Considered the ‘immortal accessory’ of the fashion world, our roundup of the best tote bags caters to a range of budgets, lifestyles, occasions and fashion preferences.

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Considered one of the most essential items you can own, the best tote bags have no bounds when it comes to securely holding all your belongings so you can travel everywhere completely hassle-free.

For some, a chic and sturdy leather tote is a non-negotiable for work and travel — it’s roomy enough to fit your laptop, iPad, water bottle, skincare and makeup bag and all your valuables. For others, a packable cotton tote is perfect for whipping out mid-trip when grocery shopping or at the beach. And unlike trends like the micro bag, the versatility and design of the humble tote has very little chance of ever going out of style.

Here, we’ve rounded up the very best tote bags on the market that cater to a range of budgets, lifestyles, fashion preferences and occasions.

Coach Polished Pebble Leather Day Tote, The Iconic, $550

The top prize has to be awarded to this classic tote from Coach. Yes, it’s simple, however, it ticks all the boxes: it’s roomy enough without being bulky, its elegant design allows for it to be used as a day-to-night bag, it features a removable signature Coach canvas zip pouch for your valuables, it’s big enough to hold a laptop and it’s relatively affordable given the supreme quality. Plus, it’ll go with pretty much any outfit, making it the perfect all-round bag for your essentials, no matter the occasion.

Dreubea Soft Faux Leather Tote Bag, Amazon Australia, $45.23

There’s nothing quite like the guarantee of greatness that a plethora of five-star reviews can bring. With over 30,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, you can be sure this tote isn’t going to end up in your ‘returned items’ list. Not only featuring enough space to carry around your iPad, wallet, books, charger, lunch and other essentials, this tote is created with incredibly soft faux leather. Five-star reviewers praise the tote for its softness and durability. “The reviews are right, this big and simple bag is absolutely worth buying,” one happy shopper wrote. “It has a simple inner compartment and it has space for everything that one wants to bring along for the day. Highly recommended!”

BEST VEGAN LEATHER TOTE BAG

Lauren Ralph Lauren Merrimack Black/Taupe Tote Bag, Myer, $259

If you love the look and feel of a sophisticated leather tote but want a vegan alternative, look no further than this one from Lauren Ralph Lauren. Full of subtle details, this bag features a top clasp closure, a removable zip pouch and is spacious enough to fit a laptop and plenty more. However, one of its most impressive features has to be the fact that this bag is completely reversible. Want a black tote? Keep it as is. Want a taupe tote? No problems, simply flip it inside out.

“Perfect size for work and carrying my laptop around,” one five-star reviewer commented. “It’s reversible too so you can have it as a black or taupe tote bag.”

Another person added: “Versatile, stylish, goes with anything, highly recommend.”

Basically, it’s a match for every outfit all while being environmentally friendly.

BEST TOTE BAG FOR WORK

Although there are plenty of conservative black tote bags available that are work-appropriate, this one from Witchery takes first prize for many reasons. For starters, it features flat shoulder straps for added comfort as you’re commuting to and front work and the front flap opening has a magnetic snap closure for extra security. The spacious interior is large enough to fit a 13-inch laptop and features plenty of pockets for optimal organisation. It’s also crafted from a beautiful pebble grain vegan leather on the exterior that looks much more expensive than the bag’s price tag.

Marc Jacobs The Large Jacquard Tote, The Iconic, $420

For the best canvas tote bag you’ll have for years, it’s pretty hard to beat this iconic Marc Jacobs number. It’s large and spacious inside, features a top zipper closure to protect your essentials and is designed with a hanging zip and slip pockets for your valuables. While it’s quite large, it actually folds down flat so it can be easily packed into a suitcase. The Iconic carries this fresh-looking tote in two hues – a warm beige and sand – as well as the same bag in a small and mini size, which are available in a myriad of bold and conservative colours.

Country Road Print Heritage Shopper, $69.95

This soft cotton tote is a favourite among Aussies on-the-go. The medium-to-large size is not too big that it’s overwhelming but it’s sizeable enough for your daily essentials (and then some). Many users have commented on the bag’s versatility.

“This bag is such a sleek and timeless design,” one person wrote. “This bag has plenty of room to fit anything you might need. I use it as a work bag and it comfortably fits my laptop, notebooks, makeup bag, water bottle etc. I have also used it as an overnight bag.”

You can choose from seven dreamy hues, including a refreshing baby pink, a cactus green and a classic black. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with any pockets so if this doesn’t phase you, then we think you’ve just met your new BFF.

Seed Heritage Seed Logo Jersey Overnight Bag, $79.95

We don’t think a luggage – sorry, tote – can get any bigger than this one from Australian brand Seed Heritage. What’s captivating is that even though it’s massive (67 centimetres wide, to be exact), it’s incredibly light for its size thanks to the soft bonded cotton material it’s crafted from. Whether you’re going for a weekend getaway, a day at the beach, travelling overseas or just to the gym, this tote is the perfect carryall for any occasion.

Nike One Tote Bag, The Iconic, $70

From work to working out, the Nike One Tote Bag is your solution to holding everything you need for the day. You can throw your laptop into the padded sleeve, a water bottle into the dedicated bottle pocket, smaller belongings in the mesh pockets and all your workout gear in the centre — and still have room to strap a yoga mat to the elastic bungee on the front exterior. And in line with Nike’s journey to zero carbon and zero waste, this tote is made from at least 50 per cent recycled polyester fibres, too.

Gucci Ophidia Medium Leather-Trimmed Printed Coated-Canvas Tote, Net-A-Porter, $2,425

Are you after an investment tote to splurge on simply because, well, you deserve it? If you’ve got the cash to treat yourself, then we highly recommend this one from Gucci. The brand’s signature beige and dark-brown hues combined with the iconic webbing and gold finishes creates a true statement piece that will last season after season. Aesthetics aside, this tote is made from a durable coated canvas with sturdy leather trims. The interior is roomy enough for the busiest of days and has been designed with a small pocket for storing smaller items.

AERE Oversized Embroidered Linen Tote Bag, The Iconic, $30 (down from $50)

When you’re heading to the shops for your weekly grocery haul, a reusable lightweight tote is sure to come in handy. We especially love this eco-friendly pick from AERE that folds up neatly (seriously, you can pop it in your pocket) and is made from gorgeous linen that will only get softer with every wash. Shop the tote in an ash grey, powder blue, moss green or amber brown and look effortlessly chic as you sport your new favourite tote around.

BEST TOTE BAG FOR THE BEACH

Piper Positano Zip Top Tote Bag, Myer, $41.97

Neoprene is the best material for a beach bag because it’s waterproof, extremely durable, stretchable, resistant to wear and easy to care for. This popular Piper bag is made from the scuba-inspired fabric and features a snap top closure, exterior zip compartment, corded drop handles and a complimenting purse. And because of its stellar design, we guarantee it’ll become your go-to everyday bag, for the beach and beyond.

One five-star reviewer summed it up, saying: “Versatile, goes with anything and best of all is washable! Feel free to wear the bag as you like [be]cause at the end of the day you can wash it. Fabric is thick and good quality.”

A second person commented: “Perfect! The bag is stylish, light to carry and feels great to take wherever I go.”

BEST CONVERTIBLE BACKPACK TOTE BAG

Alf the Label Luxe Sophia Convertible Tote, The Iconic, $439.95

Is it a tote? Is it a backpack? Well, it’s both! Crafted from high-quality pebbled leather with brushed gold hardware, this bag from Alf the Label features a top shoulder bag handle but also comes with two adjustable and detachable woven straps that can easily convert this tote into a backpack. It’s designed with two external utility pockets on the front and a slider pocket large enough to fit an iPad. Plus, the interior has three pockets including one specifically made to hold a drink bottle.

BEST TOTE BAG FOR TRAVEL

Lily&Drew Nylon Travel Tote, Amazon, $70.83

While we love travelling, trying to find a bag that neatly fits all your essentials can be a tad difficult. That’s why this best-selling bag from Lily & Drew, that has over 1,200 five-star ratings, is a traveller’s lifesaver. Featuring a high-quality, water-resistant washed nylon exterior and secure zipper, this bag excels in durability. Inside, you’ll find five mesh pockets to keep you organised and on the outside, there’s a slip pocket for easy access and two water bottle pockets. It’s also been designed with a trolley sleeve so you can slide it onto a luggage for effortless transportation while on your adventures.

ETTP Felt Tote Organiser Insert, Amazon, from $62.01

While not technically a tote, we desperately needed to bring this ETTP Organiser to your attention because it will literally Marie-Kondo the way you carry all your essentials. Simply fit it inside your tote bag and voila — your belongings can now be neatly arranged in their own compartments so you’ll never misplace anything. And when not being used as a tote organiser, you can compress it down into a wallet. Genius? We – and over 1,800 Amazon reviewers – think so. The insert is available in eight different colourways and five sizes, ranging from a medium to an extra-large so there’s one for everyone and their favourite tote.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A GOOD TOTE BAG?

There are several factors you need to consider when purchasing the best tote bag for yourself.

Purpose: What will you be using it for?’ WIll it be for everyday use, travel, work, school, groceries or the beach? Determining this will narrow down your selection, giving you a better idea of the size, material and budget to look out for.

Material: Do you like canvas, leather, suede or cotton? Do you need the material to be able to fold down or are you after a structured look? Do you need it to be waterproof? Is vegan leather more appealing?

Colour: Black and beige tote bags are the most popular as they’re the easiest to style with any look. If you work in a corporate setting and intend to use your tote bag for work, a subtle colour would work better. However, if you’re all about colour, selecting a tote with bold patterns, prints and hues will instantly accompany your style.

Compartments: How many pockets would you like your tote bag to have? Some come with none or only a few interior pockets while others come with pockets on the exterior and interior, detachable pouches, slip pockets, pockets specifically designed to hold water bottles and so forth.

Budget: You can certainly purchase tote bags for under $50, however, these probably won’t be the most durable. On the other hand, a designer tote bag will be a lifetime investment but it will leave a dent in your wallet. Whatever your budget, know that there is a tote bag out there for you.

WHY ARE TOTE BAGS POPULAR?

Tote bags are adored by many because they’re stylish, durable and comfortable to carry. Whether you’re using a tote bag for work, travel or shopping, a tote bag will help make your trip hassle-free. They’re also considered an eco-friendly option as they help reduce the use of plastic bags. Plus, you can even purchase tote bags made from recycled materials or vegan alternatives. No matter your fashion preferences, you can find a tote bag in a colour, print and design that attracts you.

SHOULD I BUY A LEATHER OR CANVAS TOTE BAG?

One of the most common dilemmas when purchasing a tote bag is the debate between canvas and leather. Each type of fabric comes with its own advantages and disadvantages and the best one for you will depend on certain needs.

Canvas is much lighter and easier to carry, requires minimal maintenance, it’s eco-friendly and it’s durable and won’t tear as easily. However, from a fashion point of view, canvas may come across as more casual than formal.

Contrastingly, leather is considered one of the most elegant fashion materials and has long been the first preference over other materials because it offers the wearer many years of service. It’s also sturdy enough to handle heavy weights and endure rough handling, it doesn’t catch dirt easily and it only gets softer (read: more refined) with age. In saying this, it requires more maintenance than canvas and even professional repairing for more serious damage. it absorbs water quickly, it isn’t eco-friendly and of course, it’s generally more expensive.

So, to determine whether you should opt for canvas or leather, ask yourself the following: which one is more appealing, what is the occasion I’m going to be wearing the bag for, how well am I able to maintain my goods, what attire will I be wearing it with and how much am I willing to spend?

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