13"
1.4 lbs
What are the major considerations for a tote bag?
It can be hard to find a tote bag that fits your laptop, looks stylish and checks your boxes. Prefer a zipper? We got you covered. Prefer a magnetic closure? We got you covered. All of our options are handpicked by a bag lover, so it's a mix of well known and lesser known brands that might not easily come up in a search. Whether you're heading to the office, conference or airport, you can carry everything you need with confidence and style.
Weight
Since a tote will only become heavier once you put your laptop and belongings inside, how much it weighs matters a lot. From experience, when a bag weighs more than 2 pounds, it can start becoming uncomfortable with your belongings inside. Many brands don't list the weight of their bags so you may have to contact customer service to ask.
Size
While some brands share in the description that their tote can fit a laptop up to a certain size, it helps to confirm by comparing its length and width with the size of your laptop and leaving a 2-3cm margin of safety.
If the tote has a smaller bottom width than its top width or vice versa, what we do is take an image of the tote, trim it to the tote's edges and resize the image into easy to follow measurements (e.g. 500 px = 500 cm). Then we paste rectangles of laptop sizes onto it to see what actually fits.
Shoulder drop
Where do you prefer the tote to hang against your body? A bit higher up or lower down?
How can I keep my tote organized?
A bag organizer with a few pockets will keep your belongings organized and easy to find. They also protect the inside of your bag and can give slouchier totes a bit of structure.
If your tote is from a lesser known brand, it is less likely there is an insert especially made for it but don't worry! Many manufacturers make tote inserts of different sizes. Just search for "tote insert" on Etsy or Amazon and look through the listings to find an insert with a similar size to the internal dimensions of your bag.
You can find tote organizers with useful features such as a bottle holder pocket or key leash. This opens up more possibilities of tote bags that could work for you, since many of the ones that fit your size and other requirements may not come with certain features.
What material should I choose for my work bag?
Many people opt for leather because it is longer lasting while vegan leather made out of plastic can degrade and flake more quickly. If you are vegan, you can opt for nylon or coated canvas totes for better durability.
How are these tote bags curated?
They are curated by a bag lover, with a focus on slightly lesser known brands. They are ones that may not just be a search away, so you can discover many great totes in one place. All the selected totes have a closure and you can filter by the type of closure you prefer to keep your belongings secure.
A tote with visible logo and branding, yay or nay?
This is ultimately a personal preference. Depending on how you plan to use the bag, whether it'll be mainly for going to the office, travel, errands or outings with the kids, there could be practical considerations.
For the office, a logo light bag could be preferable so it's hard to know how much it costs to avoid any preconceived notions or judgements. Your tote's design can speak for itself, you're polished and put together.
For travel, a quiet bag can win out as well because it's less likely to attract unwanted attention and thieves.
Is there a stylish tote that fits a 16-inch laptop?
Yes! While the options are more limited, here are a few you can check out.
How are these tote bags curated?
They are curated by a bag lover, with a focus on slightly lesser known brands. They are ones that may not just be a search away, so you can discover many great totes in one place. All the selected totes have a closure and you can filter by the type of closure you prefer to keep your belongings secure.
Can these tote bags be used as diaper bags?
Yes absolutely! Though you may opt for a backpack for on-the-go ease, many tote bags are big enough to store baby and kid essentials. You can always find an insert that fits inside your tote to protect it and add more organization. Once your kid(s) grow up, you'll be able to easily transition the tote back into an everyday or work bag, compared with a purpose built diaper bag.
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