Yes, backpacks for work can look professional. Especially these ones
Updated
It seems as if the hybrid work arrangement is here to stay. Yay.
Yay for the flexibility, the balance, the days of the week when you don't have to commute. Yay for it all. Well, except for slogging our laptop, charger, mouse and miscellaneous work stuff to and fro. That's a nay.
To make your hybrid work life easier, it's time to start embracing the backpack. You can load them full of the necessary stuff and make them a permanent between-office-and-home solution. Unlike the alternative – armies of totes and laptop bags and briefcases to awkwardly juggle – they leave you hands-free to tackle trains, buses and ferries.
Is wearing a backpack to work actually professional?
When the bag looks as chic as the July Juliette Soft Backpack, the answer is yes. July
The last thing any of us wants is to show up to a professional office setting feeling like we're turning up to the first day of school, which, we surmise, has prevented many a worker from wanting to invest in a backpack in the first place.
But it really just depends on which one you’re picking. Sure, there are some more casual options on the market – we might leave the Jansports and the Herschels for the weekend – but a good quality backpack has its place in a work wardrobe.
In compiling a list of best work backpacks on the market, we had a couple of specifications: it has to fit a laptop and a few other bits and pieces (your lunch, a book for the train, a file full of papers for meetings, etc, etc.). It also has to look sleek and work-worthy – something you wouldn't mind your boss's boss seeing you with.
The best backpacks for work
Here are our meticulously vetted picks for practicality, durability, but most importantly: style. And while some err on the pricier side, we're firm believers in cost per wear. Invest a little more upfront to reap the benefits (and then some) down the line.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
July Juliette Soft Backpack
July Juliette Soft Backpack. July
Australian label July makes a great range of stylish and practical luggage, which is why this bag tops our list of best work-appropriate backpacks. It’s made to fit it all without making you look like you’re on your way to school.
It will fit a 14-inch laptop in it’s dedicated laptop sleeve and will also carry your lunch container (if it’s around 900mL in size). It also has a spot for you water bottle thanks to its detachable holder.
The structured, sturdy base means that it will stand upright, and it also features an internal press-stud expansion to help you create extra space if you need it. Beyond the chic shape of this backpack, it would be remiss of us not to mention the soft suede interior and brushed gold hardware, which elevate this to one of the most stylish bags you’ll likely own.
Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack
Longchamp Le Pliage Original Backpack. David Jones
This backpack from Longchamp features that trusty, sleek silhouette and a small, convenient carry handle. It doesn’t have a laptop compartment, but it can accommodate up to a 14-inch laptop in a sleeve of its own.
Mimco Metro Backpack
Mimco Metro Backpack. Mimco
A workbag that complements your work wardrobe is often difficult to find, but Mimco have hit the mark with the Metro Backpack. Made from soft black leather and finished with brushed gold hardware, this bag will sit comfortably on your back as it holds your laptop and daily essentials.
Status Anxiety Comes in Waves Backpack
Status Anxiety Comes in Waves backpack. Status Anxiety
Made from premium leather, the Comes in Waves Backpack is a decidedly versatile pick. It can be whatever you want at any stage: a backpack, a handbag, a briefcase, a shoulder bag. It has adjustable backpack straps and a removable crossbody strap, along with a ton of handy compartments. It’s also very roomy but not bulky, keeping an eye on chic design.
One thing to note is that there's no specific compartment for your laptop, so it'll just slip in there with everything else. However, it seems a small price to pay for an otherwise winning product.
Vestirsi Bella Dark Chocolate 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack Tote
Vestirsi Bella Dark Chocolate 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack Tote. Vestirsi
This 3-in-1 bag is the only bag you need if you value versatility. It’s a backpack, a tote and a cross-body bag, and completely deserving of its cult status among fans of the Aussie brand. Each bag is handcrafted in Italy from soft pebble leather. The adjustable straps give you the option to play with the style of the bag, but if you’re looking to wear it as a backpack, you’ll have plenty of room for all your essentials.
Maison de Sabre The Large Soft Backpack
Maison de Sabre The Large Soft Backpack. Maison de Sabre
Don’t let the price deter you from considering The Large Soft Backpack. It’s crafted from full-grain European leather and premium hardware, so you’re guaranteed a comfortable and quality bag. The padded laptop sleeve will look after your 16-inch laptop and the hidden zipped pockets will hold your essentials (phone, keys, work pass) without the need to trawl through the entire bag to find it.
Considering you’ll be using this bag every day you head into the office, it’s cost-per-wear will make the initial outlay a distant memory.
Gaston Luga Dash Bucket Bag 14″
Gaston Luga Dash Bucket Backpack. Gaston Luga
When a bag is holding your all-important tech, it’s helpful if the bag is also weatherproof. The Gaston Luga Dash Bucket Backpack’s most impressive feature, besides helpfully holding your 11-13-inch laptop, is its waterproof TPU-coated recycled polyester exterior. This compact but stylish bag boasts a waterproof rating of 20,000mm, so forgetting your umbrella won’t be all bad.
Louenhide Drew Backpack
Louenhide Drew Backpack. Louenhide
Another sleek option for anyone looking for a black vegan leather backpack is the Drew Backpack. Your laptop has a home in the padded laptop slip, and the internal pockets also feature dual water bottle compartments to keep your belongings in place.
Sure, practicality is the big win here, but the clean lines, magnetic flap closure and premium hardware give you the option to take this bag beyond the office without looking out of place.
The Horse Backpack
The Horse Backpack The Horse
Looking for a bag that appeals to a less corporate look? The Horse has a pebbled leather option in a fresh tan shade that will go with most things. It has space for a 15-inch laptop, a water bottle, a lunchbox and books, as well as a D-ring to lock your keys in place. There are enough zips to hide those extra bits and pieces you can’t leave the house without. And if you decide wearing it on your back isn’t for you, you can adjust the straps to turn it into a cross-body style.
Fossil Parker Black Backpack
Fossil Parker Black Backpack. Fossil
Fossil has thrown their LiteHide leather backpack into the mix, just to make your choice even harder. This slouchy backpack has a front pocket, a main zippered pocket, a top handle and detachable straps so you can convert it from a backpack to a cross-body bag.
Polo Ralph Lauren Canvas Backpack
Polo Ralph Lauren Backpack. Polo Ralph Lauren
OK, we know, this one is more of a traditional backpack than a backpack moonlighting as a stylish bag, but it’s an option for anyone who wants a classic backpack with a subtle designer nod.
Made of cotton canvas and lined with taffeta, it features a padded interior pocket for a laptop or tablet, a two-way top zip closure and adjustable buckled shoulder straps. It’ll do the job and keep your back aligned on your commute.
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