Your New Work Bag Is About To Get All The Compliments

There's an anonymous quote—oft-adorning the side of bright-colored totes–that reads, "Behind every successful woman is a fabulous bag." But considering everything today's working girls require to nail their nine-to-five (er, more like six), from laptops and wallets to workout clothes and sneakers, it'd better be functional and spacious, too. Thankfully, the days of sacrificing style for substance have gone the way of shoulder pads and skinny jeans, and it's never been easier to find a bag that combines both. (Literally...they're just a few clicks away!)

As more companies return to their offices in 2023, it's time to refresh your work wardrobe, including your go-to bag. When shopping, make sure "the bag is large enough to carry what’s needed, comfortable enough to carry on the arm or shoulder, durable enough to last, stylish enough to elevate an outfit, and light enough to not add extra weight," says personal stylist Samantha Brown.

But beware of bags with lots of hardware, she says. They may be a sidewalk stopper, but they’re already heavy when empty, explains Brown. Instead, "look for minimal hardware and lightweight fabric and/or leather so you can fill it with essentials," Brown says. And, if the bag itself doesn't have a zipper to keep it closed mid-commute, she recommends getting one with a zippered pocket somewhere inside to stash more valuable items. Enter this year's 19 best work bags for women, according to personal stylists.