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

I switched from a handbag to a Roka backpack a couple of years ago and wouldn't go back. It still looks brand new after two years of use.

But if you do just want a black tote, then try them out as them might not sit comfortably on your shoulder once full. Agree with others, maybe something a bit whizzier? They are all a bit meh.

I love the Coach tote 💕

Personally I would do laptop in laptop bag and handbag for everything else.

I was looking at Strathv=berry and Coach ags in there only yesterday. They are lovely but there was something about the design of the Strathberry I wasn;t sure of.

I would go and try them and see what you think in person.

I like the first two from Aspinal. The rest are horrid.

Aspinal are reasonably priced and good quality.

Not keen on any of those tbh.

https://www.johnlewis.com/mulberry-bayswater-small-classic-grain-leather-tote-bag/black/p4201152

https://www.johnlewis.com/by-far-bar-leather-tote-bag-black/p112297193

https://www.johnlewis.com/longchamp-le-pliage-xtra-leather-tote-bag/black/p111185260

https://www.johnlewis.com/mulberry-oversized-alexa-heavy-grain-leather-cross-body-bag/p5226013

Probably the 3rd one. Not really taken with any tho.

I like the look of the strathberry one best but it doesn’t look as though it zips up. If it doesn’t, I would go for the second aspinall. However a huge thing for me would be weight and comfort especially if you are carrying a laptop around. So I would go to JL, ideally with your laptop and try them all out.

Don't get Aspinal. I bought a bag from their website a few months ago and the quality was appalling - the leather isn't dyed, it's painted, and was peeling off even before it was unpacked. The leather was really stiff too and the zip was sticky. It took over a month for them to send a refund too, so I wouldn't be too confident re their after sales service. Have a look at their Trustpilot reviews - I wish I had before I ordered!

Get the Strathberry, their bags are beautiful and timeless (and their customer service is fabulous too).

I've got a Coach tote and there is literally no give at all in the signature leather canvas ones - I didn't get on with it at all, it just was awkward to try and put much in.

I've got a Mulberry zipped Bayswater on the go at the moment and it weighs a ton empty, let alone with my work stuff in.

I am a huge handbag fan but those are all a bit meh
Why not go for something colourful?
Work doesn't have to = black

I have a Mulberry bag & they are lovely.

I like the coach one

The Coach willow one. Like it and have several Coach bags that I am very happy with.

I have the Willow and it's the most comfortable, easy to use and wear bag I've ever owned

The pebble in tan or the rucksack in navy ..

I think the weight is the nature of quality leather, obviously canvas or recycled plastic (Longchamp) would be lighter options.

It does when you're an ex goth who lives in monochrome clothing 🤣

Don't get a tote for a laptop bag. Your poor shoulder having all that on it.

No help on bags but all that on one shoulder😬.

Thing is, you can still have a black shoulder bag that is a bit more interesting. I like Marc Jacobs, he does a large dual bag or his sack bag or bucket bag. Zadig and Voltaire have a couple of black totes that just have a bit more edgy detail - https://zadig-et-voltaire.com/eu/uk/c/tote-bags-588

I realise they aren't at John Lewis, but you can get a black tote with a bit of personality.

I’ve got the Coach Willow and love it, although tend to use my Longchamp Pliage more unless I’m carrying a water bottle as I like that in a separate section.

Should have said because the Longchamp is so much lighter.

I totally get the comments about these all being a bit dull, but I have quite a lot of personality coming through in my appearance (hair, piercings, tattoos) so working in a conservative industry in the city, a more plain bag actually works well I think.

I also get the comments about one shoulder but I've used a tote and a backpack and do prefer a tote overall.

Also noted that a lot of people say Longchamp but they have a pretty bad sustainability record so not an option for me.

I think I'm going to try the Strathberry as a starting point and take it from there. They're not great on sustainability but not terrible and seem to be improving, plus seem to get mostly positive reviews, so I'll see how it goes!

Thanks so much for all the input!!

Excellent choice - it's a perfect bag for work.

I love the Strathberry one. If you need a backpack in addition, there are lots under £100 that are lovely and I'd just go for one of those. I don't think the backpack is nice enough for £350.