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What is a Designer Tote Bag?
Since designer tote bags are incredibly popular, what exactly defines a designer tote bag and which are the best designer tote bags? A tote bag is a bag that generally has an open-top, is fairly simple in structure, and generally has a set of handles that can be used to carry the bag in your hand or on your shoulder.
A designer bag is a bag designed by a fashion house or particular individual and generally has a higher price point due to the fabrics, craftsmanship, and prestige that comes with the particular brand who designed it.
Tote bags are great for every-day use and can generally carry all your daily essentials. If you’re looking for a new designer tote bag, we take a look at 17 of the hottest designer tote bags below and in our latest video on YouTube.
What is the best Designer Brand of Tote Bag?
So if you’re about to invest your hard-earned cash in a new designer tote, what’s the best brand to go for? This varies, and a lot comes down to your own personal preference.
Louis Vuitton designer tote bags are some of the most popular in the world, with the Neverfull designer tote bag being the most popular designer bag in the world. Louis Vuitton’s monogram canvas tote bags are hard-wearing and last for many years.
Brands live Givenchy, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga have some great leather options, which are very simple yet still have the sophistication and great craftsmanship that you’d expect from a designer tote bag.
If you’re looking for more of a beach/summer tote bag then look to Chanel, Saint Laurent, Dior, Stella McCartney and Valentino for lined and canvas designer tote bags. Fabric tote bags such as the Dior book tote and Chanel Deauville (both featured below), give off a more casual vibe and are easier to use in warmer weather (without having to worry about the condition of leathers).
Why Designer Tote Bags are Great for Work
A stylish designer tote bag is essential for work, why? Because they allow for so much flexibility in terms of what you can take with you. No two days are exactly the same, and a nice designer tote bag can make your work outfit looks classic, stylish, and sophisticated. Opt for a solid neutral colour like black, beige, or grey if you’re planning to use your designer tote bag every day with different outfits.
Designer tote bags are generally large in size and have flexible walls, therefore, it makes them easy to use on days where you may need to take more to work. For example, most designer tote bags are capable of carrying a laptop and notebook, as well as everything you might need. A good tote bag should also look great even when less is needed, and we always advise the use of a designer bag liner to help you organize your belongings and help your bag keep its shape when in use.
The 17 Best Designer Tote Bags for Work
1. Louis Vuitton Neverfull
The most obvious place to start looking when you’re in search of a designer tote is with the world’s most popular choice, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote bag. This tote bag is so popular because of its simple design and instantly recognizable print. The Neverfull tote is available in three sizes to suit every occasion, and available in three main prints as well as limited-edition versions.
The Neverfull tote bag is a popular choice for people starting to build their collection of designer bags, as it’s so versatile and has a great resale value, meaning that if you take good care of your Neverfull you’re likely to get most of your money back when you come to sell it.
Our personal preference would be the Neverfull MM (Medium) size, in monogram or Damier Ebene print if you’re planning to work it hard, as the darker Damier Ebene leather and print will show up fewer marks and will age better.
Neverfull Tote bag Sizes and Price Comparison
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM (Small) |  | £995 | $1420 |
| Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM (Med) |  | £1040 | $1500 |
| Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM (Large) |  | £1090 | $1580 |
2. Louis Vuitton OnTheGo Tote Bag
A newer style of a tote bag from Louis Vuitton (originally released in 2019) is the new OnTheGo tote bag. This designer tote has a higher price point but has benefits including a better structure and you’re much less likely to bump into someone with exactly the same bag (unlike the Neverfull).
The OnTheGo tote bag is available in two sizes, a large and a medium size, and comes in canvas or leather with a large monogram print. Louis Vuitton have also released the bag in some limited edition prints if you’re looking for something a little more bold and bright.
One of the best things about the OnTheGo tote bag is its option of straps, which most tote bags don’t offer. You can either use the sturdy top handles to carry the bag or position is on the crook of your arm, or use the longer shoulder straps which can be a life-saver if the bag is particularly heavy.
Louis Vuitton OnTheGo Tote Bag Sizes and Price Comparison
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Louis Vuitton OnTheGo MM |  | £1710 | $2530 |
| Louis Vuitton OnTheGo GM |  | £1800 | $2690 |
3. Dior Book Tote Bag
If you’re looking for the perfect day-time tote bag suitable for work or the beach, then look no further than the Dior Book Tote bag. This bag features incredible detailing and craftsmanship, and due to it not being a leather tote bag it’s much more suitable for warmer weather and for taking to the beach / looking super glamorous by the pool.
The Dior book tote is positioned at a fairly high price point, and we would note that the bag is probably a little too fancy for being too casual.
| Dior Book Tote Bag (Base model) | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Dior Book Tote – Small |  | £2050 | $2750 |
| Dior Book Tote – Medium |  | £2150 | $2900 |
4. Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a designer tote that’s less than £1000 and want to be able to use it for every day and the beach, then we highly recommend the Saint Laurent Rive Gauche tote bag. Made from linen and teamed with long leather strap handles, this is a great shoulder tote bag. It also featured a zippered pocket inside, and no one can mistake this bag with its large ‘Saint Laurent’ print. You can opt for a neutral linen colour or black and white.
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Tote Bag – Neutral |  | £880 | $1250 |
| Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Tote Bag – Black |  | £880 | $1250 |
5. Saint Laurent Leather Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a designer tote bag that’s a little more under-stated and can go with many outfits, then the Saint Laurent leather tote bag is a great buy. This simple tote has much smaller branding, and is made from quality leather. The bag is really simple, and incredibly versatile.
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Saint Laurent Simple Leather Tote |  | £750 | $1090 |
6. Givenchy Tote Bags
A Givenchy tote bag is often a statement piece. While the brand does have simple tote bag styles, it also brings out new, fun prints every season. From florals to the iconic barking rottweiler print, Givenchy is the perfect brand to purchase a stand-out designer tote bag.
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Givenchy Wing Tote Bag |  | £950 | $1290 |
7. Balenciaga Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a simple tote bag with a bold logo then a Balenciaga tote could be the perfect tote bag for you. We like this particular black leather tote with white logo due to its taller shape, making it easier to carry a laptop without is falling around as much in a large, wide tote bag. The logo is bold however, and would be better suited to a brand lover who likes logos.
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Balenciaga Extra Small Everyday Tote Bag |  | £825 | $1190 |
| Balenciaga Small Everyday Tote Bag |  | £895 | $1350 |
| Balenciaga Medium Everyday Tote Bag |  | £950 | $UNKNOWN |
8. Lady Dior Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a classy tote bag that is the epitome of class and sophistication, the Lady Dior tote with its quilted print and stunning hardware is just that. A favourite of the late Princess Diana, the Lady Dior tote bag comes in various sizes to suit every need, with small versions being great evening bags, and the larger versions as classy, work tote bags.
The Lady Dior tote is however, due to its detailing and leather is one of the most expensive designer totes on this list.
| Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| DIOR Lady Dior Tote – Mini |  | £3000 | $4300 |
| DIOR Lady Dior Tote – Medium |  | £3600 | $4900 |
| DIOR Lady Dior Tote – Large |  | £3900 | $5300 |
9. Chanel GST Tote
A classic tote bag from Chanel, the GST (Grand Shopper Tote) is still incredibly popular as a designer tote bag, despite the fact that Chanel no longer sells this style of bag. This tote bag is incredibly popular due to it having a classic Chanel look and three internal compartments making it a great bag for every day. It has two open sides for notebooks and a laptop, and a zipper compartment for things like your purse and keys that you want to ensure are safely concealed in your bag.
The Chanel GST shopper is now only available to purchase pre-loved, so snap one up quick as they become harder to find.
10. Chanel Deauville Tote Bag
The Chanel Deauville tote bag is a highly sort-after designer tote from the brand. A little different to the GST, the Deauville tote bag is much more casual and often features more fun and varied looks and fabrics. From canvas to studded leather, the brand releases limited edition versions of this fun tote bag.
Similar to the Louis Vuitton OnTheGo tote bag, certain Chanel Deauville tote bags feature leather top handles, and longer chain strap straps to be worn on the shoulder. This makes the bag more versatile, however, they can weigh more than other tote bags just due to the fabrics and hardware. The Deauville is a very popular bag for summer and perfect for beach day-strips and looking effortlessly elegant by the pool.
| Chanel Deauville Tote Bag (Base models) | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Chanel Deauville Tote – Small |  | £ | $3000 |
| Chanel Deauville Tote – Medium |  | £ | $3300 |
| Chanel Deauville Tote – Large |  | £ | $3900 |
| Chanel Deauville Tote – Extra Large |  | £ | $4100 |
11. Christian Louboutin Cabata Tote Bag
The famous red sole that Christian Louboutin has become known for with shoes is now spilling over into the bag world, and we just love it. This simple, yet very Louboutin-esque tote bag features studs and a red detachable pouch. The thing we love MOST about this tote bag is the bottom… similar to the Louboutin shoe, we love to catch a red flash of this bags underside.
| Louboutin Tote Bag (Leather models) | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Christian Louboutin Cabata Tote – Small |  | £945 | $1290 |
| Christian Louboutin Cabata Tote – Medium |  | £1045 | $1350 |
12. Gucci Ophidia GG Medium Tote Bag
This list of designer tote bags wouldn’t be complete without some Gucci GG print, and we’re loving this Gucci tote. Featuring bronzed tan leather and the GG in gold, it works perfectly with the traditional Gucci print. We all know Gucci can be quite fun and over the top with its prints, but we like this tote for its traditional Gucci roots which would work perfectly with so many outfits.
| Gucci Designer Tote Bag (Base models) | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Gucci Ophidia medium tote bag |  | £865 | $1250 |
13. Celine Medium Cabas Phantom
Climbing the ranks in popularity, the Celine Cabas Phantom tote bag is appealing for numerous reasons. This designer tote comes in a wide variety of leather in simple block colours, and features under-stated detailing. This designer tote oozes quality and simplicity, perfect for nearly every occasion.
| Celine Phantom Cabas Designer Tote Bag (Base models) | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Celine Phantom Cabas Medium |  | £1400 | $1850 |
14. Mulberry Bayswater Tote
If you’re looking for a tote bag that features impeccable quality at a lower price point in this designer bag comparison, then the Mulberry tote is a great option. Similar to the Celine Phantom tote bag, the Mulberry Bayswater tote comes in numerous colours and is made from the finest leathers. We love the small post-man lock detail on this tote bag, making it feel a little more secure than some of the other totes that don’t close.
| Mulberry Bayswater Designer Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Small Bayswater Tote |  | £695 | $UNKNOWN |
15. Stella McCartney Falabella
If you’er after a designer tote that’s not made from leather and is 100% animal friendly, then look no further than the popular Stella McCartney Falabella tote bag. This bag from Stella McCartney is so popular due to the eye-catching chain detail, and it comes in a few styles and sizes to suit everyone tote bag requirements.
There are also reversible options of the Falabella tote bag, which means you can get more bang for your buck with a two-in-one bag! The only downside to this bag is the weight of the bag due to the chain detailing, however, there are other options of leather-free (suitable for vegans) tote bags from the brand.
| Stella McCartney Falabella Designer Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Falabella Tote Bag |  | £720 | $1025 |
| Falabella fold-over tote |  | £720 | $1025 |
| Falabella Reversible tote |  | £810 | $1125 |
16. Valentino VLTN Canvas Tote
This amazing Valentino tote bag is a direct competitor of the Saint Laurent Gauche tote bag and has a little more detailing such as small studs. We love this designer tote again as the perfect day tote bag and beach bag.
| Valentino VLTN Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| VLTN Canvas Tote Bag |  | £780 | $1245 |
17. Valentino Rock Stud Tote
The Valentino Rock Stud shoes took the fashion world by storm, and now the bag is too. Similar to Christian Louboutin, the brand has taken its famous shoes as inspiration and created this stunning tote bag. The bag features studs on the handles and has some studded detailing inside the bag for extra delight as you open the bag. If you’re looking for a designer tote bag with an edge, then the Valentino rock stud leather tote is for you!
| Valentino Rockstud Tote Bag | Image | Price £ * | Price $ * |
| Rockstud Tote Bag |  | £1360 | $1995 |
The Best Designer Tote Bags with Zipper
If you’re looking for a designer tote bag style with a zipper closure for security, we suggest the Chanel GST tote bag, which has a zipper compartment in the middle of the bag.
If you’re looking to invest in a designer bag specifically to take to work, then check out our blog featuring the best designer work bags (with video) here.
If you like to ease of a tote bag, however, we suggest trying a designer handbag liner in your tote bag and zipped versions are available to purchase. A designer bag liner will help you to protect the lining of your bag, keep your belongings organized, and a zipper option will help to keep your things safe and hidden from prying eyes.
