Show me your (travel) work tote - YouLookFab Forum

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Show me your (travel) work tote

viva

Veteran

I need a new work (travel) tote this year. I can't remember when I bought this one -- maybe 2 years ago? That may seem recent, but I work a work bag very, very hard. It travels as much as I do, which typically means quite a lot of xray conveyor belts, being stuffed under airline seats, etc.

This one (Tumi) is really showing wear -- lots of scratches on the leather. Plus - and this is what I cannot stand - it doesn't have sufficient pockets. No small pockets that help organize things that I reach for often, so for the most part everything goes into a big cavern and I wrestle to find what I need.

My ideal bag will have:

- Sufficient strength and capacity to handle at least one small laptop (on occasion, two) - plus a small cord bag packed to the brim; some paperwork; a ziplock of toiletries; phone, wallet, passport, keys; pens; a book; a small e-reader; a journal; a bottle of water and snacks
- Small, easy to find pockets for phone, wallet, passport, keys, pens
- Zip-top closure in case of rain or snow
- Style

Do you have a recommendation for my next bag?

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32 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

MZ Wallace bags aren’t super formal, being mostly lightweight nylon, but they have tons of pockets and are easier on the shoulders. https://www.mzwallace.com/shop.....15168.html Or https://www.mzwallace.com/shop.....12712.html

I have a dagne dover bag I thought would fill this niche but it is stiff and heavy, even when empty.

viva

Veteran

I knew you'd have a great recommendation, Ummlila. The first MZWallace one looks fantastic. Pricey, but this is an investment I can get behind. (Plus, my business turns 10 next week, so this could be a good anniversary gift. For myself.) Thank you for the idea!

Joy

Veteran

I use an Eddie Bauer backpack. Maybe not nice enough for business but has lots of pockets and extras. Second choice would be a nylon duffle small enough to be a second carry-on.

viva

Veteran

I've thought about a backpack, Joy. In particular, the Nomatic, a road warrior backpack I saw on kickstarter that looks pretty interesting.

https://www.nomatic.com/pages/nomatic-backpack

A nylon duffle would not work for me - not good for meetings, no pockets, etc.

Roxanna

Veteran

Check out M0851, viva. I use their large leather backpack and love it. Such sumptuous but lightweight leather!

Roxanna

Veteran

This is the one I use and love. It is not this boxy - it is actually more slouchy. Lots of pockets, tons of room, very practical, Lightweight and looks luxe. Also: goes on sale.
https://www.m0851.com/store/m0.....ine-cement

Anonymous

The most hilarious recent discovery : a GWP (aka free) huge big red faux leather tote from Elizabeth Arden. Based on the Celine design with the stick-out sides (technical term, ftw) . I was at my wits' end getting ready for a recent trip and decided to try it. It's really nice looking (or I wouldn't have used it) and it holds far more than any other tote I've used, yet was not obnoxiously large and stuffed under the plane seat with ease. I don't love that it's red, but for now, it's fine. I love that first MZWallace tote that Lisa shared. You should hear from the Longchamp crowd any time soon now

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gryffin

Veteran

sorry to hijack - but does anyone remember a tote that had interchangeable interior and exterior shells? I can't remember who posted the brand but I'd like to check them out if any knows what I'm talking about.

Colette

Veteran

I saw an ad for this company and thought to myself that if I needed a work bag I would check them out: https://www.loandsons.com/

viva

Veteran

Gryffin, I think it's loandsons - which Colette linked to. That tote looks really interesting, except no exterior pockets. It's a challenge. I love the look of the smooth exterior but I've found that great exterior pocketing makes traveling (and in general finding things) so much easier.

Thistle

Veteran

I actually bought a backpack.

It's not stylish, but it's practical, carries everything I need safely, and it's design distributes the weight and gets it off my low back.

I have a bad back, and one of the things the physical therapist and I worked through was certain body mechanics.

Here's the one I bought: https://www.osprey.com/us/en/p.....inder=true

They do have other options are prettier. But something to consider.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I travel A LOT, and use any of my Furlas, or my Valentino. They are VERY robust. But I don't need to carry a laptop.

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gryffin

Veteran

Viva & Colette - yes that's exactly the one. I did think it looked cool. Good point about the lack of pockets Viva. I'll be interested to know what you decide on. But thanks so much both of you for posting!! Appreciated!!!

Colette

Veteran

Another thought, I purchased an overnight bag from Lug and it's amazing. Pockets on the outside and inside galore! They are known for organization and one of the styles might suit your needs as a work tote. https://www.luglife.com

shiny

Veteran

I bit the bullet and got the Lo& Son's Seville laptop tote -- the 13 inch one (my laptop is 13 inch). It is not too overwhelming to my 5'0 frame, which was my key requirement.

What I like about it:

1. It comes with a leather shell and you can collect shells in various colors. I got it with basic Saffiano black and the leather is quite nice. I intend to get a second shell for the spring/summer (maybe white, maybe red... haven't decided yet).

2. It comes with a nylon "inner" that has a sleeve to go over your carry on bag. The nylon inner tote is super lightweight for travel, and you don't have to worry about it getting dirt on it when you put it under the seat in front of you.

3. You then tuck the leather shell into your carry on. It fits mine perfectly; I tuck my folded clothing inside an Eagle Creek Packet and then inside the leather shell, and lay that on top of shoes, toiletry kit, etc. This works if your trip is only a few days long. If you have a longer trip and need to pack more clothes, then the shell may not fit. In that event, I leave it at home and just take the nylon part. Of course the shell would also easily fit in a larger suitcase if you are checking baggage.

4. It has lots of compartments to keep you organized, yet remains compact and fairly flat. I can fit inside it: laptop; book (or iPad); charger and other cords, sunglasses, keys (it has a fob), work badge, snack, headphones, scarf, and then I use the Lo&Son's Waverly for wallet and phone and other purse stuff which can also fit inside. (I really like the Waverly as well: it's quite small and can be converted from a cross-body to a waist bag to a wristlet) You can squeeze in a water bottle as well, though it may not zip closed with that.

5. It zips closed!

What I don't like about it:

1. The straps. The leather is not that great quality compared to the shell and the straps are kind of stiff.

2. The snap that holds the strap to the shell: one of the snaps on my bag keeps coming unsnapped.

Regardless of those two issues, I really love the versatility of having "two bags in one" -- or more, if I get another shell. A vinyl tote with sleeve for comfortable travel, converting into a more professional looking leather bag once I arrive. As well as the size for me, and the fact it's not too wide at the bottom.

Nadya

Veteran

My favorites don’t meet your criteria. Besides the suggestions above, check out Dagne Dover - more compartments and get good reviews.

https://www.dagnedover.com

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Kate Spade cedar street racing stripe medium harmony Black/Pebble

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Anonymous

Here are mine.

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dakotacheryl

Veteran

This bag from Ink + Volt would tick off all of your requirements. I have the large version on order...loads of pockets including on the outside of the large version.

The only downside...it won't ship till later this year, I joined the Kickstarter Campaign for this tote.

https://inkandvolt.com/2018/01.....aptop-bag/

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Anonymous

Have you googled “diaper bag” or “modern diaper bag” or something like that. They seem really practical (shape and pockets) and don’t look like cutesy.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Le Pliage in black leather. Unlike my other two Longchamp bags, which developed holes *very* quickly, this one has held up marvelously since I bought it 2.5 years ago. It has an inner zip pocket, and an inner open pocket. It can easily hold my laptop, multiple glasses, phone, wallet, cosmetics, snacks, a light scarf, umbrella, etc. combined.

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Anonymous

Cheryl - I really like that Ink&volt bag - but can't see a price.......I'm also confused by companies using kickstarter to fund production , although I guess not everyone has access to a line of credit.....

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Lisa p the price in USD is $275...so not inexpensive, but the quality and features should keep me happy for a very long time.

I have participated in many Kickstarter projects. They don't actually charge your card until the project is green lighted. Did you click on the link to the Kickstarter page?

Anonymous

I did , but just saw a total $amt raised to-date. $275 seems fair.

K.M.

Veteran

I am on the same quest, so can't speak from experience, but thought I'd share a couple of options I've been considering. I also love (and need) bags with lots of pockets. As you put it so well, I hate when things get lost in the huge cavern!

The first find is the Stately Satchel by Betabrand (also featured in the three pictures). My one concern is whether it's roomy enough, and what their special leather looks like up close.

The second find is a Briggs and Riley. I hear wonderful things about the brand but I do wonder about the price tag for a nylon bag.

I'm curious to know what you finally decide!

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Briggs & Riley Baseline Luggage Large Tote

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Penny

Veteran

Seconding the Lo & Sons recommendations - I travel often and the OMG (https://www.loandsons.com/the-omg?product=101) is my go-to, which slips easily on a briefcase-size roller bag. Love the sleek design and features, including ample and creative pockets (eg, the slot for shoes, which I use for my toiletries in case I need to slip them out quickly). Good luck!

greycat6

Veteran

Another Lo&Sons OMG endorsement. Fits more than it looks like it will. I travel with a MSFT Surface, Kindle, bag of cords/chargers, water bottle, snack, cosmetic bag, medications, scarf plus trashy magazine or two for good measure and there is room to spare.

Do let us know what you decide. Good luck.

viva

Veteran

Thanks for all the recommendations, everyone!

It's so great to hear the endorsements for the LoandSons OMG, because that's pretty much where I had landed on my own. I'm not entirely sure yet, but I am close to placing an order. It feels like the one that is best suited to traveling, which really is the most important thing for me. It needs to be able to travel well and also go from the airport to client meetings/focus groups. I don't have to look corporate but I do have to look (and be) pulled together. I like the dome shape of it, too, and some of the less typical features like the shoe area. I can see using that for toiletries or even potentially for shoes, if I travel in sneakers and need to change into something more professional. Greycat and Penny, thank you. And Shiny, thanks for the Lo&Sons endorsement, even if the Seville isn't perfect. And also, Gryffin and Collette, for starting me down the Lo&Sons road.

Greycat and Penny, how did you decide between the OG and the OMG?

DakotaCheryl, I do love the Ink&Volt bag, but want something faster.

Lisap, I have supported a couple of kickstarter campaigns. I enjoy seeing products that are in the works and supporting the ones that looks really cool. I like the idea of helping get an idea off the ground. I mean, really, why should big business or the people with access to venture capital be the only ones to get to market? It's kind of fun to see what's out there and to get involved. (This episode of the podcast "How I Built This with Guy Raz," with Perry Chen about his vision for Kickstarter is really interesting -- I just listened to it a few days ago.)

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/5.....ickstarter

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I've seen the Lo & Sons totes in person, Viv. Well made, although bulky. Clients love them. The shoe area is fab because you can swap out footwear at the airport. I'm not sure all domestic flights allow you to bring that AND a carry on into the cabin though. That's tricky because it IS a bulky tote.

viva

Veteran

That's interesting, thanks Angie. My current work tote is pretty big, and I've never had an issue bringing both it and a roll-aboard onto a flight. Anyway, I've ordered the OMG, and we'll see how it looks, size-wise. Thanks for the real-life perspective - so nice to know you've seen them too.

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