Best Everyday Tote Bag: A Complete Guide for 2024
The tote bag is a must-have accessory for modern life. From classic canvas totes to modern laptop totes, you can use them for casual errands, work, or even when out on the town. A great tote should offer enough space for all your essentials while being stylish and versatile.
Find your best tote bag at Canvelle.com, the home of high-quality tote bags that meet all your needs. To help you find what you're looking for, here's a definitive guide to the best everyday tote bags of 2024, ranging from affordable options to luxury picks.
Our Favorites:
- Best Overall Tote Bag: Canvelle Tote Bags
- Best for Professionals: Tory Burch Perry Leather Tote
- Best for Travel: Canvelle Tote Bags
- Best Medium-Sized Tote: Madewell The Transport Leather Tote
- Best for Organization: Dagne Dover Allyn Leather Tote
- Best Value Tote Bag: Quince Classic Italian Leather Tote
- Best Large Tote Bag: Cuyana Classic Easy Tote
- Best Zippered Tote Bag: Leatherology Aleena Soft Zippered Tote
- Best Crossbody Tote Bag: Marc Jacobs The Leather Medium Tote Bag
Key Features to Look For in an Everyday Tote Bag
1. Size and Capacity
The defining feature of the best everyday tote bag is its capacity. Totes are designed to carry all your everyday essentials, so choose one that's spacious enough to fit everything you need, and easy to retrieve your items from.
Look for totes with external pockets or an internal zippered pocket to keep all your items organized. The Black Carryall Tote from Canvelle, for example, includes slip pockets for your phone and similarly-sized items, plus a zipper pocket.
2. Material and Durability
In addition to being spacious, the best everyday tote bag should be durable, easy to clean, and tough enough to handle daily tasks. A nylon tote is usually quite durable, and nylon material is often used to provide a water-resistant finish. Cotton canvas is also strong, and comes in a range of colors and patterns. However, the most durable totes are made from strong, natural materials like leather or polyfibers from recycled materials.
Canvelle leather totes offer an elegant yet durable solution that can last for years.
3. Versatility and Style
The best everyday tote bag should transition seamlessly from work to casual outings. Look for neutral tones and classic styles that work in a variety of settings.
Tip: Opt for totes with a detachable shoulder strap. They offer more flexibility, allowing the tote to be worn as both a shoulder bag and a crossbody bag. An adjustable crossbody strap makes it easier to adapt a tote to your style and for maximum comfort. Some tote bags come with a luggage sleeve, which can be used to slip over a suitcase at the airport with ease.
Top Everyday Tote Bags for Every Need
1. Canvelle Tote Bags: The Best Overall Tote Bags
The Canvelle Tote Bags Collection offers an ideal blend of functionality and style. The range includes totes made from both high-quality leather and recycled materials, and are designed with spacious interiors, multiple compartments, and sleek finishes. They're versatile enough for work, travel, or casual outings, with zip-top versions for extra security. Instead of the basic cotton lining, these totes have a water-resistant inner which makes them even tougher and better equipped to deal with everyday use. The adjustable straps and elegant design allow for both comfort and style, making them the go-to choice for anyone in need of a practical yet fashionable tote.
Pros:
- Spacious
- Durable
- Stylish
- Water-resistant lining
- Multiple compartments including a pocket with zip inside the bag
Cons:
- Limited availability in certain colors
Best for: Professionals and everyday users seeking a versatile, high-quality tote.
Where to shop: Canvelle Tote Bags
2. Tory Burch Perry Leather Tote: Best for Professionals
This leather tote is perfect for professionals who need space for a laptop, documents, and daily essentials. It features a sleek design with a zippered divider and interior pockets for better organization.
Pros:
- High-end design
- Professional appearance
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Higher price point than alternatives
Best for: Professionals seeking a chic, everyday work bag.
3. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote: Best for Travel
The foldable, water-resistant design of this tote makes it perfect for travel. It’s lightweight yet spacious enough to fit essentials like a laptop, water bottle, and travel documents.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Foldable
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Lacks internal compartments
Best for: Travelers in need of a functional, durable bag.
4. Madewell "The Transport" Leather Tote: Best Medium-Sized Tote
Crafted from semi-vegetable-tanned leather, this tote is both stylish and practical. It’s spacious enough for everyday use but smaller and more structured than larger alternatives, making it perfect for those who don’t need an oversized bag. It will still easily fit a small laptop, a book, a wallet, and a water bottle, plus it has an exterior pocket for smaller items.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Durable
- Ages beautifully
Cons:
- Not enough internal pockets for organization
Best for: Minimalist users who prefer a compact yet stylish tote.
5. Dagne Dover Allyn Leather Tote: Best for Organization
This tote features multiple interior pockets, a neoprene laptop sleeve, and snap fasteners to help organize your essentials. Its durable leather construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of daily use, plus it comes with a dust bag for safe storage.
Pros:
- Organizational features
- Stylish design
- Protective laptop sleeve
Cons:
- Lacks a zippered closure
Best for: Professionals who need a well-organized work bag.
How to Choose the Best Everyday Tote for Your Needs
1. Consider Your Daily Routine
How will you be using your tote bag? Think about your everyday activities. If you commute or travel frequently, a tote with sturdy straps and durable materials like leather, recycled polyfibers or canvas will be essential. However if you need your tote more for professional purposes, organizational features like zip pockets and laptop sleeves might be higher priority,
Browse the Canvelle Tote Bags Collection for bags that offer a blend of durability and style, whether they're for long commutes, busy workdays, or everyday errands.
2. Look for Organizational Features
All tote bags should have organizational features that help you access your essentials more easily. A tote with a dedicated laptop compartment or pockets for small items like keys, phones, and chargers can make life much easier.
Dagne Dover’s Allyn Leather Tote is a tote designed with organization in mind. But many other Canvelle tote bags also have features like side zip pockets, internal pockets, and slip pockets to keep your phone safe.
3. Choose Versatility and Style
When choosing your everyday tote bag, look for options that suit both casual and formal settings. Neutral tones or blacks and greys are versatile and work for most occasions. You can also seek out materials like leather, canvas, or recycled alternatives that look great wherever you are.
Consider the Tory Burch Perry Leather Tote if you're after a professional look, or the Canvelle Tote Bags Collection for an all-around versatile bag.
Canvelle: Your Go-To for Stylish and Functional Everyday Totes
Canvelle.com is the ideal place to find high-quality tote bags in a variety of styles. If you're a frequent traveler, the Weekender has you covered with its luggage sleeve, multiple pockets, and huge capacity. For an eye-catching style, check out the Black Leopard Carryall Tote. The animal-print finish is sure to turn heads, while inside the bag there are multiple pockets and even a handy key clip.
Take advantage of Canvelle's commitment to quality craftsmanship and durability and invest in a tote bag that will last for many years to come.
Finding Your Perfect Tote Bag is Easy
Did you find the perfect tote bag in this guide? Remember, the best everyday tote bag should be spacious and give you easy access to your everyday essentials. An outer zip pocket can help, as can adjustable handles. Consider your lifestyle and daily activities. For example, do you need a tote with a padded laptop compartment? Or a water bottle holder? Or perhaps you're just looking for a simple tote that you can buy in a dozen colors, so you have one for every occasion.
Whatever you're looking for, remember to browse the wide range of options available at Canvelle.com to find the perfect everyday tote and even more bags - fanny packs, sling bags, and more!
FAQs
Are tote bags good for everyday use?
Yes, totes are spacious and practical for a range of daily activities. The best everyday tote bag should have an interior or exterior pocket that let you access essentials like keys or your phone easily. Some even come with professional additions like a padded laptop sleeve.
What is the best material for everyday bags?
It depends on your needs and personal style. Beautiful totes in leather are stylish, durable, and professional, while cotton and synthetic canvas totes are lighter and more versatile in many ways. Canvelle provides bags made from strong polyfibers sourced from recycled plastic bottles, helping to protect both your belongings and the environment.
Are tote bags practical?
Yes, a tote bag is one of the most practical bags on the market. They're spacious, and many are designed with extra touches to assist with everyday tasks. An exterior D-ring for adjustable shoulder straps provides comfort and style, while a zip closure keeps your belongings safe.
Why do people prefer tote bags?
Tote bags are spacious and practical for holding everything from travel essentials to a change of clothes for after work. Parents can carry coloring books and snacks for kids, fashionistas can keep their makeup and lip balm handy, while workers can stash a laptop. They're also useful for students who need a bag spacious enough to handle college books and other resources.