Item of the Week: A Classic Bag for Work, Under-$100

Everyone woman I know is always hunting for the bag.  The bag is your personal problem solver.  Maybe it’s the perfect tote for traveling, a  clutch that goes with everything, or the backpack that doesn’t look like you’re on your way to junior high.  For me, I always need a structured work satchel that looks more expensive than it is.

Splurging on handbags just isn’t my thing, and commuting and traveling does a number on my purse wardrobe.  So I need a bag that is priced to abuse, but doesn’t look like it.  This is such a bag.

Urban Originals Art Escape Satchel ($88)

How great is this bag?!?

The structured shape is sleek and work-ready.  The asymmetric front pocket closes with a magnet, and the interior has a zip-close middle pocket that gives you separate storage compartments.  And best of all, the whole thing zips closed — so many totes are open top, and it’s a recipe for losing your stuff.

The bag comes in four fabulous colors.  This is the dark grey hue; I also love the basic black or the deep wine color (perfect for fall).

Now, the bag has one flaw: that gold embossed name on the bottom.  If I buy a bag that looks more expensive, I can’t have a logo giving it away.  You can remove gold embossing with mineral spirit, but test it on the bottom (non-visible) of the bag to make sure it won’t cause the dye to run.

The Urban Originals brand has 113 different bags to choose from.  Some of them are pretty great.  I really like this slouchy, zip top satchel that could function as a great plane bag.  This dome-shaped convertible tote is also pretty fun.

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