What non-ludicrously capacious bag should I take to a work conference?
March 31, 2023 3:40 PM Subscribe
My everyday bag is the Transport Tote from Madewell, but that gets heavy and I tend to carry it in my hands more than wearing it on my shoulder. For the conference, I won't need a laptop and I'd like to keep my hands free as much as possible. I would love your recommendations!
I'll be wearing either a suit or a dress and would like a bag that can fit my phone, a notepad, wallet, glasses, and maybe a small bottle of water. I'm not a big logo person, but a bag that somehow makes people think "I want to be in business with her" would be great. I'm a consultant working in higher ed. and at work events I tend to err on the side of formality. Budget = $400 for something I loved. Probably more like $200 for something that'll work.
I'll be wearing either a suit or a dress and would like a bag that can fit my phone, a notepad, wallet, glasses, and maybe a small bottle of water. I'm not a big logo person, but a bag that somehow makes people think "I want to be in business with her" would be great. I'm a consultant working in higher ed. and at work events I tend to err on the side of formality. Budget = $400 for something I loved. Probably more like $200 for something that'll work.
For your budget, I'd look here for a bag with a shoulder strap/crossbody strap. Assuming you're in the US, the prices should be dirt cheap for you (after you factor in the Canadian exchange). I've got a few of their items and the quality is good and the bags and wallets tend to last. My biggest complaint about them is I need a bigger bag for conference and travel and they don't make what I need.
posted by sardonyx at 4:46 PM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 4:46 PM on March 31, 2023 [1 favorite]
Duluth trading company has some leather bags that you might like. I have one of their larger bags that I use as a laptop bag and it's great. Here's a smaller bag that you might like.
posted by MadMadam at 5:08 PM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by MadMadam at 5:08 PM on March 31, 2023 [2 favorites]
If you're not just going to stalk Nordstrom Rack:
Portland Leather Company has a ton of options and they're having a sale.
The Sak Hobo is a little more casual.
posted by kingdead at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2023
Portland Leather Company has a ton of options and they're having a sale.
The Sak Hobo is a little more casual.
posted by kingdead at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2023
For events like this I carry a Gucci daily bag(mine is black) I got from Rebag 2years ago. It a shop that specializes in 2nd hand designer bags, and it's best to visit a location in person if you can, but they certify the bags and it's a fraction of the price of a new high-end bag. Might be worth a visit if these kinds of things matter to you and your industry. Often you can find classic bags that are in near perfect condition.
(I really like the non-logo-ness of my bag, only if you recognize the bamboo handle will you know it's designer. You get a similar vibe from Celine bags. Smaller bags are generally cheaper and in your price range.)
posted by larthegreat at 5:47 PM on March 31, 2023 [3 favorites]
(I really like the non-logo-ness of my bag, only if you recognize the bamboo handle will you know it's designer. You get a similar vibe from Celine bags. Smaller bags are generally cheaper and in your price range.)
posted by larthegreat at 5:47 PM on March 31, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Cuyana has a ton of really beautiful and simple options. Maybe the sling bag, double moon, or double loop bag?
Seconding Portland Leather, and actually their Almost Perfect options - great bags at amazing prices, and while I'm sure it's not always this way, I literally could not tell what was 'wrong' with any of my Almost Perfect bags - lots of reviews mention this too.
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:55 PM on March 31, 2023 [5 favorites]
Seconding Portland Leather, and actually their Almost Perfect options - great bags at amazing prices, and while I'm sure it's not always this way, I literally could not tell what was 'wrong' with any of my Almost Perfect bags - lots of reviews mention this too.
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:55 PM on March 31, 2023 [5 favorites]
I love my Tumi backpack which I have had for 10+ years and looks brand-new. I use it for high profile swanky meetings and never felt out of place.
I looked on the website and they do not have the exact same backpack but these backpacks look comparable:
1. Halsey Backpack ($425) - https://www.tumi.com/p/halsey-backpack-0146567T522/
2. William Backpack (on sale for $379) - https://www.tumi.com/p/william-backpack-01424061552/
3. Leigh Backpack/Tote ($450) - https://www.tumi.com/p/leigh-backpack%2Ftote-0146568T522/
For lower cost Tumi option:
4. Just in Case Backpack ($150) - https://www.tumi.com/p/just-in-case-backpack-01465882693/
posted by ichimunki at 8:10 PM on March 31, 2023
I looked on the website and they do not have the exact same backpack but these backpacks look comparable:
1. Halsey Backpack ($425) - https://www.tumi.com/p/halsey-backpack-0146567T522/
2. William Backpack (on sale for $379) - https://www.tumi.com/p/william-backpack-01424061552/
3. Leigh Backpack/Tote ($450) - https://www.tumi.com/p/leigh-backpack%2Ftote-0146568T522/
For lower cost Tumi option:
4. Just in Case Backpack ($150) - https://www.tumi.com/p/just-in-case-backpack-01465882693/
posted by ichimunki at 8:10 PM on March 31, 2023
Best answer: Coach is making a massive comeback and the quality is immaculate. The hobo shoulder bags are what I would take, though, just for the smaller size and weight.
Charles & Keith are the super in bags right now, and will date flawlessly. They have a lot of nice small bag options.
Another option, and what I would personally do, is buy a Gucci Bamboo 2Way from a Japanese seller on Ebay. The prices are silly and for $400 you can get a barely used, "oh this old thing?" low key $4,000 bag.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:13 AM on April 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Charles & Keith are the super in bags right now, and will date flawlessly. They have a lot of nice small bag options.
Another option, and what I would personally do, is buy a Gucci Bamboo 2Way from a Japanese seller on Ebay. The prices are silly and for $400 you can get a barely used, "oh this old thing?" low key $4,000 bag.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:13 AM on April 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Define capacious. Assuming your notepad and bottle are small, I’d look for a small cross body bag. The more structured ones read more formal than the softer ones. The reason I say cross body is because it means you don’t have to mess with straps gliding off shoulder etc. and can be truly hands free.
Depending on how modern as opposed to classical your overall presentation is, something like a smart sling bag or a small rucksack may also work well. Clearly some of these would be too informal but you can get high quality ones, in neutral colours etc. I am thinking suits over a smart, good quality t-shirt or simple shell as opposed a silk blouse kind of look. My preference would be sling bag over rucksack because you can just swing it around as opposed to taking it off to get at your stuff.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:35 AM on April 1, 2023
Depending on how modern as opposed to classical your overall presentation is, something like a smart sling bag or a small rucksack may also work well. Clearly some of these would be too informal but you can get high quality ones, in neutral colours etc. I am thinking suits over a smart, good quality t-shirt or simple shell as opposed a silk blouse kind of look. My preference would be sling bag over rucksack because you can just swing it around as opposed to taking it off to get at your stuff.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:35 AM on April 1, 2023
Some of the leather versions of Longchamp's iconic Pliage bag come with a shoulder strap.
posted by pendrift at 8:42 AM on April 1, 2023
posted by pendrift at 8:42 AM on April 1, 2023
Best answer: I have a different Madewell bag (this crossbody) that can hold everything you mention.
posted by pinochiette at 9:56 AM on April 1, 2023
posted by pinochiette at 9:56 AM on April 1, 2023
For anyone who missed the ludicrously capacious bag memo.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2023 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you all for the recommendations! I really love the options from Charles & Keith, though I've been dreaming about something from Clare V for a while, so I may take this opportunity to splurge.
posted by shesbookish at 9:22 AM on April 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by shesbookish at 9:22 AM on April 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Clare V. very occasionally turns up on Poshmark or Marcari etc, and it's a brand that isn't popular enough to be duped so I would be comfortable buying 2nd hand from any seller (if that helps make your handbag dreams come true.)
Enjoy, whatever you decide!
posted by DarlingBri at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2023
Enjoy, whatever you decide!
posted by DarlingBri at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
It's been three years since I've been around serious work events that include my women coworkers (for obvious reasons), but based on trends around town (and friends of my wife who were able able to snag the LV bag before it became impossible to find) I would guess Lululemon has something that would work. Something like this one perhaps.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 4:20 PM on March 31, 2023