To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse. The right tote doesn’t take its vows lightly.
And by the right tote, I mean the one that’ll take on our college or business books one day, our groceries the next, and when the sun comes out…it’s ready and waiting to whip our towel and shades to the beach.
That being said, the right tote doesn’t have to do everything. It just has to fit your personal lifestyle requirements.
As a working professional, I value a high-quality everyday carry with a laptop sleeve for daily commutes. It should have a snack compartment for on-the-go pick-me-ups. And it should be able to handle a long haul at the shops comfortably, while impressing the lunch ladies with its sleek, stylish aesthetic.
To elevate your daily ensembles, see our honest reviews as we got a handle (pun intended) on the best everyday totes for every kind of woman.
We also have the following lists dedicated to occasion-specific totes if that’s what you’re after: the best tote bags for travel, the best diaper bags, the best tote bags for work and the best beach tote bags.
Best tote bags for women
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? As multi-hyphenate women, we value luxury pieces that make a life in motion a little more sumptuous—and a lot more seamless.
As multi-hyphenate women, we value luxury pieces that make a life in motion a little more sumptuous—and a lot more seamless.For this article, our team of fashion editors tested dozens of totes over extended periods of time to assess how they performed and held up in various situations—from grocery runs and school drops to long commutes and beach getaways.
KAAI Horizon Tote
Born in Belgium, KAAI has held a special place in our hearts ever since our Belgian editor-in-chief, Florine Eppe, first discovered the brand in Brussels back in 2020.
The Horizon is the most spacious tote in KAAI’s collection, and in our KAAI Horizon review it swallowed a MacBook Pro, a magazine, a planner, a cosmetic pouch, a water bottle, a small umbrella and a wallet with room to spare. A lightly padded sleeve takes a 16-inch laptop, and eleven interior compartments give the phone, glasses, cables and pens a place each.
The Italian cow leather is soft to the touch but structured, five metal feet keep the base off the floor, and a strap on the back slides over a suitcase handle. Our one caution from testing: it gets heavy on the shoulder when it’s fully loaded. The KAAI Horizon is the tote we reach for on days that run from the office to the airport.
Best for: Carrying the whole workday, laptop included.
Cuyana System Tote
As one of our best leather tote bags for women, the versatility of the Cuyana System Tote is unrivaled. Made from pebbled Italian leather, the design is sleek and simple, perfect for everyday use. But you can also tailor it to specific occasions with the brand’s thoughtful add-ons.
When taking it to the office, we add in the removable laptop sleeve. The zipper pouch insert is super helpful for compartmentalizing and organizing the interior. And we love that you can attach your Cuyana purse to the top of the bag for easy accessibility.
The only thing that might be worth considering before purchasing is the fact that the Cuyana System Tote is slouchy by nature and, therefore, doesn’t stand upright.
Read also our in-depth Cuyana System Tote review and learn more about Cuyana in our dedicated brand story.
Best for: Bringing out your best.
Gucci Ophidia Medium Tote
By now we’ve accepted that Gucci bags cost more than your average luxury brand. Ranked amongst the best Gucci bags in history, the Ophidia is a masterclass in reviving fashion archives. The timeless silhouette is instantly recognizable by its signature simplicity, accented with the label’s iconic Double G hardware.
Crafted in Italy from the highest quality leather, the luxury tote bag speaks for itself. And while it isn’t loud or overbearing, the refined details and decadent materials are unmistakably Gucci.
On a more practical note, the double handles allow the bag to be used as a shoulder bag or tote. And we appreciate that the Gucci Ophidia is spacious enough to fit all the essentials. We even packed in a change of clothes and it still didn’t feel overpacked.
Best for: Vintage versatility.
Bellroy Tokyo Tote
Whether you’re an A-plus student or too-cool-for-school, the Bellroy Tokyo tote is the ultimate campus hero. Made from lightweight, recycled materials, the conscious silhouette is incredibly light to carry, featuring a rubber lining so that it doesn’t slip off narrow shoulders.
The interior is also really well designed with ample pockets for every essential. The pockets are lined along the sides of the bag so that there is still enough space in the middle for larger items.
As working mums of young children, we use the Tokyo Tote all the time. The water-resistant materials and wipeable lining are especially significant when you’re carrying lots of snacks and drinks.
We were however, slightly disappointed that the laptop sleeve only holds a device that is 13 inches or smaller so we don’t take ours to the office most days.
We’ve tested Bellroy’s Lite Carry-On ourselves; our hands-on review has the full verdict.
Best for: Flexible functionality.
Troubadour Elemental Tote
Most everyday totes give up the moment it rains. The Troubadour Elemental Tote is built from Troubadour’s own 210D ripstop, a waterproof fabric made to shrug off chlorine, UV, salt and sand while staying light. The whole bag weighs 1.5 pounds and holds 30 liters.
A waterproof outside pocket keeps a wet swimsuit or gym shoes away from everything else, and an internal pouch for your phone, keys and wallet unclips when you want to travel light. Carry it by the short handle or over the shoulder on the longer straps. There is a slip pocket on the back wall and a hidden AirTag pocket too.
We’ve tested Troubadour’s Elemental Backpack and Gear Tote ourselves; read our hands-on review for how they performed.
Best for: The commute that ends at the pool.
Behno Maison Tote
Raise your hands if you’re itching for a coastal getaway? We’ll raise one as we pack the Behno Maison Tote with the other. It is structured matte cotton canvas with hand-burnished pebble leather trims, 13.5 inches wide, 15 inches tall and 6 inches deep, with an 11-inch handle drop. Pack it for a day at one of the best beaches in the world.
Inside, two cup compartments keep the kids’ water bottles upright, and a zip pocket, a slip pocket and two patch pockets hold the keys, snacks and sunscreen. A padded laptop sleeve means it goes back to the office on Monday. Behno doesn’t say whether the cotton is organic, and our guide to sustainable fabrics explains why that matters.
It is an open tote with no zip across the top, so it is not the bag for a crowded train. The large size costs $425, and a smaller one is $325.
Learn more about the story behind Behno.
Best for: Spontaneous beach weekends.
M.Gemi The Elena
We love M. Gemi for their high-quality handcrafted leather accessories. But this Elena Grande Tote has managed to exceed our soaring expectations.
The tumbled calf leather tote exudes sophistication and class. Hand-painted edges echo the brand’s commitment to meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. And the simplicity of the silhouette is effortlessly versatile and timelessly transcends trends.
We use ours all the time and we still get just as many compliments today as the first day we bought it.
The Elena is also thoughtfully designed for everyday use. The magnetic closure keeps your belongings secure but is easy to open and close. And ample pockets give home to floating bits and pieces.
Beis The Work Tote
This is one of those purchases that we just can’t get over. No matter how long we’ve had it for. Priced at $128, it’s super affordable, yet rivals more expensive designer labels in quality and style.
We especially love the vegan leather in Cognac Croc for a slightly edgy take on an everyday classic. But all the brand’s colorways are equally versatile and classy.
When it comes to functionality, The Work Tote is an absolute powerhouse. The bag features tote handles, as well as a padded, adjustable shoulder strap for a hands-free carry option. The interior features every detail you could think of—from key leashes to pen slips. And the exterior features easily accessible pockets, a water pouch and a convenient travel-friendly luggage sleeve.
Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote
Known for creating “fewer, better” things, we absolutely adore Cuyana’s minimalist designs when building our capsule wardrobe.
As with all Cuyana accessories, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the Classic Easy Zipper Tote. And now we simply can’t put it down.
The oversized silhouette is super spacious, with the capacity for a weekend away (depending on how much you pack.) The zippered closure means that you don’t have to worry about the less-structured silhouette falling over. And the shoulder straps hit at just the right height for a larger tote.
The Cuyana zippered tote bag only has one zipped pocket and one stretchy pouch on the inside. But sometimes an uncomplicated, roomy interior is actually more useful than a compartmentalized one—especially if you’re packing larger items.
Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Tote
The modern, minimalist Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Tote is, as the name implies, pretty perfect for everyday use. And while it’s more expensive than many of our other favorite totes, it’s a timeless bag that we continue to use and love from one season to the next.
Made from the Italian brand’s buttery leather, the bag is soft, smooth and impossibly sumptuous. At the same time, it’s engineered to last a lifetime, with robust handles that are reinforced to carry a heavy load with ease.
The Everyday Soft Tote is structured and doesn’t fall over when placed down. And it comes with a detachable pouch, meaning that we don’t have to take our entire bag when popping out of the office for coffee.
Best for: Everyday ensembles.
Longchamp Le Pliage Original Tote
Inspired by the art of origami, this folding tote screams flexible versatility. Whether you’re a university student or a hard-working mum, the Longchamp Le Pliage is designed to facilitate a life-in-motion with an extra fashionable flair.
A large weekender one minute, a compact crossbody the next, the foldable design is genius. Once unfolded, the spacious interior is roomy enough for a weekend away (even with a couple of pairs of shoes.) But the lightweight design is just as appropriate for everyday excursions and office commutes.
Bear in mind that the simple silhouette doesn’t have a laptop sleeve or pockets, but this also adds to the versatility of the bag as you can tailor it to your own needs.
We love the leather accents on the Longchamp Le Pliage. They add a timeless sophistication to the intrinsic utility of the easy-to-clean, recycled nylon exterior.
Best for: Saving the day out of nowhere.
Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag
The Calpak Haven Laptop Tote is genius.
The organizational insert is removable, which means that you can use the bag as a compartmentalized work tote or a spacious travel tote bag.
The zippered removable insert features a padded laptop sleeve, big enough for a 16” laptop, as well as multiple compartments for water bottles, notepads and other smaller essentials. The removable insert also features stretch pockets on the outside, so when you look inside the bag, everything is neatly tucked into place.
Of course, without the insert, the Calpak Haven tote is big enough for those larger items, such as a change of shoes or a spare sweater. And we love that the design is sleek, simple and versatile enough for everyday use.
Best for: Keeping tricks up (in) your sleeve.
Buyer’s guide to finding the right tote bag
How to find the bag that is tote-ally (sorry we had to) right for you:
Size and capacity
We use our tote bags daily, running from one errand to the next. This means that we’re packing in extras such as snacks, a spare sweater and sometimes even a change of shoes. Therefore, in general, we go for tote bags that are larger in size and have the capacity to fit in more. We also just love an oversized style.
However, if you’re a minimalist mover with few daily essentials, it’s probably a better idea to go for a small or medium tote that is lighter and easier to carry.
Usage
The type of tote you choose, ultimately, should depend on what you intend to use it for. Is it shopping? The gym? Work? The beach or pool? Travel? A diaper bag? A book tote for college? If you’re looking for an occasion-specific tote, find a bag that is specifically designed for that intended purpose. That being said, in this article, we focused on versatile totes for everyday use.
Material
When choosing the best totes, we looked for materials that are durable, lightweight, easy to clean, sustainable and soft to wear. And while most of our favorite totes were made from premium leather, we also found great canvas tote bags, as well as sustainable totes made from organic cotton and recycled nylon.
The biggest thing for us is that the totes were light enough to carry for extended periods and durable enough to carry a heavy load.
Straps and handles
This is where many brands fall short. We tried so many totes that seemed great at first but when we tried them on, the handles dug into our arms or shoulders. Other bags were comfortable, but we could tell that the stitching wouldn’t last longer than a season.
In light of this, we paid close attention to the comfort and durability of straps and handles while testing the most popular tote brands.
Structure vs slouchy silhouette
The benefit of a slouchy tote is that it hangs flush against a wall and is usually easier to store. And the benefit of a structure tote bag is that it holds its shape and sits neatly on flat surfaces. The choice between the two usually comes down to personal preference.
We usually prefer structure tote bags, as they don’t crease easily and are easier to organize. But we’ve also found slouchy silhouettes that we absolutely adore.
Pockets and compartments
Pockets and compartments are really helpful for organizing smaller essentials in your bag. However, too many pockets can mean that the bag has less space for larger items. Therefore, we looked for pockets that were thoughtfully positioned to organize the interior, while maximizing space. Usually, they’re on the sides and don’t interfere with the middle main compartment.
Closure type
Many larger totes don’t close, making items more easily accessible. That being said, we prioritized tote bags that did close for added security.
When it comes to closure types, different designs have different benefits. A zippered tote bag is extra secure. And snap or magnetic closures are effortless to open and close. Again, which you choose comes down to intended use and personal preferences.
Frequently asked questions about the best tote bags for women
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