I've been searching for the best women's work bag for what feels like an eternity, and while I've found some nice options over the years, nothing has ever really checked off all the boxes. I've found that work bags often fall into two categories: a utilitarian nylon backpack that's highly functional but not that cute, or a chic leather tote you'd be proud to carry but has no dedicated pockets or shoulder support.
I recently discovered the Caraa Studio Tote, and I was blown away by how its design bridged the gap between the two. The sleek nylon exterior would look right at home at the office, and the smart interior organization is just as notable.
While some nylon bags are too sporty to pair with formal work attire, the Caraa Studio Tote looks nice enough to wear with everything from a T-shirt to a suit.
Ashley Phillips/Insider
The minimalistic styling and gold hardware give this nylon tote bag a luxe look you can tote anywhere from the gym to the corner office. Plus, it's lightweight and water-resistant.
While the bag used to come in two sizes (a medium and a large), it now comes in just one measuring 13" x 18" x 7.5". It's also available in a leather version, though it's a bit more expensive ($328).
The bag has a convertible design that lets you use it as a tote bag or a backpack.
Ashley Phillips/Insider
Although it looks like a tote bag at first glance, the back of the Studio bag has padded shoulder straps so you can turn it into a backpack when you need more support, a helpful feature if your commute involves riding a bike or the subway.
As a brand, Caraa is known for making versatile bags like this — many of which convert from one style to another.
My favorite part about this bag is the hidden side compartment that stores an extra pair of shoes.
Ashley Phillips/Insider
If you plan to swap your heels for sneakers at any part of the day, the Studio Tote is smartly designed with a hidden compartment you can access from the side. It's totally separate from the rest of the interior so you don't have to worry about dirty soles touching the rest of your stuff.
But that's just the beginning. The interior is filled with pockets that give all your essentials a place.
Ashley Phillips/Insider
The interior of this bag is an organization lover's dream. There are seven total pockets, including dedicated spots for a water bottle, cell phone, and 16-inch laptop.
It's not just me that loves the Caraa Studio Bag; my co-worker is also a fan.
Sally Kaplan/Insider
Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan also owns and approves of the Caraa Studio Tote. She says it's been great to commute with, and she loves that it can easily transition from work to weekends to travel.
The bottom line is that this bag makes life easier wherever you plan to take it – whether that's to work, running around town on the weekend, or to the gym.
Although I plan to use the Caraa Studio bag mainly for work commutes, it's just as handy for other daily activities. The separate shoe compartment and water bottle holder make it a great option for trips to the gym, too.
Ashley is the former style and beauty editor for Business Insider's Reviews team, where she spent her days monitoring the latest product launches, consulting experts on ingredient lists, and helping readers identify which moisturizers and cashmere sweaters are worth investing in.Before joining Business Insider, she spent five years reviewing products as the style and beauty editor for Hearst's BestProducts.com, and before that, she was a copywriter for Neiman Marcus where she specialized in fine jewelry and accessories. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Town & Country, and more. Prior to joining the editorial world, she was the owner and buyer of an independent clothing boutique. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in merchandising and also recently received a master's degree from Oxford University.Ashley is currently based in New York City.Say hello at aphillips@businessinsider.com or @ashleyphillips88 on Instagram.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test style and beauty products.
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