In my heart of hearts, I know one thing to be true: I’m a sucker for a great accessory. Something that elevates my everyday and adds a little je ne sais quoi to an outfit? Absolute perfection.
So it’s no surprise that handbags are something I love to invest in — especially at the start of a new year. And while we all admire a Khaite or The Row bag in theory, the styles I’m most drawn to usually sit at a more attainable, mid-range price point.
The Best Tote Bags, According To marie claire
- Best Oversised: Victoria Beckham The Victoria Soft Suede Tote, $3,025
- Best Structured: DeMellier The Stockholm Tote, $1,200
- Best Relaxed: MARGESHERWOOD Grandma Used Bag Large, $920
- Best Vegan: Rylan Alt-Leather Woven Small Tote, $399
If you’ve always associated tote bags with being purely a work bag, you’re not alone. But while the totes of years gone by were strictly utilitarian, today’s designs are anything but. We’re now seeing endlessly chic silhouettes flooding our feeds.
From oversized, slouchy carry-alls to structured styles that feel sharp and professional, there’s a tote to suit every taste and lifestyle.
Whether you’re heading back to the office and want the ultimate work-to-drinks bag, or simply have your eye on a fabulous new accessory, consider this your guide.
Read: This Australian Bag Brand Wasn’t On My Radar—Now I’ve Been Wearing It For Weeks
Victoria Beckham The Victoria Soft Suede Tote
Best For: Oversized Tote
If you’re looking for a tote that will hold everything — laptop, water bottle, makeup bag and more — this is it. The Victoria is made from supple suede, and has leather straps to easily sling over your shoulder or hold while on the go.
With an internal pocket, an open top and a wide, generous opening, it’s ready to be filled with all your everyday essentials.
St. Agni Bateau Tote
Best For: Contrasting Textures
The Bateau tote from St Agni is the ultimate functional everyday bag. Made from suede with leather trimmings, it’s the perfect mix of soft yet structured. An ideal bag if you need somewhere to throw your essentials in a hurry.
Ideal for when you need to toss your essentials in and go, it features a magnetic closure for quick access and an internal pocket for things like keys and cardholders.
OSOI Tote Brocle Bag
Best For: Playful Structure
The OSOI Brocle Bag blends Korean it-girl style with practical design. The perfect amount of distressed and adorned with a buckle, this bag is perfect for work or weeknight dinner.
Multiple compartments and a hook closure help you keep your essentials neatly organised and easily within reach.
DeMellier The Stockholm Tote
Best For: Superior Craftsmanship
Sleek, structured and spacious is exactly how I’d describe the DeMellier Stockholm Tote. Oh, and did I mention suede? If you’re after a tote bag that will fit all your items without being slouchy, this is it.
With a central pocket for a laptop, external pocket for essentials and elongated handles, it’s an effortless carry-all.
The Horse Teddy Tote
Best For: Laidback Leather
By contrast, the Teddy Tote from The Horse is perfect for those who want a naturally slouched everyday bag. Supple leather makes carrying this generous-sized tote a dream, while it remains unlined to keep the weight down.
Big enough to fit a laptop, book, water bottle and more, plus a zip pocket for security, this is a minimalist’s dream tote.
Oroton Emilia Tote
Best For: Streamlined Structure
The Emilia Tote is your go-to everyday companion when you want functional sophistication with a subtle textural twist. Crafted from premium smooth leather, it features three organised compartments and a top zip closure to keep everything secure and easy to find.
The lightweight, unlined interior and sturdy shoulder straps make it ideal for carrying a tablet, notebook and all your daily essentials with ease.
Dragon Diffusion NS Diagonal Triple Jump Tote
Best For: Everyday Texture
This Dragon Diffusion Triple Jump Tote turns everyday utility into an artisanal statement. Hand-woven from buffalo leather in a diagonal weave, it has a boxy shape with braided handles and an open top that’s perfect for slipping in your essentials on the go.
The unlined interior keeps the feel effortless and airy, while the woven texture adds depth and character to any look.
MARGESHERWOOD Grandma Used Bag Large
Best For: Relaxed Leather
The Grandma Used Bag brings vintage-inspired charm to contemporary everyday wear. The leather will continue to soften over time, giving it a lived-in look that only gets better with use.
The rectangular silhouette with belt detail and double handles is an effortless carry-all — perfect for days when you want your bag to feel like a wardrobe signature piece. A slip pocket inside keeps smaller essentials within easy reach.
Charles & Keith Lyla Tubular Sloucy Tote Bag
Best For: Versatile Wear
A relaxed but refined tote, the Lyla Tubular Slouchy Tote from Charles & Keith is all about sculptural style. It’s created in soft nappa leather with double top handles and an adjustable shoulder strap that gives you carry options from errands to night outs.
Its slouchy shape feels effortless, yet it’s structured enough to hold your daily essentials in easy reach — from your wallet to your phone and sunglasses.
MAISON de SABRÉ The Bucket Soft Tote
Best For: Slouched And Spacious
The Bucket Soft Tote from MAISON de SABRÉ is a fun take on the everyday tote. Featuring a bucket-style shape in rich leather, it offers a roomy and colourful interior that makes daily carrying feel elegant yet practical.
Soft, flexible leather gives this tote a luxurious tactile feel, while its streamlined silhouette complements both casual and polished outfits, making it a versatile piece that transitions from brunch to errands with ease.
Freja NYC Paloma Tote Bag
Best For: Organisation
The Paloma Tote Bag is made from premium pebbled vegan leather, and features twin slim straps and a top magnetic closure for quick access. The multiple compartments help you organise your essentials while maintaining a clean, streamlined look.
Stylish yet practical, this tote is perfect for everyday use with a polished, chic finish.
Toteme Suede Day Tote Bag
Best For: Everyday Luxury
The Toteme Day Tote is an elevated everyday classic for those who like luxe minimalism. Crafted from supple suede with clean lines and a roomy interior, it transitions effortlessly from work to weekend.
The two-way zip gives you flexible access, while comfortable top handles mean you can wear it your way — slung over your shoulder, in the crook of your arm or by hand.
Motto Director Tote Bag
Best For: Chic Functionality
The Dark Brown Director Tote is an elevated everyday essential with a refined, structured silhouette and a rich chocolate finish. Designed for everyday functionality, it blends refined style with practical storage.
Roomy enough for your laptop and daily necessities, it features an organised interior designed for busy schedules. The streamlined shape elevates any outfit, making it an easy choice for work, travel and everything in between.
Rylan Alt-Leather Woven Small Tote
Best For: Non-Leather Alternative
The Rylan Alt-Leather Woven Tote takes a textured woven silhouette and gives it a modern twist in recycled vegan leather. Compact yet eye-catching, it comes with a magnetic closure and an internal logo-embossed pouch — perfect for keeping essentials neatly contained.
The woven design elevates a classic shape, making this bag ideal for day-to-night wear with a fashion-forward edge.
Tote bags are popular because they do what very few accessories can: look good and work hard. Tote bags genuinely fit into real life — big enough to carry your laptop, water bottle, makeup bag and everything in between.
These days, absolutely yes! A structured leather tote can feel polished and professional, while a slouchy suede or canvas style instantly reads effortless and off-duty. In other words, there’s a tote for every version of your day.
