11 Australian and New Zealand creatives share their everyday work bag

On the go.

There’s been a couple of times when I’ve spied a businessman on peak-hour public transport, carrying nothing but the phone in his hand and the suit on his back. From across the carriage, I marvelled at this scene, craning my neck above the huge bag I was probably lugging about. I’d feel naked heading into the office if I wasn’t armed with a spacious work bag, one that fits all the essentials of surviving a work day (hair ties, etc.).

Regardless if you work in a corporate skyscraper or a creative coworking space, you’re probably hauling items from home into the office, and vice versa. So what vessel is best suited to this activity?

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We talked to women in various creative roles, from designers and producers to writers and marketers, to gather some much-needed work bag inspiration. A vintage Prada tote like Georgi’s might take your fancy, or Arianne’s patterned Gucci could be more your speed. You could be a multiple-bag kind of person, like Alice and Samantha. Read on to find out.

Jess Molina, she/her, founder and editor of Loudly Quietly

My ludicrously capacious bag for work is a classic Longchamp Le Pliage. Sturdy, chic and the epitome of effortless chic meets ‘quiet luxury’. To me, the marker of a great work bag is in the strap – will it be able to literally carry the weight of my every day? And this bag does! I picked the black nylon and brown leather trim because it works with every outfit. [It’s] discreet but has enough detail to keep it interesting without asking for all the attention, especially when I want my outfit to shine.

@jessmolina

Alice Carrett, she/her, Head of Communications at Hatrik House

Controversially, I always have small work bags! I am a strong believer in travelling light so I just pack the essentials and then carry my laptop and lunch bag (it’s so dorky but I love it) when I need it. I am usually wearing black so I try to keep my bags more on the fun side (this one is from Deadly Ponies) to spice up the blazer I am inevitably wearing.

My checklist includes [my] keys, wallet, AirPods, lip liner (always Australis and I have one in every bag) and a rotating array of lip balms and mints! On an event day, I will throw in a phone charger and a pen. I want to be travelling light so that I can pop to lunch or to a drink after work if the opportunity arises!

@alicecarrett

Georgi Woolcock, she/her, FJ’s Partnerships and Campaign Coordinator

I’m constantly going from the office to Pilates, events or drinks with friends, so my work bag needs to be one of the Mary Poppins variety. My beloved secondhand Prada tote meets all of the requirements, fitting my laptop, litre-water bottle and all the knick-knacks a girl needs to carry around. My last work bag didn’t have an inner pocket or zip to close, so this is a delight. She’s battered, bleached and stained, but I wouldn’t have her any other way.

@georgiwoolcock

Sienna Ludbey, she/her, Founder and Designer of Hello Sisi

My go-to work bag changes all the time depending on how I’m feeling. But I’m always a tote bag girl as I have to carry around lots of things. At the moment I am obsessed with this bag by Beci Orpin. It’s the perfect cross-body tote shape and size. And it’s just SO cute.

@hellosisi_

Samantha De Kauwe, she/her, Head of Brand of Jag

I have an everyday handbag which is mini camera bag shape[d] and a work backpack that basically just carries my laptop, mouse and notebook. They are both See By Chloé in satin, which is not only super comfortable to wear [and] carry, but pretty convenient too.

In my mini handbag, I can fit a surprising amount of things into something so small! In it, I always have my mobile, car keys, a Bobbi Brown lip shine, a pair of Ray-Ban sunnies, my office key card, all of my bank cards, a band-aid (I have two kids so this always comes in handy) and some Nuromol for emergencies. Clearly, I’m a practical gal!

@jag_aus

Centaine McLean, she/her, stay-at-home mum

I use the Simone tote from Vestirsi because it fits mine and my toddler’s entire life in it whilst looking super chic. It fits everything from nappies and wipes to snacks [and] my makeup purse. [It] even [holds] a lunch box and water bottle. Being black, it goes with everything and doesn’t even look like I’m carrying a nappy bag. I even use it when I don’t have the kids with me because it’s just a great tote to chuck everything in and go.

@centaine_mclean

Arianne Witt, she/her, content producer

For my work bag, I use a large tote by Gucci and love its size and texture! It’s big enough to fit the contents of my life in it whilst adding a cute pop of colour to my outfit. Inside, you’ll find my cameras (a DSLR, a small point-and-shoot and a film camera), lipstick (always a red and a soft brown), lip balm, my styling kit (bandaids, clips, tape, pins), a pair of sunglasses or two, wallet and keys. Also, my daily planner to keep me in check and a mini notepad for ideas and midday scribbles.

@lola_jagger

Djina Teurquetil, she/her, Marketing and Partnerships Manager of Jessica Nguyen and Chilli Oil on Everything

I found my current work bag at a local op shop. It’s a classic French market basket that cost me $1 and I’ve had it for two years now. I don’t like being too precious with my things and I always have food in my bag (either snacks or Tupperware with leftovers from Jess’ recipe testings) so the chances of spillage are high!

I needed a very low-maintenance bag that was functional and versatile, but could also be styled with anything. I love a multi-use item and this bag can double up as a shopping tote or holiday beach bag. I’ve even taken it on international flights as my carry-on. I love how simple it is; no logos [or] branding mak[es] it a piece I won’t get tired of.

@djinateurquetil

Maggie Zhou, she/her, FJ’s Branded Content and Features Editor

I recently received this new patent Deadly Ponies tote bag and it’s instantly become my everyday work bag. It nicely fits my 13″ laptop and case, drink bottle, book, lunch and other miscellaneous bits and bobs. It’s got a concealed inner pocket, a little slot in the outside and brass zippers to secure the main compartment. Though it’s a heftier investment piece, I’m taking solace in the fact the patent fabrication makes it easy to clean (because it’s a matter of when, not if, I spill something on it).

@yemagz

Priya Serrao, she/her, policy adviser

A disclaimer before I begin: this is one of my work bags. I also carry a very practical Herschel canvas backpack which contains my laptop, drink bottle and a change of clothes after my ride to work – but this leather cross-body Mimco bag is the main attraction.

It carries all my essentials, [like my] keys, lip balm, Fenty lip paint, slick card holder from Maison de Sabré, emergency tampons [and] painkillers, work pass, faux EarPods, phone charger and a bunch of bobby pins. I love the rose gold hardware on this. Throwing it over a blazer (preferably black [and] double-breasted) just makes me feel like I’ve managed to strike the perfect balance between fashion and function.

@priyaserrao

Ebony Eagles, she/her, founder of Auguste the Label

The contents of my bag [are] generally the same each day. As a mum, it’s all about staying organised and only taking the essentials, like my iPhone with enough battery to last day and night, vitamins for surviving a busy schedule, mints, lip balm and Byredo Gypsy Water perfume for keeping me fresh throughout the day.

@augustethelabel

Looking for workplace dressing advice? Try this.