Bag for a London commute

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Daughter is starting her first job in London and is like to gift a bag. Should I go for handbag or smart rucksack? She’s mainly wearing smart clothes but not quite business suits. Will have a laptop to carry and will also need umbrella, and bits like AirPods, make up etc. commute involves train, walking etc. She’s quite chaotic so an organised bag as her go to everyday will be important.

any recommendations?

I found the Nordace rucksacks fantastic , smart enough for work but very easy to organise and travel across London with. Handbags are great but when travelling across London at peak times, a rucksack is much safer , especially with IT equipment.

Nordace also make a great telephone bag which holds your keys and phone and a couple of other bits. The rucksack has loads of pockets so you can find everything very easily.

I would ask her to pick a bag and just pay for it for her. But then I'm extremely fussy about my work bag. I can't find a rucksac that I can get on with and have just gone back to a big tote.

A smart rucksack. Something like this https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-kellie-leather-backpack-in-red?color=6116&currency=gbp&stay=1&country=gb&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=22676937109&gbraid=0AAAAADooKUi6dChEFb3x0fLFHZf0Bjrt-&gclid=CjwKCAjwqKzEBhANEiwAeQaPVTa8K9iUJEZRLLsFy3KU0I286mIQxImWATniW27jCm988-LFAhNpnBoChE8QAvD_BwE

Rucksack. I have a fossil one and I love it. But take her shopping and let her choose

Roka have a couple of designs where umbrellas are slotted into them.

https://rokalondon.com/apps/bundles/bundle/152523.0

I find backpacks tough on the Tube these days.

Some great ideas here thanks. I will definitely be letting her choose but wanted to make some suggestions to move on from the college Vans bag.
So not many went for a handbag like a tote bag

There are a lot of Nordace ones! 🤯

I have this sandquist
https://www.sandqvist.co.uk/p/knut-sqa2272/ it's just the right size for small laptop and everything else and not too big so can keep on lap.

Something she can wear on both shoulders will be better for her back. Once you have added a laptop and a few bits it get's heavy for a one-shoulder carry.

I hate backpacks, mainly because I’m short and they look ridiculous on me, so have a Bellroy tote bag instead.
https://bellroy.com/products/tokyo-tote?color=everglade&material=baida_nylon&size=standard#slide-0

I use a longchamp pliage www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/tote-bag-l-L1899089P68.html and longchamp pliage crossbody like this one https://www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/handbag-l-L1515HSR299.html and both fit everything, my laptop, a medium water bottle, airpods, notebook, headset, wallet, keys phone, a small washbag with some makeup and a foldable bag in case I go to the shops on the way back.
I have heard good things about the Demellier bags the New York demellierlondon.com/products/the-new-york-tan-small-grain-ecru-stitching?variant=43383720018094 and Hudson https://demellierlondon.com/products/the-hudson-tan-small-grain?variant=53486097400185
I am eyeing this bag from a Spanish brand https://purificaciongarcia.com/gb/en/item/origami-zipped-shoulder-bag-beige-aapa10dh06058-1 for work
There is a brand in Guildford that has nice work bags https://www.lrmgoods.co.uk/collections/totes-backpacks/products/the-lettie-tote-bag and https://www.lrmgoods.co.uk/collections/all/products/lily-tote-bag?variant=55412711817593

Coach also has nice options: https://uk.coach.com/products/gallery-tote-bag/CV402.html?frp=CV402+IMBLK&_gl=1e51h7m_upMQ.._gsMQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmqPDBhCAARIsADorxIaCq0VOQpwKoM_fSXXo0d_h30HwMulD2GzdggxaSJcHM9APNM4UF8IaAtQ5EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADxhAYJjYeWOSO_Fkpb9ZdHLbNzbw
https://uk.coach.com/products/city-tote-bag/CR111.html?frp=CR111+IMBLK&_gl=1e51h7m*_upMQ.._gsMQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmqPDBhCAARIsADorxIaCq0VOQpwKoM_fSXXo0d_h30HwMulD2GzdggxaSJcHM9APNM4UF8IaAtQ5EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADxhAYJjYeWOSO_Fkpb9ZdHLbNzbw
https://uk.coach.com/products/mollie-tote-bag/CV968.html?frp=CV968+SV%2FBK&_gl=1e51h7m*_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmqPDBhCAARIsADorxIaCq0VOQpwKoM_fSXXo0d_h30HwMulD2GzdggxaSJcHM9APNM4UF8IaAtQ5EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADxhAYJjYeWOSO_Fkpb9ZdHLbNzbw

I've got a great Samsonite laptop backpack - smart, not too big and very secure.

Make sure she knows the public transport etiquette - you take off your backpack before boarding tube/train. Plenty of numpties who don't but they're generally a minority.

Osprey Adaline is my go to work bag. I have it in 3 colours.
I can't get on with rucksacks.

I would ask her what she wants tbh. I would hate it if my mum chose a bag that I was expected to use everyday.

@MidnightMeltdownI’ve already said I’ll ask her! However given she has never worked in London before nor done the commute, I wanted to put some sensible suggestions in front of her from people with experience. There is no point her choosing a Bayswater which would look lovely and be totally impractical.
Do you have a suggestion to accompany your comment?

I’m only in London once a month or so but after having my purse swiped from a rucksack worn on my back I’m amazed so many are recommending them. Am I missing something obvious?

Laptops make rucksack style best.

I’ve never found a nice rucksack big enough for commuting breakfast, snacks, coffee and water bottle, so like a lunch type bag in addition.

Most of the ones recommended on this thread have a zipped pocket which it’s on the inside against your back which is designed for wallets. Or just make sure all the compartments are firmly zipped and wallet is not easily accessible with a quick dip. 25 years on commuting and I’ve never had anything stolen

I have daughters of a similar age and they would always say tote style is best for both fashion and practicality. But make sure it has a flap top or zip top so it’s not gaping open on the tube.

I’ve just bought this https://www.antler.com/products/urban-core-tote-bag-black and it’s a great size, tough cordura fabric, really like it. Comfortable straps. I hate backpacks so this works well for me.

Mine was zipped but probably not that hard to undo, it’s a Roka one. I’ve lived in or been going to London even longer but I think I got a bit complacent 😳

When I was commuting I had the Knomo Beaufort backpack for my laptop, papers and my lunch pot and an Aspinal crossbody bag for my purse, keys, glasses etc. I didn't want to have to take my rucksack if I went out to lunch so preferred to have a separate bag.

That said I did alternate my rucksack with a Longchamp Le Pliage if I wanted something different.

How did it get swiped from the Roka zipped pocket that's against your back? That was a very sophisticated pick-pocket and very bad luck!

OP I use this one which fits everything, has plenty of pockets to stay organised and is comfy to wear. What kind of industry is she in and which area of London? I work in the Bloomsbury area and people there tend to be in more casual work wear and use back packs, but I was on a training course in the City recently and it was a much different vibe with more handbag type bags.