach-willow-leather-tote-bag/p5235882

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-regent-saffiano-leather-zip-top-tote-bag/p111461870

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-large-london-pebble-leather-tote-bag/p5521967

https://www.johnlewis.com/flattered-lesley-leather-tote-bag-black/p112399875

https://www.johnlewis.com/aspinal-of-london-mens-commuter-backpack/p109585702

Either the strathberry or the second spinal on, although I think they're all a bit dull

The Strathberry one

Leather is so heavy before you start filling it up. But apart from the first one they’re all lovely.

I like the strathberry one the best, although I do also like the rucksack which would be very practical. They are all a similar classic tote style, is this what you want ? Have you had a look at other coach bags as they have some lovely shapes that are a little bit more interesting. Or get a Longchamp long handle large size which is about £115, like a bottomless pit and perfect for work, and then spend the rest of the voucher on make up (that’s what I would do ha ha )

Aspinal pebble

I love the Coach Willow one the best

I love tote bags but I wouldn't get one for a work/laptop bag.

I'd definitely go for a backpack but don't really like the one you've linked to. The pebble is much nicer.

Definitely a full zip one if you travel ever by public transport (learned the hard way...).

Not a fan of Strathberry, and I don’t like the backpack. All the others are pretty samey, and all would work fine (it’s a style of bag I like). If it was me, I’d buy the Coach one as I like the quality of those bags.

Thanks everyone! I might just take a punt on one, knowing I can return it if I need to.. might end up trying a lot of bags 🤣

Coach willow

I’ve always got really good work bags from LK Bennett. Agree a full zip if travelling

The handles look far too narrow for the weight you want to carry in them.

The rucksack would be fine though.

Aspinal regent tote looks the most classy imo.

Something about the design of the strathberry looks a bit cheap to me. Coach one is ok, but I personally don't like the gold C branding on coach bags. I used to have an Aspinal London tote and it's heavy before you've even put anything into it.

I agree that leather is really heavy, and that the straps on those totes look flimsy. I would buy this gorgeous, reduced bag and something more exciting with the rest

The backpack. I’ve tried totes in various shapes and sizes and always end up going back to a backpack. Totes end up giving me neck strain and sliding down my shoulder just when I need two hands.

You need a backpack unless you are walking for only a very short time. Don't like the backpack option you gave though.

I've been eyeing up the Coach Willow for ages. Think it looks great and holds its structure well when it's full. There are a few good YouTube video reviews of the bag if you want more info. I would choose the Willow.

Are you commuting by public transport or having to walk far? If it is just to look nice and conveniently keep things together between car and office just pick your favourite of the leather bags. If you have to travel look for a nicer backpack.

The first one...strathberry

Aspinal Pebble. Doesn’t look too deep which helps (me at least!) with not losing stuff. Zip option always useful too.
Though I’ve lately stopped using leather. Started using lighter materials. But if you can carry it - leather looks better

Just a short walk either side of the train, and no changes required on the train, so I think you're right!

If you are going to get a backpack (and I would, I use one to cart my laptop etc around in) then I wouldn't get one in a canvas material.

I would get one in a very smooth material - like Knomo or Roka do (I just list those as examples of brands that do bags in the sort of material that I mean, not necessarily as any recommendation).

Otherwise, if you wear a heavyish canvas rucksack over, say a jersey dress or a wool cardigan, it will rub against it and ruin the fabric. Maybe not the first time you use it, but it will happen.

I speak from bitter experience (and now have a canvas rucksack lurking unused at home somewhere ).

And yes, I agree that whilst leather looks much better, it is heavy to start with and so add a laptop, water etc and it starts to feel very heavy indeed.

The coach one out of your options but tbh non in love with any. I think a backpack would be good but maybe a nice leather one the one you have found I think is a bit ugly

I like the look of the Strathberry one the best.