Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:35     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."


This is silly, we’re not saying she should use the backpack as her purse or carry it to meetings or whatever. But it’s perfectly fine to carry one into the building. It’s like carrying a suitcase or a gym bag.


It looks weird seeing a woman in a thousand dollars worth of suit/blouse/shoes/etc with a stupid backpack.

And even pricey leather totes look unprofessional if they are overflowing with stuff.

Professionals carry a bag that looks sleek and can close properly.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:23     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Have you looked at Dagne Dover? I’ve been using their Allyn tote for years. It is a little on the heavier side, but comfortable to carry, well organized, and has held up well to a lot of abuse.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:11     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
I vote for the Il Bisonte one. Something I consider is how structured the bag is - I don't like the stiff ones. I want soft leather
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:10     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."


My law firm gives out North Face backpacks and more than half the lawyers use them.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:06     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."


This is silly, we’re not saying she should use the backpack as her purse or carry it to meetings or whatever. But it’s perfectly fine to carry one into the building. It’s like carrying a suitcase or a gym bag.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:04     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."


A tote bag with two laptops and a text book won’t look professional either. OP needs a rolling bag and a tote, maybe.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:04     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."



Hahaha! I am a lawyer (woman) who has carried a backpack to work for the last 15+ years (after ditching various leather bags). I don’t work in the private sector though and if I am doing an external meeting/reception I’ll use my leather tote.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 17:00     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Disagree. Professional women look polished and a backpack is not a polished look.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 16:54     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


They use rolling bags, not backpacks. Still not cute but it at least looks professional.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 16:02     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:I'm a big Cuyana fan. I have an unstructured tote that has held up beautifully for years--it looks brand new (except the monogram eventually wore off!). I think either of the 2 options you listed would be great. That said, I dream of having of a Clare V bag but can't justify the cost. Note that you can get a long strap the attaches to the bag, so the one you really love could work.
+1

I have a Cuyana tote and love it. Mine is zippered, which I really appreciate on airplanes because it keeps stuff from falling out at security or under plane seats. I originally had the Cuyana insert for it, but stopped using it because it made the bag too heavy. Now I just use a few pouches to keep it a bit more organized.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 15:52     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.


Lawyer here. The only woman who has carried a backpack into our office is a miserable failure, and her lack of attention to style is bad enough that it matters -- even in the government, which is where we are. Appearances matter, whether you care "about what people will think" or not. People are still going to "think."
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 15:47     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


This is completely untrue. Professional women are not all making style decisions about what people will think.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 15:43     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 15:05     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:I know you’re young, but that’s too much to carry in a tote bag! You need a backpack. You can carry a tote too, for the lighter stuff.


Professional women do not carry a backpack to the office.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2024 14:11     Subject: Help me pick a leather tote
Anonymous wrote:There's a reason that they don't have a picture of that Cuyana "system totel" over someone's shoulder. It probably won't go there comfortably. I'd pass on that reason alone with a tote that was going to have heavy stuff in it like multiple laptops.

I am obsessed with that La Tropezienne -- it's gorgeous. The Ashby is the most practical of them all -- big, big handles, very neutral color, it'll go with everything.


I have the Systems Tote and unless I’m wearing a bulky coat, it fits over my shoulders just fine. I bought a leather strap and use that when I’m dressed in bulky clothing.