18 Tote Bags We Bring Everywhere, From Long Flights to Office Commutes

I’ve received so many compliments on this gorgeous structured bag from Cuyana—it’s been a great work bag, with plenty of space for my laptop, planner, Kindle, chargers, and other day-to-day essentials. I wasn’t sure how well it would function as a personal item as there’s not a zipper to fully close the bag, but on a recent flight trip to Aruba, I made use of the leather ties to keep items contained, and found it well-sized to slip under the seat in front of me, even with my toiletry bag and a sweatshirt stuffed inside. I’m also a big fan of the snap-to-close key leash, and the interior slips pockets and zipper pocket. —Madison Flager, commerce director

This bag is all about the pockets. No tote has ever kept me quite as organized as this one from MZ Wallace, a brand known for its signature quilted bags. It offers six interior pockets, five exterior pockets, and a detachable pouch, giving me a dedicated space for all of my essentials plus a whole lot more. I’m always impressed at how much this thing fits; an umbrella, my 13-inch laptop, a full change of clothes, and my lunch. The Medium Metro tote features ultra-soft shoulder straps, making it a go-to for commutes to the office. My favorite thing about this bag is how lightweight it feels even when full—it never digs into my shoulders or hurts my arms. More features that make this roomy tote a smart choice for travelers: a luggage sleeve, protective feet, and a detachable and adjustable crossbody strap. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

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I’ve never really had a work bag that I truly loved until I tried this one from Cuyana. What I appreciate about the System Tote are the additional organizational accessories that you can purchase to add a bit more structure to the interior. Aside from lugging it to and from the office each day, I use this tote as a personal item on the plane and brought it with me on a road trip to Acadia National Park, and have found it to be the ultimate travel companion. The built-in interior pocket is perfect for storing essentials you need to reach easily, like your passport, earbuds, or some petty cash, and since the bag can be snapped closed, you don’t have to worry about anything flying out. —Jamie Spain, travel bookings editor

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The bag is perfect in the way a red apple sitting on a teacher’s desk is perfect. It’s classic, without ornament, the kind of thing that expresses its utility in its design. It’s both ubiquitous and aspirational, stirring up images of a dreamy East Coast: a white-sand, Nantucket beach; a shabby, wood-planked boathouse on the coast of Maine; a Gothic-inspired Ivy League campus. If I owned this bag, I too could channel the chic simplicity of Carolyn Besette Kennedy. It can be used as a carry-on item, as a beach tote, or as a weekender. Simply having it out on display in your home has the power to imbue your space with a charming, outdoorsy vibe. —Jessica Sulima, commerce writer

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Made from durable, high-quality distressed leather, the Scarlett distressed leather tote from Noir Vére is designed to withstand the wear and tear of frequent trips. Its spacious interior easily accommodates everything from laptops to travel essentials, while the sturdy leather handles and adjustable shoulder strap provide comfort and convenience. Whether for a weekend getaway or a business trip, this tote ensures you travel in luxury without sacrificing practicality. —Jessica Chapel, commerce writer

Baggu’s Nylon shoulder bag is more durable than its canvas tote bags but equally as stylish. It’s slightly slouchy, slightly structured, and comes in the signature Baggu colors and patterns. The adjustable quilted shoulder strap allows for a crossbody fit, a must-have for me when I’m commuting into the office or walking longer distances (nobody needs their laptop sliding off their shoulder onto the sidewalk). The zip closure and interior pockets are handy for organizing miscellaneous goodies and preventing spillage. Plus, the lightweight material can easily be flattened to fit into my suitcase. I find myself continuously reaching for this multipurpose tote on my way to the gym, office, farmers market, and airport. —Hannah Towey, associate editor

After passing the gauntlet of a last-minute trip to the British Virgin Islands, I always keep the Foldie Travel Bag on me, whether it’s riding in my backpack during my daily commute or stuffed into my suitcase on longer hauls. The front pocket easily held my thick reading list and two Moleskine classic notebooks; the full 40 liters of space in the main compartment (with the expansion unzipped) fit a week’s worth of clothes, chargers for four different devices, and another bag filled with toiletry bottles, plus room to spare for souvenirs. Another perk: the two inner pockets and wet pocket proved useful in sorting out the bag’s increasingly chaotic contents.The luggage sleeve was a relieving bonus that allowed me to transfer the hefty weight of my zealous packing to my roller bag. —Kat Chen, editorial assistant, destinations

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Fashioned from water- and scratch-resistant Italian leather, the Kaai Midi Pyramid tote is designed to handle the rigors of daily commutes and international layovers alike. A padded laptop sleeve, interior pockets, and zip-top closure keep essentials secure and organized, while its sleek, architectural shape ensures you’ll look polished from gate to boardroom. —P.W.

Sentimentality may cloud my vision, for the tote in my possession belongs to my late grandmother. And when I tell you I was complimented frequently for it while in Italy, I mean I felt I needed to use the bag to beat back admirers waxing: “Wow, is Vera Bradley back?”; “Is it reversible?!”; “The textiles are so beautiful.” I often caught myself fantasizing about dumping it upside down to perform a “What’s in my bag” for nobody in particular—so capacious is the tote that I was needlessly carrying multiple novels within and rarely remembered to leave my toiletry kit on the hotel bathroom counter where it belonged. Handy pockets ringing the interior are just icing, and would have kept my passport safely inside had I ever been moved to act on the aforementioned dumping. —Charlie Hobbs, associate editor

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Just when I think I’ve run out of room, I haven’t. The expandable bottom of this Calpak laptop tote adds an extra four inches, allowing me to add last-minute essentials or souvenirs mid-trip. Like all products in the brand’s Luka collection, it’s made of a lightweight, ultra-soft, puffy exterior that makes carrying its handle easy. The material is also easy to clean—simply wipe away dirt or spills without a worry. Inside, there’s a padded 15″ laptop sleeve, multiple side pockets, and a zippered section to keep smaller items organized. Another feature I love: There’s a zippered pocket on the outside that keeps my phone or passport secure, while still being easy to access. It’s a great tote for commuters and thanks to its luggage trolley sleeve, an ideal carry-on bag for travelers. —M.K.

Some of the best tote bags serve as a solid backup when you don’t want to use your everyday purse or backpack. This minimalist leather and nylon tote from Longchamp comes in several neutral colors. Since it’s water-resistant, it’s a great bag to bring along if you suspect inclement weather. But the best part about this bag? You can fold it up into a tiny square and snap it closed, making it an easy choice to toss into your checked luggage.

The Arco is one of Bottega Veneta’s most recognizable luxury silhouettes. This version elevates the house’s signature intreccio leather into a soft, sculptural carry‑all. Crafted from lambskin with bonded suede lining, it is surprisingly lightweight for its size, making it a refined option for travelers who want elegance without sacrificing practicality. The interior features a detachable zip pouch to keep passports, chargers, and small essentials organized. The oversized shape easily fits a laptop, Kindle, and headphones. If you want a tote that looks like a designer handbag while being as functional as your favorite weekender, this one fits the bill.

Handcrafted from 100% genuine leather, this structured tote is designed for business travelers who require durability and organization. The padded compartment fits up to a 17‑inch laptop, and the interior pockets keep notebooks, chargers, and travel documents secure. The understated silhouette seamlessly transitions from an airport lounge to a client meeting, and the detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry through busy terminals.

With its rich caramel tone, iconic gold Cassandre clasp, and effortlessly slouchy shape, the Le 5 à 7 Bea tote is equally at home poolside in Palm Springs as it is browsing markets in Marrakech. Roomy enough for your in-flight essentials, but sleek enough for a nice dinner, it’s a splurge that pays off in polish and versatility—two things no tote bag should be without.

Effortlessly polished and endlessly practical, The Sak’s Los Feliz large leather tote offers the longevity that seasoned travelers seek out. Crafted from responsibly sourced leather with a roomy, unlined interior, it strikes the perfect balance between form and function. Multiple interior pockets keep your passport, tech, and travel-day needs organized, while the flexible structure slips easily under a plane seat or over your shoulder for city wandering. Understated and versatile, it’s the tote that goes wherever your itinerary takes you.

The Loewe Flamenco has been a staple for the brand since the 1980s. It’s come in many sizes and colors since its debut, but the XL Clutch offers the most space, easily holding a 15-inch laptop, water bottle, phone, passport, and a compact makeup bag. The bag is crafted with soft calfskin leather with an interior made from durable cotton canvas lining. The iconic cinched design is finished off with delicate knots at the end.

The Tulum medium tote by Naghedi is sleek, lightweight, and made from handwoven neoprene that’s both durable and water-resistant. Roomy enough for your in-flight essentials or a day of exploring, it features a matching zip pouch and easy-access magnetic closure. With its subtly frayed handles and minimalist design, it’s the kind of carryall that moves effortlessly from airport lounge to beachfront restaurant.

A more subdued version of the classic Louis Vuitton monogram, the OnThe Go tote adds a chic, sleek spin to any travel outfit. The Twin Toron top handles and two shoulder straps offer extra versatility and comfort.