Ask Belle: Laptop Bags for Work
Mar 5, 2013
Belle,
I know you’ve posted about laptop/work bags before, but most of your suggestions are sold out. Could you give us some fresh ideas?
Katy
Let’s start with the bag I carry on trips, that Miss M carries to work every.single.day and that my Mom hauls all of her teaching/coaching stuff in: The Lo & Sons O.M.G bag. You can read my full review here, but I really love mine and it’s held up quite well.
Beyond that, I know many, many lawyers who swear by the Rebecca Minkoff Knocked Up bag (it’s a diaper bag, but who cares?). The bag is so beloved my mothers and professionals alike that when it came back on the market this spring after a two-year (?) absence it sold out in days. You can still find it on the Minkoff website for $550, or on Amazon for $395.
Also in the investment/graduation gift category is the Lodis Audrey Brera Bag (which I lust after), this London leather tote and the Coach Legacy Leather Tote. In the under-$150 category, try this leather messenger, this nylon Ben Minkoff bag or this Kate Spade.
If you can’t find the perfect laptop bag, I recommend you buy a padded sleeve (like this one from Built or this one from Obey) and investing in a larger satchel or tote. I like this bag from Sydney Love, this large box satchel (looks like it would hold a 13″ notebook) and this GIANT Knomo bag.
As another investment piece, I highly suggest the KORS Michael Kors Macbook/iPad Jet Set tote, which rings in at $300!
Have the Lo & Sons OG bag, which is so fantastic that I want to switch to an OMG bag for my daily work bag (for laptop, etc). Have been waiting for a few months for a non-black color to come back in stock– these bags are in demand! I like the fact that it’s light, well organized and has a good shoulder strap.
I was just hunting for laptop bags in the under $ 150 range and came up, not exactly empty handed, but I’d say the pickings are slim. If you can go slightly more casual than Belle’s choices, I liked this one: KORS Michael Kors Macbook/iPad Jet Set tote
or for those who are really looking save big:
the everyday laptop tote at overstock.com
https://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Bags/Its-All-In-The-Bag-Everyday-Tote/5550852/product.html
Correction: https://www.zappos.com/hex-15-macbook-pro-tote-black-grey-stripe
(copied wrong link)
After reading Belle’s post on Lo&Sons, I bought The Brookline, it’s not too big at all, and fits tons of stuff (the video really doesn’t lie). So I’d highly recommend Lo & Sons. All my friends want one after seeing mine too 🙂
I love my Lo & Sons too, and it has held up really well. Also, women stop me all the time and ask where I got it.
Belle,
What do you think about longchamp le pliage bags? I adore mine and use it on a daily basis. I am moving to DC in a few months after graduation and wondering if too many people wear them. Are they just too orthodox?
I dislike them for work. If you want to travel with one or carry it on the weekends, but I find their lack of structure and casual look to be more suited to college bookbag than working woman tote. A lot of women carry them though. It’s a weird juxtaposition, business suits with le pliage bags.
Kate Spade Calista laptop bag is on sale on Amazon – $175 down from $325
https://amzn.com/B00593F6A2
I love the Rebecca Minkoff MAB totes
they are a great size, and well structured.
perfect for back n forth to the office while lugging a laptop
https://www.shopbop.com/mab-tote-rebecca-minkoff/vp/v=1/1528681391.htm?folderID=2534374302039657&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=12560
Another tote option is MZ Wallace. I know I’ve seen a picture of Hillary Clinton with the Belle bag and I personally like the Faye. I’ve purchased the Ava and can say its quite well made.
Hey Belle,
I just ran into this post while searching for a laptop/work bag. I just graduated this May and started working in June. After making it work with a leather tote from Madewell, I am officially ready to invest in a sturdier but still cute work bag. Do you have any new finds? or would you still say the Brookline/OMG bag is the way to go?
Lo and Sons or Dagne Dover. Either are good.