15 of Our Favourite Tote Bags for Business and Pleasure

One of my favourite American brands, Proenza Schouler, is the ultimate in classic luxury. Beautifully designed garments using luxe fabrics compliment their growing range shoes and accessories. Making its foray into the world of it-bags, Proenza Schouler started off with an oversized satchel called the PS1 in 2008, quickly becoming a celebrity favourite. Using sumptuous leathers with minimal branding, Proenza Schouler releases several new styles a season, all of which are covetable in the own right.

This tote is at the top of my list for a reason. Perfectly sized straps so you can sling ir over the shoulder, plenty of room inside to carry all the necessities and most importantly, a timeless design that will last a lifetime.

Proenza Schouler Drawstring Tote, $2,610.29, Shopbop

Copenhagen-based ready-to-wear fashion brand GANNI is well known for its Scandi-style cool-girl style – feminine with a carefree and fun edge. Prairie-core dresses paired with chunky knitwear and boots feature regularly in their campaigns. This western influence was front and centre of GANNI’s accessories ranges, especially their footwear and bags. The decorative contrast stitching on smooth leather of this tote bag adds that GANNI-twist we’ve all come to love.

Ganni Brown Medium Western Tote, was $460 now $354, SSENSE

If you fell in love with the Proenza Schouler tote bag at the top of our list but feel it’s a little out of reach budget wise, then look no further than PS’s younger sibling, Proenza Schouler White Label. Their Mercer Tote in smooth calf leather ticks all the boxes. It’s big enough to carry your laptop plus all the necessary cables, a water bottle, cosmetics bag, and there’s a cute pouch attached so your cardholder and keys don’t fall to the bottom of your bag.

Proenza Schouler White Label Mercer Large Leather Tote, $930.56, Net-a-Porter

When you want to carry a sophisticated tote bag but can justify the big bucks, we recommend opting for a bag made of sturdy farbric such as canvas or nylon. They are easily cleaned and able to withstand all the knocks a bag can take. Madewell’s The Canvas Medium Transport Tote in a khaki green colourway is the perfect allrounder. This bag has plenty of pockets, with inrenal patch and zip pockets and a big patch pocket on the front for ease of access. The contrasting leather handles are a great length to hold the bag or carry on the arm, and the removable (and adjustable) shoulder strap gives you the opton to wear as a cross-body style. 10/10.

Madewell The Canvas Medium Transport Tote, $140.65, Shopbop

There’s more than one reason why Madewell bags have made a couple of appearances on this list. Their designs are not only chic, they are also affordable. Think of them as your brand for elevated essentials. This leather tote in a classic colour of tan or black is no exception. Using the same clever design as The Canvas Medium Transport Tote, the Sydney Tote has top handles for carrying by hand as well as an adjustable shoulder strap. The style is ideal as a work bag, and eliminates the need to carry a separate laptop bag and handbag.

Madewell Sydney Tote, $287.93, Shopbop

It’s no secret that handbag brand DeMellier is on the rise, and for very good reason. This mid-priced brand has been carried by the likes of celebrities like Emily Blunt and Beyonce, and members of the Royal Family such as Kate Middleton and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. But more importantly, it’s the philosophy behind the creatin of the brand that makes.

DeMellier’s bags are expertly crafted in factories in Spain and Italy, with philanthropy and sustainability at the core of everything they do. Their New York tote can be described as a classic modern piece that would look perfect draped on the arm, taking you from the office to dinner with absolute ease.

DeMellier New York Tote, $908.88, Shopbop

If French luxury is what you’re after, but at a more affordable price-point than most luxury fashion houses, then Instagram’s darling of fashion Jacquemus will tick all of your boxes. Jacquemus’s playful take on the popular basket bag, a which has made a big comeback, is as paylful as it is classic. With hot pink leather detailing and Jacquemus’s signature gold branding, this summer-inspired tote bag will give you instant it-girl status. Looks may be important, but you can’t ignore practicality when it comes to tote bags. Sporting two different handle lengths, this tote allows you to can carry it by hand or sling it comfortably over the shoulder.

Jacquemus Le Panier Soli Leather-trimmed Straw Tote, $710, Net-a-Porter

Luxury leather goods company Métier makes timeless pieces with a purposeful design philosophy. Handmade in Italy, Métier bags are made to last forever. Butter soft leathers are paired with solid brass hardware to create pieces that are times but with a modern sensibility. Their totes are just as divine as the rest of their bags, like the Market Weekend Leather Tote. The twisted base is designed to sit comfortably against the body, and wide handles that attach from the corners to create the perfect. And the positives don’t stop there, with two concealed exterior zipper pockets, an interior pocket and detachable pouch when you don’t want have as much to carry.

Metier Market Weekend Leather Tote, $3,736.96, Net-a-Porter