Affordable designer tote bags for work within a £100 to £150 budget

[JS5]

After years of WFH, im starting an office based job and looking for a work tote that will ideally fit my laptop and the usual essentials, but I don't want to spend a ton – maybe £100-£150.

Any solid reputable designer bag suggestions in that range, besides DKNY, Ted Baker, or MK?

I'm in my mid-30s.

Thanks!

I have a Herschel / Lego flowers tote which gets lots of complements. It zips up and is sturdy. It was around the £90. I also had a Fjallraven tote before the teenagers took it.

A large Longchamp? They don't havr dividers though.

Or one of these which is more practical, dividers galore:

https://bellroy.com/products/category/tote-bags?_gl=1132cxo1_upMQ.._gs*MQ..

Longchamp, Kate Spade or coach if you are near an outlet. Lulu Guinness.

Oh I can answer this one. I have toooo many bags, I definitely have an issue! My most practical work one is a Kate Spade. Good size, fits a laptop in, 3 different compartments with additional little pockets and gets lots of compliments. However, my favourites are my Valentino, Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs if you wanted to look at these brands. There's not much I wouldn't give for a Stella McCartney, but they're a bit out my price range!! You can buy good condition and verified on Vinted for a good price all these brands. If you want brand new...Longchamp is good and in your price range, and you can buy inserts on Amazon to make separate compartments inside the bag. I don't have a Longchamp, only because I think my husband would very fairly loose his s**t if I got another bag when I have too many! but my daughter has and bought the insertwith hers for school and loves it x

The Radley Chancery bag is lovely. Radley have gone into administration and it’s popping up in their clearance sale from time to time for under £100. It was around the £300 mark previously. Otherwise I agree with the Longchamp recommendation.

https://www.radley.co.uk/pages/the-chancery

I have this one - good size and lovely soft leather Tote bag - Osprey

Thanks everyone, your suggestions are super helpful!

Longchamp seems to be a popular choice for that budget. I've never heard of Longchamp, but that's probably because I'm so out of touch with fashion that I have to ask here to find out what bags women in their mid-30s to 40s are wearing🤭

I have this for work.

https://www.flannels.com/womens-monaco-quilted-tote-bag-722971?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22206814024&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_pos=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22196645169&gbraid=0AAAAA9YKf-SEyGjZ4MEigHw0kvo3mr-7P&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4orUBhCjARIsAIbF3qzhGfCgqF6UAzXXSJevmR1I3LAxWHTgUjtmPh3Do-pYJVz9yhOqIHYaAqNREALw_wcB#colcode=72297103

Fits everything in and wide straps are comfortable on shoulder.

Personally, a rucksack is better for office. I have a large ROKA canfield. It fits my 16 inch laptop, lunch, water bottles, note pads, paperwork etc. Although I walk over a mile each way so prefer to wear on my back. I see so many people in my work with totes and then additional bags as they can't fit all in. Hence why I have it all in one bag!

The Radley Chancery is really nice. The issue with the Longchamp is that, as they are nylon, they purposefully don't have structure, so if you put your laptop in it, with other stuff, it loses its shape and pulls to the side.

I second whoever suggested checking out the Radley closing down sale. I bought 3 bags from there recently 😳 and they are all good quality.

Longchamp Le Pliage is indestructible and it can also hold an entire bottle of water without leaking which I have found out the hard way….all jokes aside, best bag in the world

I got a lovely Calvin klein black tote that was perfect for this and they had a sale on their website too. Kate Spade are also reliable for classic smart work bags and reasonably priced.

Osprey outlet (online)

I have a large Longchamp
Fits everything in.

No compartments though. I bought an insert from Amazon. Not very much to buy either if I recall

Kate spade tote pretty decent too.

Just checked the insert was £12.99

Definitely worth getting if you go for the Longchamp

I’d have a look at Farfetch too, especially if you’re open to different designers rather than sticking to one brand. They usually have a pretty good range of work-friendly totes and handbags at different price points.

For a laptop/work bag, I’d definitely go for something with a proper zip and a bit of structure. Otherwise, give it two weeks, and you’ll be digging through it every morning like you’re searching for buried treasure. 😄

Radley have some in their sale online

Dd uses a Rains backpack.

I have a le pilage with felt insert and also a Coach tote bag. It’s either the city or gallery but was about £160 - they often have discounts. I love it. I find the Longchamp slips off my shoulder more.

I have this one, it has the insert for your laptop inside. It’s back up to £180 but I think I paid £120 so watch out for a sale.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/leather-tote-black/p/41460001?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22872123257&gbraid=0AAAAAD7dLujxaI97ipwvQCzFBY3-vH3qG&gclid=CjwKCAjwhZDUBhBGEiwAbi5bjsKX0jPbt0za2pVy3mt2ZmfI6KOQqGtmJ4-1Nd4SuODgvCC5u56yXRoCLWQQAvD_BwE#PLA/_GGL_UK_B_Accessories

If you're on trains etc, get a laptop backpack. It will save your back!

Knomo is my go to for a work bag. I have had my bag for almost 10 years now. It’s like a tardis.

Charles & Keith?

some really nice options.

Stackers have a gorgeous work tote in a few colours. I find them well designed and hard wearing https://share.google/w0snkqqmIVoR2nOtx