It’s every corporate woman’s final straw. Finishing the day at the office and packing up your handbag, gym bag, lunch bag, and then realising you still need to take your laptop home.
Whether you commute is 10 minutes or an hour, investing in the right laptop bag is essential for making your trip to work—and the occasional bar afterwards—all that much smoother.
The Best Laptop Bags, According To marie claire
- Best Briefcase: Le Tanneur Emilie Briefcase, $1,400
- Best Leather: Mansur Graviel Everyday Soft Tote, $1,295
- Best Vegan: Samsonite Valerie Tote, $219
- Best Backpack: Cluse Le Reversible Backpack, $239
- Best All-Rounder: Rylan 7.44 Black Soft Grained Large Tote, $899
Luckily, gone are the days when laptop bags were strictly utilitarian. Now more than ever, we’re seeing brands reimagining the workday staple to incorporate sleek lines, polished hardware and luxe materials that feel as chic as your favourite handbag.
The best part is, many of these designs are versatile enough to pull a double shift—looking just as polished with a tailored blazer as they do with off-duty denim on the weekend.
Whether you favour minimalist leather totes, oversized carryalls or slimline briefcases, we’ve found investment-worthy pieces that are worth carrying every day.
Best For: Traditional briefcase
The Le Tanneur Emilie Briefcase is crafted from premium grained leather and designed to hold laptops up to 19 inches. Multiple compartments accompany a padded laptop pocket, allowing for effortless organisation. Top handles and an adjustable and detachable strap offer versatile styling—hand held, cross body or on the shoulder—whether you’re commuting or heading straight to after work drinks.
Best For: Modern elegance
A spin on the classic laptop bag, this Cuyana Double Loop Satchel is all about clean lines and supple pebbled leather. With an in built sleeve that will accommodate a 14-inch laptop, interior section that will fit up to 16-inch laptops and easy to access side pockets with magnetic closures, it’s an elevated design for your work commute.
Best For: Casual versatility
Roomy and relaxed, this Mansur Graviel tote proves that laptop bags can be both functional and fashion-forward. Made from supple Italian Tumbled Calfskin leather, it easily fits a 16-inch laptop alongside your daily essentials. The tote also features reinforced handles and an interior pocket, allowing you to carry all your items in one go.
Best For: Effortless carryall
Compact without compromising on function, the Tia Shoulder Bag is designed for days you want to carry your laptop, lunch, and even the kitchen sink. It’s lightweight design comfortably fits a 17-inch laptop, while sleek handles and removable belt buckle details keep it chic yet timeless. This bag will also carry you through work trips, with the back pocket unzipping to easily slip over your suitcase handles.
Best For: Everyday utility
Timeless and versatile, the Harvey Tote bag is a work wear essential. Its structured silhouette and spacious interior easily accommodate a 15-inch laptop, while tubular shoulder straps and a secure zip closure ensure comfort and peace of mind. Crafted from supple calf leather, it’s the ultimate everyday investment.
Best For: Parisian sophistication
For a laptop bag that doesn’t look like a laptop bag, Polène’s Ilo is one to reach for. Contemporary and sculptural, the butter soft leather works for tablets and laptops up to 16 inches when stored upright. The cotton fabrication is held into place by soft loops of smooth calf leather, so it looks equally sturdy and casual.
Best For: Hands-free commuting
For those that prefer a hands-free option, the Cluse Le Reversible Backpack is a clever mix of function and style. A spacious main compartment is padded for your tech, while multiple pockets allow for smaller essentials to remain within reach. The reversible design also allows you to switch up your look each day—perfect for commuters and travellers alike.
Best For: Timeless minimalism
The Audrey Tote from Oroton is a lesson in sleek minimalism. Crafted in Saffiano and smooth leather, it fits laptops up to 15 inches. With slider pockets, phone pocket, card slot and concealed external zip pocket, this is an everyday bag that can be relied on for years to come.
Best For: Modern twist
The Large Palais offers a refreshing and modern take on the laptop bag. The soft structured design fits a laptop, iPad and phone all at the same time, while thoughtful compartments keep everything organised. Made from supple European calf leather with comfortable plush handles and a padded shoulder strap, it’s designed to carry everything you need and more.
Best For: Relaxed luxury
Luxurious yet understated, Rylan’s 7.44 Large Tote is made from soft pebble-grained leather with a slouchy silhouette. Leather side ties allow you to reshape the bag, while its generous interior easily accommodates a large laptop.
Best For: Lightweight function
This lightweight tote from Samsonite carries more than meets the eye. Its slim shape is made from smooth nylon and fits a 14-inch laptop, while magnetic closure and detachable pouch mean you can access your essentials at a moment’s notice.
Best For: Travel ease
Ideal for both work and travel, the Juliette Tote is made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified PU coated fabric and comes with a laptop sleeve that will fit a large, 16-inch laptop. Its sturdy base means it will stand without support, and the the removable pass-through band that slides over luggage handles means it’s perfect for work trips.
The Cuyana Double Loop Satchel is LWG certified (Leather Working Group). LWG is the world’s leading environmental certification for the leather industry, and attests that Cuyana leather is tanned in an environmentally responsible way.
While all the bags mentioned are suitable to take on a work trip, the SABEN Tia Shoulder Bag and July Juliette Soft Large Tote are both able to slip onto your suitcase handle for ease when travelling.
Yes, they do. All bags mentioned above are able to fit a laptop comfortably. Some bags, such as the MAISON de SABRÉ The Large Palais are designed to hold a laptop, tablet and phone, as well as all your everyday essentials.
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