rec your work tote or help me choose

[7costanza]

I'm going back to work soon, after maternity leave, and need a new bag for commuting. I take public transit and will need to take my rather bulky laptop, lunch, and a book each day plus the usual wallet, phone, keys etc. My budget is up to about $300. So far I've found the bags below, but am having a hard time making a decision. Does anybody care to weigh in or recommend a tote you love?


shop.nordstrom.com/s/rebecca-minkoff-m-a-b-leather-tote/3632149?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Elephant&resultback=1581&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_4_A

www.coach.com/online/handbags/Product-legacy_turnlock_tote_in_pebbled_leather-10551-10051-26477-?cs=svgp

www.coach.com/online/handbags/Product-north_south_city_tote_in_saffiano_leather-10551-10051-23821-en?cs=b4bnh&catId=5000000000000015036&navCatId=7100000000000000596

www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Large-Harper-Tote-TOTES/prod23140021_cat8519_cat8501_/?index=3&cmCat=cat000000cat8501cat8519&isEditorial=false

shop.nordstrom.com/S/kate-spade-new-york-hester-street-ronda-tote/3515397?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=ZINNIA+PINK&resultback=5095&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-4_16_B

[egishere]

I like all of them but do you think leather is going to be too heavy? I want a lighter bag when I carry to work or travling. Check out the Lo & Sons bags-I have the OMG and really like it.

[heyrebekah]

My vote is for the first one, in Port.

[DirtySouth]

MAB Tote!!  I have two and (heart) them so much.  I bought a mint colored one in the spring and just bought the new port color for fall and winter.

It's a gorgeous bag.  The leather is very nice (the bag will feel a bit stiff at first but softens up as you use it).  I went to court today and it held two fat files with no problem, along with my wallet, keys, and a few other random items.  I can carry my laptop and one big file in it easily as well.  I also like the number of pockets as I can fit some pens, gum, lipstick, keys, etc in the various pockets.  It's big enough to hold a lot of work crap without looking ridiculously huge.  I wouldn't want to go any bigger, mainly because my MAB tote filled to the max is as heavy as I can carry on my shoulder, and any more stuff would require something that rolls.

[DirtySouth]

This is the one I am carrying now. It doesnt look really big but that's because there is barely anything in it in the picture.


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[BeagleMama]

I have the Coach Legacy Turnlock and love it. I buy a big, black leather Coach bag about every 5 years and carry them for work. The one I just "retired" is still in great shape but was looking a little outdated. Some may say it's boring but I think it's solid, classic and goes with everything. My second choice would be the Rebecca Minkoff or the other Coach option.

[7costanza]

Oct 21, 2013 13:28:12 GMT -5 egishere said:

I like all of them but do you think leather is going to be too heavy? I want a lighter bag when I carry to work or travling. Check out the Lo & Sons bags-I have the OMG and really like it.

Thanks for the recommendation! I like that bag but sadly I don't think my laptop would fit in it.  

[7costanza]

Oct 21, 2013 13:46:54 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

MAB Tote!!  I have two and (heart) them so much.  I bought a mint colored one in the spring and just bought the new port color for fall and winter.

It's a gorgeous bag.  The leather is very nice (the bag will feel a bit stiff at first but softens up as you use it).  I went to court today and it held two fat files with no problem, along with my wallet, keys, and a few other random items.  I can carry my laptop and one big file in it easily as well.  I also like the number of pockets as I can fit some pens, gum, lipstick, keys, etc in the various pockets.  It's big enough to hold a lot of work crap without looking ridiculously huge.  I wouldn't want to go any bigger, mainly because my MAB tote filled to the max is as heavy as I can carry on my shoulder, and any more stuff would require something that rolls.

I'm glad to hear you like the MAB tote, pretty sure that's what I'm going to get. Thank you!

[egishere]

Oct 21, 2013 14:02:17 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Oct 21, 2013 13:28:12 GMT -5 egishere said:

I like all of them but do you think leather is going to be too heavy? I want a lighter bag when I carry to work or travling. Check out the Lo & Sons bags-I have the OMG and really like it.

Thanks for the recommendation! I like that bag but sadly I don't think my laptop would fit in it.  

Now that I look at them I think I actually have the OG-which is bigger.  I can fit my standard size laptop in there along with lots of other crap.

[Norticprincess]

Our TJ Maxx had a very similar MK bag - under $200