After Weeks of Testing, These Are the 14 Laptop Bags Our Editors Actually Use

These are the styles you’ll actually want to carry every day.

Lauren Tappan, Nikki Ogunnaike, and other fashionable insiders style the best laptop bags for women in New York City.
(Image credit: Getty Images; Launchmetrics Spotlight)

With the evolution of hybrid work schedules and changes in commuting habits, today's office dress codes have also shifted, and the requirements for work bags are much different from those of office-goers in the past. New iterations of the best laptop bags need to accommodate busy lives, not just busy days at the office.

Choosing a work-appropriate tote bag requires evaluating what you need on the go. Ruthie Friedlander, an entrepreneur, fashion industry veteran, and new mom, recommends one that works year-round. "I quickly learned that one of the most important elements of a 'does it all' bag is that it can do it in all weathers," she explains. Her pick is the zippered version of the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, a favorite staple work bag for Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike.

If you're searching for a designer bag, consider one that also fits your laptop. Brands like Khaite, Bottega Veneta, and Coach all offer excellent leather tote bags worth the investment. There's even a Katie Holmes-approved Mansur Gavriel tote on this list that a Marie Claire editor loves.

Here, you'll find a modern edit of the 14 best laptop bags, featuring highlights from Friedlander and our built-in panel of experts: Marie Claire editors. Plus, discover more about what to look for in a laptop bag and styling tips that can help transition your pick from day to night, fitting seamlessly into your weekday or weekend. Every single bag on this list has been vetted by a Marie Claire editor, so you know you can trust our picks.

The Laptop Bags We're Carrying Everywhere Right Now

The Best Laptop Bags to Shop Now

Julia Marzovilla

This bag has been my hero for over a decade, and I don't see that stopping any time soon.

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

Halie LeSavage

LeSavage proves that the Katie-Holmes-approved pick is worth the investment.

(Image credit: Halie LeSavage)

Julia Marzovilla

It's rare to find a new bag that fits so seemlessly into my existing collection, but Coach's Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 did just that.

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

Fashion Features Editor Emma Childs tests the By Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag

Childs loves the Anthropologie bag for its easy, lightweight silhouette.

(Image credit: Emma Childs)

Associate Director of Social Media Lucia Tonelli tests the Cuyana Easy Tote.

Tonelli styles the Cuyana Classic Easy Tote in yellow with her everyday outfits.

(Image credit: Lucia Tonelli)

Marie Claire's Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike has made the L.L Bean Boat and Tote her fashion week essential.

Marie Claire's Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike has made the L.L Bean Boat and Tote her fashion week essential.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Fashion Editor Lauren Tappan tests the J.Crew Edie Bucket Bag

J.Crew's glossy Edie Bucket bag is so timeless.

(Image credit: Future)

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Alex Mill The Perfect Weekday Tote.

Alex Mill's Perfect Weekday Tote is just that: perfect.

(Image credit: Future)

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter tests the Madewell Essential Medium Bucket Tote

Suede bags can (and should!) work in the office.

(Image credit: Future)

Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenbeger tests the Freja Lafayette Tote

Feja's Lafayette tote is tailor-made for women on-the-go.

(Image credit: Future)

Fashion Director Sara Holzman tests the Bottega Veneta Medium Andiamo Bag

Bottega Veneta's Medium Andiamo Bag is the secret to Fashion Director Sara Holzman's office looks.

(Image credit: Future)

Entertainment Director Nehah Prakash tests the Khaite Lotus Bag

Khaite's Lotus Bag gets the job done without looking too corporate.

(Image credit: Future)

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla tests the Goyard

(Image credit: Julia Marzovilla)

What to Look for in a Laptop Bag

A lot of products and new launches come across our desks each month here at Marie Claire, and buzzy new bags are no exception. With all of these options, we can confidently say that we know what we like (and look for) before recommending anything to you. After our savvy editors tested the best laptop bags on this list, I noticed a few commonalities—a definitive list of design details to look out for when you start your shopping journey. Consider these editor-approved must-haves a shortcut to discerning which work bags are actually worth the money you spend in the office.

  • A Roomy (Yet Well-Organized) Interior: Several editors emphasized the importance of a spacious interior in crafting the perfect work bag. However, just having enough room for your laptop isn’t enough to make a tote bag suitable for day-to-day use. Our editors determined that it was essential for a bag to have enough interior compartments to make accessing your essentials easier, but not so many that you forget which pocket holds your wallet, phone, or keys.
  • Versatile Straps: Sturdy shoulder straps are great, but there’s no denying the ache that comes with an overstuffed tote. That’s why so many editors on our team highlighted the use of adjustable or removable straps in their reviews.
  • A Versatile Color Palette: Marie Claire editors can spend a morning at a fashion show, an afternoon at the office, and an evening at a luxurious brand dinner or event. Our bags need to fit in all these situations. While everyone’s schedules might not be as diverse, a tote bag in a versatile color is essential.
  • A Simple Design: Trendy logos and silhouettes are fun, but we want you to invest in a bag that will last beyond the season. The bags on this list are less flashy than, say, our night-out go-tos, but maybe that’s the point. Look for a bag that will blend in with the rest of your ever-changing work wardrobe.

Styling Your Laptop Bag, the Chic Way

A laptop bag should seamlessly integrate with the rest of your wardrobe and can be useful even if you don't work in an office. The right style can instantly elevate an outfit. Katie Holmes masters the 9-to-5 style with a long denim trench and a single Mansur Gavriel tote that doubles as a purse. She's styled the same bag in several ways over the last few months— the sign of a true investment piece.

Katie Holmes in New York City

Holmes has worn the same Mansur Gavriel bag several different ways over the last year. It works with both weekend and workwear.

(Image credit: Getty Images; Backgrid; The Image Direct)

Choosing the right bag for you is a great opportunity to showcase your style and elevate your summer work outfits. Whether in sleek suit separates for the office or heading from meetings to a dinner date, your laptop bag can be a statement piece that reflects your unique fashion sense.

Launchmetrics Spotlight

Members of the street-style set were photographed styling bold tote bags with their office-ready outfits. Tote bags can be an easy way to make a statement during the work week.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

How We Tested

After chatting with our experts and doing our own independent research, we selected 14 laptop bags to test from brands including Madewell, J.Crew, and Alex MIll. Marie Claire editors reviewed each bag based on the quality of their materials, how much they're able to fit, and their versatility. Our editorial testers reviewed the bags over several weeks and shared their feedback to compile this list.

Why Trust Marie Claire

“For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more.

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire and brings nearly 10 years of fashion experience to this story. She has tested hundreds of fashion and beauty products and keeps several laptop bags in her rotation. We also tapped the rest of our editorial team, including Fashion Director Sara Holzman, Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike, and Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger, to test the other options on this list and to share their favorite laptop bags.

Meet the Fashion Experts

Ruthie Friedlander
Ruthie Friedlander

Ruthie is the Founder of At Large Agency, a content creation and marketing agency, and co-founder of The Chain, a nonprofit dedicated to eating disorder advocacy in fashion and entertainment. With a long history in the fashion industry as an editor and in-house strategist, Ruthie has previously worked at InStyle Magazine, Elle USA, The Row, and Chanel. She currently resides in Harlem with her husband, cat, and baby, Tallulah.

TOPICS
Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.