13 Best Designer Tote Bags for Every Type of Shopper
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Let’s talk designer totes, shall we? A tote is essentially the real-life version of a Mary Poppins bag — they’re large, roomy and can fit a surprising amount of items. All purses are not created equally, and tote bags are at the top of our must-have list. They’re practical, they’re functional and they’re often completely necessary. If you’re a teacher or a commuter, a tote bag is your best friend — not only will they store your laptop, but a change of shoes, hand sanitizer and extra masks too.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out a range of totes for every type of shopper. Whether you’re in the market for a leather tote, a beach tote, a carry-on tote or even just an everyday tote, we’ve got you covered. Read on for more!
Best Tote for Work
This is the perfect work bag — although it is large, the design is still sleek and sophisticated. You won’t have trouble matching it with whatever outfit you’re wearing to the office. It has the capacity to fit a laptop if you carry one around with you, plus much more. It’s split into three different compartments on the inside as well so that you can stay organized!
Get the Coach Willow Leather Tote for $350 at Nordstrom!
Best Tote for Travel
This extra large bag is definitely a weekender that can carry everything you need for a quick trip. The bottom compartment is ideal for storing shoes to keep them away from clothing that’s kept up top. There’s also a laptop compartment inside where you can safely stow your tablet or computer!
Get the Béis Travel Travel Tote for $98 at Nordstrom!
Best Everyday Tote
Regardless of what you need a bag for, this is a tote you can count on. It’s made from a sturdy canvas material that’s great for work, grocery shopping, travel and anything else! It’s also super easy to fold up and fit in a smaller purse if you need extra carrying capacity on-the-go.
Get the Marc Jacobs Traveler Canvas Tote for $215 at Nordstrom!
Best Beach Tote
We adore this beach bag not just due to its stunning standout design, but also because of the advantages it provides. The scarf tie detail is impactful for keeping sand from falling inside the bag so you don’t end up taking too much of the beach back home with you. It’s also a strong summer staple to carry around wherever you go during the season!
Get the Ella Printed Straw Basket Tote Bag for $498 at Tory Burch!
Best Leather Tote
When investing in a leather tote, you want to make sure that you’re buying a style that will last, which is exactly what you’re getting with this tote. The leather is smooth, the shape of the bag is timeless and it’s the type of bag that will go with anything!
Get the Madewell The Sydney Leather Tote for $188 at Nordstrom!
Best Tote for Moms
The reason why we love this tote for moms would have to be the straps. You can carry it with the top handles around your elbow or use the longer straps to throw it over the shoulder — they are thicker to make it more comfortable if you’re traveling with heavy cargo.
Get the Botkier Bedford Leather Tote (originally $278) on sale for $168 at Nordstrom!
Best Tote for New Moms
New moms tend to carry around a slew of possessions if they’re out and about with their newborn, which is why this convertible tote is a miracle! If you need to keep your hands free, you can wear it as a backpack and switch it to the tote style when it’s convenient for you.
Get the Carhartt Legacy Women’s Hybrid Convertible Backpack Tote Bag for $55 on Amazon!
Best Large Tote
Look no further if you need a true Mary Poppins bag that will carry way more than you need for a day! The extra large silhouette makes sure that you have room for everything you may need, and the fashion-forward design is bound to collect compliments.
Get the Ted Baker London Jimma Large Faux Leather Tote Bag for $175 at Nordstrom!
Best Small Tote
If you were to take a classic satchel-style tote and shrink it down to a more manageable size, this is exactly what you would get! It has all of the classic details that totes have in a smaller package, which is excellent for days when you don’t need to carry as many items.
Get the Walker Small Satchel for $398 at Tory Burch!
Best Tote With Pockets
This bag has four slip pockets on the inside and two pockets on the outside, plus an extra roomy interior so that you can carry a solid amount of items while keeping them all in place. This is another tote which is multi-functional and can be worn anywhere!
Get the Michael Kors Women’s Jet Set Saffiano Top-Zip Tote for $198 on Amazon!
Best Tote For Laptops
This bag actually has a hidden padded sleeve compartment in the back that can fit up to a 14″ laptop or a tablet to keep it safe and protected. The design is perfect for work or travel if you’re taking electronics with you on-the-go and want to make sure that they don’t get damaged!
Get the Tumi Voyageur Sheryl Nylon Business Tote for $445 at Nordstrom!
Best Tote With Zipper
This simple straightforward tote has a double-sided zipper that keeps all of your items secure. It gets bonus points for its large size and packable design that’s great for traveling!
Get the Tumi Voyageur Just In Case® Packable Nylon Tote for $100 at Nordstrom!
Best Waterproof Tote
This simple tote is super lightweight and made from a sleek nylon material that keeps your items inside dry and safe if you happen upon wet weather. It’s an iconic bag that’s been around for decades, and we absolutely adore it!
Get the Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote for $145 at Nordstrom!
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