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?

No it was the smaller Roka that zips across the top, looking back it was in a busy crowd waiting to cross the road so it would’ve been fairly easy to open it without being seen or felt 🙄

Im a Londoner (well by marriage and location! 😅). I have a small cross body leather bag for purse, phone, keys that i keep on my hip / infront of me on the tube etc and then this as a smart laptop bag for laptop / charger / book / lunch etc. Has a bottle slot on the inside and a couple of pockets but a bit annoying that it doesnt have an outside umbrella pocket. But i needed something a bit smarter for work and it suits that purpose perfectly. What industry is she going to be working in?

https://stackers.com/backpack-1124#selection.color=5692

I work in London. I don't like rucksacks (style, prone to pickpocketing, have to take off on the tube which is a hassle) so would go for a tote. I like Longchamp and they seem to be having a resurgence with the 20-somethings round my way in the SE.

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.

@SilkCottonTree makes a very valid point here. I’ve worked in London’s Financial Services for many many years and the only time I’ve ever used a backpack for work was when I used to cycle. The majority of the time I used a good quality leather tote/shoulder bag or (in the older days) a leather briefcase. I’m currently using a big red leather tote from Repetto. Backpacks can be a pain on crowded tubes. The majority of women I work with use handbags or messenger style bags or similar.

How about a small crossbody bag for your daughter’s phone, cards etc with a rucksack for her laptop, makeup, umbrella etc?
Thats been my go to solution as I can’t bear having to take off a rucksack when I need something quickly.

i won’t advise on the brands to buy as my combination is White Stuff/Radley crossbody with a Roka rucksack!

Ok keep your knickers on! Your original OP didn’t say that you were intending to do that, so maybe don’t drip feed?

Just saying, an everyday bag is a pretty personal decision, not something I’d want someone choosing for me.

It might also make more sense to wait for her to start work and gets a feel for what she needs. For example, she may have a locker in the office so not need to carry a laptop most days so that could make a big difference to her choice of bag. She may also want to see what her colleagues are using.

What’s the budget?

I see a lot of young professionals with Rains backpacks

www.uk.rains.com/collections/the-backpack-family

I use a large Coach tote bag which is plenty big enough for my laptop, make up bag, water bottle, coffee cup (and lunch if I took it, but I prefer to buy fresh).

Then also a cross body small handbag for my phone, keys, purse - I take just this with me when I go out at lunchtime.

Knomo bags are really nice too - I tried a knomo backpack for a while and loved the design, but I just feel a bit more stylish using my tote bag! https://knomo.com

Backpack wearers annoy me if they don't take off their backpack & bash everyone! Taking it off is annoying if wearing a backpack, tote bag is best really with zipped top.

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.

An awful lot of men in the city wear backpacks

I was referring to women as the OP was asking for her daughter, I know I said ‘people’ but this should have been obvious - not many men wear handbags so not relevant 😂

It wasn't obvious because you said people....

I love Elvis & Kresse bags (made from reclaimed fire hose).

I have a messenger bag which would fit a laptop etc, or they do totes. If you need a design tweaking they're very happy to assist (I needed my messenger bag flap shortening!)

www.elvisandkresse.com/products/tote-bag

I have this one

https://www.samsonite.co.uk/4pack-laptop-backpack-handles-15.6---dusty-blue/151629-1310.html

It met a few essential criteria:

• top handles for easy carrying
• padded straps so very comfortable
• strap for looping over suitcase handle for travelling
• loads of compartments (padded lap top & iPad / interlace zip pockets etc)
• not black

Context is everything though, the OP was asking for her daughter so not sure she will care that some men in the City use backpacks 🤷🏻‍♀️

Personally for me, a rucksack. Carrying a laptop in a shoulder bag gets boring BUT most of my Gen Z colleagues do use tote style shoulder bags.

I would ask her what she wants to be honest.

I’ve got this exact bag for my London commute and it’s been great.

https://www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/p/double-zip-backpack-22l/prod11710164.html?dwvar_prod11710164_color=66495

I wouldn’t have a rucksack. Too easy for others to access, too bulky in rammed trains and hard work to access anything. Get a smart tote back instead . What’s your budget?

Depends on her sector a little bit as to how smart. Patent attorney at the Shard probably very diffferent to University Head of Information Security.

I commute on the thameslink through Farringdon, Blackfriars etc.

I have a Sandqvist rucksack (not really smart but very practical). But it is very popular. It seems like half the train has the same bag!

I would just say that previously for years I had a laptop bag that went on one shoulder or cross body and it has given me a lot of back problems.

My sister dropped by today and had a good old admire of my new antler laptop bag/tote (see my previous post on this thread). I fully demonstrated its qualities and she was very impressed! Even liked the poo-brown colour (which I also really like but thought might be a bit niche for others - it’s not poo-brown really more a warm chestnut! ) but it also comes in black for a more neutral look.
works v well in my high - end legal professional life. Swallows laptop, cables, pens, binder, papers, water bottle, sunglasses, car keys, etc etc and still has room to swing a cat despite being very neat externally. It’s a wonder.

I would suggest a backpack for all the main stuff and a small cross body for her phone/purse etc as she’ll need to access it to scan through stations etc.

I always take both when i travel through London!

Tote bag vote from me. Lots of styles in accessory’s or next or a Kate Spade or Coach is a good designer entry point. Mulberry do a Tote and LV and Gucci have brought out reversible recently but pricey obs!

ohh @Delphigirl that Antler bag looks brilliant. I use this but might have to switch as my little bits and bobs always get lost in the bottom…

https://uk.coach.com/products/city-tote-bag-in-signature-canvas/CV976-IMXAQ.html?rrec=true

Thanks all. Some amazing suggestions here. Have copied the links and sent them on to her.