A handbag that does everything (travelling for work)

[notenoughteaintheworld]

My wife travels often for work on short hop trips (1-3 days) and sometimes goes directly from the airport to client site meetings. I’d love to get her a bag for Christmas that she could use as carry on and fit the bare basics in: laptop, phone, toiletry bag, 2x chargers and a change of clothes. Sort of a midway point between laptop bag and weekend bag.

I’d prefer if it was some kind of leather finish so it looks handbaggy to the client. Colour doesn’t matter although her main suits at the moment are baby blue and black. She likes a touch of character about it, rather than a plain bag, as brands like Fable or Radley have (embroidery, appliques, or a subtle animal logo - animals are really her jam)

My budget is a hard max of £200. Does anyone have any bag suggestions or even just brand suggestions?

t I had a pilot case that would have probably done the job - this type: int.delsey.com/en-at/products/002018450-trolley-boardcase-tote-montrouge-40cm-pc-protection?variant=42947002892542

Aspinal might have something for that budget and would look suitably business like.

Not leather finish but I feel like Longchamp is the obvious choice? Smart enough for work, comes in various sizes (large tote vs weekend bag) and colours, and has an animal logo but it's very subtle.

Here or might like this at John Lewis: www.johnlewis.com/longchamp-le-pliage-original-small-travel-bag/p5051153?s_share=jlappdroid here

How much clobber will she need to take with her? When I did similar trips I used to take a flight case similar to the one @DecafDodger posted (although mine was a black samsonite one rather than a pretty blue!). By the time I had work stuff in there (laptop, charger, mouse, paperwork, notepad, pens, phone etc) and personal stuff (change of clothes, pjs, make-up, toiletries etc) it was pretty full. The wheels were useful and saved my back. I would have struggled to fit everything into the Longchamp bag comfortably. Plus it was helpful to segregate things into work/personal items (you don't want to he rummaging through pants to get to your work stuff in a meeting! 😆 ). Hope that's helpful and gives you something to think about.

This brand came up when I was googling for pilot cases, they are a bit different than your usual plain black. Haven't tried myself so can't comment on quality.
https://www.olivialauren.be/en/trolley-bags-for-women

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/TTLAURENLEATHERBrownChocolate~Lauren-Chocolate-Work-Tote-Bag-Chocolate

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https://www.lkbennett.com/product/TTLILIANGRAINEDLEATHERBurgundyBurgundy~-Burgundy

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/love-moschino/totes/totes/faux-textured-leather-tote/1647597357112265

A handbag that fits laptop, work stuff, toiletries and a change of clothes would be big and impractical. When you go and meet the client you don’t want your undies and pj’s in the same bag. I think either go for a nice Tote bag or buy a smart small trolley or Rucksack.

I like my Nordace for work trips but also have a tote or small shoulder bag.
nordace.com/en/landing/best-way-to-make-traveling-easier-nordace-siena-backpack/?cmpid=6299eb5fd84ecc000136835c&sub1=%7Blpurl%7D&sub2=travel%20luggage%20backpack&sub3=p&sub4=132499526810&sub5=636779446771&sub6=17389944694&sub7=m&sub8=&sub9=Google_Ads&sub10=&ref_id=EAIaIQobChMIroGcpb7jiQMVK4dQBh3VWwPfEAAYASAAEgLwVfD_BwE&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABIcGLMDgWkJaMZm4p78kjFSpPbsY

The blue Delsey one is lovely😍
I would prefer a bag with wheels as the likes of le pliage are chic, but very heavy when full and can damage your shoulders in time. Believe me, I know from experience.