by Clutched.
Office Bags for Women
Few accessories define your day quite like the work bag. It’s where power dressing and practicality intersect, the need to fit everything from your laptop to your lipstick. Below, we’ve broken down the season’s best across four key categories including shoulder bags, totes, top‑handles and backpacks, so you can choose exactly what your schedule demands.
Shoulder Bags – Your Go‑To Carryalls
The best shoulder bags have enough space to carry a tablet or notebooks, but subtle in their branding so that they complement everything from a blouse to a blazer. Look for streamlined curves, concealed hardware and straps that sit comfortably on the shoulder even when packed to the brim. These styles can stay with you well after you’ve left work and hit the local for after work drinks, if that’s your thing!
Brown Shoulder Bags for Work
Bottega Veneta
Parachute Intrecciato Medium Fondant Leather Shoulder Bag – £3,990
The Row
India 15.75 Dark Brown Leather Shoulder Bag – £5,240
Stylish Bags for the Office
Balenciaga
Rodeo Medium Cloud Grey Leather Top‑Handle Bag – £3,250
Valentino Garavani
Superstar Medium Two‑Tone Leather Shoulder Bag – £2,290
Black Leather Work Bags for Women
Marc Jacobs
The Snapshot DTM Convertible Black Leather Shoulder Bag – £225
Coach
Brooklyn Black Leather Shoulder Bag – £495
Alexander McQueen
T‑Bar Black Leather Shoulder Bag – £1,550
Khaite
Audrey Black Pebbled Leather Top Handle Bag – £3,010
Proenza Schouler
Tate Black Leather Shoulder Bag – £2,265
Polène
Cyme Edition Textured Black Leather Handbag – £420
Tote Bags – When You Need a Desk in Your Hand
Totes need to take on a dual personality, capacious enough to accommodate laptops, lunch boxes and last-minute purchases, but refined in their proportions. Opt for pared-back panels in tonal leathers or materials like suede and coated canvas, and pay attention to handle drop and opening width, small details that determine whether this is just another carryall or your new weekender bag.
Black Leather Totes for the Office
Alaïa
Mina 20 Laser-cut Noir Leather Tote Bag – £1,600
Toteme
Lounge Large Leather‑Trimmed Black Suede Tote Bag – £1,240
Max Mara
Whitney Bag 7 Large Pleated Black Leather Tote – £2,165
Lié Studio
Norma Black Leather Tote Bag – £650
Burberry
Black Leather Medium Strand Bag – £1,790
Savette
Tondo Large Textured Black Leather Tote – £1,510
Saint Laurent
East West Large Textured Black Leather Tote – £1,115
Blue Leather Totes for Work
Mulberry
Amberley Large Night Sky Matte Big Croc Top‑Handle Bag – £1,195
Versitle Totes for the Office
Gucci
Ophidia GG Supreme Coated Canvas Tote Bag – £1,440
Bottega Veneta
Ciao Ciao Sea Salt Calf Leather Top-Handle Tote – £4,390
Métier
Private Eye Dark Green Leather Tote Bag – £4,050
Brown Leather & Suede Totes
Chloé
Chloé Spin Clay Brown Grained Leather Tote Bag – £1,250
Gucci
Softbit Maxi Textured Brown Leather Tote Bag – £2,560
Ferragamo
Hug Medium Brown Leather Tote Bag – £2,150
DeMellier
The New York Deep Tan Suede Top‑Handle Bag – £495
Furla
Brandy Calf Leather Tote Bag – £320
Backpacks – Hands‑Free Icons
Backpacks have shed any notion of being strictly casual. This season’s styles balance formality with freedom, offering sleek profiles and smart closures. From tech‑ready nylon to tactile leathers, these backpacks are perfect for commuting, client meetings or weekend city explorations.
Brown Leather Backpacks for the Office
Miu Miu
Cognac Leather Backpack – £2,450
Coccinelle
Beat Generation Large Cognac Leather Shoulder Bag – £330
Black Backpacks for Work
Dolce & Gabbana
Black Calfskin Nappa Leather Backpack – £2,400
Moncler
New Trick Water‑Repellent Black Tech Backpack – £945
Prada
Re‑Nylon 1978 Small Black Backpack – £1,650
Whether you need to command a boardroom, commute, or carry the contents of your entire weekend, 2025’s roster of women’s work bags has you covered. Pick the piece that aligns with your routine and let it deliver style and support—every single day.
*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
How to Carry a Work Bag Without It Carrying You
Don’t Let Your Bag Dictate Your Look
Treat your work bag like you would a jacket, it should complement the outfit, not overwhelm it. A structured black tote? Pair it with soft tailoring or a longline knit. Something oversized and tonal? Use it to anchor monochrome layers. It’s all about maintaining control.
Leather Doesn’t Always Mean Formal
There’s something unexpectedly fresh about taking a supple brown tote to an office that’s all glass and grey. It softens the boardroom aesthetic without veering casual. Similarly, textured finishes, pebbled, suede, even coated canvas — shift the tone.
Backpacks Belong in Fashion Now
The right backpack is no longer a student cliché. Look for clean shapes, low-shine hardware, and discreet branding. Wear with a trench, wide-leg trousers and an unbuttoned shirt for a look that says ‘I work in design’ — even if you don’t.
Crossbodies at Work? Absolutely.
The smaller crossbody is having its moment. And yes, it can work Monday to Friday, particularly in minimalist palettes or monochrome leather. Pair with anything oversized: a blazer, boxy knit or even a trouser suit.
Tote Smart, Not Big
If your bag’s size is the talking point, it’s probably doing too much. Instead, think proportion. Large totes work best with clean lines, minimal detail and no shouting logos. You want it to say “editor,” not “PR sample haul.”
Day-to-Night? It’s All in the Edit
Not every work bag needs to go out after 6pm. But if it is doubling up, remove anything too obviously utilitarian, laptop sleeves, cables, receipts. A quick outfit shift (swap trainers for slingbacks, add a cuff) and it’ll carry on just fine.
Our seasonal handbag colour trends edit can help you find the perfect bag to suit your needs and personlity.
