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    1. Fashion

    The Best Everyday Handbags, According to the Fashion Editors Who Carry Them

    The ultimate endorsement? A fashion editor carrying the same bag more than once.

    Cortne Bonilla-Oliva's avatar
    By Cortne Bonilla-Oliva
    Published 3 September 2026 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    marie claire fashion editors carrying their favorite handbags
    (Image credit: Future)
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    Finding the best everyday handbag is less about pursuing the season’s loudest It Bag and more about identifying the one you instinctively reach for each morning. It needs to accommodate the realities of a full day—commute, laptops, beauty essentials, haphazard baby gear, and the inevitable extras—without making an otherwise considered outfit feel purely practical. For fashion editors, who encounter an almost dizzying number of new bags each season, earning that kind of wardrobe mileage is no small endorsement.

    With that in mind, I asked editors to reveal the handbags that have become fixtures in their own wardrobes. Some favor spacious totes capable of handling an office day, while others swear by streamlined shoulder bags that transition seamlessly from morning press appointments to post-work dinner dates. Different silhouettes aside, every recommendation shares the same distinction: these are bags that have proven themselves worthy of being carried, again and again and again.

    Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor in Chief: Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Play Leather Large Tote

    Nikki Ogunnaike carrying an oversized blue ralph lauren tote

    (Image credit: Nikki Ogunnaike)

    "This tote is the very definition of a Mary Poppins bag, but infinitely more stylish. For extra-long days, I’m able to pack it with a laptop, gym clothes, a smaller pouch, a makeup bag, and, if I’m really pushing it, a thin knit. Now, I don’t recommend carrying all this stuff on any given day, but just know that with this…you can!"

    Polo Play Leather Large Tote

    Polo Ralph Lauren
    Polo Play Leather Large Tote
    $898
    SHOP NOW

    Sara Holzman, Style Director: Balenciaga Rodeo Bag

    Sara Holzman carrying a Balenciaga Rodeo bag

    (Image credit: Sara Holzman)

    "Balenciaga’s Rodeo has quickly become my everyday bag, solving the problem of needing one bag to do basically everything. It’s structured without feeling too feminine or precious, fits a laptop—which means I can carry it to the office. It also sits very comfortably on my shoulder, which is a non-negotiable for me. Everyday bags also occasionally mean diaper bags, too. I can throw in a few miscellaneous things I need on a weekend, and whatever I inevitably accumulate throughout the day. It’s a “serious” bag, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously."

    Women's Rodeo Handbag Medium in Black

    Balenciaga
    Rodeo Handbag Medium
    $4590
    SHOP NOW

    Cortne Bonilla, Senior Shopping Editor: Bottega Campana, The Row Sisal & Liffner Buckled Tote

    marie claire editors carrying their favorite everyday handags

    (Image credit: Future)

    "When it comes to bags, for me, the bigger the better! I like knowing where all my things are, and I like them all to come with me in my oversized bags. From Bottega's large Campana to Liffner's buckled tote (in leather, or suede!) I adore an everyday bag that can store my sons random toys, multiple lipglosses, a notebook, and a laptop—all at once!"

    Large Campana Leather Tote

    Bottega Veneta
    Large Campana Leather Tote
    $6700
    SHOP NOW

    Sisal Shoulder Bag

    The Row
    Sisal Shoulder Bag
    $1750
    SHOP NOW

    Buckled Large Suede Shoulder Bag

    LIFFNER
    Buckled Large Suede Shoulder Bag
    $795
    SHOP NOW

    Christina DAmbrosio, Deputy Director of Social Media: Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 26

    Christina DAmbrosio, Deputy Director of Social Media carrying a red Coach bag

    (Image credit: Christina DAmbrosio)

    "As a social girlie, I often need my everyday bag to double as equipment storage. It needs to have enough room for my essentials while also storing multiple phones, chargers, and a microphone with ease. That’s why you’ll always catch me with one of my trusty Coach Tabby bags in tow. Anytime someone catches a glimpse of the inside, they always comment on its Mary Poppins-esque ability to carry a ton of stuff without ever looking bulky."

    Coach red Tabby shoulder bag

    COACH
    Pillow Tabby 26 Leather Shoulder Bag
    $475
    SHOP NOW

    Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor: Cuyana System Tote

    Lauren Tappan wearing a striped shirt and white clothes with a black tote bag

    (Image credit: Lauren Tappan)

    "Ask me about my favorite bag, and I'll wax poetic about Cuyana's System Tote. Designed with a spacious silhouette, it's large enough for all my in-office essentials, like my laptop, phone, and chargers. Plus, it has enough room for my kitten heels, which I'll often slip into for post-work happy hours. Functionality aside, this bag is downright gorgeous. It's cut from the brand's signature Italian pebbled leather, which gives it an undeniably polished appeal."

    System Tote 16-Inch

    Cuyana
    System Tote 16-Inch
    $378
    SHOP NOW

    Ashlyn Delaney, Social Media Editor: Louis Vuitton Papillon

    Ashlyn Delaney wearing black clothes and glasses with a Louis vuitton bag

    (Image credit: Ashlyn Delaney)

    "Being a social editor means my everyday bag has to meet a lot of requirements—can it fit my two phones, portable lights, a microphone, and all my lippies? The one bag that checks every box is the iconic Louis Vuitton Papillon. Mine is vintage (which I love), but the new arrivals offer even more space. I also prefer the square pattern over the classic monogram; it makes the bag so much easier to pair with anything. This will always be my forever arm candy."

    Papillon Handbag Damier 30

    Louis Vuitton
    Papillon Handbag Damier 30
    $1055
    SHOP NOW

    Jenny Hollander, Digital Director: Sézane Tote Bag

    Jenny Hollander wearing a blue shirt and lightwash jeans and a large red tote bag

    (Image credit: Jenny Hollander)

    "It’s controversial, but I swear by a simple Sézane cloth tote. It fits everything—my laptop, a book, an extra sweater—without feeling bulky, and it’s light enough to take on dog walks or trips to the farmer’s market. I’m accident-prone, so I love a washable bag for when I inevitably spill something on it (yesterday, it was soy sauce; after a quick spin in the washing machine, you’d never know!)."

    a Sezane red tote bag with white trim

    Sézane
    tote bag
    $20
    SHOP NOW

    sezane tote bags ranging from printed to floral and striped

    Sèzane
    canvas tote bag
    $95
    SHOP NOW

    sezane tote bags ranging from printed to floral and striped

    Sézane
    Blue White Stripe Bonjour Canvas Tote Bag
    $23
    SHOP NOW

    sezane tote bags ranging from printed to floral and striped

    Sézane
    X Sea NY Floral Tote
    $55
    SHOP NOW

    Kristin Contino, Senior Royal & Celebrity Editor: Demellier’s Hudson

    Kristin Contino carrying demellier hudson bag wearing blue printed dress in garden

    (Image credit: Kristin Contino)

    "As a royal editor, I own my fair share of Kate and Meghan-approved bags, but my recent favorite is Demellier’s Small Hudson. The Princess of Wales owns it in Mocha Brown Suede, but the Pacific Blue version worked much better for my spring/summer wardrobe. I carried my Small Hudson everywhere this summer, from Target runs to Windsor Castle, and it works just as well with shorts as it does with a formal dress. Despite its small size, the bag is surprisingly roomy and fits everything from my tiny battery-operated fan to a portable charger, plus the crossbody strap is removable for extra versatility."

    The Small Hudson Leather Tote

    DeMellier
    The Small Hudson Leather Tote
    SHOP NOW

    Meguire Hennes, Fashion Staff Writer: Favorite Daughter Morgan Tote

    marie claire editors carrying their favorite everyday handags

    (Image credit: Future)

    “No, my mom didn’t embroider ‘Favorite Daughter’ onto my go-to everyday bag: The L.A.-based label Favorite Daughter splashed their logo onto the canvas tote of my dreams. Being an advocate of the Big Bag Renaissance, I was initially drawn to its laptop-friendly dimensions, which fit a few books, my overflowing makeup pouch, and two 40 oz. water bottles—with ease. On the outside, co-founders Sara Foster and Erin Foster added easy-access pockets and a suitcase sleeve to an otherwise classic cotton tote. (It has already third-wheeled three summer road trips.) But my favorite feature is, by far, the chocolate brown drawstring bag that snaps inside when I need to organize my everyday essentials—and snaps out when I’m grabbing and going.”

    The Morgan Tote

    Favorite Daughter
    The Morgan Tote
    $128
    SHOP NOW

    Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor: St. Agni Woven Tote

    Samantha Holender wearing denim taking a mirror selfie carrying woven tote

    (Image credit: Samantha Holender)

    "I have a different bag for literally every occasion; you could say I have a bit of a shopping problem. Despite my large collection, I could never find an everyday, work bag I was obsessed with until I bought this St. Agni tote. It’s a gorgeous, rich shade of chocolate brown in a woven leather with a magnetic, snap-button closure. It holds my laptop, sunglasses, water bottle, 27 loose lip glosses, and the miscellaneous beauty products I’ve collected from a day at work with ease—and still feels like an intentional part of my outfit, not a work bag I have to carry."

    Woven Large Tote

    St. Agni
    Woven Large Tote
    $739
    SHOP NOW

    Irina Grechko, Interim Senior Fashion News Editor: Prada Re-Edition 2005 Mini

    Irina Grechko wearing white dress carrying small red prada bag

    (Image credit: Irina Grechko)

    "I have a thing for reissued handbags that I could only dream of owning in my youth. But while I wear styles like the Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami cherry-print denim Pochette on special occasions (due to its statement look), this Prada Re-Edition bag has become my go-to. The nylon material is ultra-lightweight, making it ideal for packing and toting around all day, while the streamlined design is versatile, going just as well with a daytime outfit as an evening look. Plus, the red adds a nice pop of color to even the simplest of looks (a bonus for minimalists like me). Don’t be fooled by its seemingly small size: On days that I don’t need my computer, it holds all of my everyday essentials from sunglasses to mints.”

    Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon and Saffiano Mini Bag

    Prada
    Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon and Saffiano Mini Bag
    $1390
    SHOP NOW

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Cortne Bonilla-Oliva
    Cortne Bonilla-Oliva
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    Senior Shopping Editor

    Cortne Bonilla is Marie Claire’s Senior Shopping Editor, where she decodes the fashion landscape in real time—defining sartorial moments, identifying trends before they reach ubiquity, and distilling an increasingly oversaturated market into the pieces, designers, and ideas genuinely worth knowing. (She’s currently into the Interesting Minimalism aesthetic of contemporary brands.) She has over a decade of experience covering the fashion market, and over the course of her career, which spans previous roles as Senior Shopping Writer at Vogue, Fashion Market Editor at The Cut, and Fashion and Branded Content Editor at Editorialist, she has cultivated an editorial perspective rooted in both rigorous market intelligence and an instinctive understanding of fashion’s cultural vernacular.

    Read more
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