The Best Everyday Bags, According to Bazaar Editors

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The best everyday bags need an effortlessly chic exterior and a spacious, organized interior to be worth carrying 24/7. Inside and outside, versatility is the most important factor.

Every BAZAAR editor taking stock of their accessories collection said their hardworking everyday bags eclipse 2023 trends. To these certified fashion experts, whether they’re relying on a streamlined leather tote by Cuyana or a cult-favorite bag like Luar’s Ana tote, the best everyday bags can carry all the workday essentials with a sense of originality. 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 smart strap attachments. For editors who are constantly traveling, their everyday handbags double as a roomy personal item for plane rides. And yes, most of the best everyday bags come in classic neutral shades like black, brown, and camel—to remove any overthinking from the getting-ready process.

Do BAZAAR editors favorite bags reflect the shopping trends of consumers? According to Italist CEO Diego Abba, kinda! Abba actually noted that contrary to what we carry to the office, he sees mini bags—which certainly cannot hold a laptop—continue to reign. "Mini bags are popular in part because they’re typically a more accessible price point," he tells BAZAAR. "And because they’re just cute! They’re little and precious and don’t hold as much, so the wearer is forced to pare down his or her essentials: phone, keys, wallet." Mini bags are great everyday bags in the sense that they remind you to just focus on the bare essentials and what's important instead of overthinking everything you could potentially need.

Abba and BAZAAR editors also noted that bags that are meant to be worn open to show signs of life are also a must have. "We’ve also seen an uptick in interest in classic handheld bags like the Fendi Peekaboo, which debuted for the Spring 2009 season. It was designed to purposely be carried open and unlatched, to show a bit of the inner lining," Abba says. Now, similar looks have been all over the most recent runway, from Miu Miu to Tory Burch to Balenciaga.

The following luxurious designer tote bags, nylon shoulder bags, roomy laptop bags, and yes, paired back minis, all balance practicality and personal style. It-bags come and go, but the 16 best everyday bags ahead are permanent wardrobe heroes.

Mini Gabriella Bag

"When I’m not carrying my laptop but just running around the city, I like a simple yet unique bag that goes with everything and isn’t annoying to carry. This Scanlan Theodore Mini Gabriella is currently my go-to." –Rosa Sanchez, senior news editor

Materials: Leather, cotton lining

New Yorker Bag

"I might have gasped out loud when I unboxed Silver & Riley's New Yorker bag, and I've heard it elicit the same enthusiasm from strangers on the street when I carry it. The lipstick red leather and the brass hardware are so elegant, but they also have a little verve and attitude (which I want from a bag!). It's as hardworking as it is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with a roomy-for-a-shouler-bag interior and plenty of pockets. I've been wearing it slung over my shoulder with a laptop tote on workdays and across my body on the weekends. It might as well be glued to me, because I never take it off." —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor

Dimensions: 11"W x 8"H x 5.5"D

Materials: Leather, suede lining

Numero Neuf Bag

"Polène is known for their exquisite craftsmanship and offers chic and timeless handbags. And the best part? They never break the bank. The 'Numero Neuf' in camel goes with everything, is seasonal, and comes with a removable strap, which offers versatility when styling it." —Alicia Banilivy, fashion and retail credits editor

Dimensions: 19cm x 32cm x 16cm

Materials: Leather, cotton lining

Arcadie Matelassé Nappa Leather Bag

"This is singlehandedly the best bag purchase I've ever made. Words cannot describe how much I love the Miu Miu Arcadie. The elongated shape is unique—it reminds me of a pencil case—but it actually fits so much more than pencils. Actually, I could probably put a pencil case in here and then some. I've managed to put agendas in it, along with my cell phone, spare makeup and a bunch of cute little tchotchkes (which is clearly Mrs. Prada approved). I also just absolutely love the look. And I wear it with everything."—Tara Gonzalez, Senior Fashion Editor

Dimensions: 12cm x 27cm x 9cm

Materials: Leather

Cloud Bag

"I tried elevating my daily tote to a leather version but you just can’t beat the comfort and roominess of Baggu’s Cloud Bag. It fits my laptop, a book, and then some, and has an interior zipper pocket and exterior slot pocket for optimal organization. I carry it with me pretty much every day—and it’s great for travel too." —Ariana Marsh, senior features editor

Dimensions: 13 4/5" H × 12 4/5" W

Materials: Recycled Heavyweight Nylon

Fanny Pack

"I like this Clare V fanny-pack as a work bag on days when I don’t need to carry much more than a Kindle, a wallet, and an iPhone. I wear it like a crossbody, fairly high up on my chest, almost where a long necklace would hit. The croc-effect leather and gold hardware add visual interest to simple tops and sweaters and always make me feel more pulled-together." —Izzy Grinspan, deputy digital editor

Dimensions: W 7" x H 7"

Materials: Embossed Italian cowhide

Gardencabasxs' Shoulder Bag

"The multi-pocket design on this tote is super convenient, and the canvas body will match perfectly with summer activities like boat days and picnics. "—Diego Abba, CEO of Italist

Boat and Tote, Zip-Top

"I received this bag as a gift from a friend and it's quickly become a wardrobe work horse. Large enough to carry my laptop three days a week—plus a change of shoes, wallet, and keys—it makes my daily schlep all the easier. Bonus points for the bag's wide straps that evenly distribute everything I (probably shouldn't) lug around New York City." – Nikki Ogunnaike, senior digital director

Dimensions: 15"H x 17"W x 7"D.

Materials: Heavy-Duty 24 oz. cotton canvas

Venti Bag

"I live in FEAR of the carryall. It's too heavy and too unwieldy, so you can never find what you need—wallet, keys, phone, book—when you need it. Instead, I carry a small handbag (what I believe in ye olde times was called a 'purse' or a 'pocketbook') and a big-ish bag: this beautiful Medea bag in black, which 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 ALIVE. It looks like a classic shopping bag, so it offers the added thrill that you've just made some life-changing purchase on a daily basis, when in fact you're merely commuting." —Rachel Tashjian, fashion news director

Dimensions: W 420mm x H 300mm x D 132mm

Material: Leather

Ana Large Smooth Leather Top Handle Bag

"My fiancé gave me this bag for my birthday and I'm obsessed. I always love an unexpected, abstract silhouette to my bags and surprisingly the large version of this holds all my essentials—even my work laptop." —Bianca Betancourt, culture editor

Dimensions: 14 1/2"W x 10"H x 2 1/2"D. 7" strap drop

Materials: Leather

Classic Easy Tote

"It doesn't matter if I'm wearing a bubbly Cecilie Bahnsen dress with chunky sneakers or a slouchy Everlane suit with my BAZAAR staff hoodie layered underneath: the simple shape and creamy leather just go with everything. I'm also better at editing my stories than editing down what I carry to and from work, so I need a lot of space. This bag fits my 15" laptop, my hydroflask, a book or two, and a smaller bag that I'll pack for lunch or press appointments. The double handles make it comfortable to carry over my shoulder or in the crook of my arm. It's easy, just like it says." —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor

Dimensions: H 12.3 in. x W 21.6 in. x D 5.1 in.

Materials: Pebbled leather

Mini Puffed Woven Bag

"We like raffia as a festive alternative for the spring and summer, and this one is very elegant with black leather trio—one of Jacquemus’ must-have new bag designs, after the much-loved Chiquito."—Diego Abba, CEO of Italist

Wallet on Chain

"I never quite understood the appeal of mini bags. They look adorable, but how can you possibly fit everything you need in them? I always gravitated towards something more mid-size. However, now that I've become a two bag kind of a girl on office days, my everyday purse has literally shrunk down to the size of a pocketbook. My laptop, charger, and lunch go in a Meruert Tolegen mesh tote, and the everything else—phone, keys, cards, hand sanitizer—is perfectly contained by a Chanel Wallet on Chain." —Alison Cohn, deputy fashion news editor

Dimensions: 4.8 × 7.5 × 1.4 in

Materials: Lambskin and gold metal

Ruched Top Handle Tote Bag

"I desperately wanted an elevated tote and this Proenza bag is just that. The ruched detailing makes the hobo-esque shape feel a bit more sophisticated (and allows it fit snug under my arm)." —Katie Intner, associate beauty editor

Dimensions: 13.8"H x 12.6"W x 6.3"D.

Materials: Leather

Prada Re-Edition 2005 Re-Nylon bag

"My mom had graciously gifted me her old, early aughts Prada bag once I informed her that Prada's nylon creations were having something of a renaissance. It’s figured as a wardrobe staple ever since, punctuating my outfits with the kind of uncomplicated cool-girl charm often found in those who frequent scenes below Canal Street. Utilitarian, versatile, and luxurious, the Prada nylon bag has reemerged as a timeless classic for a reason." —Chelsey Sanchez, associate editor

Dimensions: H 18cm x L 6cm x W 22cm

Materials: Nylon and saffiano leather trim

Signature Tote

"For someone who’s guilty of stuffing everything I own in a sack, this tote has been the Holy Grail. It’s got plenty of organizational features—including sleeves for your phone, laptop, and individual writing utensils—and a sturdy base to keep everything else in place. This tote has been with me through school and work since 2018, and I still cannot recommend it more." —Sabrina Park, editorial and social media assistant

Dimensions: L 14 ¾” x H 11 ½” x W 6”. 9" handle drop

Materials: Coated canvas body, vegan leather trim

Large Le Pliage Tote

"My sister surprised me with Longchamp's Large Le Pliage Tote as a birthday gift a few years ago, and it's since turned into one of my main go-tos for the office and the airport. It's roomy enough to store my laptop, over stuffed makeup bag, and other knick-knacks at the same time, and since mine has a neutral brown and black colorway, it also pretty much goes with everything." —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor

Dimensions: 12 ¼"W x 11 ¾"H x 7 ½"D. 9" strap drop

Materials: Nylon and leather

Large Prada Symbole Embroidered Fabric Handbag

"The retro-futuristic-60s print in a very wearable camel and black is reason enough to carry this bag. This well-proportioned, structured tote is also a styling triple threat. For starters, it's a utilitarian work bag that looks chic with my Brunello grey suit. Then, it's a fantastic travel companion, and it goes well with my Vince cashmere camel hoodie and track pants. When it gets to be all too much, it hits the beach in style, with black Birks and an Orlebar Brown swimsuit at the ready." —Miguel Enamorado, accessories director

Dimensions: H 31cm x L 11cm x W 39cm

Materials: Fabric, leather

Kress XL Tote

"I love my Leatherology tote bag. It has my initials on the front, which are trapunto quilted in big letters. I love how durable the bag is, and the endless amount of space inside—I call it my second apartment! An amazing bag to take back and forth to the office, and perfect for a travel carry-on. It's such a classic shape, and simply chic. I'm obsessed." —Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, senior fashion and accessories editor

Dimensions: 12.9" H x 15.9" W x 6.9" D

Materials: Leather

Medium Black Leather Cloud

"A personal style rule I have for myself is no boring bags. Especially on days I'm not in the office and don't need to tote around a laptop at all times, I always opt for something smaller (with a bit more kitsch) to carry around my daily essentials, like W 78 ST's Corbeille bag. The Los Angeles based brand makes modern, sculptural handbags with lush Italian lambskin that help tie together my more minimal, everyday outfits. For anyone who (understandably) needs more room their Cloud Bag has become a favorite for the in-the-know fashion set." —Bianca Betancourt, culture editor

Dimensions: L 16" x H 16.5"

Materials: Leather, recycled down, nylon

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