Earlier this week I was at dinner with a few of my girlfriends and one of them, a new mom, asked if I could give her some tote bag recommendations. Her criteria was:
- Larger size (diaper bag size, fits 14in laptop)
- Priced $200-$300
- Quality leather & construction
- Polished/professional look
I love a reason to ‘window shop” so I gave it some thought, did some googling, and made a list of 10 tote bags between $100 and $300. Since I don’t gatekeep, I’m sharing this list with you too. I’d love to know if you own any of these or what you would add to the list. Enjoy!
COACH Cameron Tote
Starting out strong with the classic American heritage brand, COACH. Everyone and their grandmother was carrying a COACH bag when I was growing up. They got a little too popular for their own good and lost their appeal to most of us, but about two years ago they made a comeback. Trending or not, COACH bags are high-quality; and come in a variety of materials, colors, patterns, and prices.
I like a variety of COACH’s tote bags and am especially drawn to the Cameron Tote that I found on the COACH Outlet website. The white leather is not going to be for everyone, but I love it. Can’t beat that price either.
The Essentials
- Price: $110
- Dimensions: 13.5” L x 5.5” W x 10.75” H
- Handle Drop: 10”
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Tote
This is a brand my friend Amanda likes and buys from regularly. She’ll be the first to admit, it’s not luxury quality, but it’s better than most of the stuff out there at the same price point. I have never ordered anything from here myself, so I can’t give it my personal recommendation, but it’s an option and I hear good things.
What I DO like about this bag is the woven detailing. This is a very Bottega Veneta vibes and I am all about that. Also, the olive green color speaks to me on a spiritual level and I may have to order it…for research purposes…
The Essentials
- Price: $150
- Dimensions: 20″ L x 3″ W x 14″ H
- Handle Drop: 11”
& Other Stories Large Leather Tote
Looking to serve some big bag energy? The Bag is just over 21 inches at its longest point and will definitely fit everything you need to carry on any given day. I love that this bag offers two handles and a pouch, but what really sets it apart is the textured leather, pleated detailing, and ability to create a different bag shape by folding in the top sides. That is a lot of bag for a reasonable price.
I do own a few & Other Stories items and generally think they are good quality. If you want a versatile and unique bag, I’d opt for this one.
The Essentials
- Price: $180
- Dimensions: 21.3” L x 5.5” W x 13.4” H
- Handle Drop: 4.7’ Short | 12.6” Long
Mango Leather Shopper Bag
This is the biggest bag on the list, at least in terms of length, and I think it looks kind of similar to the Loewe Puzzle Tote that’s gaining in popularity. I like the detailing and I think this may be one of the few bags that can fully close. It’s probably going to be too big for anyone on the short or petite size, but it would make a great option for the talls who like an oversized slouchy look.
To be very honest, I don’t know if I think Mango’s higher-end items are worth the price, BUT everything I own from Mango is going strong years after I bought it and I routinely get compliments on them. So, I really can’t complain about the quality, and If this design speaks to you I’d say go for it.
The Essentials
- Price: $230
- Dimensions: 25.5” L x 7.4” W x 13.3” H
- Handle Drop: N/A
Rebecca Minkoff Megan Tote
I’m including this tote because it’s a high-quality, classic design tote that will get the job done. It may not be to my taste (I like something with more design details), but Rebecca Minkoff has been around for a while and plenty of people like the brand.
The Essentials
- Price: $250
- Dimensions: 16.75” L x 5.75” W x 11.5” H
- Handle Drop: 10”
Cuyana Classic Easy Tote
This is a brand I’ve heard compared to Polene. I’ve not had the opportunity to see a Cuyana bag in person, but I do own a few Polene bags and if the comparison is fair this would be a steal of a deal.
You won’t get the conceptual design of a Polene bag, but you might get a similar level of craftsmanship. Based on the pictures, the leather and construction look great. They offer some add-on accessories so you can customize the bag interior to some extent. There are a range of neutral colors and a few seasonal options, and they offer the bag in a few different sizes.
The Essentials
- Price: $268
- Dimensions: 20.6” L x 5” W x 12.3” H
- Handle Drop: 6.3” Short, 10” Long
Everlane Italian Lux and Market Totes
This is a great brand for the eco-conscious shopper. I also appreciate that they have price transparency and a lot of information about the materials used on their product pages. The company is not B Corp certified yet, but based on what I can find, it should be soon. They have two bags worth looking at.
The Luxe Italian Leather Tote
The first is a classic, minimalist leather shopper tote that comes in two sizes. The medium tote is about $25 less than the large size and three inches smaller. I’d get the larger one if you want to carry your laptop.
The Essentials
- Price: $275
- Dimensions: 15.3” L (Bottom) x 7” W x 12.8” H
- Handle Drop: 10.6”
The New Day Market Tote
The second bag is interesting because it’s made of plant-based leather and offers a dark, red color in addition to the standard black and brown options. I also prefer the shape of this bag. It’s bigger and fits more in it. Next time I’m in the market for a work tote I will be looking at the red version more closely.
The Essentials
- Price: $275
- Dimensions: 16.5” L (Bottom) x N/A W x 13” H
- Handle Drop: 9.5”
Staud Shirley Leather Tote
When I went on the hunt for a new work tote last fall, I ended up going for this bag. I have owned the mini version since 2019 and it has held up to daily use and abuse SO well.
The bag is a simple design but the squared handle gives it some personality, and I appreciate that the shoulder strap is longer than most and adjustable. It is a more structured bag and there is no way of closing it fully, but there is an interior pouch with a zipper that comes with it. Without the zippered pouch (I never use it), the larger version does fit my 14’ laptop and everything else I need in my day. I’ve loved both my mini and large versions of this bag and would 100% recommend them if they suit your style and needs.
The Essentials
- Price: $295
- Dimensions: 14.5” L (Bottom) x 5” W x 10.5” H
- Handle Drop: Adjustable
Freja New York Linnea Tote
If you like a bag with lots of pockets and compartments to keep you organized, this is your bag. While it is a very minimalist and classic tote, I appreciate the handle details. They add just enough interest to give the bag a little something special.
The Linnea tote is only available in neutral colors, but there is a wider range of those than most other places offer, which is nice. I did notice that the Cappuccino color was marked down 10%, and I do think you can get a discount on your first order, or something like that.
The Essentials
- Price: $298
- Dimensions: 14.” L (Bottom) x 6” W x 10” H
- Handle Drop: 10.5”
My Final Tip
My last word of advice is to NEVER buy any of these at full price. The brands on this list are nice, but they are not Chanel. There is almost always a discount code to be had and a lot of the sites offered me 10-15% off my first purchase if I gave them my email…which you have to do if you buy from them anyway.
Anyway, I hope this list helps you find a great bag.
Thanks for reading!
Rainy Day Rags 