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The Insider Pick:
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Finding a tote bag that is not only stylish but also big enough to carry all your belongings can be tough. Our top pick is the Everlane Day Market Tote because this sleek, 100% Italian leather bag is affordable, roomy, and well crafted.
Every working woman has lived the struggle of trying to fit everything she needs to get through the day into her handbag. Many of us even resort to carrying multiple bags full of stuff on our daily commutes.
After my last tote bag’s straps ripped — thanks to me constantly cramming more items into it than the delicate bag could hold — I set out to find a durable bag that could fit everything I could possibly need, including a 15-inch laptop.
While there are plenty of tote bags out there, it was trickier than anticipated to find a bag that was as fashionable as it was functional. But after much research and testing by the Insider Picks team, we managed to find five sturdy totes that are large enough to store anything you could imagine.
Our picks are all super stylish so you’ll want to carry them both in and outside the office. Perhaps best of all, every single one of these tote bags costs less than $ 300.
Whether you are looking for a tote that can charge your electronics or one that offers customization, we have a tote bag for you.
Read on in the slides below to learn why the Everlane Day Market Tote is our top pick, and why you might also like the Cuyana Oversized Carryall Tote, the Banana Republic Portofino Knotted Charging Tote, the Dagne Dover Legend Tote, and the Michael Kors Kelsey Nylon Travel Tote.
The best tote bag overall
Everlane
Why you’ll love it: If you are looking for a durable and affordable bag that can hold more than just the essentials, the Everlane Day Market Tote is your best bet.
The Everlane Day Market Tote is a covetable bag made from 100% Italian leather, that will keep you looking polished all day long. The versatile structured bag is crafted in Florence, Italy and made to be worn with both casual and formal attire. You can choose from red, black, brown, and tan color options.
This is the bag that I actually purchased after my extensive search, and I couldn’t be happier. I ended up on a waitlist for three months to get the Cognac color option because it sold out multiple times, but it was well worth the wait. The popularity of the tote is largely thanks to Meagan Markle, who carried it during her first appearance with Prince Harry.
I am able to fit everything I could possibly need inside of this tote. Besides the essentials like a wallet, phone, and keys, I can slip in my laptop, a sweater, and a change of shoes.
I’m not the only one who loves this tote. The Insider Picks team gave it an excellent review. It also has a 4.67-star rating on Everlane’s website, with many reviewers saying they plan to purchase the bag in multiple colors. It’s also quite affordable in comparison with the competition.
Pros: Durable, spacious, classic design, comes in multiple colors
Cons: Can be a waitlist for certain colors
Buy the Everlane Day Market Tote for $ 165
Read our full review of the Everlane Tote on Insider Picks
The best tote bag that you can monogram
Cuyana
Why you’ll love it: The Cuyana Oversized Carryall Tote is a durable, spacious tote that can be customized with a cute symbol or monogram.
Fashion brand Cuyana was founded with the mission to “create timeless collections for the modern woman through carefully selected fabrics, precise silhouettes, and attention to detail,” and all that focus on design shows in the Oversized Carryall Tote.
The versatile tote has a detachable strap so it can be worn as a shoulder bag, or a handbag, and is made from pebbled Argentine leather. The bag features gold hardware including a full zipper closure to ensure your belongings never fall out.
Many of the brand’s other bags have been tested and positively reviewed by the Insider Picks team, and this tote is equally great in terms of quality and style. It’s a roomy, spacious tote that should hold all your essentials.
The tote comes in four different natural colors, and you can customize it with the addition of a monogram or embossed symbols like a heart, star, and four leaf clover.
Pros: Well made, zipper closure, roomy, can be personalized
Cons: The website warns darker clothing may rub off on the lighter color bags
Buy the Cuyana Oversized Carryall Tote for $ 265
Read our review of Cuyana bags on Insider Picks
The best tote bag that can charge your phone
Banana Republic
Why you’ll love it: If you want a tote bag that is large enough to hold all your belongings and charge your phone, grab the Banana Republic Portofino Knotted Charging Tote.
The Banana Republic Portofino Knotted Charging Tote is a sleek Italian leather bag that is spacious enough to hold all the essentials and then some. The tote features an interior zip pocket, three card slots, and two phone pockets to help keep things organized.
But its most exciting feature has to be its ability to charge your electronics as you head out for the day. The bag comes with a 2,600mAh battery inside that you can use to charge your phone, provided you have the right cable. That’s enough to charge most phones one to two times before you need to recharge the battery pack itself.
The stylish knotted bag comes in black, brown, and royal blue. While it looks quite structured in photos, one reviewer mentioned that it was “floppier” than expected but still a high-quality purchase.
Pros: Charges electronics, spacious, high-quality leather
Cons: Might not be as structured as some like
Buy the Banana Republic Portofino Knotted Charging Tote for $ 124.50 (originally $ 178.00)
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- The best watches for women that cost less than $ 200
- The best yoga pants you can buy
- The best women’s underwear you can buy
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