The Best Tote Bags for Flying, Shopping, and Just Living Your Life

Cuyana Classic Leather Zipper Tote 

Cuyana’s leather totes are the gold standard in everyday bags—sturdy and rendered in gorgeous leather that only gets better with age. The zipper is one of the sturdiest we’ve ever come across—meaning your wallet and belongings are super secure. We love this tote in burgundy: it’s different enough to stand out but neutral enough to work with any look. Don’t forget to personalize with your monogram!

Everlane Soft Day Tote

Everlane changed the game for elevated, sustainable basics, so we knew they’d totally nail the tote game, too. This one is big enough to hold a laptop and a lunch, making it ideal for a work commute. The unstructured leather gives off subtle boho vibes while remaining luxe enough to be office ready.

Madewell The Medium Transport Tote

It’s suede. It’s corduroy. It’s the best of both worlds! This Madewell tote bag comes with a removable shoulder strap for days when you want to switch it up, plus an interior zippered pocket to keep smaller items secure. We especially love the Midnight Spruce color, which in the corduroy suede manages to look both green and blue. Versatile! 

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top

OK—it’s impossible to talk totes and not talk L.L. Bean, whose iconic boat-and-totes have been holding school supplies, beach gear, and picnic essentials for decades. The classic red perfectly captures the brand’s Maine spirit, and the zip-top offers extra security, making this the tote bag you’ll want to bring, well—everywhere. 

LeSportsac Gabrielle Medium Nylon Box Tote

If you want a tote that feels indestructible but still looks stylish, that combination is LeSportsac’s whole thing! Rendered in easy-to-clean, hard to tear nylon, this practical and stylish tote (it also has multiple straps and a strong zipper) would be ideal for a European vacation—it’s perfect for filling up with souvenirs! 

Longchamp Le Pilage Club Large Shoulder Tote 

Whether you’re actually strolling through the cobblestone streets of Paris or just daydreaming of a French vacation, only Longchamp will do. The French cool girl’s bag of choice, this tote folds up neatly in larger bags and then expands to hold wine, cheese, and baguettes (or, you know, a laptop and a phone). And in the gorgeous plum shade? Très magnifique!

ABLE Emnet Large Foldover Crossbody Tote 

ABLE is doing more than making bags—95 percent of the brand’s employees are women, and the company is committed to paying fair and livable wages to workers around the world. This foldover tote is made of buttery soft leather in Ethiopia. The smart design is a versatile option for a tote that can be styled a few different ways.

Away The Longitude Tote 

Away has totally upped the travel game with its instantly beloved suitcases, and they’ve brought that big packing energy to their tote. It has a bunch of pockets for keeping electronics safe and files organized, and the sleek, shiny leather is both chic and professional. We love it in this dark green for a pop of color on your way to an important business meeting. 

Senreve Voya Tote

Designed by (and for) glamorous businesswomen and hand-constructed in Italy, Senreve is the status tote you didn’t know you needed—until now. The Voya tote in a luxurious pebbled black leather has a whopping eight pockets, plus a removable laptop sleeve. This is a tote bag that says you’ve got it all, and you look great doing it.

A New Day Reversible Tote

Target is the ultimate destination for practical shopping, so it’s no surprise they’d take it to the next level with this faux-leather tote. Not only is it affordable (as in, under $40 affordable), it’s also reversible—black one day, warm brown the next! What could be better than two styles for the price of one?

Dagne Dover Allyn Tote

This Dagne Dover tote has a place for everything. Pens? There are cute leather straps for that. Laptop? A dedicated compartment. Want to keep your water bottle upright? Dagne Dover thought about that, too. Since it’s so practical on the inside, we love the idea of getting this in a fun color like bright red.

Timbuk2 Bucket Convertible Shoulder Bag 

This convertible tote, in a stylish olive green shade, will take you from the classroom to…any room you want. In shoulder bag mode, it’s perfect for a computer and notebooks. Remove the straps and you’ve got a more traditional tote that’s full of organizational compartments. Bonus points that it’s totally waterproof. 

Free People Heritage Suede Hobo Bag

Free People is basically synonymous with boho chic, which is why we turned to the brand for the perfect slouchy bag. In soft brown suede, this is the tote bag we’d take to Coachella. The unstructured style means you’ll be able to hold all your essentials—and can wear it hands-free for selfies. 

Reformation Venti Beach Tote

Leave it to beloved sustainable fashion brand Reformation to come up with the beach tote of our dreams. Seriously: this jute tote is begging you to fill it up with a book, some sunscreen, and a towel—and hit the sand. If a seaside vacation isn’t in the cards, we love this for a stroll around a weekend farmer’s market, too. 

Matt & Nat Schlepp Vegan Tote Bag 

High quality vegan leather is the best of both worlds—it looks super luxe, but it’s gentle on the environment (and often on the wallet). This Matt & Nat tote bag is big enough to hold a laptop or a tablet, plus your other essentials. It’s made from recycled nylon, which makes it an especially good choice if ‘eco-friendly’ is at the top of your wish list. 

Kate Spade Molly Leopard Large Tote

Say it with us: leopard print is a neutral! And leave it to Kate Spade to come up with the cutest leopard tote we’ve ever seen. In warm browns and soft pinks, this tote will go with everything—and since it’s lightweight (thanks to the vegan leather fabric), it’ll hold everything, too.

Baggu Puffy Tote

Leave it to Baggu, the ultimate reusable tote brand, to come up with a cozy winter parka…for your stuff. We love this bag for an after-work trip to the grocery store—the padding will keep even the most delicate fruits and veggies intact, and it’s light enough to fill with essentials while keeping your shoulders happy.

Tory Burch Gemini Link Coated Canvas Tote

The Goyard Saint Louis is a status bag with a status price tag—the French bags start in the four figures. If you love the look but don’t want to drop that much coin, this Tory Burch tote is the perfect alternative. It’s got a similar chevron print, and the coated canvas is both durable and easy to clean. Truly, the perfect dupe.