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the best handbags for working women on the go

December 26, 2024

the best handbags for working women

as a bag designer and all-around bag lover, i understand the difficulty of finding a perfect work bag. the struggle is real, believe me, i know your pain and have tried more bags than i care to admit. and while many bags are good enough, most are far short of perfect. spacious but with zero organization. large but awkward or even uncomfortable to carry. functional but lacking style. i don’t want to compromise with my bag — and you shouldn’t have to, either. i made it my mission to design better bags to help us get it all done. softer. smarter. more organized. bags that make your crazy schedule a little easier to manage. that provide style without sacrificing substance. that are worthy of becoming your perfect work bag.

the best handbags for women on the go

what defines handbags as the best forworking women? hmmm... comfortable to carry what you need. lightweight. organized for all you have to carry.  works as hard as you do. hands-free option for multi-taskers. and a little style doesn’t hurt, either. i believe you can have it all!

ranger - large quilted tote

could we really discuss the best handbags for working womenwithout mentioning totes?! i think not. they’re a favorite for so many of us for their ease, practicality and roominess. but the lightweight, wave quilted ranger takes things up a notch. for one, this zipped tote doubles as a hands-free crossbody for those times when you need to liberate your hands. wait, what?! that’s right, the ranger has comfortable top-carry handles and a removable, adjustable crossbody strap for versatility on the go. a big win for us multi-taskers.

and organization? this tote has range. deep front pocket. two side pockets that can fit water bottles. inside, a padded laptop pocket that can fit your 15" device. a generous main compartment that fits an extra layer, your jetty clutch wallet and your other essentials. clever little pockets for small stuff. and packing this baby for work is easy as pie thanks to the flat, structured bottom that helps the tote stand up for loading. add all that to a range of chic colorways to coordinate with your wardrobe  and you’ve got one of the best handbags for busy working women.

tillie - medium tote bag

since we’re on the subject of totes, let me introduce you to tillie, our original hand-carry tote. cousin to the ranger, tillie offers versatility in our sleek, o.g. nylon twill finish. 

the main reason tillie is one of the best handbags for working women and women on the go in general: she has organization for days, with pockets inside and out. padded laptop pocket for your 13" laptop or tablet. generously sized main compartment for a change of clothes (in case you hit the gym before work), stevie cosmetic bag and. a zip pocket and divided patch pocket for your mini must-haves — phone, headphones, charging cords, hair ties and whatnot. two deep side pockets on the exterior for a water bottle or small umbrella. key leash. shallow hidden zip pocket in the back for easy merchant small wallet access. deep front zip pocket to secure stuff you need to access right away, like your phone. see where i’m going here? totes organized. totes among the best handbags for working women.

but that’s not the only reason to love tillie. she’s lightweight. her handles have a long drop, so she’s comfortable to carry over your shoulder. she’s cute. and even better, she’s easy to wipe clean. just a smidge of soap and some water will do. many tillie owners tell me this is their go-to teacher bag, office/commute bag and travel tote. i love that you’re making it your own!

boxer - large backpack

sometimes it takes a better backpack to get the job done. if that’s your philosophy too, take a look at our stylish  boxer , the totally grown-up backpack i’ve always been dying to design. i wanted  the bag we working women were missing — one that gives us loads of organization for work, workouts and those long weekends, while looking good and standing up to daily use.  

when you need to carry a lot lightly, the boxer is your bag. a plethora of pockets inside and out organize all your stuff —– laptop, chargers, clothes and shoes (there’s a shoe compartment!), you name it. plus, our signature blush interior makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. on the exterior, water-resistant nylon twill nails the sleek, luxurious look and feel of high-end italian fabrics while being extremely durable and easy to care for. adjustable, padded shoulder straps provide the comfort those old-school backpacks were missing. chunky zippers are made with high-quality metal. 

i think the boxer is one of the best handbags for working womenon the go – so many boxer owners call it their go-to for work and for work trips (a fantastic carry-on bag that slides right under the seat on your flight).wear it as a backpack on your commute to remain hands-free. or convert to a stylish hobo and carry by the handle. the choice is yours!

wonder - large crossbody bag

many working women find that crossbody bags are the best handbags for tackling their daily to-do list. the wonder, our large, lightweight crossbody messenger bag, is a bestseller for its wondrous ability to organize a ton for the day without adding weight to your load. with pockets inside and out, including a padded, secured pocket designed to hold your 13" device, this hands-free hero allows me to keep moving as i answer calls on the go, grab a morning coffee, maneuver my way through busy airports, etc. a total lifesaver!  

sleek nylon twill and silky, woven nylon straps ensure the wonder provides a comfortable carry — its soft silhouette literally hugs your body with no stiff corners to bruise your hip. the blush interior makes it easy to find your daily essentials. its streamlined design looks effortlessly stylish at work and on the go. i’ve barely mentioned this crossbody’s incredible organization! pockets, pockets and more pockets keep you organized and enable quick access. truly a helpful, modern wonder.

if you can’t get enough crossbody bags but don’t need the large capacity of our wonder,take a look at our o.g. amuse and no-nonsense chic, wave quilted cruiser. these medium-sized crossbodies are frequently cited by our working women clientele as being among the best handbags they own. 

your perfect bag

so what is the best handbag for working womenon the go? there’s no one-size-fits-all. our needs all differ. so does our style. i want you to find a bag that works for you and your lifestyle. maybe that’s the wonder. maybe it’s tillie. it could even be our small but mighty shorthand phone bag, if you can get away with just carrying the essentials! 

as for my go-to? i’d have to say the boxer. the softer, smarter, more organized backpack of my dreams, this lightweight champ makes my crazy work weeks so much easier!

xo — sloane



sloane gibney grossberg is the founder of and sole designer for shortyLOVE. a jersey girl always and forever, she’s devoted to her husband and two children, stays close to her sisters, walks her dogs daily, falls hard for a smarter bag, and feels very fortunate to design them for a living. 
sloane got her start as senior designer for the marc jacobs collection in 2002, moving up three years later to take the creative reins of marc by marc jacobs handbags and accessories for a decade. noting an unmet demand for stylish bags that could help streamline busy days, she launched shortyLOVE in 2018.