If you want to transport items including your phone, wallet, laptop, a change of shoes and a garment or two, you may wish to invest in a designer tote bag.
Particularly spacious bags have become much more in demand over recent years. It’s wise to have at least one spacious tote bag available to you should you need to transport a heavy load.
In this post, we'll pick our favourite designer tote bags for travel in 2023.
Our top picks:
1 | ![]() | Best for a stylish leather tote bag with zip. Elegance Tote Bag |
2 | ![]() | Best slim leather laptop bag. Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag |
3 | ![]() | Best for a sophisticated laptop travel bag. City Laptop Bag for Women |
4 | ![]() | Best smart leather weekender bag. Weekender Travel Bag for Women |
5 | ![]() | Best for a leather garment travel bag. Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women |
6 | ![]() | Best for a stylish laptop travel backpack. Prime Backpack |
Best Designer Tote Bags for Travel 2023
Elegance Leather Tote Bag
Best for business travel with a touch of elegance. The Elegance Leather Tote Bag is perfect for carrying your laptop and essentials in style.
Elegance Tote Bag Product Highlights:
Material Origin | Certified Italian vegetable-tanned leather from Tuscany |
Laptop Sleeve | Specifically designed slot for up to a 14" laptop |
Interior Quality | Robust Italian cotton canvas lining, pleasant to touch |
Zipper Durability | Renowned Japanese YKK zippers ensuring longevity |
Craftsmanship | Handcrafted in family-owned studios in Florence, Italy |
Sustainability Commitment | Supports traditional craftsmanship and eco-friendly practices |
Leather Treatment | Leather treated with sustainable methods, ensuring quality and origin |
Wear Resistance | Designed for frequent use without excessive wear and tear |
Handle Strength | Handles crafted to carry laptops, documents, and books securely |
Watch the Elegance product video below:
Browse more images of the Elegance:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment |
Durable and long-lasting | Weight adds to its overall quality and strength |
Spacious and versatile | Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity |
Suitable for both professional and casual use | |
Multiple compartments for organized storage | |
Stylish design |
Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag
Best for businesswomen on the go, the Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag is sleek, spacious, and secure, with a padded compartment for laptops up to 15 inches.
Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag Product Highlights:
Product | Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 40 cm (16 in) |
Height | 29 cm (11 in) |
Depth | 10 cm (4 in) |
Weight | 1.1 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Watch the Exquisite product video below:
Browse more images of the Exquisite:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials |
Sleek and sophisticated appearance | Not completely waterproof |
Slim design for easy portability | Limited storage space compared to larger bags |
Durable and long-lasting construction | |
Multiple compartments for organized packing | |
Perfect for both casual and professional use | |
Develops a unique patina over time | |
Sufficient storage for laptop and essentials |
City Women's Laptop Bag
Best for stylish business travel with a laptop, the City Leather Laptop Bag for Women is perfect for the modern working woman on-the-go.
City Laptop Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | City Laptop Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 15.6 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 38 cm (15 in) |
Height | 28 cm (11 in) |
Depth | 7 cm (3 in) |
Weight | 1.2 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Watch the City product video below:
Browse more images of the City:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials |
Stylish and sophisticated design | Not completely waterproof |
Ample storage space and compartments | Not ideal for extremely heavy items |
Comfortable to carry and handle | |
Durable and long-lasting construction | |
Develops a unique patina over time | |
Easy to clean and maintain |
Weekender Women's Leather Weekend Bag
Best for a luxurious weekend getaway with friends or a romantic partner, the Weekender leather bag adds sophistication and style to your travels.
Weekender Travel Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | Weekender Travel Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 16 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 55 cm (22 in) |
Height | 30 cm (12 in) |
Depth | 23.5 cm (9 in) |
Weight | 1.9 kg (0.9 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Watch the Weekender product video below:
Browse more images of the Weekender:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials |
Stylish and sophisticated design | Not completely waterproof |
Ample storage space for essentials | Not ideal for extremely heavy items |
Comfortable to carry and handle | |
Durable and long-lasting construction | |
Develops a unique patina over time | |
Easy to clean and maintain | |
Multiple compartments for organized packing | |
Suitable for weekend trips and overnight stays |
Grand Women's Leather Garment Bag
Best for businesswomen on short trips who want to arrive in style with wrinkle-free clothes - Grand Women's Leather Garment Bag.
Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women Product Highlights:
Product | Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Detachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 55 cm (22 in) |
Height | 33 cm (13 in) |
Depth | 25 cm (10 in) |
Weight | 2.1 kg (1 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Watch the Grand product video below:
Browse more images of the Grand:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials |
Stylish and elegant design | Not completely waterproof |
Ample storage space for clothes and accessories | |
Comfortable to carry and handle | |
Durable and long-lasting construction | |
Develops a unique patina over time | |
Features hanger hooks for easy storage of garments | |
Zippered compartments to keep clothes secure during transport |
Prime Women's Leather Backpack
Best for chic city breaks with hands-free convenience - Prime Women's Leather Backpack is the perfect blend of style and practicality.
Prime Backpack Product Highlights:
Product | Prime Backpack |
Material | Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned |
Laptop Size | up to 14 inch |
Lining | Durable Cotton Canvas |
Zippers | YKK Zippers - Italian-Made |
Handmade? | Handmade in Florence, Italy |
Straps | Adjustable Straps |
Carry-on Compliant? | Yes |
Width | 27 cm (11 in) |
Height | 40 cm (16 in) |
Depth | 12 cm (5 in) |
Weight | 1.2 kg (0.5 lbs) |
Personalization? | Custom Laser Engraving |
Watch the Prime product video below:
Browse more images of the Prime:
Our review:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Made of full grain leather | May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials |
Stylish and versatile design | Not waterproof |
Multiple compartments for organization | Not ideal for carrying extremely heavy items |
Comfortable to wear | |
Durable and long-lasting | |
Develops a unique patina over time | |
Can be easily cleaned and maintained |
How to Choose a Designer Tote Bag
Size
Size is a very important thing to consider when you want to buy a designer tote bag. Make sure the tote bag that you’re looking at has the capacity to store all the things that you will need.
Many people need to carry their laptops around with them for both work and other reasons. If you will be carrying a laptop in your tote bag, seek out something with generously sized straps to ensure you remain comfortable when using the bag.
Heavy bags can start to dig into the shoulder quite quickly, but large padded straps can keep discomfort at bay.
Material
Another thing that you need to think carefully about is material. Seek out bags made from materials that will last for years to come.
If leather does lose its luster, you can always buff and shine it to make it look as good as new again.
However, you won’t be able to reverse the degradation and fraying associated with canvas. If you are looking for a leather bag, you will be able to get it repaired for a modest fee if or when it does start to degrade.
Brand
You also need to consider the brand carefully when you’re shopping for a new bag.
The more prestigious the brand is, the better the quality is likely to be. If you opt for a bag manufactured by a leading brand, you may also be able to get much of the cost back should you decide to sell it further down the line.
Even if a bag does seem expensive, this at least means you will be able to get more if you put it on the market.
Related:
Color
We also strongly advise you to think about color when you want to buy a designer tote bag. Seek out something which at least works with most of your outfits. Darker, neutral colors can work well with all kinds of sartorial choices. You will also have a wealth of options available to you when it comes to texture.
Tote FAQs
What are tote bags used for?
Tote bags are used for carrying a wide range of items around. If you have a lot to take from A to B including several big items, it’s a great idea to invest in a tote bag. A tote bag offers a stylish way to get your laptop to the office or café, get your groceries from the store and transport goods for the beach or a picnic.
How can I store a tote bag?
Many tote bags come complete with cloth dust bags. If yours doesn’t, you can always purchase one separately.
Related:
- Best Travel Backpacks for Women
- Women's Leather Travel Bags
- Best Travel Bags For Women
- Best Crossbody Bags For Travel
- Cute Leather Backpacks for Travel/School
- Crossbody Bags For Travel
- Leather Travel Purses
How can tote bags be cleaned?
If you buy a leather tote bag, it’s a great idea to take your bag to the leather smith every so often to keep your bag looking its best. Leather smiths can be found in the vast majority of towns and cities.
You may also be able to get your bag maintained by your local cobbler. If you use your bag regularly, it’s advisable to have it shined, buffed or refurbished every six months to a year.
If your bag is made out of another material such as canvas, take a look at the instructions that it came with to find out what the best way to clean and care for it is.
Conclusion
We hope you found our best designer tote bags for travel post useful.
If you ever need any help with anything to do with bags or fashion, feel free to contact the Von Baer team, at info@vonbaer.com.
Browse our travel pages here, or our women's pages here.
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