The best everyday bags need an effortlessly chic exterior and a spacious interior. Inside and outside, versatility is the most essential factor. Some editors count forever investments like quilted Chanel bags or triangle-printed Prada totes as their most-carried bags; others rely on affordable hidden gems with extra compartments and clever strap attachments. Whichever category you belong to, these are the five best everyday bags!
Freja New York Bag
For something more polished than a canvas shopper, genuine and vegan leather totes are more durable than cotton, meaning they can hold up for decades with proper care. However, the only problem with leather bags is they often feel heavy. But this $390 bag is different.
It’s made from lightweight vegan leather. People say it’s the best-looking (and feeling) faux leather they’ve ever seen when full. It holds everything you might need for work, including a 16-inch laptop, various chargers, and a water bottle.
Junes The Everyday Tote Bag
June totes are ideal for anything that needs to breathe, like gym clothes, groceries, or wet swimsuits, and they’re just $40. The straps are longer and thinner than many others, and it doesn’t slide down your shoulder every 20 seconds while walking.
This bag is perfect for the beach since sand falls through the mesh. The sturdy tote also has two interior pockets.
Baggu Tote Bag
With a roomy, laptop-friendly interior, an adjustable shoulder strap, zippered interior pocket, Baggu’s duck bag is the go-to for work, school, and everything in between. The $38 canvas tote is lightweight yet substantial.
While tote bag straps tend to slide off your shoulder, especially when wearing a thick winter coat, the Duck Bag’s adjustable crossbody strap stays put. Plus, it can withstand dozens of washes in the washing machine because it’s made from easy-to-clean cotton.
Medea Venti Bag
We all live in fear of the typical carryall bag. It’s too heavy and unwieldy, so you can never find what you need, e.g., your wallet, keys, phone, or book when needed. Instead, many carry a small handbag, what in old times was called a ‘purse’ or a ‘pocketbook,’ and a big-ish bag.
This beautiful $350 Medea bag fits a slender laptop and the LRB, plus a phone charger and one of those water sprays you use at 4 P.M. to look hydrated. It seems like a classic shopping bag with a sophisticated twist.
Cuyana Classic Easy Tote Bag
It doesn’t matter if you wear a bubbly Cecilie Bahnsen dress with chunky sneakers or a slouchy Everlane suit. The simple shape and creamy leather go with everything. The $270 bag also helps you work from anywhere; you have lots of space.
This bag can fit a 15″ laptop, your flask, a book or two, and a smaller bag you may pack for lunch or work appointments. The double handles make it comfortable to carry over your shoulder or in the crook of your arm. It’s easy, just like its name.
