Last week, we talked about how to organize and retrofit a large tote to hold all of your work essentials, including your laptop.  This week, I thought I would share a few laptop bags that are stylish and cost under-$250.  Because  who wants to be reduced to carrying a horrifyingly ugly bag out of pure necessity?
Ivanka Trump Soho Tote // This bag comes in a variety of colors. Â Last Call! currently has it in mauve, blush, chocolate, cognac, and black for $175. Â The brand also makes a Soho tote that comes equipped with a battery pack for charging cell phones and the like, but it will run you $350.
Matt & Nat Kinta Tote // Hands down, Matt & Nat produces the largest selection of chic, mid-price work bags available.  Their Kintla, Tia, and Tacoma bags are just the start of the sleek, modern gorgeousness.  Every style comes in a variety of colors, which are rotated seasonally.  And because the bags are vegan leather (faux leather, if you prefer), they wear like iron.
Fossil Rachel Tote // This Rachel laptop tote comes in a classic shape that is sure to please.  It also holds a 15″ Macbook or similarly proportioned laptop, which is a rare thing.  After all, I bought a 13″ laptop just so I could expand my work bag options.  (True story.)  If you prefer more of a satchel style, Fossil also makes a zippered laptop bag for $222.
Other Options // For something completely basic, this Mark and Graham Skinny Laptop Bag is an attractive option. Â A lot of the readers at Corporette rave about BFB Laptop bags because they have pockets and are lightweight. Â And if you don’t want leather, Dagne Dover’s laptop totes are coated canvas and Lo & Sons makes their OMG bags in nylon.
Do you have a favorite laptop bag? Â Or one that didn’t work? Â Leave your suggestions in the comments.
*images c/o The Art of Living Beautifully // Ecocentric // What the Chung
The Dagne Dover bags look beautiful and I appreciate all the organizational components! I definitely get a lot of compliments on it. I have the smallest tote and I will say, I find it to be a bit heavy, even when it’s not full of all the unnecessary stuff I carry around or my tablet. It’s probably the solid construction of the bag, but if you’re worried about weight on the shoulder, keep it in mind!
Question for Lo & Sons customers, does anyone else feel like the OMG is like lugging around a suitcase to work? I’ve used it some for a work out/ work/ school bag; but i just feels so large.
Yes, I hate using it for work. I only pull it out for travel.
I don’t like my OMG at all, honestly. I carried it for work for a long time, but the shape of the bag coupled with the zipper opening make it a pain to use for files & work items.
I’ve used it for travel, but I’ve recently switched to using a backpack. Perhaps not a fashion forward, but it makes my life so much easier. I got the Timbuk2 Uptown backpack, which I think is a decent balance between utilitarian and fashionable. (Perhaps I’m deluding myself, but the past few trips have been better for it.)
All in all, I do not recommend the OMG to anyone.
Okay, I have to revise. I have the OG, the big one. The OMG might have been a better choice.
I use it every day, but take a Macbook Air, so it’s light. I used to use the cross body strap, but it broke and have used the shoulder straps with no problems. It takes a beating and goes with a lot. I like that it’s light. I found the OG bag too tall, so the center of gravity is a little lower and drags a bit hurting my shoulders. The OMG is the best fit for me.
I use it daily and I love it–and my commute is over 2 miles walking. I don’t take my laptop home every day, but I can easily fit everything I need (gym clothes, lunch, heels, etc). Unlike other bags I’ve had, it doesn’t dig into my shoulder or feel too bulky.
I carry the OMG everyday. I go to the gym most days though, so I use it was a more professional looking alternative to a gym bag than a laptop tote. My commute is only a few blocks walking, but I don’t think it’s particularly unwieldy when I go on the metro unless it’s packed and heavy.
I had the OMG originally and switched to the Brookline and find it much more comfortable to tote around on a daily basis.
I have carried my OMG to work every day for almost 3 years and love it.
I also vote for the OMG (i LOVE my go-with-everything Olive one). I don’t carry it daily, but it is essential when I travel. It can get heavy when it’s got all the goods in it, but when I just bring it in to the office when I’m not traveling I think it’s great!
Seriously Belle! What is your obsession with Ivanka Trump?? I remember several months ago when you recommended something from her line, a South Asian Muslim commentator expressed her concern about you promoting products from a company owned by someone who has never denounced her father’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, and anti-service member positions (remember he disrespected Mcain by implying he was a loser because he was captured long before the Khan family situation hit the papers). You thoughtfully replied to the commentator that you did not agree with Trump’s views and that you felt that it would be hard for a family member (especially in a family with as high of a public profile as Trump’s) to publicly denounce her father’s views.
However, Ivanka is no longer a passive spectator to her father’s increasingly unhinged campaign. She makes appearances at rallies and made a speech at the convention on his behalf. This is nothing short of a ringing validation of his worldview, and just because she is white, blond, tall, and skinny (mainstream America’s sole definition of beauty) does not make her father’s opinions and prejudices any less ugly than they are.
The IT brand is one of the few trying to focus on women who work but don’t have a fortune to spend on clothes. I wouldn’t call it an obsession. And as I said at the time of that comment, I would never expect a child to publicly denounce their parent. I also do not hold children responsible for the sins of their parents. She has said that at times she disagrees with him, but she addresses those privately. Would I make the same choices in her situation? Probably not, but I’m not willing to subject her to the same derision.
Do I like Trump or the things he says? Hell no. Will I vote for him? Hell no. Did I campaign against him? You bet I did. Did I just refuse to stay at Trump’s DC hotel? Yes, I did. But I like the IT brand’s approach to women’s clothing, and I’m not going pretend a quality brand doesn’t exist when its mission mirrors that of this blog because her father is an ignorant blowhard and she’s doing what she feels is the right interpretation of the fifth commandment.
If you feel differently, I encourage you to shop differently.
It’s important to note that Ivanka Trump’s apparel line is a part of the Trump Organization, and Donald profits from the sales of the line. So if you refuse to stay at his hotels on principle, then you should probably also refuse to buy Ivanka’s clothing on principle, too.
My understanding is that IT is not part of the Trump Organization. IT does not appear on the Trump Org’s website as a listed brand. It’s manufactured and distributed by G-iii, and every press release and bio about Ivanka lists the brand as “being in addition to her work with the Trump Organization.” Suggesting that the clothing brand is outside of that.
Ivanka’s clothing line, as well as her other brands, were removed from the Trump Organization web site in March, presumably to protect the business’ profits from her father’s tanking campaign.
Here are a few more sources showing that IT is still a part of the Trump Organization but was removed publicly for image purposes.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-decries-outsourcing-family-brand-manufactured-abroad/story?id=37502012
Belle, I appreciate your continuing to provide us with solid fashion advice and recommendations, never letting personal beliefs get in the way of that. If the company makes cute bags, I want to know. I may think twice about purchasing from a company based on my personal beliefs, but I don’t want to be condescended to on a fashion blog by having you make that decision for me. Thanks again for all your advice over the years.
Yes, thank you.
(And I applaud you for replying to your critics with both conviction and grace.)
Yes, this. I am an adult and can make my own decisions of what brands I want to patronize just like this is your blog and you can choose what to feature!
I, too, appreciate your sharing of Ivanka Trump’s brand. I believe that she embodies the goals and challenges of working mothers in America, and I agree that she does not need to assume blame for her father’s antics. As you have said, no child wants to publicly denounce a loved parent for any reason, and she shouldn’t need to do that for me to support her brand. From what I have seen, she appears kind, hardworking, and a loving daughter, mother and wife. I hope that she continues to succeed.
I’m not going to lie, I had the exact same reaction to seeing IT items on this blog that skekj did. I absolutely will never support her or her business, and personally, I don’t want to see or hear about her or her awful family anywhere ever again. However, I respect your answer, I know that you are allowed to feature whatever content you want on your blog, BUT I wish you’d understand that for a lot of your readers, myself included, seeing Ivanka Trump products recommended on your blog is really, really off-putting.
This has been a great discussion. I’ve been cringing at the ivanka stuff too and glad to see Belle unequivocally doesn’t support the evil dad.
While I was initially a HUGE fan of the IT brand and own many pairs of shoes this campaign, her actions, stances and inconsistent beliefs have me returning products to Nordstrom. I can’t stomach supporting a business under the Trump umbrella.
I also found this article very helpful and laying out the true flaws and inconsistencies with her brand.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/revelist/ivanka-trump-is-not-the-f_b_11452496.html
Belle – using your new Photoshop skills in this post? If so – this looks great!
Re: OMG at work: I love mine and it’s held up beautifully over the past few years. It does feel large, but I have to lug around a laptop, cord, folders, water bottle, lunch, makeup bag…
Thanks, Photoshop is a learning experience.
Dagne Dover’s Charlie tote is leather, and they’ve got several colors of their regular totes in leather too this season. They’re also 25% off right now. I JUST got a black one so I’m trying to refrain, but crushing hard….
*From the pictures* I don’t love the Charlie tote, though I do like the regular 15″ waxed canvas Tote. What do you think about looks, storage, and construction of the Charlie? I’m amenable to upgrading and appreciative of any input.
I stopped using my OMG for work because even without a laptop, it was a little too heavy w/iPad, kindle, work folders, lunch, wallet, make up, etc. It was uncomfortable to carry on my walk to/from the metro. BUT, I LOVE it for travel. It’s perfect for carrying everything I need in my carry on (most of the above plus laptop and even a small cross body purse) and being able to put it over the handle of my suitcase takes care of the problem of it being heavy. Also fits under a plane seat just fine.
Any suggestions/hope for a stylish work backpack?
I’ve had my eye on this Henri Bendel Jetsetter Convertible Backpack. It’s a bit pricey but looks versatile.
https://www.henribendel.com/jetsetter-convertible-canvas-backpack-28164702020193.html?cgid=Collections_Jetsetter&start=1
The lo and sons is my travel bag. Love it for that In terms of graphics this post is awesome!
I rely heavily on the Tory Burch York tote (not mid-priced) but I need an alternative to give that tote some rest. My next purchase will be the Poppy Barley Perfect Handbag (I think it’s around $300 canadian). I’ve been on the cusp of ordering their custom boots for a couple of years and stumbled across their new handbag for work. It checks a lot of the same boxes that the York tote did (interior laptop sleeve is a must for consulting life!). Love the work bag posts!
Does anyone have the Lo and Sons Brookline? I’m thinking of trying that one.
I had it when I owned a 15″ laptop, and I liked it. In fact, I’d be willing to sell it at a significant discount. It’s still in amazing condition. It’s black.
Wow, can you send me a pic?
Sure email me at capitolhillstyle at gmail