Black leather work tote but make it cool

[whythehellnow]

Argh I’m going in circles trying to find a bag for work. I like designer bags but only have small ones. Cant afford more than £250. Dream bag would be Fendi Peekaboo.

Must be real leather, must be totey, must be cool. Happy with vintage but I can’t find anything within budget, looking at Mulberry totes of various hues.

Current front runner is https://www.michaelkors.co.uk/emilia-large-pebbled-leather-tote-bag/30F5GU5T7T.html

but I’m not a fan of the brand. I was looking at it and it’s just gone half price so feels like a sign though.

I like this PC one: https://paulcostelloebags.com/collections/tote-shoulder-bags/products/caroline?pos=3&fid=606b65493&ss=c&variant=57272822497606

or this: https://paulcostelloebags.com/collections/tote-shoulder-bags/products/judith?_pos=14&_fid=895df5cc0&_ss=c&variant=56844393972038

https://www.strathberry.com/products/kite-tote-black this is nice!

https://www.johnlewis.com/dune-london-define-leather-tote-bag-black/p113186359

Vagabond have some? https://www.vagabond.com/gb/cannes-bq03-001-20/

Coach are quite good now too.

I saw an actual laptop handbag on SheerLuxes page the other day.. I’ll report back if I can find the brand.

https://honeyandtoast.co.uk/products/russet-tote-bag-black-and-pink
this is also nice although I’m not keen on the tie closure

Hmm I sort of like this. It’s good structure and I like the brand. I also don’t like the twee bow closure. Hmm

I’m a) not sure about Quince as a brand and b) don’t like the overly interesting shape.

Not opposed to the style but Dune is too high st for the price I’m willing to pay. Too basic.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/maxi-overdrive-leather-tote-bag-black/p/43132001?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22872123257&gbraid=0AAAAAD7dLuhOMiRtGD8bYhUhsPOi6QK7A&gclid=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbEr6-lHqGZMXauoPcbCg_VpXYgH7vp6ZS6rQdqwGWSTZGFOcMqrUK2xoCRfYQAvD_BwE#PLA/_GGL_UK_B_Accessories

I have the Dr Martens laptop bag and I love it but I don’t think that would be the shape you’re after so I went on t have a look and saw this one.

Pretty but not quite right and also over double my budget!

Over budget and not quite glam enough for me

In theory I prefer Coach to MK, their mini bags are much better but their totes are a bit crap tbh and boring.

Not my work vibe, prefer a bit more polished and glam although I have fluff lined DMs!

I think you've found the best on the market for what you're looking for. Get the on offer Mk.

Have you considered Strathberry? I would wait for Christmas and ask for cash instead of gifts and add to your £250 budget. This will open up more higher end brands & let you take advantage of the sales as well. https://www.rowdybags.co.uk/

https://apatchy.co.uk/pages/leather-bags

https://www.tusting.co.uk/collections/totes-and-work-bags

How about Beara Beara? Their quality is amazing for their price point. I have a very cool cross body from them.

https://www.bearabeara.co.uk/handbags/judi-black

I don’t think this one is leather?

I love my designer bags but bought a gorgeous leather one similar this last year. John Lewis’s own design. It’s indispensable and v good quality.

soz I’ve just realised this isn’t attached to the post.

I meant this one! MY JL one is very similar. Angular and kind of well balanced but in leather.

I’d probably wait for January Sale time now. Even 20-30% off will make a big difference.

And I’d also only buy a handbag if I’ve seen it in RL, preferably putting some stuff in it to see how it handles - for example, some totes have zips which are narrower than the rest of the bag making putting a laptop in difficult. And I like some compartments inside the bag - but they have to be the right size/accessible.

https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-medium-leather-belt-shoulder-tote-in-black?color=8496&currency=gbp&stay=1&country=gb&campaigntype=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&dema_id=22897555848&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22897555848&gbraid=0AAAAADooKUhEoGYcNXK6f1uVFshqrF9Pb&gclid=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbEjZDLYcRu8HX6rWeBUgrdoMejiypjVHkHn7kgKBJUZKypIQ6XZxvChoCJ10QAvD_BwE

www.luluguinness.com/products/black-leather-jude-tote-bag?variant=57644555698550&country=GB&dwg=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbElJEbop1Ijpzg9DD2FdtR-5Uc4W6LlmHBBBghLLv2newAynNzgZbIhoCbrsQAvD_BwE&tw_source=google&tw_adid=826503742076&tw_campaign=24302746781&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24302746781&gbraid=0AAAAAD9Alnf-PS5ecyHuPfOFdI3IzD0d8&gclid=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbElJEbop1Ijpzg9DD2FdtR-5Uc4W6LlmHBBBghLLv2newAynNzgZbIhoCbrsQAvD_BwE

Oooooh! Nice!

Quite a few in Kate Spade under £250. Might be too boring for what you want?

https://www.katespade.co.uk/products/knott-tote-bag/KN658.html?frp=KN658+BLK&fromSearch=Tote

I was going to suggest the Iris tote from Lawful but maybe also too boring!

https://lawfullondon.com/collections/tote-bags