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Updated: Sep 14, 2021 45 Comments · by

Workwear Hall of Fame: Dagne Dover

Workwear Hall of Fame | · · ·

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May 2021 Update: This bag is included in the 2021 Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale, marked down to as low as $149 (the lowest price I’ve ever seen it!).

I was excited to see recently that Nordstrom now carries Dagne Dover, which has been a reader favorite for years for their sturdy, coated canvas totes. They have several fun, saturated colors like this “Palm green” or their classic cobalt “Dagne blue,” but they also have neutrals.

By way of a mini Dagne Dover tote review: as a sturdy tote, it may also be a slightly heavy tote if you’re used to carrying nylon or other super lightweight options; it may also feel a bit stiff — but all of that may work better for your lifestyle than a lightweight, less durable option.

In any event, the Signature Legend tote (pictured here) is $265 and big enough to fit sneakers as well as a laptop; the classic tote is a more slimmed-down version for $245.

{related: here’s Ann’s Dagne Dover review of the same tote at CorporetteMoms!}

Pictured: Signature Legend Coated Canvas Tote

(Oooh: the Dagne Dover website now has card cases as well. Nice.)

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

2018 Update: We’re adding this bag to our Workwear Hall of Fame because readers have loved this bag for years, and if you’re looking for a sturdy, large tote this is a great option. Dagne Dover’s website has the most options, but you can also find the brand at Nordstrom, and occasionally at Revolve.

Looking for other options? Check out our roundup of the best tote bags for work.

collage of 6 totes, including 1) Street Level 2) Cuyana 3) Madewell Transport 4) Tory Burch Ella 5) Lo & Sons Seville and 6) Tory Burch leather tote
Above, some of the best work totes for women as of 2023: one* / two* / three / four* / five / six* (not pictured but also Tumi and Dagne Dover!) (and try this highly-rated organizing insert or these clever pouches with some of the less structured bags*…)

(Looking for a luxury work bag? Here’s our latest roundup…)

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Wistful thinking?

    Any blog recommendations for women who are not self-employed and work in offices? I really like Sarah of The Shu Box who is a doctor with three kids. Kind of over these bloggers who seem to think attending product launches and preparing Instagram posts are working and they are “oh so busy.”

    • Rainbow Hair

      Is it possible that the problem is that busy professional people who have time to blog are people who blog for a living — while busy professional people who do something else as a job are unlikely to also have time to blog?

      • Wistful thinking?

        I definitely think so. I know I wouldn’t put the time and effort into my own blog. I just love reading other people’s routines and life hacks but reading about how someone fits in exercise by going to a 9am workout class or how they take off early every Friday afternoon for “me” time is tiresome. I think the solution is for me to stop hate-reading some blogs.

        • January

          Right? I hate-read one where the blogger doesn’t appear to have any responsibilities at all (one husband, no pets, no kids) and she still complains about how busy and tired she is with work.

        • Rainbow Hair

          Ha, I hear you. They around some ugly mix of jealousy and disdain in me… not my best look.

      • Ellen

        There ARE execptions. I don’t have a BLOG, but I do try and contribute to Corporete when I have a free moment. The manageing partner told me I am free to contribute to Corporete, as long as I do not say anything inapropriate, and also do NOT lose time on my billeings. It is tough for me lately to read the posts until the evening b/c I am so busy during the day. I feel, tho, that I owe it to the HIVE to make coments where appropriate, as the manageing partner says I am a major value add to the firm. YAY!!!!!

    • pink

      I love thedirectrice because she’s law firm partner that dresses interestingly and in an achievable way; and for the photos, 9to5chic

      • Legally Brunette

        And she lives in my neighborhood. :) I’ve spotted her 3 times walking to the metro.

        • The Directrice, Herself

          The next time you see me, please stop me to say hello. I hope I haven’t seen me talking to myself. Or half-dancing while waiting to cross the street — I am usually listening to music.

      • Lots to Learn

        I think the Directrice is one of the funniest people I’ve ever seen blogging. But man, is her style eclectic! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen her wear anything I would actually put on (unlike, say, ExtraPetite, whose wardrobe and body I totally covet). But I still follow her religiously because she’s just so dang interesting.

        • The Directrice, Herself

          Lots to Learn, you’ve made my day. I am as gratified (perhaps even more gratified) when someone tells me she reads my blog for entertainment more than inspiration. I must admit that I occasionally leaf through my back-catalog and am very amused by some of entries, the funniest of which may be “Brace Yourself.” Thank you!

      • Senior Attorney

        I love her. If I had her cute little face and figure I would totally wear what she wears!

    • Anon

      Elle Florence is more of a youtuber/vlogger, but is an attorney in a conservative office with some great office appropriate outfits (lots of Nordstrom).

    • Two Cents

      There was a good blog that someone posted a while back — the woman was a lawyer in the south somewhere (Texas) and is a redhead — liv lang or something like that? Can someone remind me?

    • Anonymous

      I feel ya. I enjoyed Extra Petite so much more when she was working in finance, before she quit to become a full-time bl0gger/influencer. Even now, I feel like she’s one of the few tolerable bl0ggers. Most other bl0gs are hate reads for me.

      • Two Cents

        Ha, that’s how I feel about Memorandum. Such beautiful pictures but such an unrealistic and unattainable look for most of us.

        • anon

          Wow, I wish I was that glamorous. I’ll take my still-hanging-in-there 4 year old pointe sheath dress from BR and my cardigan and show myself out….

        • KateMiddletown

          Yes and her outfits are ridiculous for any job except TV lawyer or fashionista.

    • anon

      15-minute beauty fanatic is written by a doctor with kids. And omg yes, I completely understand your frustrations with bloggers. I’ve unsubscribed from nearly all of them because their lifestyles are so unrealistic.

    • Baconpancakes

      I rarely read the articles – just look at the pretty clothes and use those outfits for my weekend outfit inspiration, since obviously I can’t wear them to work!

    • Candidate

      I’m thinking of starting a public instagram with my city council outfits, is that something anyone besides me would be interested in, or would it be a total vanity exercise? Blogging accomodates a different kind of content, but I wonder if people might be interested in the photo diary format?

    • Future blogger

      What would you ladies want to read from a 35 year old attorney with a toddler living in the suburbs? Pros and cons of my “flex” schedule? Capsule wardrobe plans? Longer essays about career strategy? Daycare trials and tribulations? I’m dying to write something but I feel like most bloggers are just models/saleswoman.

    • Anonymous

      I really miss the days when blogs were more like diaries and fashion bloggers weren’t concerned with their “brands” and being “influencers.”

    • nutella

      Prissy Savvy is a real working-in-an-office woman! And not all of her outfits are BRAND NEW but like a real corporate person older pieces, so she links similar ones. It makes it like a guide to how to make a similar outfit.

    • Lydia

      I like Blue Collar Red Lipstick; she has cool style (if a bit edgier than mine) and a real job.

  2. Interview attire Q!

    Hopefully simple Q for the hive: I have an interview for an early-mid level position at an NGO in DC that I’m fairly sure has a dress code similar to my current company, which is business casual leaning towards casual (black skinny jeans make the unspoken “OK to wear” cut).

    Would a suit be the best bet for the interview or would it be fine to go business casual, perhaps a nice navy or black pencil skirt and tucked-in blouse? Can’t decide between the “old reliable” suit or a less formal”I will fit in your cool business casual office!” option

      • Ellen

        YES. ALWAYS! And it’s great you will be in DC, where I went to school!

        You can, if you get the job, dress down, but initially, you must look conservative and smart. Otherwise, no one will take you seriusly. GOOD LUCK!!!!!! YAY!!!!

    • Need a new handle

      It’s an interview – always a suit. I work in a casual work environment (biz cas for the lawyers but its a creative industry), and we judge hard when someone shows up for an interview not wearing a suit or even wearing some creative take on a suit (i.e., blazer vest). Wear a suit.

    • Anonymous

      With the caveat that some industries have different expectations (Silicon Valley), wear a suit, unless otherwise instructed by the employer.

      The interview is a formal occasion, so you dress for the occasion, rather than the dress code when hired.

    • Nesprin

      For DC, suit. If it was an NGO on the west coast, I’d say biz casual but DC is such a buttoned down town.

      • DC Politico

        It’s funny that you say DC is so buttoned down. In my experience (here the last 6 years) it is on Capitol Hill, but at NGO’s, political shops, etc, it’s very casual.
        For my last few interviews here (all at political consulting firms/pacs/committees) I’ve worn a black dress with a royal blue blazer and black wedges.

  3. Anon

    Thanks for the help with k-beauty bloggers this morning. I am down a complete and total rabbit hole with Snow White and the Asian Pear, and Fifty Shades of Snail.

    Wow.

    So much amazon. Sorry wallet!

  4. TO Lawyer

    Any suggestions for protein powder? My trainer had recommended this vegan powder that is vanilla flavored (It works). Other people seem to like it but I feel like it’s way too sweet for me. Any suggestions? I’ve bought this twice so I’ve been using it for a while but maybe I just need to get used to protein powder tasting sickly sweet?

    TIA!

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