No matter how many trendy bags you own, the one you probably reach for most is a sturdy leather tote. No other type of bag can moonlight as a gym or laptop-friendly work bag. Ask any fashion insider for their take on the best leather totes, and they’ll likely say the same thing: the carryall is essential. So, we turned to the experts—real working women who carry them—to help us find the very best leather totes money can buy.
Joyce Lee, former Head of Design at Madewell and the author of Time Less, a personal shopping newsletter on Substack, says the value of a great leather tote lies in its functionality, style, and versatility. And if you’re deciding between buying a new leather tote or relying on the canvas one you use for groceries, Lee recommends the former. “I find leather as a material is unmatched when it comes to durability while also adding elevation,” she explains. “Leather ages beautifully, making it feel timeless and practical.” It’s the definition of an investment that stands the tests (and wears) of time.
However, not all leather bags are created equally. There are specific design details to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping. Jess Graves, a writer and author of the fashion newsletter The Love List on Substack, recommends looking for reinforced stitching so the strap won’t break during your morning commute. “If you live in the city, make sure the shoulder strap will go on over a coat! Nothing is more annoying than the strap struggle when you’re schlepping through the sleet,” she tells Marie Claire. “I used to live in Atlanta, where I’d throw everything in my car. Now that I live in New York, my tote bag is my car! It has to perform.”
