We Stopped 72 New Yorkers to Ask About Their Work Totes

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Lauren Ro, Kitty Guo

In New York, awork bagis somewhat of a lifeboat: It should be large enough to hold your essentials — a laptop, lunch, and sometimes sparesandals— without being bulky. Italsoneeds to be durable enough to handle whatever the city throws at you, whether itsbiblical-level flooding on the subwayorhazy wildfire smoke. It’s not difficult to find a workhorse work tote, but finding a truly unique one that stands out amid the sea of Longchamps Le Pliages and monogrammed Lands’ End tote bags is more difficult. Just in time for the start of fall dressing and the end of Summer Fridays, three Strategist staffers took to the streets to find out which work bags stylish New Yorkers (and a few visitors) use every day. We approached professionals on their lunch breaks in Madison Square Park, interrupted friends chatting in Brookfield Place, and even challenged one person to tell us about her bag in the two minutes until the next subway arrived. We uncovered several gems — some from as far as India and Italy — all of which you’ll find below.

To note: Most of the bags we spotted are currently available. Some were vintage or out of stock, so we linked the closest bag we could find.

Leatherandfaux-leatherworkbags

Bailey Jones (Murray Hill, social media)

Photo: Bella Druckman
KKXIU Large Tote Bag
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“My sister put me on it first — she sent me the link. I think she was just looking for work bags that were dupes of expensive ones, but I really just wanted something that was super-slouchy and I would use for not just work. You can fit a laptop in it. I usually pack my lunch in it also.”

Aoife Harris (Harlem, PR)

Photo: Kitty Guo
Hoxis Oversize PU Leather Tote Bag
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“The brand is Hoxis, and I’ve had it for half a year. It’s perfect. Obviously, it’s massive, and it’s got this suede material on the inside, which is really nice. I carry my whole life in it. I can use it as a weekend bag too. Right now I’m about to go to work in literally two minutes, so I have a book, a sweater, my water bottle, another book, a bunch of pens. It also has this massive pocket here, and I have like 12 lip glosses in there.”

Cindy Keeya (uptown, tech)

Photo: Kitty Guo
Telfar Medium Shopping Bag - Black
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“I’ve had a Telfar bag since college. Not this one, but I had other ones. I think it started being popular in 2022, at least within the Black community. I needed a new bag for school. I got tired of having the North Face backpack, so I went with the medium shopping bag. I worked a lot during school, so I brought it over to my corporate life now. I’ve used it for three years. I’m thinking of getting another one. I have my laptop, my lunch box, whatever small things that you would have in a purse.”

Sarah (East Village, clinical research), Emerald Rucks (Upper West Side, student), and Megan Kirk (Jersey City, New Jersey, tattoo artist)

Clockwise from left: Photo: Kitty Guo; Photo: Bella Druckman; Photo: Bella Druckman.
Clockwise from left: Photo: Kitty Guo; Photo: Bella Druckman; Photo: Bella Druckman.
Free People We The Free Emerson Tote Bag
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“There are multiple sizes of this bag. They have a little one, they have this one, they have multiple colors. She’s a little tattered. I’ve had it for probably two years, maybe more. I love that it has so many pockets. Like, the outside pockets I love because I can have everything so accessible. God, there’s like four pockets just on the outside.” —S

“It’s the one that’sverypopular right now. I love it. It’s durable. It holds a lot of stuff. I like the color. I’ve had it for two years, so I’ve traveled with it. It’s my carry-on, so I use it as my personal item when I get there. My roommate actually has the black one, so we wanted to be matching.” —ER

“I’ve had it since December and it fits everything I need. I’m sleeping over at my girlfriend’s tonight, so I have a bunch of stuff in it. I’m a tattoo artist, so I have my machine in there. I have some skin care for the next morning, and I have another shirt — my whole overnight routine. It fits everything, and there’s still so much room too. The downside, though, is that it’s a little heavy. Even when it’s empty, it’s a bit heavy. I have terrible posture, so right now I’m actually trying to find a bag that’s not going to make me off-center too much. It’s not that bad, though. There’s a cross-body, too, which makes it easier to share the weight. I always get compliments on it.” —MK

Hasana Reed (Bushwick, marketing)

Photo: Bella Druckman
Freja Paloma Tote
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“This is a Freja bag. I will say it is a bit bulky, so I’m having issues because it’s very structured, which I like and I don’t like, because when you’re trying to stuff items in it, it gets super-big and bulky. But I graduated last year, so I got it as a little graduation-to-work thing. It’s always with me. Everything I need is in it.”

Emily Ao (Long Island City)

Photo: Bella Druckman
Quince Adeline Shopper Tote
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“I wanted a cute bag because I used to have a backpack. I researched different versions and this was the most practical, and it’s convenient with the price. It was a good balance between cute and practical and accessible.”

Folayan Jendayi-Lacey (Bedford-Stuyvesant, student)

Photo: Kitty Guo
LOVEVOOK Laptop Backpack
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“I actually just got it yesterday from Amazon. I’m starting college this year, so I really wanted a bag that can carry everything. I love all the compartments it has — it has one in the back for my wallet, it has a computer pocket. I have my computer in here right now. I have some books, my charger. It’s really comfy.”

Maggie Taylor (Hamilton Heights, lawyer)

Photo: Kitty Guo
Coach Soft Empire Carryall Bag 40
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“I got this bag for work. I don’t usually buy expensive bags — it’s not themostexpensive of what Coach has, but for me, it was expensive. I think it was like $700. I carry it every day. I’m five-three, and the strap was a bit too long, so I took it to the Coach store and they put two more holes in it for me. I’m not like a big bag person or a bag collector, but I thought the burgundy was a nice color that’s normal but not black or brown or tan. I got it in April and I’ve been carrying it every day.”

Campbell Matheis (Gramercy, financial services)

Photo: Bella Druckman
Dagne Dover Allyn Leather Tote - Medium
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“My mom and sister told me about it, so they’re my trendsetters, and I kind of followed suit. It fits so much. I have folders, notebooks, my computer. Today I have a shawl. I don’t need a new bag all the time, so I love durability, but it’s also New York City, so I want it to be fashionable.”

Angelique Carrillo (Westchester, media) and Branca (Long Island City, HR for City Transit)

From left:Photo: Bella DruckmanPhoto: Lauren Ro
From left:Photo: Bella DruckmanPhoto: Lauren Ro
Old Navy Large Carrie Tote Bag
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“I like a boho type of less-formed bag, a bag that is sloping. Also, I just needed something really big because I’m constantly carrying food, my water bottle,everything. Like I literally brought flip-flops with me so I could walk home from here.” —AC

“I got it at Old Navy. I got this one because I like the size and it fits my laptop. It has a thicker strap. And then I just added this bag charm.” —B

Sara I (South Brooklyn, marketing student)

Photo: Bella Druckman
Aldo Ysabellee Tote Bag
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“I actually got it as a gift for my 21st birthday from one of my friends. I believe it’s kind of a dupe for one of the popular bags, but it’s very versatile and I feel like I can use it for school or just going about. There are many compartments and it’s very spacious, so I can keep my laptop, my notebooks, and my personal items in it.”

Pranto Podder (Hudson Yards, film and photography)

Photo: Bella Druckman
Zara Solid Shopper Bag
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“I like the fact that it has a chain, and I like to keep my key chain and stuff there. It’s easy to carry, and it also has a magnet where you can snap it closed. I carry it every day. It’s my go-to bag when I’m on a bike.”

Marcia (Forest Hills, finance)

Photo: Lauren Ro
Tory Burch McGraw Satchel
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“I carry a lot of stuff in here. Wallet, phone, papers, bills. I’ve had it for about three years. I don’t always carry it, but I use it when I don’t bring my laptop with me.”

Nancy (Weehawken, New Jersey, finance)

Photo: Lauren Ro
Oleada Marina Caryall
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Oleada Marina Caryall

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“I have to bring my laptop back and forth, and many bags don’t have the capacity for it, but this has a compartment for my laptop. It has that quiet-luxury quality to it. Honestly, for $600, it’s worth it rather than spending thousands on a Louis Vuitton or something. I’ve had it for about a year.”

Komal (Queens, design)

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Strathberry Osette Leather Shopper Tote
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“It fits all my things: my laptop, my water bottle, a tiny little bag with all my tiny little things.”

Olivia Browne (Williamsburg, lawyer)

Photo: Lauren Ro
DeMellier The New York - Tan
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“It’s Demellier. I know it because my mom told me the royals wear it. My family is all from England. It was a law-school graduation present from my dad. I love it. I’ve used it for two years. I carry everything I could possibly need in it.”

Erin (Boerum Hill, fintech)

Photo: Lauren Ro
Quince Maeve Convertible Backpack
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“I just got this from Quince, and I like it because it converts to a backpack. I wanted it to be real leather. I wanted compartments on the inside so I can organize all my small items. I liked it because it also has a key leash so I don’t lose my keys in the bottom of my bag. And it fits my laptop.”

Kessler (Downtown Brooklyn, fintech)

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Coach Hitch Backpack
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“I like the classic look. It can fit a 13-inch laptop, but it doesn’t hold too much. The leather is nice and doesn’t dry out. It doesn’t have a zipper enclosure, so it’s not great for travel. The sides don’t hold too much, maybe a 12-ounce water bottle.”

Lisa (Hudson Yards, finance)

Photo: Lauren Ro
Kate Spade New York Cara Tote Bag
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“I’ve had it for a very long time. I am looking to replace it, but I like the size a lot. You can fit your notebook and your computer if you have to. The quality is pretty good and it’s pretty affordable. I like that it’s a neutral color.”

Kitty (Tribeca, finance)

Photo: Lauren Ro
Saben Carter Tote
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“My mom got it for me; it’s from New Zealand. It has the pockets it needs. When I travel, I can unzip part of it so that it fits on top of a suitcase. I have my lunch in there. I don’t usually carry a laptop, but it could fit one.”

[Editor’s note: Saben lists all prices in Australian dollars, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]

Lindsey Barber (Westchester, software)

Madewell The Shopper Tote
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“It only has one area in it to put stuff, otherwise it’s kind of open. So you need another bag if you have small things. But it just goes with everything.”

Uroosa (Queens, project manager)

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Boarding Pass The Commuter East West Triple Compartment Vegan Leather Tote
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“This is honestly a travel bag because regular work bags were not working for me. It’s probably a bit bigger in size than I would like, but the other ones that are supposed to be work bags are too small, and this one fits my laptop. It has a lot of different compartments in it so I can stay organized. Honestly, I don’t even know the brand. It’s just a travel bag from TJ Maxx. I think TJ Maxx is the way to go.”

Linna (Park Slope, design)

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Samo Ondoh Museum Bag L Veg Cocoa
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“I started a new job and got a big-boy 16-inch MacBook Pro, which my usual bag doesn’t fit. I searched high and low, trying to find a work bag that would fit my laptop and a little bit more but is still compact and not too big. I wanted it to have enough room to put to-go things like an umbrella. It has a zipper, which is nice. It’s a Korean brand and shipped from there, but it didn’t take too long. I must have found it maybe online or through Instagram.”

Clara Heitkamp (Flatiron, model)

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Valentina Calzature Firenze Colorful woven leather shoulder bag
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“My mom got it from the Milan flea market for 20 euros. It’s real leather and really good quality. A lot of people ask me about it.”

[Editor’s note: Valentina Calzature Firenze lists all prices in euros, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]

Malavika Kashyap (Clinton Hill, tech)

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Banana Republic Vegan Leather Slouchy Tote
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“I actually had one of my best friends visiting from Dallas. I recently moved to New York three months ago, and she was like, ‘You know what? We have to go to the infamous Canal Street.’ And I saw this bag and I fell in love with it because when you’re living in New York, it’s not even just an office bag, it’s my life bag. I really wanted a big, slouchy bag that I could fit everything in, and I saw this on Canal Street, and I was just like,I love it.

Natalie Denning (Williamsburg, fashion)

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Noirvere Vivienne Paris Bag
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“I was typing in ‘black leather bag with gold buckles,’ and then this was exactly what I was looking for. I like the buckles, all the hardware, this fringy thing. I just love anything with gold buckles or gold studs, and it fits a laptop for work.”

Mehak Kaur (White Plains, medicine)

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Lavie Women’s Betula Tote Handbag
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“This is from India, and I bought it from a local shop. This has been with me for two years now, as long as I’ve been on this journey of trying to learn more about psychiatry. I really wanted a classic brown bag. I was a backpack person before this because in med school, you’re getting thousands of things, so a bag doesn’t help. But I always wanted to be the bag lady, so that’s why I picked this. It’s classic.”

[Editor’s note: Lavie lists all prices in Indian rupees, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]

Saloni Hukerikar (Jersey City, content creator)

Photo: Kitty Guo
Mokobara Astrid Tote
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“It’s from Mokobara. It’s like an Indian version of Paravel. They’ve designed very functional bags and totes. It’s been a brand that I’ve trusted for a very long time. My husband uses the backpack and I use the purse. I’ve been carrying this for a year. I’m pretty rough with my bags. This is going to give out soon, but I have another Mokobara waiting for me.”

[Editor’s note: Mokobara lists all prices in Indian rupees, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]

Layne Clark (Carroll Gardens, nurse)

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Western Linen Black tooled leather & cowhide shoulder bag
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“I got this at my favorite thrift store in Dallas, where I’m from, called Dolly Python. It was like $25, and it’s my favorite bag ever. It was the perfect size. I can fit my laptop in it and all my work stuff. And it has a bunch of pockets, so I can fit my work phone and my personal phone.”

Violet Liaukus (Chelsea, student)

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Kenneth Cole black faux leather croc embossed tote bag
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“I thrifted this bag at 2nd Street in Montclair, New Jersey. I really just needed a big bag, but at first when I got it, I had no use for it. I just felt that the pattern was cool. It has this alligator texture-y vibe, and I really thought it was nice. Now I use it for my school bag. I have a couple of accessories. I have a little LEGO man from the LEGO store up there. Apparently, this is like VIP LEGO. Then I have this little Dior ribbon. I’m just so surprised it hasn’t broken yet. I have two computers in here, a water bottle, and books, and somehow she’s never fallen through, so I love her.”

Claudine Blackburn-Ramdin (East Flatbush, health insurance)

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Wenger Ana Women’s Laptop Tote
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“The brand is Wenger. My manager got it for me at Lot Less. I got tired of wearing a backpack to carry my laptop to work. Right now, my computer is not in there — I left it at work because I’m going to be in the office again tomorrow. But it has my lunch and my dinner, my keys, my glasses, pens. It’s got a lot of compartments.”

Olivia Haskin (Crown Heights, nonprofit)

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Studio Tew Metallic Leather Slouch Bag: Silver Boho Shoulder Bag
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“It’s from Free People, but I got it on Poshmark. I was watching a video of this guy filming slow walkers, and he was like,That girl’s a good walker.This woman walked by really fast with a silver bag, and I was like,I want that bag.I reverse-image searched it, and it was a Free People bag from a couple seasons ago, but I found it on Poshmark. I love it — it fits my laptop, my lunch, everything. I’ve had it for a year and a half, and it’s held up really well.”

Patrick Quinones (East Village, photography and modeling)

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Giftano Personalised Saffiano Laptop Bag
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“This is actually a really unique bag that I purchased randomly on the internet. It’s a website where you’re actually able to customize the bag. You could add any icons or designs you want in the front. It didn’t come with this printing, but I printed it for myself. I was searching for computer bags when I came across the website, and the color selection caught my eye.”

Sofia Jasmine (Williamsburg, singer)

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Michael Kors Astor Handbag
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“It’s passed down from my mom. It’s a really old Michael Kors, but the leather and the material is such good quality that it’s lasted all the years. I use it all the time. It’s literally 35 years old. She had it when I was really, really young. It’s a heavy lunar eclipse in Pisces day today, so I have water, fruit, a journal, and a joint.”

Gabriella Goldberg (Upper West Side, HR)

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Ralph Lauren Tote Handbag Two-tone Tan and Black
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“I got this bag right before I started my internship in 2016. I worked a couple blocks away from Ralph Lauren, and it was my first actual work bag. I fell in love with it because I think it’s very unique with the different colors and style. I know it sounds crazy, but it looks a little like a Birkin. I think that’s really the main reason why I got it. I also bought it with my mom, so it feels a bit special that way. I like the smoothness. I like that it’s versatile and it holds my laptop. I can add different things in there and it’s not hard to fit — my lunch, a book, all of that. It’s held up really well after ten years.”

Erica Luo (Sunset Park, freelance product design)

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Rosetti Tan Leather Shoulder Bag Tote Purse Silver Accents
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“I got my bag from Facebook Marketplace. The brand is Rosetti. The seller just told me that it was an early 2000s Y2K bag. I just love it because it’s really big. It’s a good work bag — it has a lot of pockets. I’ve had it for a month at this point. Today, I have my laptop, a setting spray, sunscreen, my work uniform, my work badge, my charger, water bottle, keys. I also have a deck of cards of women artists, because I like to do magic tricks.”

Mikayla Lepole (East Village, fashion)

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Mark & Graham Lucia Italian Double Handle Tote
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“I got this bag on Depop, so she’s thrifted. I have a relatively large laptop that I have to carry back and forth, so I wanted my bag to at least be big. And I wanted something a bit more unique than the basic designer ones. I wanted something in a fun color that I feel like still goes with a lot of things.”

Juliette (East Village, finance)

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Alexander McQueen Butterfly Tote Bag
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“This is a hand-me-down from my mom. I like that it fits my big Owala water bottle and that it’s black, because when I stain it’s not noticeable. It’s very simple.”

Sarah (Upper East Side, journalist)

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Jil Sander Brown Leather Satchel (Vintage)
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“My bag is vintage Jil Sander from the RealReal, with bag charms that I made myself. It’s the perfect size for a laptop, and I love it because it doesn’t really look like a work bag. It’s a little more discreet. I also have my charger for my laptop, my keys, my wallet, my umbrella, my sunglasses, my phone, and my lip combo.”

Kameia (financial services)

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AllSaints Black Leather Medium/Large Shoulder Bag Purse
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“I’ve had this bag for ten years. It’s from AllSaints. I love it.”

Lameya (Upper West Side, finance)

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Kate Spade New York Plum Saffiano Leather Briefcase Tote & Matching Wallet
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“I got this eight years ago as a gift from my roommate. I have my laptop, keys, Kindle, AirPods, my life in here. It can get pudgy, especially if I bring my laptop.”

Nylonworkbags

Shana Napoli (Bed-Stuy, nonprofit)

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Baggu Nylon Shoulder Bag - Leopard
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“It’s just a bag from Baggu. Nylon, easy to clean. I’ve had it for probably a year and a half. It’s my everyday work bag. I feel like cheetah print is neutral, but in a more fun way than just black or white or tan. I can wear it with anything and it feels okay. I have a book, I have makeup, an umbrella, pens, ChapStick, a backup battery, backup headphones. When I go home later, I’ll throw my water bottle in it. It fits a lot of stuff.”

Miranda Bellizia (Gowanus, nonprofit)

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Cotopaxi Batac Del Dia 16L Backpack
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“I got it from my gym, but I actually like it a lot. I’ve carried it for probably two years. I don’t even belong to that gym anymore, but it’s just handy. I can’t do a tote anymore because it makes my shoulders hurt. With this bag, sometimes I’m like,Is my laptop in there?because it’s so balanced.

I love color, but honestly, I do sometimes feel like a small child with this specific backpack, because it’s so colorful. I also don’t like that there isn’t a key pocket — my old backpack had a slot, so I didn’t have to take it off to grab my keys when I got home, but other than that, it’s great. It’s a nice backpack.”

Jennifer (Harlem, fashion retail)

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Dagne Dover Petra Convertible Tote
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“It’s a cross-body and also a backpack. It’s from Dagne Dover, and I got it on sale during Black Friday last year. I wanted something that I could wear both ways. It also has one of those trolley passes for your luggage, so it was definitely more of a utility bag than something that I thought looked nice. Everything’s in it: my gym stuff, my laptop, water bottle, all my essentials.”

Briana Weisinger (Greenpoint, PR)

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Baggu Everyday Cloud Bag
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“It’s from this Australian brand,Poppy Lissiman. It’s super-easy and has these little laptop sleeves, and I wanted something that had more compartments. It’s my everyday work bag — I’ve been carrying it for about six months or so, and it’s held up great. Red was having a moment, and it just has this nice pop to it. I feel like it’s really cool and clean-looking, with a bit of style.”

Alyssa Rosado (Howard Beach, doggy-day-care manager)

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Heys The Puffer Travel Tote
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“It fits a lot, it’s super-comfy, it has a lot of pockets. Right now, I’ve stuffed in a blanket, a dog bowl, a sweater. I used to carry a tiny book bag, but ever since I got this, I’ve just been shoving everything in there. If I’m grabbing groceries on the way home, it fits in my bag. I don’t have to worry about carrying a grocery bag or anything like that. It’s made out of a nylon material that has a puffer-jacket type of feeling. Once it gets dirty, it’s machine washable. I’ll let it air-dry and it’ll come out fine. It’s not too much on my shoulder either. I live by JFK airport, near Howard Beach, and my commute is like an hour and a half, so I’m schlepping.”

Rachel Langston (marketing)

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Calpak Luka Expandable Laptop Tote in Silver
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“I got itfrom GU.It was on sale for $9. I wanted something that is comfortable and functional and a little bright. I’ve had it for over a year and it’s held up perfectly. It’s probably one of my most shockingly cheap purchases, because it’s held up so well. It’s very random — I don’t own many other items from GU, so I’m not sure how well I can speak to the quality of the overall brand. But this bag? Awesome.”

Biz James (Chelsea, music industry)

Photo: Bella Druckman
MZ Wallace Nylon Shoulder Bag
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“I just saw a lot of people wearing it in the city. I hunted for this one. On Poshmark, I found it heavily discounted. I carried around a canvas one before, and I felt that when I was sweaty it was rubbing on my skin. This one is waterproof, so when it’s raining I’m not worried about it.”

Anne Quevreaux (Williamsburg, engineering)

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Tumi Isabelle Framed Nylon Backpack
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“I’ve had it probably for four years. Before, I had the same backpack from college, and it was kind of nasty. My mom took me to the outlet in Connecticut — because my parents live in Connecticut — and she bought me this bag. I liked it because I’m an engineer, so my laptop’s kind of massive, so I had to make sure it would fit. And it is just a nice bag, and I like the gold and the black.”

Sam Devine (Upper West Side, fine-dining bartending)

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FP Movement Quilted Carryall Bag
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“I use it for everything. I take it to work; I use it for grocery shopping. My mom got it for me.”

Paige (finance) and Sonia (Jersey City, tech)

From left:Photo: Lauren RoPhoto: Lauren Ro
From top:Photo: Lauren RoPhoto: Lauren Ro
Lululemon Daily Multi-Pocket Tote Bag 20L
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“It’s just a big tote. I can throw my lunch in there, gym stuff. I didn’t go for the glam, I went for the practical.” —P

“It’s big. There’s a card pocket, so I put both my transit card and my work card in there. I like that it has a little slot on the outside, supposedly for a bottle, but I usually stick my umbrella in there. It has a little hanger that I can dangle my own charm off of. I put a Muji organizer inside. I don’t carry a laptop, but I did buy this bag with the intention of fitting a laptop in it. I also have my lunch box in there. I like that the bottom is wide enough that it can pretty much lie flat.” —S

April (Jersey City, public servant)

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Nike Commute Tote Bag (20L)
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“I like that it’s orange inside, waterproof, and holds a lot of crap and the top still zips. I have everything in here: laptop, charger, a couple of phones, a book, water bottle.”

Phoebe (journalist)

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Tory Burch Ella Patent Tote
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“I’ve had it for maybe three years. I wanted something very roomy. I have a bunch of stuff in here. I will say that it’s really, really heavy on my shoulder, but it is very capacious.”

Lux (Jersey City, finance)

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Tommy Hilfiger Monogram Signature Stripe Backpack
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“I’m an overpacker. I think I’ve got two other bags in there because I might be making my way to the grocery store later. I have my lunch box.”

Canvasandfabricworkbags

Tanya Quick (Murray Hill, design)

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Muji Canvas Wide Tote Bag
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“For $5, you can get anything from Muji’s selection embroidered, and they’ll do it in one day — only at the one that’s across from Cooper Union. So you can go through their library and pick anything out.”

Alicia Balkrishna (Windsor Terrace, PR and communications consultant)

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Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Tote
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“This is my sister’s bag and she gave it to me, so I don’t have a pithy origin story. It’s a multipurpose bag. Sometimes for work, I’m like,Well, do I want something leather?But I feel like this has a minimal high-quality look to it, even though it is kind of a canvas-y tote. It fits a laptop, and I keep a lot of papers, random stuff, my reusable grocery bags to stop at Union Market. It has a lot of cargo space. As you can see, it’s got nice pockets, and then you can put a pair of shoes down in the bottom, so it’s modular.”

Ogochukwu Nwodoh (Downtown Brooklyn, tech)

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Farm Rio Toucan with Foliage Destiny Bag
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“It’s from Farm Rio. I needed a work bag that was a good size, and they have a store in New York, so I went in person to check it out. I’ve had it for just a couple of months. I have my work laptop, I have some wipes, my wallet, a book that I’m reading, a stun gun for safety. I also like having a work bag that’s a bit more interesting and not very cookie cutter, like the Longchamp. I like something that’s a little bright, so that was my reasoning. And it’s very comfortable and lightweight.”

Hope Green (Crown Heights, nightlife/writer)

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Floral Quilted Cotton Shoulder Bag
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“This is a bag I thrifted in Auburn, New York. It was only a few dollars, but I really liked the quilted material, and I feel like it’s an unusual color for a quilted bag. It has no brand, no tag. I carry books, tea, a notebook, my wallet, lots of trash. All sorts of people like this bag. There are grandmas who have asked me where I’ve gotten this and also teenagers, which I think is really sweet. I’ve never had a bag with universal appeal, so this has been an exciting journey for me.”

Molly Turner (Bushwick, fashion)

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Apparis Esti Tote
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“It’s from & Other Stories. I’ve actually had it since 2018. I got it secondhand from a charity shop in London called Trade. It’s held up really well, I think because it’s synthetic. It’s not real fur. You can just put it down, let it get rained on. It’s pretty hard-wearing. You can tell from the straps that it’s been through some wear and tear, but the body of the bag is still pretty good.”

Morgan Haney (Harlem, theater)

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Westerman Bags XL Moss Green Wool Felt Bag
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“This bag came from Green Sheep, I think it’s on Etsy. This is my favorite color. I love a grassy green. I was looking for something that I could bring to work that was a step up from a tote bag but still had carrying capacity. I went looking for nicer tote bags and then ended up with this one. I have my laptop, book, change of clothes. It’s pretty roomy. I’ve had it for a year and a half.”

Camila Monsalve (Gramercy, marketing)

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Call It By Your Name Medium Cabas Tote - Customized Embroidery
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“I got it for my birthday from Call It By Your Name. I think she’s based somewhere in Europe, but she does have some stores that carry her brand here. It’s stitched and you get to pick the colorway, but it’s only made out of bandannas, and I’m obsessed with bandannas. You can add custom stitching, like your name, and she has other little customizations if you want hearts or rainbows or whatever. It doesn’t have any pockets or anything, but it’s pretty big.”

Tarini Tipnis (Providence, intern)

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Julie Ann Collections Green Tote Bag
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“I was in Kansas, for my ex-boyfriend’s parents’ Thanksgiving, and there was a sale that was happening with a bunch of local textile artists. So I picked it up there. It’s just my everyday bag. I have my laptop, my water bottle, a book: Giorgio Agamben’sThe Unrealizable: Towards a Politics of Ontology.”

Jennifer Baaklini (Pennsylvania, public affairs)

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Joy Susan Painted Birds Avis Jute Tote w/ Tassel
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“A friend got it for me for my birthday. It looks like it was made in India. She bought it at the Islander, which is a beachy store on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. She knows I love that store and she was on vacation there, and I guess she thought of me. It fits my laptop, my water, my workout clothes, everything. Now I’m going to yoga, but I had a green skirt on, so it seemed to work with the outfit I was wearing.”

Lisia Childs (Washington, student)

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Air Cruiser II Bag Carry On Travel Luggage Ricardo Beverly Hills
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“I just thrifted this bag two weeks ago in Colorado, my hometown. I’ve been collecting a bunch of charms on it. It’s from the brand Air Cruiser. I got it for three bucks. I’m a college student, so I needed a bag to carry my computer and all my books. It’s just been with me every day since, and it’s been holding up super-well. I have a water bottle, a book, my wallet, my phone. I can fit my whole laptop in it because the bottom flattens out. It gets heavy pretty fast, but it’s sturdy, luckily.”

Braxton Hare (Bed-Stuy, service industry)

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Dolce Vita Maro Tote Zebra Canvas
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“Basically, everything I own is thrifted or secondhand. It’s weird to say, but I’ll find a lot of the stuff on the street, and I’ll refurbish it and clean it. It’s like brand-new. This one is from Richmond, Virginia. I’m really into big prints and maximalism, so I was definitely drawn to the print and also just the size.”

Lica (Kazakhstan)

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Juicy Couture Royal Bloom Daydreamer Tote Bag
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“She’s really big. When I’m traveling to cities, I can get all of my stuff in here every day.”

Jeke Chen (Williamsburg, tech)

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F/CE Recycle Twill Urban Town
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“I got it in Spain. I saw it in a shop, and I needed a new backpack because my old one was just very tactical and military. I liked all of the side straps, so I can hang my helmet and my hat.”

Hannah Cohen (Greenpoint, harmonic practitioner)

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Peruvian Andean Shaman CHUSPA - Shoulder Bag
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“I guide breathwork, bodywork, and sound-healing journeys, and I also support psychedelic ceremonies. I’d been eyeing this bag since I first landed in Peru on my last trip there two months ago. I got it in Cuzco in the middle of this beautiful local shopping mart with so many amazing designers sharing their goods. This one has every color and peacocks and all sorts of handwoven patterns that have condors and eagles, as well as, I believe, hummingbirds and ayahuasca. I have all of my supplies today for a breathwork and sound ceremony I’m about to give, so I have a lot of different ceremonial tools, and it feels like the right bag for holding safe sacred items.”

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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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