Best Designer Tote Bags for Travel in 2023

best designer travel tote bag

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.

Best Designer Tote Bags for Travel 2023

Here we go over our top picks for designer tote bags for travel by style and size:

Best Designer Leather Tote Bag with Zipper

Winner: Elegance Tote Bag

Pros:

Full grain leather
Compartment for up to 14 inch laptop.
Spacious zipped main compartment
Internal pockets for essentials like your phone.
Reliable YKK zippers.
Durable cotton lining.
Available in brown, black, red, and tan.
Can be personalized.

Click here to check the price

Best Small Leather Laptop Tote Carry-On Bag

Winner: Exquisite Leather Laptop Bag

Pros:

Full grain leather
Slim profile
Detachable shoulder strap
14 inch laptop compartment
Mobile and tablet slip pockets
Large internal zipped pocket
Three pen slots
Fits A4 size paper
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized
Available in black, brown, red, or tan

Click here to check the price

Best Large Leather Laptop Tote Bag

Winner: CITY Leather Laptop Bag

Pros:

Full grain leather
Detachable shoulder strap
Fits up to a 15.6 inch laptop.
Handmade in Italy
Dedicated laptop compartment
Additional zipper pockets

Click here to check the price

Best Tote Weekender Travel Bag

Winner: Weekender Leather Travel Bag

Pros:

Full grain leather
16 inch internal padded laptop sleeve.
Internal zipped pocket for travel essentials like your passport.
Plenty of space for all your gear.
Adjustable shoulder strap.
Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
Perfect overnight bag.
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized

Click here to check the price

Best Tote Garment Bag

Winner: Grand Leather Garment Bag

Pros:

Full grain leather
Dedicated garment carrier.
Carry a dress or garment without creasing.
Large main compartment for other items.
16 inch laptop compartment.
Adjustable shoulder strap.
Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized

Click here to check the price

Best Travel Tote Backpack

Winner: Prime Leather Backpack

Pros:

Full grain leather
14 inch laptop sleeve.
Multiple front zipped compartments.
Adjustable shoulder straps
Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized
Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.

Click here to check the price

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:

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.

We always aim to have the highest editorial standards, and only publish accurate information on our website.