Top 10 Best Women's Tote Bags in 2021 (Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, and More)

It’s time for some retail therapy. Here are ten totes for every occasion – whether you’re at a business meeting, visiting your in-laws for Thanksgiving, or grocery shopping in the rain.

The world of tote bags is deep and vast, and it never hurts to have a second opinion, especially when it comes to fashion! So we turned to Ana, who knows what it takes to look and feel good among the daily rush of modern life.

The old maxim “Don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t really hold true with fashion - most of the time we pick a design that we're immediately drawn to. However, a good tote bag is a workhorse and you'll probably want to take it with you everywhere you go. Take a moment to consider whether it will match your environment and lifestyle.

Fabric totes are lightweight, casual, and easy to care for. However, they may look out of place if you're somewhere fancy. Leather totes, with their sleek silhouette and toned-down colors, are pretty much guaranteed to look good in any setting, whether you're at a business lunch meeting or on a weekend trip with friends. 

Think about when you plan to use the tote and what you'll need to carry. Is it for overnight trips? Then it should be big enough to fit your toiletries, clothes, and maybe even an extra pair of shoes. Is it just for quick outings? In that case, a smaller size might be better, just big enough for your daily necessities.

If you're looking for a work tote, make sure it can fit letter-sized paper without dog-earing the corners. It may also need to fit your laptop, a power bank, and, as Ana pointed out, some energy bars and a treat or two. (And, if you’re out of the office a lot, something to keep you hydrated!)

How big is too big? We wouldn’t go much larger than a foot on any side. While an extra-large tote can fit a multitude of items, it will quickly become heavy and unwieldy.

The material of a bag is important. It determines the entire look of a bag, how it will age, and whether or not it will stand up to the elements.

Leather ages gracefully. In Ana’s words, “The more you use [leather bags], the shinier and richer they get.” You can dress up an outfit – a sleek, structured black tote is as classic with a suit as it is with a rumpled white shirt and jeans. Or you can dress down an outfit by pairing a grungy leather bag with some chunky boots.

If you're looking for a forever bag, leather is your best bet. While it's heavier than other materials, it's easy enough to care for, as Ana will explain below.

If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’re most likely familiar with nylon. Nylon totes are light, which means you can fill them up with heavy items. They’re durable, which means they won’t rip with age or the weight of those heavy items. And they’re water-resistant, which helps protect all items.

Many nylon bags are used as grocery bags, weekenders, or diaper bags. But if you choose one with a bit more structure and detailing, you could just as easily carry it to the office.

Fabric looks soft and breezy in summer. Many fabric totes are weekend-casual, but again, if you get one with structure and thoughtful accents, it won’t look out of place at the office.

Linen, hemp, and cotton are popular tote bag fabrics. Linen and cotton are thinner and lighter; they fold readily and make good backup bags. Canvas is sturdy and possibly the best choice if you need to carry anything heavy, like a laptop or textbooks.

Tote bag closures range from buttons to zippers to no closures at all. If you take the train to work and you’re standing body-to-body with other commuters, do yourself a favor and get a tote with a zipper. It will act as extra insurance against jostling crowds and pickpocketers. 

See if the handles are long enough for the tote to hang comfortably from your shoulder. If it includes a shoulder strap, even better. Inner pockets help you organize your stuff; they won’t just ensure you can find things quickly, but they also might help you fit more in by properly divvying up the space. 

We’ve run the entire gamut of bags, from high-end to affordable pieces that simply work. These are our favorites, and we hope you see something that works for you. But if not, don’t stress! Just keep our tips in mind and keep looking.

Because, as Ana told us, “If you only ever wanted to have one bag, then pick the one that calls out to you the most.” We all have different lifestyles and different fashion styles. So find a well-made bag that fits you, and you'll have it for years to come.

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