Best Designer Tote Bags for Travel in 2023

by Albert Varkki updated 07-07-2023

Table Of Contents

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 Read More
2		Best slim leather laptop bag. Exquisite Women's Laptop Bag Read More
3		Best for a sophisticated laptop travel bag. City Laptop Bag for Women Read More
4		Best smart leather weekender bag. Weekender Travel Bag for Women Read More
5		Best for a leather garment travel bag. Grand Leather Garment Bag for Women Read More
6		Best for a stylish laptop travel backpack. Prime Backpack Read More

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:

"This high-selling women's bag for travel is designed to serve you well through a host of global adventures. The bag gives you a great deal of space for all your travel essentials and has a laptop sleeve which can accommodate any machine up to 14 inches wide. Manufactured from sophisticated Italian full-grain leather, the bag comes with a host of great features like a zipped pocket for modestly-sized items, a YKK zipper, three of pen slots, cotton lining and strong leather straps. You can carry this women's travel bag by hand or over your shoulder. Expect the bag to last for many trips before it needs to be replaced."

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:

"Are you ready to acquire a magnificent women's bag for travel? Then this option could be for you. This bag is ideal for holidays and business trips. Suitable for all your holiday essentials, the bag is made from premium-grade Italian full-grain leather by expert craftsmen and comes complete with a tough YKK zipper, a robust cotton interior and incredible stitching. There is also a 14" laptop compartment to help you stay connected. This popular bag also comes with slender handles as well as a leather-padded shoulder strap. Why not take a closer look at this magnificent women's travel bag today?"

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:

"This women's bag for travel should be ideal for your needs if you're looking for something elegant and durable that will serve you well for many holidays to come. The bag is designed to help you transport all your holiday essentials in style and is made from premium Italian full-grain leather. It can hold a laptop up to 15.6 inches wide and can be carried with the rounded top handles. Alternatively, you can use the adjustable shoulder strap. Why not take a closer look at this fantastic women's travel bag today if you need something that's as visually pleasing as it is functional?"

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:

"Take a look at our exceptional women's bag for travel if you need something that will serve you well for many holidays or business trips to come. The bag is ideal for storing all your key holiday essentials and comes with exceptional features like tough cotton canvas lining and a YKK zipper. This carry on-compliant bag is manufactured in Italy by some of Florence's most experienced craftsmen. The smooth, sturdy handles make it easy to carry this bag around with you as you explore your destination. It also comes with an adjustable leather strap alongside inner pockets to keep everything organised."

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:

"This brilliant women's bag for travel will support you on your holidays or business trips for many years to come. The bag is designed to help you carry your suit or dresses in style and boasts incredible features like the YKK zipper and strong cotton canvas lining. Carry-on compliant, the bag is designed to serve you well for a long time before it needs to be replaced. The bag is manufactured from premium grade Italian full-grain leather by specialist craftsmen in Italy. It also has dependable handles and an adjustable shoulder strap. Take a closer look at this popular women's travel bag today."

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:

"If you need a women's travel bag that offers ample space for clothing, toiletries and a laptop or tablet, this bag could be perfect for your requirements. The bag comes with a host of great features and is designed to serve you well on your travels for many years before it needs to be replaced. Features which have made this bag so popular include the robust YKK zipper, the robust canvas on the interior and the elegant Italian full-grain leather that it is manufactured from. The bag is ideal for the airport, the city and the hotel and comes with adjustable shoulder straps as well as a wide top handle for your extra comfort."

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:

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.

Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

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