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Who doesn’t love a cotton tote bag? Bonus points if it’s free, like our classic New York tote. We all have our favorites. For me, it’s my Hood Health tote, which can fit everything and anything. However, as much as we all cherish our emotional-support totes, I’m on the hunt for tote bags that keep their shape rather than becoming a blob when I throw all of my belongings inside them.
I’m not necessarily looking for a work bag (although it can surely double as one). My criteria is less “farmers’ market” and more “I want to carry more things than my go-to shoulder bag allows.” It should at least have one pocket on the inside so my keys, lip balm, wallet, and sunglasses aren’t always at the bottom of the pit. And it should make me feel and look put together — like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen carrying their extremely beat-up Birkins without the Birkin price tag.
Below is a list of tote bags I own, ones fellow editors are always using when I meet them at events, and options our group chats highly recommend.
So, you’re looking for the best tote bags?
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true options
➼ Our experts
Update on June 24, 2025: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Our top picks:
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Dimensions: 19 inches high x 14 inches wide x 2.5 inches deep | Material: Oxford fabric that is polyester with a waterproof coating | Colors: Multiple options
This might look like your typical cotton tote bag, but it’s not. Made from a waterproof canvas, the thicker handle makes carrying it around so comfortable, and the oversize rectangular silhouette really is what put the icing on this tote-bag cake. And it has a pocket and key-chain loop.
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Dimensions: 30 centimeters high x 32 centimeters wide x 13 centimeters deep | Materials: Nappa PU | Colors: Dark moss, cream
While I don’t own this Charles & Keith tote bag, when I use the one I do own (which is similar but no longer in stock), I’m floored with compliments and the ol’ question, “Where did you get that?” The faux-leather material is buttery soft and the less-than-$100 price tag makes it a winner in my book.
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Dimensions: 57 centimeters wide (at widest point) x 12 centimeters deep (at base) x 41 centimeters high | Material: Recycled cotton with recycled postconsumer plastic| Colors: Available in multiple prints
You can’t walk the streets of NYC without spotting this tote at least once. I caught a fellow editor sporting hers recently, and while it was the first time she was out and about with it, she raved about how efficient it was and how it made her outfit stand out.
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Dimensions: 12.3 inches high x 20.6 inches wide x 5.1 inches deep | Material: Italian leather| Colors: Available in nine colors
Beloved by moms all over the country (it’s one of our top-selling products in our Mother’s Day roundup), this tote is true to its name. It is also simple to carry around and style, according to our shopping editor Hanna Flanagan. She wears hers to the office constantly and loves it.
More tried-and-true options:
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Dimensions: 14 inches high x 10 inches wide X 6 inches deep | Material: Leather | Colors: Available in seven colors
If you want an under-$200 leather (or suede) tote bag that the internet (mostly TikTok users again) swear by, Madewell has you covered. The viral blue suede one might no longer be in stock, but this burgundy option is just as good.
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Dimensions: 12.5 inches high x 11 inches long x 6 inches wide | Material: Custom pebbled vegan ultra-fiber leather | Colors: Oat, taupe, pecan, black
This tote bag might look slim, but your 14-inch laptop can still fit in it. Plus, it has not only one pocket on the inside but one on the outside so you can have easy access to your lip balm and hand sanitizer.
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Dimensions:13 in H x 16 in W x 6 in D. 9.5 | Material: Bovine leather and hair calf | Colors: Cheetah or zebra print
Cheetah print is basically a neutral by now. This animal print goes with everything you currently own in your wardrobe, and this roomy tote has enough potential to double as your work bag, too.
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Dimensions: 11.8 inches x 5.5 inches x 18.1 inches | Material: 100 percent cowhide leather | Colors: Smooth honey, smooth chocolate, and smooth black
This 100 percent cowhide-leather tote is great for those of us who like to throw a bunch of random items in our bags on the way out the door; the depth and upside-down-triangle shape make it extremely stuff-able. The sliding handles are a nice touch that will make this tote stand out from others in your collection.
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Dimensions: 11.75” X D: 5.5” Material: Leather | Colors: Sand
If you’re looking for a more beach-friendly tote, this option from Loeffler Randall is great to style with all of your upcoming summer and swim looks.
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Dimensions: 13 inches long x 10.6 inches high x 5.5 inches wide | Material: 100 percent Italian cow leather | Colors: Available in 13 colors
Designed to keep you organized no matter how chaotic your schedule gets, this scratch-proof, water-proof, and UV-resistant tote has so many features that make it worth the splurge — including six inner pockets, two outer pockets with magnet button clasps, a reinforced base and handles, and a built-in key leash. This is the medium size that can hold a 13.5-inch laptop, but Kaai’s Pyramid silhouette is also available in a large size that can hold a 15.6-inch laptop and a mini size that can hold an iPad or e-reader.
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Dimensions: 21.5 in W x 11.8 in H x / 9 in D | Material: 100 percent Italian calf leather | Colors: Available in 8 colors
A tote that is true to its name. You can wear this Mansur Gavriel every day and it will not disappoint. I own a tote from this brand and I love to use it when I know I have lots of work events that week since it will fit everything I do (and don’t) need.
Our experts:
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor at the Cut and former shopping editor at Teen Vogue.
