Do you carry two bags to work? Purse and tote, etc?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#31
When I need to carry anything extra, I use my bag and a tote. I want to be able to carry my choice of bags. Also I don't want to take a chance on spilling something in my bag, or loading it up with too much weight. Which tote I carry depends on where I'm going and what I need to carry. I have both Coach and other designer totes, and also some no name totes.
This also gives the option of leaving the tote in the car or wherever, when it's not needed.
 
#32
THANK YOU all for the feedback! You have freed me from thinking I need to find a bag to do it all. I agree, I like to keep my handbag separate from my work (or other outing) things a lot of times. I don't like to have my 32oz Nalgene water bottle in my handbag because I have had it leak before, and besides it's big and heavy!! I like to be able to carry extra things on any given day without worrying about overloading my purse. I have a Leah tote that I bought at the outlet a couple years ago and that has been my go-to tote bag. It's definitely big enough that I could throw my wallet and things in there, but I don't like to have to inventory what I have and don't have. My handbag/purse has what I need ALL the time, my tote has what I need for the day. I guess, I was just wondering if I was crazy not being able to find that perfect carryall bag to hold everything. I like bringing my favorite handbag with me every day. It sits on my desk for me to admire. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rdbilder
#33
I carry my coach handbag and a tote. I bring the tote to put my tennis shoes in and my lunch, water, and other items that I will not put in my purse. The attached picture is what I am carrying today. I got the tote from the thrift store for under $2.00 and it is a great tote. I love the color.
 

Attachments

  • Tote and zoe.jpg
    Tote and zoe.jpg
    66.6 KB · Views: 830
#34
brucebettye said:
I carry my coach handbag and a tote. I bring the tote to put my tennis shoes in and my lunch, water, and other items that I will not put in my purse. The attached picture is what I am carrying today. I got the tote from the thrift store for under $2.00 and it is a great tote. I love the color.
Click to expand...

That tote is super cute! Your tote bag looks like it would meet all my requirements. Thanks for sharing!

I definitely don't think I need to carry a second COACH tote, and I love bags that are fun and colorful. I have requirements though:

Long strap drop for shoulder carry
Stands up on its own
Somewhat structured on the bottom so it doesn't buckle when loaded
Interior pockets would be nice
 
#35
I carry two bags, whatever purse I am using, and then a tote for things that I don't want in my regular bag -gloves, lunch, general work crap, etc. I admit I have on occassion resorted to the dreaded plastic grocery bag to carry lunch, shoes to change into at work, etc like that. *hangs head in shame* I am really not a tote bag kind of person; I only have one, other than a few reusable, fold up shopping bags for when I buy groceries at Aldi!
 
#36
Mom2jtv said:
THANK YOU all for the feedback! You have freed me from thinking I need to find a bag to do it all. I agree, I like to keep my handbag separate from my work (or other outing) things a lot of times. I don't like to have my 32oz Nalgene water bottle in my handbag because I have had it leak before, and besides it's big and heavy!! I like to be able to carry extra things on any given day without worrying about overloading my purse. I have a Leah tote that I bought at the outlet a couple years ago and that has been my go-to tote bag. It's definitely big enough that I could throw my wallet and things in there, but I don't like to have to inventory what I have and don't have. My handbag/purse has what I need ALL the time, my tote has what I need for the day. I guess, I was just wondering if I was crazy not being able to find that perfect carryall bag to hold everything. I like bringing my favorite handbag with me every day. It sits on my desk for me to admire. :)
Click to expand...

Hahaha! I sit my bag in the chair in my office across from my desk so I can look at it all day lol It keeps me company :)
 
#37
I work in a highly secured unit (to prevent identity theft), no laptops, ipads, cellphones, pens, papers... any of that is allowed to be visible, and we get buffet lunch for $5 and have several cheap restaurants nearby so I don't carry lunch. Sometimes when I'm going out after work or traveling I carry a large longchamp le pliage. I have 3 of those and they come very handy to carry stuff around.
 
#38
My mom carries her normal purse for the day and then carries a huge dooney bag that can fit her lunch bag, soda, work files, and trinkets she may take in or bring home. My sisters also carry an extra bag to carry their things that would not be in their normal purse. I personally would carry a bag for those extra pieces to work also but right now I'm not in an office type job. I don't know if you are into the brand but Vera Bradley makes really nice totes with tons of pockets.
 
#39
Mom2jtv said:
I definitely don't think I need to carry a second COACH tote, and I love bags that are fun and colorful. I have requirements though:

Long strap drop for shoulder carry
Stands up on its own
Somewhat structured on the bottom so it doesn't buckle when loaded
Interior pockets would be nice
Click to expand...
Those are my exact requirements too! Let me know if you find something like that!
 
#40
I have a lot of stuff to schlep to work, including lunch and a laptop and sometimes a change of shoes, and I walk 1 mile each way to and from the train station. Size, weight, and practicality have become big issues in my bag selection.

I carry a bag for my usual "purse stuff" and I use a rolling backpack from Samsonite for my laptop and other work materials. I pack my lunch in a Vera Bradley lunch tote that fits into the rolling backpack. I also have a VB ditty bag if I am carrying a change of shoes and it also fits into the rolling backpack.

I am not a big fan of VB purses but I find serveral of their accessories light-weight, practical, well-made and usually inexpensive. See the links below (NMAs) for pics of the samsonite rolling backpack and my VB accessories.

Samsonite rolling backpack, has net side pockets for water bottle, umbrella, and a laptop holder inside:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/in-da-katarina-clubhouse-749548-5.html#post22309127

VB coated canvas cooler for lunch:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERA-BRADLE...771?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c9377e4b

VB plastic-lined drawstring ditty bag for shoes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-Vera-Br...764?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item3380171254
 
Last edited:
#41
I carry two bags to work. Right now I am using the large Audrey cinched tote in navy patent for my work tote to carry lunch, water bottle, etc. There is no way I could fit everything in my purse.
 
#42
sheisgi said:
Yes!!!! Disgusted. I didn't replace it but I'm thinking I should. I did find a store that still carries them for a reduced price. Not as reduced as I would like it BUT cheaper than I paid for her.
Click to expand...

That's awful. We have a lot of on-call staff coming & going on my unit and at the hospital so I just, personally, wouldn't want to leave one of my Coach bags there for fear of someone taking it. You just never know. I wish we had a locked staff room. I suppose I could use one of the lockers but that's all the way downstairs, lol.
 
#44
I was glad to see this thread--I feel like I struggle with this all the time!

I need to carry a laptop (ugh), notebook/papers(trying to ditch these and go all digital) water bottle, snacks/sometimes lunch, cosmetic case, wallet, and for now since I'm nursing my baby, a small cooler for expressed milk and all the bottles and junk that needs to go with that. I take a bus then it's a short walk to the office.

Just when I think I find a system that works (one big bag, two small bags, or purse + laptop bag, etc.) I get sick of it and need to try something else!

Currently I've been carrying an MZWallace which is big enough for my laptop, notebook, cosmetic bag, wallet. Then an unstructured re-usable fabric bag for everything else. Love the MZWallace due to the number of pockets and the organization, and I switched to this from any of my Coach bags because the nylon is durable, and in the winter months can take a better beating than my sophia, lindsey, chelsea or caroline! But generally in nicer weather I carry a larger Coach bag that will fit my laptop too.

I just got the large saffiano city tote and it fits everything I listed all in one... but it's pretty huge. I do love it because it's such a gorgeous looking bag AND it has a separate compartment which fits my laptop and other great pockets inside! I'm re-thinking this bag though, because it's wider than me when on my lap, so this could be a pain on the bus. Also I'm not going to carry the cooler/bottles for longer than another couple months, so beyond that I think the large saffiano will be overkill.

Interested in hearing if others have any good recommendations for the "extra tote" that carries lunch, shoes, etc! The unstructured one is driving me bananas and I feel it doesn't look all that great.
 
#45
I'm a SAHM now, but when I was working I'm pretty sure I carried a large purse and separate lunch tote. If I was currently working, I would either do that or get myself a large saffiano and toss in a large wristlet or clutch as my purse. I doubt I would carry a large handbag and a large tote.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top