The allure of a tote bag lies in its accessibility, yet the sheer variety can make selecting the perfect one for your style and requirements a bit challenging.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed choosing between large or small, canvas or leather, or deciding on the ideal color or print for your tote bag?
These versatile carry-alls, favored by college students, shoppers, and anyone craving extra storage, come in a myriad of options.
Selecting the ultimate tote bag may seem straightforward, but the array of choices can make it more intricate than anticipated.
Fear not! To simplify your decision-making, here’s a curated list of the best tote bags currently available. With styles and purposes spanning a broad spectrum, you’re sure to find one that perfectly suits your needs.
- Baggu Zip Duck Bag
- Dreubea Leather Tote Bag
- Deluxe Tote Bag
- Topdesign Tote Bag
- Marc Jacobs Tote Bag
- Leatherology Tote Bag
- Bellroy Tote Bag
- Nodykka Tote Bag
- Nisolo Tote Bag
- Dasein Tote Work Bag
- Top Design Tote Bag
- Lovevook Purses and Tote Bags
- Madewell Tote Bag
- Coach Willow Tote Bag
Baggu Zip Duck Bag
Baggu zip duck bagThe BAGGU Zip Duck Bag is an updated version of the company’s previous Duck Bag. Although the specifics of the update don’t matter too much, what is important is that it’s a large, durable tote bag.
Better yet, it includes an extra cross-body strap, which many tote bags don’t. Considering a tote bag is a fairly broad category, the BAGGU meets the basic criteria. However, it includes a zip closure, which often isn’t the case.
While it’s not always a necessary addition, it means you can use this tote bag to carry your belongings rather than as a shopping bag. At 15.75” x 11” x 4.75”, it’s quite a large bag.
But as the description states, it’s big enough to hold a 15” MacBook. Alternatively, of course, you could carry books or other large items.
This will be ideal for holding smaller items like keys, AirPods, and so on. As with all tote bags, it has top carry handles but also includes a cross-body strap.
With this, you can carry the bag like a messenger bag (over one shoulder). The bag is made from recycled cotton canvas, which is a very sturdy material.
As such, you can be confident that it’ll hold a lot of weight without stretching or ripping. To improve its durability, it has taped seams too.
A plethora of colors is at your disposal, offering an extensive array of choices for your preferred style. The only minor drawback, and it’s not significant, is that the cross-body strap may not be exceptionally practical. The bag, however, boasts a considerable length, measuring almost 16 inches.
While the strap is adjustable, even when it’s short, the bag will sit quite low. Unless you’re quite tall, you might find it knocks against the back of your knees, especially when it’s full.
Below are some of the pros and cons of the Baggu zip duck bag :
- Large enough to hold a laptop
- Made from durable cotton canvas
- Zip openings help keep your belongings secure
- The bag might sit a bit low when worn across the body
Dreubea Women’s Soft Faux Leather Tote Shoulder Bag
dreubea women’s soft faux leather tote shoulder bagThe Dreubea Women’s Tote Bag is another everyday style tote. It’s quite a popular style in the women’s handbag market, and it’s easy to see why.
It’s large, has straps that are a good length, and can hold a lot of stuff. While you might not use it to carry your shopping, you can carry all your everyday essentials in it.
The bag is made from faux leather, meaning you get all the visual benefits of leather without having to pay a premium price. It’s technically made of plastic, but it’s grained like real leather.
You’ll be able to tell the difference up close, but people looking at it won’t be able to see. Size-wise, it’s another fairly large tote bag. It measures 15.7” x 11.4” x 4”, and its straps are almost 10” long.
This strap length means you can easily wear it on your shoulder with the bag tucked under your arm, and it shouldn’t get in the way. As with the BAGGU above, you’ll be able to fit a 15” laptop in it.
The Dreubea has a single large main pocket, which has a magnetic popper to hold it shut. While this is less secure than a zip, it’s a fairly standard closure mechanism on this kind of tote bag.
It has a small internal pocket that doesn’t have a closure. This means it’s not as secure, but it’s quite deep, so it’s unlikely your smaller belongings will fall out.
One benefit of this style of tote bag is that it’s seamed down the sides and has a bucket bottom. In short, this means the bottom is flat.
This is helpful because it allows you to stand the bag up when you’re not carrying it, and makes it easier to pack larger items into the bag. The main downside of this bag is that the material is fairly thin.
Although you shouldn’t expect miracles at this price point, it does mean you need to be careful about how many heavy things you carry at once.
Whereas canvas or real leather is durable, faux leather can stretch quite a lot. It’s not the end of the world, but just be careful about what you try to carry.
Below are some of the pros and cons of the Dreubea tote shoulder bag :
- Good size and shape
- Faux leather looks surprisingly realistic
- Button closure is enough to keep the bag secure
- Faux leather can stretch if you’re carrying lots of heavy things
Open Top Heavy Duty Deluxe Tote Bag
Open Top heavy duty deluxe tote bagConsidering the price point, the DALIX Open Top Tote Bag might be the best tote bag in terms of value for money. It’s made of cotton canvas, so is super durable, and is a lot bigger than similar bags.
As such, it could carry quite a lot of heavy things with little difficulty. Let’s start with the important point: the material. As mentioned, this bag is 16 oz.
It has all the standard hallmarks of a tote bag – top straps and a large rectangular body. The straps are long enough to carry it over your shoulder, making this bag ideal for everyday use.
In terms of storage, it has a large central compartment, although this doesn’t have a closure mechanism. However, there is an inner pocket that zips shut as well as an outer pocket.
This should be more than enough space to hold your valuables, such as a phone, wallet, and so on. Measuring 22” x 6” x 16”, this tote bag is larger than similar products.
As such, you could easily carry a laptop and books. Alternatively, you could use it for larger items, such as stuff for the beach or gym.
The fact that it’s made from canvas means it can handle heavier items than a bag made of something like faux leather. There are loads of color options available.
The body of the bag is always the same color (natural cotton) but the color of the straps and trim changes. It should be pretty easy to find one you like considering how many options there are.
Luckily, there isn’t much bad to say about this bag. The only thing that would make it better would be a closure mechanism for the main pocket.
Below are some of the pros and cons of HeavyDuty deluxe tote bag :
- Heavy duty for its weight
- Large enough to hold a change of clothes, etc.
- Suitable for everyday use
- Would benefit from a closure mechanism for the main compartment
TOP Design Initial Canvas Tote Bag
top design initial canvas tote bagThe TOPDesign Initial Canvas Tote Bag is a slightly different design from other totes on this list. It’s slightly shorter and wider, although its overall dimensions are pretty much the same.
However, its shape arguably makes it look classier, which goes well with the fact that you can have it personalized with your initial! This tote bag is made from 13 oz. cotton canvas.
While this is lighter than the Dalix bag above, it’s still fairly sturdy. The slightly smaller size means you probably won’t be carrying as heavy items anyway.
That said, the straps are sewn on quite securely, so it could probably take a bit of weight. It measures 17” x 11.8” x 7.8”, so as you can see, its dimensions are similar to other tote bags.
However, the difference is that this bag is wide rather than long. It doesn’t have a big impact on its function, but it’s worth noting regardless.
One useful feature is that the bottom is reinforced with cushion padding. This means it’ll remain upright even with stuff in it. While this doesn’t sound like a lot, many tote bags will fall over.
The straps have a drop of 6.5”. While this is less than some other tote bags, they’re still long enough for you to carry over your shoulder.
The straps, bottom panel, and reinforced seams are all made from contrasting black canvas. This gives the bag a nice classic feel.
One of the main selling points of this bag is that you can have it personalized with your initials. Granted, this doesn’t have an impact on the bag’s function, but it’s a nice touch.
The tote bag reviews suggest using it as a souvenir or gift, and this is a good idea.
For example, you could use these tote bags as bridesmaids’ bags or as party goody bags! The only real downside of this bag is that it doesn’t feature a secure inner pocket.
Below are some of the pros and cons of top design initial canvas tote bag :
- Can be personalized with an initial
- Features contrast paneling
- Works well as a gift bag
- No secure inner pocket
Marc Jacobs Women’s the Medium Tote Bag
marc jacobs women’s medium tote bagMarc Jacobs is known for a range of iconic products, and The Tote Bag is one such example. So if you want an everyday tote bag that has all the important features – and large Marc Jacobs branding – this might be the one for you.
As with most tote bags, this one is made from canvas. Of course, at this price point, you’d hope it’s going to be a sturdy bag.
And luckily it is – you can see this in the reinforced stitching and just the overall quality of the product. It measures 13” x 10.75” x 4”, and the handles have a 4” drop.
There’s also a detachable cross-body strap so you can use it as a purse. The main pocket has a zip closure, as does the smaller inner pocket.
As such, it can easily store all your belongings without any worry of losing them. Unlike the BAGGU tote above, the cross-body strap works well on this bag.
This is because it’s a bit smaller, so there’s less risk of it banging against the back of your legs. While this means you can’t carry as much, it’ll still fit all of your everyday essentials.
This is probably its downside as well, though. Its size means you’d only be able to fit a small laptop or tablet in it. However, it’s quite deep, so you should be able to fit plenty of books or even clothes in there.
Below are some of the pros and cons of Marc jacobs tote bag :
- Incredibly sturdy construction
- The shoulder strap is useful
- Zip closure keeps things secure
- Slightly smaller than similar models
Leatherology Uptown Vertical Tote
The Leatherology Uptown Vertical Tote is, unsurprisingly, a real leather tote bag. As such, it’s a higher price point, but this equally means it could last decades if cared for properly.
Helpfully, it’s a decent size and shape, so would work well as an everyday bag. The bag’s outer is made from grained leather, meaning it has texture to it.
It’s very soft leather, too, which makes it feel much higher quality. The straps and small inner pockets are also leather, while the main compartment is lined with fabric.
Its dimensions are 15.5” x 14.75” x 3.5”, and the straps have a 9.5” drop. As such, it’s ideal for carrying over your shoulder.
There’s no closure mechanism on the main pocket, but one of the 3 inner pockets has a zip. The others are slip pockets, but that’ll be fine for smaller items.
The size means it’s suitable for everyday use as a purse, but would also make a good professional bag. It’s large enough to carry folders or a laptop with little difficulty.
And, better yet, it’s soft enough for you to be able to fold it up and store it in a larger bag if you’re traveling.
There’s not much bad to say about this tote bag. It might seem like it’s quite expensive, but it’s a reasonable price point for a leather bag of this size. Plus, leather can last a long time, so it’s arguably a sound investment.
Below are some of the pros and cons of Leatherology uptown vertical tote bag :
- Decent size for everyday use
- Real leather is high-quality
- Can be folded up for storage
- The price point might be too much for some
Bellroy Tokyo Tote Second Edition
The Bellroy Tokyo Tote is made from nylon, which makes it fairly sturdy. A helpful feature is that this tote has a padded sleeve specifically for a laptop, as well as an outer slip pocket.
The nylon outer of this bag is water-resistant, which is useful if you’re using it for work or traveling. It’s got a zip for the main compartment, so you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet either.
Its dimensions are 14” x 18.5” x 5”, so it’s a fairly large tote. It can hold laptops up to 13” in the padded compartment. While other bags can hold larger laptops, the padding here is a useful addition.
It means you don’t have to worry about your laptop getting damaged while you’re traveling. The outer pocket has a zip closure, so it’s suitable for holding valuables.
It’d be ideal for storing things you need quickly, such as a purse or your phone. The inner slip pockets are large enough to hold a bottle of water, and you can press them flat when you don’t need them.
Overall, this means it’s easy to keep your things organized. The only real negative of this bag is that its bottom is narrower than its top. As such, it can tip over when set down, especially if the side pockets are full.
Considering it can hold a laptop, you probably won’t want it to tip over while commuting. However, you can get around this by leaning it against something when you’re not carrying it.
(Price at Time of Publishing)
Below are some of the pros and cons of Bellroy Tokyo tote Bag :
- Plenty of separate compartments
- A dedicated laptop sleeve is a big bonus
- Water resistance makes it good for commuting
- Can tip over when set down
Nisolo Genuine Suede Lori Tote Bag
Nicolo genuine suede Lori tote bagThe Nisolo Lori Tote Bag is, as the name states, made from genuine suede. The quality of the material is immediately obvious – the main body is suede and the bottom panel is leather for extra durability.
This bag is a standard everyday tote shape. It measures 18” x 5” x 13.5”, so is a bit smaller than other bags on this list. As such, you might struggle to fit a laptop in it, but it should easily hold a tablet or notebook.
It has a single large main compartment and a small inside slip pocket. There isn’t a closure mechanism for either pocket, though. While this isn’t the end of the world, it would be a useful addition.
This bag has a squared bottom, meaning it won’t tip over when you set it down. Also, the handles are fairly wide, which makes it comfy to carry even when it’s got a lot of stuff in it.
Importantly, the straps are also suede, so they won’t stretch. It’s not a downside as such, but the main thing worth mentioning about the Nisolo tote is the durability of its suede.
Unlike leather, suede isn’t as durable. The main issue is that it can go crispy if it gets too wet. While this shouldn’t put you off buying it, it’s worth remembering if you want this tote as an everyday bag. Just try to avoid getting it wet!
Below are some of the pros and cons of the Nisolo genuine suede Lori tote bag :
- Made from high-quality suede
- The bottom panel is made from leather for added durability
- Good size for your everyday items
- Suede is harder to keep looking nice than normal leather
Dasein Women Ladies Top Handle Satchel Tote Work Bag
This purse from Dasein is a good example of how far the tote bag label can be pushed. It fits all the requirements for a tote bag, but it’s a fashionable purse.
The tote bag also comes with a separate purse, giving you a complete matching set at a very reasonable price point. This tote bag is made from vegan leather, although it doesn’t state what material is used.
However, the quality of the material is much higher than normal faux leather. The bag is two-tone and has metallic hardware elements, including buckles and a shoulder strap.
The bag is 13.75” x 11” x 6.25”, so it’s much smaller than other tote bags on this list. this is because it’s technically a purse rather than a tote bag, but it’s still a good size for everyday use.
The shoulder strap is detachable and measures 32”, giving you plenty of flexibility over body placement. In terms of pockets, the bag has a main compartment that closes with a zipper.
Inside is a zipper pocket and 2 slip pockets. This gives you loads of space for keeping your stuff separate. The top has poppers to expand the zipper for when the bag is quite full.
One thing worth noting is that the shoulder strap isn’t removable. This might be an issue if you want to use this bag like a tote. However, the handles aren’t long enough for you to wear on your shoulder like a normal tote, so it’s not a massive issue.
Below are some of the pros and cons of a dasein satchel tote work bag:
- Good quality vegan leather
- Ideal as an everyday bag
- Plenty of separate pockets to keep your stuff organized
- The shoulder strap isn’t removable
TopDesign Embroidery Initial Canvas Tote Bag
topdesign embroidery initial canvas tote bagThis TOPDesign Canvas Tote Bag is similar to the company’s other entry on this list. The biggest difference is its size – this one is much bigger.
However, it still has the personalized initial, making it ideal as an event gift for guests (or simply as your everyday bag). The bag is made from 12 oz. cotton canvas.
As mentioned above, this isn’t the heaviest canvas used for tote bags, but it’s a good compromise between durability and weight. It means that this bag can be folded up for storage as needed.
It’s a fairly large tote. It measures 21” x 15” x 6”, and it has an 8” x 8” front pocket. The main compartment has a zip closure, whereas the front pocket is just a slip pocket.
It’ll keep your belongings safe, but it would make sense for the front pocket to also have a zipper. The bag is a natural cotton color (cream) with black detailing.
The straps and bottom panel are contrasting, which gives it a nice premium look. The initial is also black, but this is embroidered directly onto the bag.
Its only issue is that the bottom of the bag isn’t flat. This means it won’t always stand up when you set it down, and it could be harder to pack. But you can get around this by leaning it against something when you’re not carrying it.
Below are some of the pros and cons of TopDesign embroidery initial canvas tote bag:
- A good compromise between size and weight
- Embroidered initial makes for good personalization
- The zipper on the main pocket is useful
- The bag doesn’t have a formed bottom
Lovevook Purses and Tote Bags
The Lovevook Purse and Tote Bag Set features a large faux leather tote bag along with 2 smaller purses. The tote bag is large and can hold a lot of stuff.
Helpfully, it has a few separate inside pockets and handles for carrying. This bag is made from faux leather, specifically PU. It’s fairly obvious that it’s not real leather, but the quality is still decent for the price point.
The extra bags are made from the same material, and all come in the same color. The tote has a main compartment that closes with a zipper. Inside are 2 zipper pockets and 2 slip pockets, giving you plenty of organization space.
There’s also an outside zipper pocket that’s perfect for your phone or wallet. Its dimensions are 11.8” x 4.5” x 9.8”, so it’s a bit smaller than other totes on this list. However, as an everyday purse, this is a good size.
A really helpful feature of this bag is that not only is the bottom square, but it also has metal feet. This makes standing the bag up much easier and means you’re less likely to damage it.
Some people might find the shoulder straps too short. However, this could be because it’s meant as an over-arm tote rather than over-shoulder. If you think that’ll bother you, consider one of the other faux leather tote bags on this list that has longer straps.
Below are some of the pros and cons of Lovevook purses and tote bags :
- 3-in-1 purse set
- Good material for the price
- Plenty of pockets for easy organization
- Handles are shorter than on other bags
Madewell Zip-Top Medium Transport Tote
Madewell medium tote bagThis tote bag from Madewell is genuine leather, as is evident in the price point. But as mentioned, real leather items are an investment and will last you much longer than a comparative model made from synthetic materials.
The leather used for this tote bag is high quality. It’s very soft and has a lovely brown color (but it’s also available in black).
The bag has main handles with a drop of 8.25”, making them ideal for over the shoulder. But there’s also a removable shoulder strap that has a drop of 14.25”.
The bag itself measures 12.25” x 11” x 5.5”. So, while it’s not the largest tote bag on this list, it’s a good size for an everyday bag. You should easily be able to fit a good amount of stuff in it, including a tablet or small laptop.
There’s an outside slip pocket that’s surprisingly big. The main pocket has a zipper closure, and there’s an inside zipper pocket.
Again, this isn’t the most pockets you’ll find on a tote bag, but it’s enough for keeping your stuff organized. Its only potential issue is that the shoulder strap is fairly short. This is the opposite problem to some of the bags above.
Plus, this bag is slightly smaller, so it could tolerate a longer strap. While this isn’t a massive issue, it’s certainly worth mentioning.
Below are some of the pros and cons of the Madewell Medium tote bag:
- Decent size for everyday use
- Leather is high quality
- Has natural water resistance
- The shoulder strap might be a bit short
Coach Willow Tote Bag
Coach Willow tote bagCoach is known for its high-quality bags, and this Willow Tote is no exception. It’s a good size for an everyday bag and is made from real leather.
The straps have a longer drop than other totes of a similar size, which is ideal for carrying while wearing a coat. This bag is made from pebbled leather, meaning it has a grained pattern embossed into it.
The leather is also glossed. This means it has a slight shine and is more water-resistant than normal leather.
Size-wise, it measures 13.5” x 10.75” x 5.75”. This is a decent size for an everyday bag, and is big enough to fit a 13” laptop inside. The handles have an 11.5” drop, which is a bit more than other totes.
This should make it easy to carry on your shoulder. The main compartment has 3 different closure mechanisms!
There’s a main zipper, but also a magnetic closure and turn lock. The last 2 are ideal if the bag is slightly too full to comfortably close the zipper.
There are also 2 inside slip pockets. Perhaps the only downside is the price. However, it’s a genuine Coach tote bag, and anyone who’s ever tried one of the company’s products will know that the price reflects the quality.
Provided you’re willing to pay for this price point, you’ll get a high-quality bag.
Below are some of the pros and cons of coach willow tote bag:
- Good everyday bag size
- Plenty of closure options for the main pocket
- Longer handles make it easy to carry
- The price might not suit everyone’s budget
FAQs
What Does Tote Mean in Bags?
The word tote in the term tote bag refers to its original meaning. To tote something means to carry it. So, this is a carry bag.While all bags might be carry bags, the purpose of a tote bag is easy to carry. Typically, tote bags are made from canvas and have 2 parallel top handles.
Who is this for?
Tote bags are a universal design that can work for anyone. A cotton canvas tote bag is a practical bag, so there’s no limit to who can use one. This is part of their industry appeal: they’re unisex and easy to adapt to a wide range of tastes.What is a Tote Bag vs. Shoulder Bag?
Tote bags and shoulder bags might seem like they’re the same thing, but there’s a major important difference between them. Put simply, shoulder bags usually have a single long carrying strap.A tote bag, on the other hand, has 2 smaller carrying handles. However, a tote bag can be carried over the shoulder if the handles have a large enough drop.
Also, as you’ve probably seen, totes can have a shoulder strap to carry them cross-body. A shoulder bag might also have smaller carrying handles, but these are for carrying it in the hand rather than over the arm.
It’s possible to dig a lot deeper into the technical differences between a tote bag and a shoulder bag. However, both of these terms are quite broad, so many of the characteristics don’t apply anymore.
Can You Carry a Laptop in a Tote Bag?
Tote bags are perfect for carrying laptops around. Their size and shape mean they’re designed for larger items, such as a laptop, rather than just for everyday belongings. Of course, if you plan to carry a laptop in a tote bag, you’ll need to be aware of its size.Always aim to get a bag that’s at least 1 inch bigger in each direction than your laptop. This is because most bags won’t be true to their listed dimensions, and carrying stuff in them will change their shape. For example, if you were to fill your tote bag up, you could expect it to lose a bit of its width.
Are Tote Bags Classy?
A standard tote bag might not always be classy, as they’re more practical than fashionable. However, there’s such variation in what a tote bag can be that it’s entirely possible to find a classy tote bag.Of course, this might entirely depend on what classy means to you, and where you plan to use the bag. For example, a large canvas tote bag would be perfectly classy for the beach, but might not have the same impact when going to a restaurant.
- Leather will always look classy for an everyday bag. While faux leather is a good compromise, real leather looks nicer and will last a lot longer.
- A single, solid color generally looks more elegant than multiple colors. The only exception is black and white – a classic combination.
- Although not always the case, a plain design will often be more classy than something quite busy. If nothing else, a plain tote bag will be more timeless than something with lots of metallic or colored elements.
Do Tote Bags Get Dirty?
It should hardly come as a surprise that tote bags get dirty. Any bag will get dirty, but it can be quite obvious on a canvas tote bag. Luckily, pretty much all tote bags are easy to clean, although the exact method will depend on the material.Canvas bags can be washed. You might need to handwash it depending on the design and color, but a standard tote bag can be put in the washing machine. Either way, you can treat them like normal fabric.
Faux leather should be wiped down with a damp cloth. As it’s plastic, it’s fairly easy to clean, but also shouldn’t get too wet.
Conclusion
So, whether you’re carrying books to college, a laptop to work, or simply want a versatile everyday bag, a tote bag will pretty much always be the perfect option.Using the list above, you should easily be able to narrow down your options to find the best tote bag for your needs.
