The Timeless Fashion-Approved Leather Tote Bags You Need

The only staple that can take you from Pilates class to the office and rooftop happy hour with ease.

collage of fashion week attendees and street style models with leather tote bags
(Image credit: Getty Images)

No matter how many trendy bags you own, the one you probably reach for most is a sturdy leather tote. No other type of bag can moonlight as a gym or laptop-friendly work bag. Ask any fashion insider for their take on the best leather totes, and they'll likely say the same thing: the carryall is essential. So, we turned to the experts—real working women who carry them—to help us find the very best leather totes money can buy.

Joyce Lee, former Head of Design at Madewell and the author of Time Less, a personal shopping newsletter on Substack, says the value of a great leather tote lies in its functionality, style, and versatility. And if you're deciding between buying a new leather tote or relying on the canvas one you use for groceries, Lee recommends the former. "I find leather as a material is unmatched when it comes to durability while also adding elevation," she explains. "Leather ages beautifully, making it feel timeless and practical." It's the definition of an investment that stands the tests (and wears) of time.

However, not all leather bags are created equally. There are specific design details to keep an eye out for when you're shopping. Jess Graves, a writer and author of the fashion newsletter The Love List on Substack, recommends looking for reinforced stitching so the strap won't break during your morning commute. "If you live in the city, make sure the shoulder strap will go on over a coat! Nothing is more annoying than the strap struggle when you're schlepping through the sleet," she tells Marie Claire. "I used to live in Atlanta, where I'd throw everything in my car. Now that I live in New York, my tote bag is my car! It has to perform."

All of these features should coincide with your personal style, of course. An everyday bag is only great if you like carrying it daily—and it doesn't have to look basic to be a great basic in your collection. Neutral-hued options will forever be classics, but Caroline Maguire, the Senior Fashion Director at Shopbop, says that designers have been experimenting with trendy colors and mixed materials in their tote selection. "I love novel flair, like an artisinal weave," she says of this season's most popular iterations. "It's always fun to see some novelty added to the traditional designs." With this in mind, Maguire recommends brands like Dragon Diffusion, Proenza Schouler, Acne Studios, or one from Katie Holmes's favorite brand, Mansur Gavriel. You can even shop Holmes' exact pick down below.

Ahead, you'll find our curation of 17 of the best leather tote bags, including picks from Lee, Graves, Maguire, and Marie Claire editors. Plus, every key feature to look for in a leather tote and styling tips to ensure your bag works for anything life throws at you. There are also a few faux-leather options here, too.

Marie Claire's Favorite Leather Tote Bags

Also Recommended

What to Look For in a Leather Tote

  • Durable Straps: The feature that can make or break your leather tote is its straps. Lee's tip is to try your bag on with and without a coat to ensure it's comfortable throughout the year. "Straps that slide off or dig in are not ideal when carrying a heavier load," she says.
  • A Versatile Design: Consider how you plan to use your leather tote. Is it going to be your go-to laptop bag? If so, Lee recommends looking for a leather tote with a dedicated section for your laptop. Or maybe you're simply looking for a larger handbag to elevate your look, so pockets may not be all that important. All in all, Lee says to ensure that the bag you choose serves the functions you need.
  • High-Quality Materials: The last thing you want is a broken strap or a fraying edge in the middle of your day, so choosing a durable leather bag is essential. "Strong seams and handle attachments are important when you need a workhorse to lug around your daily essentials," says Lee. "I look for reinforced stitching and high-quality rivets or hardware."

How to Style a Leather Tote

A great tote should go with any look, no matter where you're headed. Even a baggy jeans and sneakers combination looks put together once you toss a leather tote over your shoulder. Case in point: the best-dressed people on the internet. Amongst the street style set, leather tote bags were worn with a range of looks from elegant LBDs to trousers and trench coats, proving the endless styling possibilities.

Split image of fashion week attendees wearing leather tote bags

Street style stars demonstrate the versatility of a great leather tote bag.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, opting for a sleek, minimalist tote doesn't mean you can't add some flair. To personalize your look, get creative with trendy bag charms. The fall 2024 handbag trend was spotted all over the carryalls of Fall 2024 fashion week attendees, and celebrities have caught on, too. Dua Lipa decorated her Birkin bag with a twilly scarf and several keychains in London.

If you want to incorporate color without buying anything, look to Katie Holmes. She loves her classic-looking Mansur Gavriel bag with its bright red interior. Or, try out a fun color tote and match it to the rest of your look, as Jennifer Lopez does. Her go-to Hermès Birkin tote constantly changes colors based on the rest of her outfit.

Split image of dua lipa, katie holmes, and jennifer lopez wearing leather tote bags

Tote bags can add some flair to your look too, as A-listers have proven time and time again.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meet the Experts

Joyce lee headshot wearing white jacket against white background
Joyce Lee

Joyce has been in the fashion experience for over 20 years having designed footwear and handbags for brands like Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Gryson, and Madewell, and was most recently head of design for Madewell. Currently, she works as a design and creative consultant and writes the fashion newsletter Time Less.

headshot of jess graves sitting in her living room in front of white couch holding her dog
Jess Graves

Jess is a fashion writer and the author behind The Love List, a fashion newsletter on the culture of shopping.

Caroline Maguire
Caroline Maguire

As Shopbop Fashion Director, Caroline Maguire brings her signature style, keen eye, and over 15 years of industry experience to the role. Since joining the organization in April 2016, Caroline has partnered closely with creative, buying, PR, and marketing team members to determine fashion direction across the company. She also serves as Shopbop’s primary brand ambassador in press interviews and media appearances, and delivers key style takeaways to the customer in creative onsite editorials.

TOPICS
Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.

She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.