What to consider when shopping for a work bag:
The best work bags for women need to be strong enough to carry all of your important belongings (your planner and stationery etc), but for many of us, they also need to be stylish. That backpack you took on a girls’ weekend away with you a few years ago won’t suffice, and neither will your trusty bum bag or cute mini bag. Sorry.
When shopping for a new work bag, consider these criteria:
- Is the interior spacious yet organised?: When testing, most of our editors noted how important a spacious interior is. Especially those who carry their laptops, books, makeup bag and even gym kit. The best work bags will have enough interior compartments to organise all of your belongings – and keep anything damp or dirty away from the rest. You’ll, at minimum, need something which has a small pocket for your phone, wallet and keys. And lip gloss, duh.
- Is the colour wearable? There’s no point in investing in a bright green work bag if none of your work outfits are, well, green. Consider buying a work bag in a colour that’s versatile and wearable. You need to be able to take it from commute to dinner in one fell swoop, whatever the time of year.
- Is the design timeless? Bright pattern and oversized branding might look cool for a hot minute, but will you like it this time next year? Invest in a work bag like one listed above which will remain in-style beyond the season you’re in. We’ve prioritised simplicity in our edit.
- Consider the straps: Most of our editors appreciated work bags with versatile or adjustable straps in their reviews, particularly if a bag only came with shoulder bags that quickly felt too heavy.
How to clean a work bag
This all depends on what yours is made of. Usually a dry cloth or slightly damp cloth should do the trick at removing any light scuff marks or spillages, but if you’ve invested in a leather work bag you’ll need to be extra careful. It’s worth purchasing a specific leather cleaner like this one from Handbag Clinic, or, if it’s a suede bag, treating it prior to taking it out with a suede protection kit like this one.
What to pack in a work bag
Your life’s possessions, duh. Just kidding; it’s actually recommended you keep it as light as possible to avoid back pain. Things like your laptop and water bottle are likely to be the heaviest and largest items, but probably the most vital too, so prioritise packing those first. Then decide what else you can’t live without; phone, purse/card holder, keys, Airpods/headphones, a snack. Anything that you can leave behind or purchase en route, do. It’ll save your shoulder in the long run.
If you’re less of a handbag, more of a rucksack kind of girl, then find the best laptop backpacks for women here (including neoprene styles and an Everlane design), as well as the best travel backpacks here. For more from Glamour UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.