Best everyday designer purse for document-carrying professionals?

[lenarmc]

Handbags were not really designed to be work bags/briefcases. I'm not saying that you can't use one, but at least for me, it's not functional. I'm a teacher which means that I carry papers. I've always either used a backpack or a messenger style bag. They are functional and have multiple pockets. Most even have a padded area for a laptop. Handbags aren't designed to protect technology which, for me, is most important. Tumi makes amazing work bags.
I guess that I prefer function as opposed to something designer.

 

[Happy Luppy]

^ Agree.

I find Ivanka *****'s Soho Work tote is good for professionals. Heck, it even have Battery Charging Pack.

It has lots of pockets and i think the overall size of the bag is good papers and documents.

 

[Tulip2]

I had been carrying a no-name briefcase for years. I decided it was time for a new one! My Chanel SA saw a Pink Caviar Cerf Tote Large Shopping handbag and grabbed it for me immediately (as she knows I love pink). I've been using it as a briefcase ever since. It has outside pockets and a removable zipped section in the middle or you can leave it in to stay organized. It has an ever so small "CC" on the outside. It is certainly not "in your face" Chanel.
It's the best briefcase I've ever had.

 

[tickedoffchick]

I agree with the suggestion to carry a separate tote or briefcase for papers, laptop, etc. That way you can go out to lunch or dinner with colleagues or clients and not lug around your entire day, and you get to use your nice bags. Jack Georges makes some nice, relatively light bags that while not designer, are definitely professional and understated.

 

[monbaglady]

I bought the Ferragamo Nolita Large in Beige for this exact purpose. It's good quality leather, handle drop is long enough to be carried on the shoulder, not double lined so you won't get back pains when carrying a laptop, has poppers on the side to increase carrying capacity AND it can be zipped close which is strangely rare in totes these days. Would definitely recommend for other laptop/file toting professionals out there!

Slightly off topic here, but I've found the search for work appropriate mid-range handbags so challenging that I'm considering starting my own line. Anyone else?

 

[JenW]

Slightly off topic here, but I've found the search for work appropriate mid-range handbags so challenging that I'm considering starting my own line. Anyone else?

Interesting! I too have found it tough to find professional leather handbags in the middle price range. In conservative fields, you can't carry trendy brands a lot of the time.

I find myself carrying Tumi nylon. Ferragamo has a nice understated look, but the prices are higher than I want to pay most of the time.

 

[prepster]

Honestly, for carrying documents and a laptop, especially involving travel, I wouldn't go the designer route. I'd go to Tumi. Their bags are great quality, usually lightweight, and have great interior designs with useful, well-thought-out pockets. I'd save the designer choice for outside of business, or for a handbag to go out to business dinners, especially if the business environment is conservative and a designer bag might be too flashy.

I use a Tumi ARRIVÉ "Kennedy" bag for work with a Hermes Jige in black tucked inside for going out to lunch or for evening dinner. It has the padded Tumi T-Pass feature for a laptop so it is great for travel, because I don't even have to take my laptop out of the bag when going through security--just open the flap. It is a beautiful bag and gorgeously well made, and has lots of dividers and pockets so I can find things. I get compliments on it constantly, and it might serve your wish for designer but under the radar. People who travel a lot "in the know," know Tumi is high quality and expensive. Plus, you could get matching luggage and look very chic when you travel.

 

[mishmc]

An alternative to Tumi is Knomo. Designer bag-like looks but with padded laptop compartments, card holders, etc. This is my go to business bag brand for traveling 26 weeks/year www.knomobags.com

 

[UpUpnAway]

I use a large longchamp pliage tote that I am very rough with to carry all kinds of work-related items. And then I carry a separate handbag. Sometimes I'll bring my work tote home, sometimes I won't. But I always have a separate handbag with me.

 

[Pimpernel]

I love Filofax handbags, they're durable, all leather, full of pockets, and ideal for lugging laptops and big files, withal very feminine, in lots of bright colours and very reasonably priced.