The best work bags, recommended by the Fashion Journal team
IMAGE VIA @georgiajaybags/instagram
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
Leather, woven, brown, suede, totes and everything in between.
High on the list to start our weekdays off right is a good sleep, a strong cup of coffee and a reliable work bag. What constitutes the ‘right work bag’ will inevitably look different, depending on the person or the day ahead.
Some days, practicality comes first. If I can easily fit my drink bottle, laptop, headphones, lip balm and yoghurt, then I’m ready to take on the day. It’s an added bonus if the bag itself is nicer than whatever tote I might find lying around. Other times, I need a mood booster; something that makes me feel confident and dresses up an otherwise dull outfit with minimal thought.
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Sourcing a work bag that carries all, while still looking stylish, is a tall order. Thankfully, we’re exposed to a range of Australian and New Zealand designers in the Fashion Journal office. Given our week can range from days glued to our desks to meetings and shoots, we’re always on the lookout for work bags that fit our list of demands.
From large, durable totes designed to endure busy days running around to a classic handbag, perfect for the office and beyond, these are the work bags we’re coveting in 2025.
St. Agni Woven Large Tote in Black
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Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
I love love love a ludicrously capacious bag. I am that friend who always has everything you need in her bag, Bandaids, stain remover, safety pins, snacks you name it I have it. This St. Agni bag has been on my wishlist for a very long time, it’s the perfect size for me but chic enough that I could go from work to a restaurant and not look crazy. I keep waiting for the right time to snap it up, maybe I just need to bite the bullet!
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Deadly Ponies Mr Bandit Tote
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Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
I love using a roomy, beachy tote as my everyday work bag. For the last two years, I’ve been thrashing a woven basket bag I got from a market in Mexico, but it’s looking a little worse for wear now, so this brown raffia tote from Deadly Ponies would be a perfect upgrade, with a zip closure and sturdy leather handles.
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July Everyday Large Tote
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Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
This July tote is the ideal blend between chic and functional. The brown colourway feels modern, and the fact that you can fit a one-litre drink bottle, laptop and book checks all my boxes. I also love excessive internal pockets so you can organise all your little bits and pieces, plus the top zip offers a great piece of mind against the bag tipping over and spilling everywhere.
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Brie Leon Daphne Tooled Bucket Bag
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Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
I’ve used the same bag for work since I started my career (I bought it at 16 and still adore it) so I’m not in the market for a work bag. If I were though, I’d be pouncing at this bucket bag from Brie Leon. The brand’s founder and creative director Janine Zafra has a great eye for accessories design, and this feels distinct from all the other totes on the market right now. It would make even the most basic outfit feel directional. From a functionality perspective, it fits all standard laptop models and has a solid base, so you can stand it up on your desk and not have all your ‘bits’ fall out.
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Yu Mei Medium Utility Braidy
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Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
What can I say, I just really love a brown bag. New Zealand brand Yu Mei is well-known for its leather goods, but last year it introduced the Utility range, made from regenerated nylon. This is just the nylon version of the brand’s iconic Braidy bag – such a gorgeous coffee bean colour and big enough to carry my laptop, snacks, and all the beauty products I inevitably lug home from my desk at the end of the week.
Get it here.
Georgia Jay FLO in Cherry
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Picked by: Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Production Executive
This bag from Auckland-based label, Georgia Jay, is the perfect combination of slouchy and structured. It features easily accessible internal pockets and a top zip to keep everything secure, which means I feel safe doubling up and using it as a carry-on hand luggage when travelling. I have my eye on the Italian Nappa leather in the cherry shade but it comes in 12 different colours and materials so there’s a style that’ll suit every person’s wardrobe.
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St. Agni Woven Woven Bon Bon Bag in Chocolate
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Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
My work wardrobe is fairly neutral and oversized, which means I love accessories that do the heavy lifting. The woven detailing and clutch silhouette of this bag add dimension, making even the most simple outfit interesting. While it sits on the smaller side, I can envision wearing it out to meetings, work events and evening drinks. It’s the perfect example of a well-made, brown leather bag and I can tell the cost-per-wear would be great.
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Oroton Muse 15″ Worker Tote
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Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
I love the more masculine style of this work bag and can imagine grappling with my husband for ownership rights. As someone who often steps into his wardrobe for button-up shirts and suit pants, it makes sense we’d want to share. Made from calf leather, it feels timeless in design but still contemporary in feel, given it has more delicate lines. We also love (many) internal pockets and an adjustable strap for work and this style also comes with a removable laptop pocket. It would make a great graduation gift or congratulations for someone who’s just landed their dream job.
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For more workwear inspiration, try this.
