25 Designer Tote Bags You'll Never Stop Carrying

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Before I became a fashion editor, I assumed the best designer tote bags should be reserved for special occasions. Even if they looked and felt like elevated versions of my regular-schmegular market bags and weekenders—with exteriors that coordinated with whatever I wore and spacious interiors for lugging my laptop or a change of clothes, or both—the dust bag and shiny labels intimidated me out of carrying my most prized totes.

My mindset shifted when I started working in fashion. Once I could meet designers and test their creations myself, I realized luxury bags are so special because they're made to be carried often, not hidden away. In their leather-trimmed, microfiber suede-lined way, the best designer totes are an aesthetically pleasing balancing act. "Investing in a new tote is all about quality and function," BAZAAR accessories director Miguel Enamorado agrees. "What it's made of is as important as what it's made for. The more it serves that purpose, the more you will wear it and the more it will be worth your investment."

"Worth the investment" can mean different things in different wardrobes. Most experts I spoke to agreed that the best designer totes combine function and style—and aren't necessarily the bags you've seen all over TikTok. Rachel Glicksberg, manager of women's fashion & new initiatives at The RealReal, says "classic" bags always outperform trendier styles. "Always consider something classic that you will use day, night, and while traveling," Tiffany Hsu, fashion director at Mytheresa, agrees. If you're new to luxury accessories, "A durable, leather option would be a great first designer tote," Hsu says.

Selecting your personal best designer tote from the thousands of Chanels, Bottegas, and Pradas out there comes down to your lifestyle. If you're searching for a laptop bag, Glicksberg recommends double-checking its dimensions to make sure they'll fit all your office essentials. If you're imagining your tote as more of a fancy gym bag, extra pockets for separating pre- and post-workout clothes are a must. Then there's the longevity factor. You may love the tote you buy today, but you could want to make a swap later. Keep your options open by considering the bag's potential resale value, Glicksberg suggests. The stronger the brand signifiers–monogramming, logo hardware, or design signatures—the more value the tote will have if it's back on the market.

Whether you're more of a minimalist seeking a structured leather tote or a trend sampler looking for the next It-bag, the most worthwhile bag is the one you'll actually use. Ahead, I've gathered the 20 best designer totes I've tested and researched with expert assistance—all that are worth carrying for years.

Textured-Leather Tote

Bags free of logo stamps and designer monograms are only getting more popular, and Savette is the label every editor in my groupchat is shopping for minimal bags. This picture-perfect tote isn't hanging in my closet yet, but after years of studying leather bags in market appointments, I know an incredible leather tote when I see it. The textured leather, sturdy clasp, and bag feet are timeless, but not basic. (And yes, this bag can fit a laptop.)

CHANEL 22 Large Back Pack

From the moment Chanel's newest tote-backpack hybrid arrived last year, BAZAAR editors sensed it would be an all-time favorite. Having carried it for months now, those who have it are enamored with its balance of utility and elegance—and those who don't own it yet have it at the top of their wishlists.

While this bag can chicly store a laptop and smaller necessities on its own, accessories director Miguel Enamorado tells me it's best styled with a second bag. "I love doubling mine up with a smaller crossbody bag for easier access to the essential phone and wallet, and to be able to transition to after work events," he says.

Large Leather-Trimmed Basket Tote

"The Loewe straw tote is consistently popular season after season," Hsu says. "It’s the perfect summer travel accessory that I don’t think is going anywhere." Try the classic tote or branch out to green, yellow, and orange shades—either way, "it never feels old or outdated."

Large Prada Symbole Embroidered Fabric Handbag

If I had my way, I'd devote at least half my closet to Prada totes. Narrowing down the shelves of nylon purses and upscale diaper bags to just one pick, this top-handle tote is it. The pattern cleverly plays with Prada's triangle logo, plus it has all the space and ease of carrying any true everyday bag needs.

Classic Easy Tote

I carry this Cuyana tote bag more than any other bag I own. On work days, it comfortably fits my corporate-issued laptop, a water bottle, a book for the train, and a packed lunch (when I remember it). I'm most drawn to how clean and simple it is—I can carry it with pretty much anything. It's incredible quality and value for the cost and it's made with responsibly-sourced leather.

Margaux Bag

Hsu of Mytheresa calls this style from The Row "an amazing option" if your designer tote search starts with suede. "Soft, big bags are definitely a trend that consumers are always interested in," she explains. "We have seen these softer totes in luxurious suede materials and neutral colorways recently increase in popularity."

In addition to bold cobalt, this bag also comes in a creamy caramel shade. All versions include a detachable shoulder strap and an interior card slot.

Calella Large Bicolor Tote Bag

True story: Hereu's bags are so striking, a BAZAAR editor stopped a woman at New York Fashion week who was carrying one to ask where she found it. It's all thanks to that leather trim and geometric shape: It's minimal and eye-catching at once. The details inside live up to the street style first impression. Inside, you'll find a spacious interior with a leashed zip pouch for extra organization.

Arco Medium Intrecciato Leather Tote

Bottega Veneta's Intrecciato leather weave is just as recognizable as a logo, yet elegantly reserved. A top-handle, scaled-up version of the technique is more than suited to your work bag rotation. (On days when you have less to carry, the mini version has your name written all over it.

Everyday Soft Tote

This understated leather tote bag is a must when storage is your top priority. It's one of the roomiest bags on our list, fitting a 16" laptop with plenty of space to spare. Inside, you'll also find a coordinating leather pouch that can double as a wallet or compartment for your keys, AirPods, or other small essentials.

Bamboo Leather Tote

Embellished, but not over-the-top: This boxy tote is a lesson in balance. The double handles add a ladylike quality, whether you carry it with a jeans-and-tee outfit or a slinky black-tie gown.

Arc Tote

There are people who are satisfied with a single, do-it-all tote bag, and there are people who need a tote for every season and situation. Anyone who self-identifies with the second camp needs a shearling apres-ski bag (even if they haven't thought of it yet). And, this fluffy Mark Cross bag incorporates an element of fashion history: the horseshoe handle inset references the fixtures on a leather case carried by Grace Kelly in Rear Window.

The Large Shopping Bag

Telfar bag drops are, like the weather and the whims of the fashion week calendar, unpredictable. But if you can participate in the label's rare "bag security" sales or find the color of your choosing via luxury consignment, you walk away with a sturdy, spacious tote that possesses an inherent cool factor. Glicksberg recommends this electric blue bag or another equally vibrant color if you're interested in a statement tote; for an everyday classic, try a Telfar in black or cream. (I own one of each.)

Damier Ebene Neverfull

"[T]rusty larger totes are in demand again as we navigate back to office routines and return to packing after-work gym or date night clothes in our on-the-go bags," says Glicksberg of The RealReal. In particular, Louis Vuitton styles like the Multipli-Cité tote and the Onthego are attracting shoppers who want a dash of classic designer monograms with their carry-all bags.

Of all the Vuitton totes available, The Neverfull has both my personal endorsement and growing interest on The RealReal—it sells for over 80 percent of its listing price on average, Glickberg reports. I always designate this tote as my personal item when I travel abroad. The Neverfull has enough space to carry my 13" laptop, plus an e-reader and pouches with travel minis and snacks. And with a detachable interior pouch included, I have a dedicated space for my passport and boarding passes.

Box Kelly Sellier 28 Bleu Marine

Hermès bags aren't just an hero piece for your present-day wardrobe; they're an instant heirloom to pass down for generations. (The house takes restoring existing pieces as seriously as designing new ones.) The slight patina on this Kelly tote only makes it more sophisticated. Carry it with the lock undone for a styling moment inspired by the Olsen twins' best early-aughts street style.

Woody Linen & Leather Tote

When the season for floral dresses and strappy sandals returns, Chloé's "Woody" tote is the one you'll want to carry. The leather and linen combo feels like an afternoon at the beach, even when you're spending the summer at home. And as reviewers like the one below can attest, it's a magic size that slips right over your shoulder and stays put.

Customer review: "Perfect size, fits on shoulder or over arm. I have two iPhones and other necessities to pack inside and there’s still room for more. Very durable, sturdy, and made of high quality leather. No regrets on stretching the budget for a bag that is designed to last."

Ann Leather Tote

Presenting an East-West tote that's so much more interesting than your usual East-West tote. This Ree Projects bag gives off an aura of mornings at an under-the-radar café and afternoons strolling exclusive galleries, thanks to its sculpture-like silhouette and creamy leather. But the inside is just as spacious as a more typical designer tote bag, with room to stash your wallet, a book, and a 9" tablet or laptop.

Customer review: "5 stars."

Perry Small Triple-Compartment Tote Bag

The mini version of Tory Burch's best-selling Perry tote is organized enough to be your personal assistant and small enough to carry on the regular without weighing you down. It has three interior compartments for stowing a wallet, keys, SPF, and, if you're working on the go, an 8" tablet.

Customer review: "The size is perfect for everyday use. It has a very comfortable adjustable strap, so you can wear it on the shoulder or crossbody. The material of the bag is pretty lightweight, yet feels durable at the same time. Favorite aspects of the bag are the feet at the bottom, the middle zipper compartment, and the side pocket, which perfectly fits my iPhone 12 pro max. I don't need to carry a laptop or tablet for work, just my ID and small notebook, which fits perfectly that."

Augusta Mesh Tote

Whether you're carrying all the accoutrements for a day at the office or a single pair of AirPods, this sleek mesh bag by Khaite is the best for showing what's on the inside. The playfulness of a see-through feels elegant with a brass-hardware closure and the slightly structured shape. And, it's an excuse to shop for a new laptop case or dopp kit—since neither will be hidden in the depths of an opaque carry-all.

Willow Tote 24

C-stamped Coach bags may be everywhere on TikTok, but it's the understated Willow tote that works hardest in your offline wardrobe. For starters, it's incredibly functional. You can carry it several ways with the help of a removable crossbody strap, while two closures (one magnetic, one turn lock) guarantee your beauty minis and portable charger won't spill out of your bag. Then there's the design itself, with clean lines and a dash of preppiness with the colorblock handle.

Want to add a little something extra? You can personalize your bag with leather flower embellishments or souvenir pins for an additional fee.

Customer review: "Such an awesome purse! Very well constructed and study, amazing quality! It's also the perfect size for an everyday bag. Very spacious but not too large."

Icare Maxi Quilted Tote Bag

Angelina Jolie, Zoë Kravitz, and Hailey Bieber are just a sample of the celebrities carrying Saint Laurent's tote bag in the past year. A-list closet placement is just the start of its appeal. First, two snap-on, snap-off sections on the sides expand like wings to create even more space for lugging your laptop to work or packing for a weekend away. Second, it comes with a coordinating removable pouch and two interior pockets to keep you organized, no matter how much you're carrying.

You Might Also Like

• 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora

• The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine