Sure, we all know what basics 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.
Satchel or shoulder bag, ladies? Every year we do a hunt for a basic black professional purse that is not a tote, which gets a special roundup of its own. (Here’s our roundup for purses from 2014, 2013 and 2012). I’ve always had a preference for shoulder bags myself — I like to keep my hands free, and I don’t like a strap crossing my bust — so I was really shocked to see how few shoulder bags are out there right now, particularly in the non-designer realms. Satchels, crossbodies, and bucket bags really dominate the market right now. We talked about the crossbody bag a few weeks ago — I’m curious about your thoughts on bucket bags for work, as they seem a bit boho-casual to me. (But: I do love this bag for the weekend.) Anyway, lots of beautiful satchel bags that look ladylike and professional… ladies, what is your favorite kind of purse for work? Have you found any great stylish, professional satchels recently? (Angie at YouLookFab had a fun debate on bag shapes this a while ago — to pick up where she left off, are YOU Team Satchel, Team Shoulder Bag…. or are you Team Tote for work?)
Here are a few subcategories of professional purses that seemed deserving of their own mini-roundup…
- Hall of Famers: here, here, here, here, here, here, here
- Shoulder Bags (Rare!): here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here
- Very lightweight bags: here, here, here
- Available in brown: here, here, here, here, here, here, here
- Bags Under $150: here, here, here, here, here, here, here
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
—————
N.B. These substantive posts are intended to be a source of community comment on a particular topic, which readers can browse through without having to sift out a lot of unrelated comments. And so, although of course we highly value all comments by our readers, we’re going to ask you to please keep your comments on topic; threadjacks will be deleted at our sole discretion and convenience. Thank you for your understanding!
My satchel
I’ve carried this one daily for the past ~8 months and it looks brand new.
http://www.toryburch.com/robinson-pebbled-triple-zip-satchel/32149955.html
I’ve seriously considered buying a second one for the day that I have to retire this one. It is that good.
Ugh....
These ads are so annoying.
Anon2
+500
Parfait
There are ads on the internet?
Ugh....
He he he…
Anon
Honestly, I’m finding the constant complaints about the ads even more annoying. I never even notice the ads, but the comments about the ads are hard to miss.
To stay on point, I do love these bags and would love to have any of them. However, I know the straps would drive me crazy.
Diana Barry
I have a KS satchel-ish bag that I love – about to get retired for my spring bag. For work I carry 2 bags, though, one purse and one tote, since I would never fit all my files in one purse. That way I don’t really have to worry about how big my bag is – just for water liter bottle, wallet, makeup, phone, and sunglasses.
Zelda
I’m Team Tote for work! I prefer to carry one bag (except maybe a lunch bag) so I need something big enough to carry my laptop, files and general purse stuff. My go-to is a Longchamp Le Pliage because it’s lightweight and can hold everything. I have multiple pouches for smaller items, so I don’t mind the lack of organization.
Satchels are always tricky for me because it seems like they’re always either too big or too small for what I want to carry.
Purses
Love satchels! I love that they are very handbag-y. I hate, HATE it when they have a shoulder strap. It makes them look like a laptop bag and IMO ruins the dainty-ness of the satchel.
I am Team Clutch AND (as needed) Team OG or Team giveaway-logo-from-sponsor bag with laptop sleeve. But the clutch (phone, wallet, lip product, business cards, floss, bandaids) I use all the time and the bigger bag is for airports or lugging stuff home.
L in DC
I really don’t like satchels, so the current handbag landscape has been looking a little barren for me. I’m just not a fan of the crossbody strap.
HSAL
I think I’m in the minority that I don’t like satchels or shoulder bags, so my daily bag is a crossbody. I am incapable of keeping a shoulder bag on my shoulder and I like having my hands free. For nicer events I’ll do a tote (work) or a clutch (weddings, etc.)
Adele
I’ve seen some really cute satchel/strap combos lately. This Ivanka Trump one is a gorgeous color, comes in lots of others, though no idea about quality: http://www.6pm.com/ivanka-trump-rose-satchel-aquamarine
Adele
And this Cole Haan bag is perhaps the most perfect shade of pink to go with everything and wear to work, at least in my mind: http://www.6pm.com/cole-haan-carrington-small-tote-canyon-rose
TO Lawyer
Ooo that Ivanka trump bag is gorgeous!
DC Consultant
I got a great cross between a satchel and tote this weekend – it has a satchel shape and a tote feel: http://www.henribendel.com/west-57th-day-tote-27883519350193.html?start=31&cgid=west_handbags. Day One and I love it!
D
I personally prefer bags that have the ability to be cross body much more ergonomically friendly for my body
lauren
I just bought this for spring: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/loeffler-randall-work-tote/3932169?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=3609
it was 25% off a few weeks ago (nordstrom was price matching for friends and family at bloomingdales)