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They’re worth the investment Black Tote
The best designer tote bags shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions. Luxury designs are so special because they’re the most elevated versions of totes we can carry all the time—instead of hiding them away in a dust bag.
“Investing in a designer tote is all about quality and function,” Bazaar accessories director Miguel Enamorado says. “What it’s made of is as important as what it’s made for. The more it serves that purpose, the more you will wear it and the more it will be worth your investment.”
“Worth the investment” can mean different things in different wardrobes. Most experts I spoke to agreed the best designer totes combine function and style—and aren’t necessarily the bags you’ve seen all over TikTok. Rachel Glicksberg, manager of women’s fashion and new initiatives at the RealReal, says “classic” bags always outperform trendier styles. “Always consider something classic that you will use day, night, and while traveling,” agrees Tiffany Hsu, fashion director at Mytheresa. If you’re new to luxury accessories, she says, “a durable, leather option would be a great first designer tote.”
Selecting your personal best designer tote from the hundreds of Chanels, Bottegas, and Pradas out there comes down to your lifestyle. If you’re searching for a laptop bag, seek out a spacious silhouette by Tory Burch or Cuyana, with separate compartments for your office essentials. If you’re elevating your everyday handbag, smaller totes by Gucci or Saint Laurent might be more suitable. And if you want something that’s more about personal style than pure function? Consider the unique shapes and textures from upstarts like DeMellier and W 78 St, as well as classics by Hermès and Chanel.
Whether you’re more of a minimalist seeking a structured leather tote or an It bag collector hunting for the best designer bags, the most worthwhile option is the one you’ll actually use. Ahead, I’ve gathered the 25 best designer totes I’ve tested and researched with expert assistance—all of which are worth carrying for years.
Acquiring DeMellier’s New York bag is almost like joining a very stylish secret society—one made up of editors, designers, publicists, and other creatives who carry the exact same tote. It’s structured and spacious, like any worthwhile tote bag, with a rounded handle that comfortably sits over the shoulder. The croc embossed suede gives off an “I mean business” energy I always want to exude when I’ve got a lot going on at work.
Colors: Black croc, off-white, black, tan suede, olive
What teeny-tiny totes lack in storage, they make up for in panache. Gucci’s Diana tote (named for the late Princess of Wales) expertly contrasts whimsical shades of leather with a polished bamboo handle and a removable crossbody strap. Carry this when you’re spending an entire day out and need only your essentials—or sling it over a larger neutral tote for contrast.
Colors: Pink, white, green, beige
Forget what you thought you knew about functional tote bags. W 78 St’s Jolie proves designs that work hard can look effortlessly cool. Inside the spacious, angular compartment—crafted from dyed calf hair and leather—you’ll find that the leather straps can adjust to three different drop lengths for your preferred way to carry.
I’ve always wanted the curve of a moon bag with the dimensions of a market bag. And Danish designer Aesther Ekme delivered with this sleek, single-strap tote. While it has the volume to carry an iPad, sunglasses, and a hefty designer wallet, nothing about its smooth leather or evergreen shade feels heavy or overly utilitarian.
Once you join the Polène bag fandom, you don’t look back. Let this tote bag be your starter, complete with a zippered pouch, equestrian contrasting stitching, and a wide silhouette that can fold inward for a more rounded look (versatility!).
Colors: Cognac, black, oyster, beige canvas, and more
Ferragamo’s new twist on the leather tote was first presented on its menswear runway—but it’s a fit for anyone and everyone. You’ll find enough space for a weekend’s worth of clothing or your daily commute inside its artfully constructed, star-shaped compartment. While I personally gravitate toward Ferragamo’s trademark red, there are several other shades to try, from neutral classics to seasonal color trends.
Colors: Red, yellow, midnight blue, black, terracotta, camel
Some shoppers are discovering Longchamp’s fold-up canvas totes for the first time this year. Others have a sizable collection folded up in their closets (it’s me, hi). It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the know, as long as you recognize why they’re an enduring classic. Each Le Pliage tote offers seemingly bottomless storage potential without losing its polished look. And when you want to try out another bag, this one easily folds into a small square for storage. I’ve used mine as everything from an airline carry-on to a tote for dance classes.
Colors: Black, paper, navy, cobalt, grenadine, and more
Hunting Season’s understated bags are my top recommendation when my group chat is looking for quiet luxury bag brands. The dark brown shade, topstitching details, and belt-inspired strap are timeless, but not basic. (And yes, it can fit a small laptop.)
On work days, this Cuyana tote comfortably fits my corporate-issued laptop, a water bottle, a book for the train, and a packed lunch (when I remember it). I’m most drawn to how clean and simple it is—I can carry it with pretty much anything.
Colors: Stone, dark olive, black, caramel, and more
What reviewers are saying: “My new favorite tote. It is beautifully made, plenty of room for all essentials but best of all, light weight. Love!”
Straw tote bags never feel old or outdated. Nili Lotan’s handwoven take has a sturdy base to stand up on its own, plus a zippered internal pocket for separating cash and keys from sandy beach essentials. The clean, minimal design can also work as a summer-centric work tote.
If I had my way, I’d devote at least half my closet to Prada totes. Narrowing down the shelves of nylon purses and heritage styles like the Cleo bag to just one pick, this top-handle tote is it. The pattern cleverly plays with Prada’s triangle logo, plus it’s easy to carry and has all the space any true everyday bag needs.
From the moment Chanel unveiled its tote/backpack hybrid, Bazaar editors sensed it would be an all-time favorite. Having carried it for months now, those who have it are enamored with its balance of utility and elegance—and those who don’t own one yet have it at the top of their wish lists. (Hint, hint.)
While this bag can chicly store a laptop and smaller necessities on its own, Enamorado says it’s best styled with a second bag. “I love doubling mine up with a smaller crossbody bag for easier access to the essential phone and wallet, and to be able to transition to after work events,” he says.
Mytheresa’s Hsu calls this style from the Row “an amazing option” if your designer tote search starts with suede. “Soft, big bags are definitely a trend that consumers are always interested in,” she explains. “We have seen these softer totes in luxurious suede materials and neutral colorways recently increase in popularity.” All versions include a detachable shoulder strap and an interior card slot.
Hereu’s bags are so striking, a Bazaar editor stopped a woman carrying one at New York Fashion Week to ask where she’d found it. It’s all thanks to that leather trim and geometric shape. The details inside live up to the street-style first impression. Within, you’ll find a spacious interior with a leashed zip pouch for extra organization.
Loewe reimagined its Puzzle top handle handbag as a larger tote with instantly shoppable results. The triangular sections aren’t just for show—they allow the bag to fold in on itself for effortless storage (or a Fashion Week party trick). Choose between four two-tone variations or two classic neutrals.
Colors: White/beige, warm desert/black, vivid orange/burgundy, pearl gray/dark gray, brown, black
Bottega Veneta’s intrecciato leather weave is just as recognizable as a logo, yet elegantly reserved. There’s an interpretation for every mood and wardrobe, but I’m partial to the Andiamo line, with its exaggerated proportions and knotted hardware details. (Jacob Elordi, king of the designer handbag, is also a fan.) On days when you have less to carry, the mini East-West version has your name written all over it.
Colors: Gray, yellow, black Materials: Leather, hardware
This understated leather tote bag is a must when storage is your top priority. It’s one of the roomiest bags on my list, fitting a 16-inch laptop with plenty of space to spare. Inside, you’ll also find a coordinating leather pouch that can double as a wallet or compartment for your keys, AirPods, or other small essentials.
Colors: Camel, sand, pine, black/flamma
What reviewers are saying: “It is large and spacious but has a great shapes that holds up well and doesn’t look massive even on a small person. Color and leather quality are lovely, very characteristic of MG bags.”
Embellished, but not over-the-top: Brandon Blackwood’s signature boxy tote is a lesson in balance. The double handles add a ladylike quality, whether you carry it with a jeans-and-tee outfit or a slinky black-tie gown. There’s also a removable strap for easy crossbody carrying.
Colors: Black/silver, black/gold
There are people who are satisfied with a single, do-it-all tote bag, and there are people who need a tote for every season and situation. Anyone who self-identifies with the second camp needs a shearling après-ski bag (even if they haven’t realized it yet).
What reviewers are saying: “Fantastic bag!”
Telfar bag drops are, like the weather and the whims of the Fashion Week calendar, unpredictable. But if you can participate in the label’s rare “bag security” sales or find the color of your choosing on a site like Rebag, you walk away with a sturdy, spacious tote that possesses an inherent cool factor.
Colors: Brown, blue, green, pink, red, and more
Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.
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