The Best Interview Bags for Ladies
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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
What do you think are the best interview bags for ladies? How does your answer change if you're looking for a work bag for your first day of work, business travel, and beyond?
As part of our general interview advice, we've rounded up 5 things to always bring to interviews and pondered “rules for interview shoes” (surprisingly there are some!), as well as shared tips on dealing with post-interview anxiety. Depending on where you are in your career, you may want to check out our best on-campus interview tips, the best job application tips for mid-levels, or readers' tips for women interviewing at high-level jobs.
{related: all our best tips for summer associates}
Our Latest Favorite Interview Bags for Ladies
As of 2024, if you're hunting for a lightweight tote large enough to fit a paper resume — the perfect interview bag for ladies! — these are our favorite options…
What Makes a Great Women's Interview Bag
Whenever I've looked for a great tote bag for an interview (especially a day of interviews like with OCI) I've appreciated tote bags nylon (lightweight) but structured (non-floppy, stand up by themselves on the floor), large enough for a folder (for copies of your resume), and ones that are are mostly a solid color without brash logos.
How is an Interview Bag Different From a Regular Work Bag?
How are the best interview bags for ladies different from regular work bags for women? As I've noted before, I think the best work bags in general may be leather (more polished), with room for a laptop or possibly a legal-size notebook, and have intelligent details like feet, keyfob chains, interior pockets, and more.
What Are the Best Interview Purses?
Call me old school, but I still think it's great to bring a paper copy of your resume with you to an interview — and that generally means bringing a bag large enough for a folder. Which… is not many purses! This is generally why we prefer tote bags as the perfect interview bag, compared to the elusive best interview purse.
That said, we do have our favorite professional purses…
Hunting for a great professional purse? In 2024, readers are loving affordable crossbody bags like those from Cuyana, Lo & Sons, and Madewell.
In terms of a designer bag to suit your life as a professional, readers have been loving affordable(ish) luxury brands like Polène, Tory Burch, Strathberry, DeMellier, and Mansur Gavriel, as well as more designer bags like Chloé (particularly the Marcie line) and Mulberry. (If money is no object, Loewe and Bottega Venetta are always worth a look!)
Can You Bring a Backpack to an Interview?
I generally don't think backpacks are the best interview bags for ladies — they often read too young and too casual for the interview environment. There are exceptions here if you really need an ergonomic bag, but in general I'd avoid backpacks for interview outfits.
That said, a convertible tote could help you out — these have multiple straps (sometimes hideable) that help you wear it as a backpack in one situation and then convert it to a regular tote. (We've listed our favorites at the bottom of this post; you can also check out our post on the best work backpacks for regular days at the office.)
Should You Carry a Designer, Luxury Bag to Your Interview?
Should you bring a luxury work bag to an interview? I generally vote NO on this — in fact, the more junior you are, the less appropriate it is to bring an ostentatious, designer work bag to an interview. There are various reasons for this — you should know your office, you should know your boss before you dress better than him or her, and (for an interview at least) you don't want to come across as a person who doesn't need the money.
Regarding designer bags, we've rounded up the best luxury work bags, answered questions from readers wondering if businesswomen MUST have a designer bag, as well as questions from a young lawyer who wondered if she could buy a $2700 bag even though she was just starting out, and the intern with the $9000 bag (our first viral post, aw!).
What Are the Best Interview Briefcases for Women?
Should women bring briefcases to interviews? Again, I would say no, and part of this is because of a definitional issue. I think of a briefcase as having a very short handle, which means you have to be holding it all the time. If someone offers you a cup of coffee or bottle of water during your interview, your hands are now full — and you won't be able to shake someone's hand.
That said, we have rounded up classic briefcases for women — our latest favorites are at the bottom of this post.
A related question is the “professional padfolio,” or some of the more modern “leather clutches,” almost like large leather redwelds. These can be great and stylish — but again, you often have to hold them with your hand, which violates our rule about leaving your hands free.
Our Latest Favorite Interview Bags for Ladies
As of 2024, if you're hunting for a lightweight tote large enough to fit a paper resume — the perfect interview bag for ladies! — these are our favorite options…
Some Related Categories for Women's Work Bags
These may not be the best interview bags for ladies, but if you're willing to invest a bit more for an all-around great work bag, or if you're hunting for another specific kind of bag or purse, these are our latest favorites!
The Best Work Bags and Totes
Some of the most neutral, timeless options if you're looking for tote bags include these, pictured below:
Some of the best work bags for women as of 2025 include great totes from Cuyana (with a zipper), Tumi, Tory Burch, Lo & Sons, and Madewell (north/south). Also try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags! If you're looking for a budget tote (or one in a specific color) check this Amazon seller (22K+ good reviews) or this Amazon seller (60K+ good reviews).
(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here's our latest roundup…)
The Best Budget Work Bags
Looking for a great work bag under $100 in 2025? Some of our favorite spots to check include Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx. Specific styles include this faux leather Amazon tote under $20 and this affordable line from Samsonite (especially this backpack). Everlane's great ReNew bags are also under $100. The very trendy BÉIS bags are usually under $150 as well. If you just want a lightweight, basic nylon tote, this Amazon one looks great.
Stylish Interview Bags for Ladies – A Closer Look
A Great Lightweight Interview Bag: Tory Burch
The Tory Burch nylon Ella is one of my favorite lightweight interview bags. It still has a bit of polish and style, because of / even though it has a large logo on the bag. I like that it stands up by itself, also.
A Great Affordable Interview Bag for Ladies: Quince
Oooh: this large nylon tote from Quince is new to me, but is getting great reviews — and it's only $89. I like the recycled leather trims, as well as the external slip pockets and internal laptop sleeve. Perfect!
The Best Amazon Bag for Interviewing
Amazon reviewers LOVE this nylon shoulder bag that's under $50 — it fits a laptop, water bottle, cell phone, wallet, lunch box and more. I love the flat wide base, as well as the fact that it has a zipper top closure!!
It's from Amazon seller YALUXE.
Other Great Work Bags for Women
The Best Laptop Totes
In general, I don't think you need to bring a laptop with you to an interview — but your mileage may vary! You can check out our roundup of the best laptop totes for women, for all the details, but our latest favorites are below.
Some of our favorite laptop totes for work in 2025 include Cuyana, Tumi, Tory Burch, Lo & Sons, Béis, and Calpak.
The Best Work Backpacks
Update: Hunting for the best work backpacks? Some of our favorites in 2024 are below — see the full post for all the details!
The Best Padfolios and Leather Clutches
Some of our favorite women's padfolios for 2025 are below! If you want something monogrammed, check out Etsy, Leatherology, Levenger, Case-it, or (for a splurge), Smythson — you can still find them at Amazon, Target, or Walmart. (Also check out our roundup of executive clutches and leather document holders, as well as women's briefcases!)
The Best Briefcases for Women
Should women bring briefcases to interviews? In general I would say no, because I think of a briefcase as having a very short handle, and I think it's better to keep your hands free so you can shake hands, carry a cup of coffee, etc. That said, we have rounded up classic briefcases for women — our latest favorites are below.
Here are some classic briefcases for women that have been around for a while — in fact the Dooney & Burke option has been around since at least 2010.
The Best Luxury Work Bags for Women
Should you bring a luxury work bag to an interview? I generally vote NO on this — in fact, the more junior you are, the less appropriate it is to bring an ostentatious, designer work bag to an interview. There are various reasons for this — you should know your office, you should know your boss before you dress better than him or her, and (for an interview at least) you don't want to come across as a person who doesn't need the money.
As of 2025, some of our latest favorite luxury work bags (large enough to hold papers and a laptop!) include Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Saint Laurent, Kaai, and DeMellier. Of course, note that a lot of our readers who are in big jobs note that they love their (more affordable) Lo & Sons bags, as well as their Tumi.
Looking for work backpacks to splurge on in 2025? Montblanc, MCM, Songmont, and Senreve (also!) are great, and readers are always huge fans of all things Tumi. Some of our favorites…
The Best Convertible Backpacks for Women (Backpack -> Totes)
I generally don't think backpacks are appropriate for interviews, either, but a convertible tote could help you out — these have multiple straps (sometimes hideable) that help you wear it as a backpack in one situation and then convert it to a regular tote.
As of 2024, some of our favorite convertible backpacks for work include options from Lo & Sons and M.Gemi.
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Updated social media images via Pexels / Ketut Subiyanto. Original social media picture credit: Shutterstock / Superlime.
For me, large canvas tote with firm logo for day to day (I would use an LL Bean boat and tote if the logo-ed version weren’t basically the same) and a longchamp for days when I have to travel, see clients, etc. I keep my laptop in a striped sleeve, so it just gets tossed in with the rest of the papers. I usually do a workbag and a purse unless traveling by plane – I have been in a hot pink nylon Henri Bendel bag last summer and this summer and get tons of compliments on it.
I would love recommendations on the absolute strongest (while also cute and a bit feminine) bags. My office issues me a laptop that, while new, is ridiculously heavy. I have broken the strap on an LV Neverfull and numerous other less expensive totes. I have a pretty McLean that is very strong, but it isn’t very spacious. Help!
Tumi.
I love TUMI, but if you want pure strength, get a BEAN bag from LLBean. I used one in Law School and I gave it to Rosa, who uses it to carry her kids clotheing and spit-up material. Rosa says her kids can NOT destroy it! YAY!!!!
Knomo Grosvenor laptop tote. I’ve had mine for almost two years and bring my laptop to and from work almost every day. It’s practical but still feminine. Got a compliment on it today :)
I wish there were more work bags with a small exterior slip pocket for transit passes. B Makowsky used to put one on every bag but they stopped making bags a few years ago. The Lodis bag above is one of the first I’ve seen from another brand. I’m sure lots of urban commuters appreciate an easily accessible small pocket for transit cards.
I also like a large interior zippered compartment for my wallet – it feels much more secure than having it loose in the bag.
The Fossil Emma and Sydney have both of these I believe!
Latico Roslyn tote
The Frye nylon shoulder tote bag has two exterior zippered pockets and one interior zippered pocket. It is light-weight and is great for both work and travel.
Try Knomo London
The Cuyana work satchel has an external pocket that I use for this purpose
I got the structured tote from cuyana this spring and I am loving it. The leather is so beautiful. If I had a public transit commute I would have bought the zippered version but this one is great for my car commute. Easily holds my laptop, files, a book, wallet and all my various personal pouches, and I can stuff a sweater or wrap in there and still have room to spare.
The strap length wasn’t good for me (I think that’s the one I tried–it was suede). Was too short to be comfy with a puffy jacket. (I have big arms.) But just here to recommend Cuyana’s large backpack. I get so many compliments every time I carry it. It’s super comfortable and a good tumbled leather that should hold up well. First backpack I’ve had where I feel like a grownup. (Although my Tumi coated canvas isn’t bad and will outlive us all–just not as stylish). I also tried backpacks from Senreve and Mansur Gavriel in my search and both felt like cheap plastic (the Mansur was pebbled not the regular leather because I knew that would scratch up in a heart beat from the purse I have).
I also have the large cuyana backpack and love it – just took it with me for two weeks in Europe! But I cant figure out the closure-especially when it’s full- can you tell me how you close it securely? I’ve been doing a strange loop/tie thing, but still feel like if my wallet’s right on top, I might be vulnerable to pickpocketers. I can stick my wallet further down, but then I’d have to fish it out from other stuff when I need it- what’s your solution?
Do you find the straps comfortable? I walk to and from work and am looking at that same bag. I love the leather as well!
Yes! I am super fussy about strap length and have rejected many bags for just slightly too short strap length. But this one is great. I can get it up on my shoulder with the same hand as the shoulder – I hate it when the straps are just small enough that I have to use the opposite hand.
To S – are you sure it was Cuyana? I haven’t seen them offering suede, and the straps on this one are really generous
This is the one where I didn’t like the strap length (but gorgeous and perfect otherwise!).
https://www.cuyana.com/suede-classic-structured-leather-tote.html
And this is the large backpack that I adore:
https://www.cuyana.com/large-leather-backpack.html#stone
I am a huge Cuyana fan. I also purchased the work satchel in quartz (a dusty pink) and it is my all-time favorite bag for “dressier” work meetings. The pockets are just super useful and everything has a place. So far hasn’t pickedup any scrapes. https://www.cuyana.com/work-satchel.html#quartz
Even though it’s expensive, the quality of leather for the price just can’t be beat.
Ugh, I so want that satchel. Does it fit a laptop? Maybe tell me no….
Also i just ordered the heart shaped cosmetic case. This post was way too enabling for me! :)
I have the work satchel in black. It fits my laptops (I have a Lenovo ThinkPad for work and a MacBook Air for personal), though of course not at the same time. I also have a Dagne and I find that a little easier to get the laptop in and out of–the Cuyana takes more finagling. But I do find it a more “impressive” and bag for those more formal work situations.
I love the look of the Knomo work satchel. I wish it zipped across the entire top, but it’s so structured otherwise that perhaps that’s not such a big deal. Quite the splurge, but gorgeous.
My Knomo has an exterior slip pocket and another within the seams at the top.
I have a nylon one, the Kensington (I think)
I have the Fossil Fiona and am looking to replace it. It’s a nice bag, but I got the brown version and realized the color just doesn’t work great for interviews, plus the bag is less structured than I’d like so it tends to slouch and flop a bit, and I was wanting a bag with a laptop sleeve. I do love the pockets on the Fiona – it’s got 2 small slip pockets on the front that I use for my phone and keys (great for my FOB at work), the zippered front pocket is perfect for lip products and the back slip pocket I use a lot as well.
I just got the Knomo Maddox 15″ laptop tote to replace the Fiona and am debating on keeping it. It’s gorgeous, but I’m a bit concerned color will transfer from my jeans since I got the “concrete” color and it’s also quite a large bag for my 5’3″ frame. I haven’t found anything smaller that’s quite what I want though.
Can you do a review of the best bags to hold paperwork securely? I want something beautifully structured to be able to carry paperwork back and forth without it getting messed up.
I got a Lo & Sons Seville a few months ago … and I am still deeply obsessed.