The work bag that you carry makes a statement about your sense of style, and sometimes leaves behind a first impression about your professionalism. This is why it is one of the investments you should make early in your career. The good news is that you don’t need to break a bank to get a stylish- and professional-looking bag. But if you’re not sure what options you have, here are some of them, laid out for you, according to how much you’re thinking of spending.
Work bags from your favourite high street brands
We know you may not have had the time to shop at actual retail stores of your favourite brands, but thankfully, you can find many of them on Zalora – yes to shopping any time of the day! Some of the brands that have a great selection of trendy work bags include River Island, Dorothy Perkins, Aldo, and Forever New.
But if you’re looking for something a little more upscale, you can check out the selections from brands like Guess, Skagen, and Fossil.
Of course, if you’re not intending to spend much at all on your work bag, look to Zalora‘s in-house brand for work bags that cost less than S$40.
Unique work bags that you won’t see everywhere
Yoox carries brands that you don’t often hear of, such as Piquadro and La Cartella. These brands offer high quality and chic work bags that don’t cost an arm and a leg. La Cartella, in particular, releases collections that feature quirky prints that we love. If you work in a rather creative environment that allows you to get away with something fun, then you’re going to be spoilt for choice from La Cartella’s selections.
Semi-handmade work bags by indie designers
If you want something a bit more exclusive, check out Sometime. The bag specialist company works with Asian designers and fashion icons to produce quality bags that are semi-handmade so that you can be assured of attention-to-detail and quality. The bags are made with synthetic leather that have similar durability and aesthetic qualities of genuine leather, and the best part is that while these are designer items, they don’t come with a hefty price tags.
Luxury work bags that you can flaunt
And of course, the ultimate goal of many office workers – to own a work bag from one of the luxury brands. Other than visiting their retail stores, if you already have an idea of what you want, you can find them in online stores too, which may sometimes offer the same models at a lower price (remember to do your homework before buying!)
If you’re looking at accessible luxury brands, ASOS provides a good number of options. Work bags you can find under S$300 from luxury brands include selections from Love Moschino, Ted Baker, and Valentino by Mario Valentino.
And if budget isn’t a factor, then Net-a-Porter and Reebonz are the online stores you can go to. Net-a-Porter stocks brands such as Loewe, Prada, Miu Miu, just to name a few. The models are usually quite updated and you can also take the chance to explore high-end brands that are more niche and that carries unique designs. Reebonz, on the other hand, has both new and pre-loved items. If you’re on a bit of a budget but want to get your hands on a luxury bag nonetheless, consider checking out their pre-loved items. The condition of the bags are carefully described so that you know what you can expect. Reebonz carries most of the popular luxury brands you know of, although the models available may be slightly off-season.
Additional tips to choosing the perfect work bag
1. Complement your usual dress style
Your work bag should go with your work outfit, of course. Pick a colour that will complement the rest of your getup. If you find yourself dressing in classic black, blue or grey dresses most frequently, you might want to choose a bag with a bright, popping colour like red, yellow, or orange to add some spice to your overall look. If you tend to go for smart casual pieces that exude effortless chicness, then consider something with less structure so it ties in well with the rest of your getup.
2. Consider how much space you need
Do you frequently hold documents in your bag or a laptop? Then, you probably need a more spacious bag with some structure. But if you usually need very few items in your bag, you can go for a smaller one so you won’t be lugging along a bag that’s heavier than all your belongings combined. A huge bag that has little items in it could also lose its shape and look less attractive.
3. Look for something light
If a bag is already pretty heavy before you put anything in it, you can be sure that it’s going to weight a tonne when you put in your belongings. No matter how pretty the bag is, chances are you are going to resent it in the future when it starts to take a toll on your arms or shoulders.
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