Successful women rely on stylish, functional bags to carry their work supplies and daily essentials.
Some prefer simple tote bags decorated with fun prints.
Others use luxury handbags that offer ample storage and elevate their outfits.
The bag you carry can say a lot about you.
A designer purse, for example, can signal wealth and style, while a Trader Joe's tote bag might symbolize pop culture and trendiness — especially to Gen Z.
Your purse can also be a tool toward productivity. Speaking with Business Insider, women working across various industries said they rely on their daily bags to carry their office gear, wallets, and other essentials.
"I love a bag more than shoes, more than clothes, more than anything else," Erin Piper, the founder of the skincare brand Saint Crewe, told Business Insider. "All I need is a great bag."
From a Loewe clutch to an olive-print tote, these are the bags that those professional women swear by — and if you're looking for more inspiration, check out our Reviews team's guide to the best work bags for women.
The cofounder of a marketing agency carries her work supplies in a large, suede tote.The Darren Signature Carryall from Rebecca Minkoff.
Rebecca Minkoff
Janel Barden, 27, typically runs LuxeHaus Management — the talent and marketing agency she co-founded — from home. But on occasion, she prefers to visit a shared workspace or a café.
When she does, she carries her laptop, headphones, wallet, sunglasses, and more in her $398 Darren Signature bag from Rebecca Minkoff.
It's made entirely from suede fabric and brass hardware.
"Throwing all my stuff in a big, stylish bag keeps me way more organized than if I were holding my laptop and running around with it," Barden said.
For more casual outings, she sticks with a classic shoulder bag.The Pine shoulder bag from Staud.
Staud
When she's not working, Barden carries the $395 Pine purse from Staud.
It's made from pebbled leather, features two silver buckles across its strap, and has the brand's name embossed on one side.
A marketing professional swears by a suede bag that requires the work of 34 artisans.The New York bag from DeMellier London.
DeMellier London
Victoria Villanueva, 25, co-founded LuxeHaus Management with Barden. Speaking with Business Insider, she said the $695 New York bag from DeMellier London is her "go-to for fall and winter."
"It's stunning," she said of the bag's dark brown color and suede fabric. She carries her laptop, Kindle, and a pencil pouch, among other things, inside.
The bag is made from sustainable suede and cotton, and is handcrafted by 34 artisans, according to the brand's website.
An entrepreneur achieves the quiet-luxury look with a textured side bag.The Numéro Dix bag from Polène.
Polène
Sabrina Guler, 32, is the founder of Intuitive CEO, an advisory studio that helps new brands grow and raise capital.
When taking coffee and lunch meetings, the CEO carries the $620 Numéro Dix purse from Polène. She describes it as her "understated wealth bag."
It's made from Italian calf leather and has a velvet lining.
"Polène has been one of my favorite emerging brands for years," she said. "The leather quality is incredible, and the sculptural shapes instantly elevate any outfit. The brand is still growing and highly underrated."
When she has more items to carry, the founder and CEO switches to a classic luxury style.The Neverfull tote bag from Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton
She says the $2,170 Neverfull tote from Louis Vuitton is a "timeless classic."
"The durability and leather quality never cease to amaze me," Guler said about the bag, which is made with leather and Damier Ebene canvas. "It holds up beautifully over time."
It features shoulder straps, side laces, and a removable pouch that can be carried as a clutch.
The founder of a skincare brand alternates between two luxury purses.The Flamenco clutch from Loewe.
Loewe
Erin Piper, 43, is the founder of the skincare brand Saint Crewe and a mother of two.
She told Business Insider that while she loves shoes and clothes, bags are her favorite accessories.
"My Celine purse goes with me to anything business-related," she said. "I like to think she brings me luck."
She carries the Nano-Grained Calfskin Belt Bag, which is no longer sold by the designer brand. However, it's often found on sites like TheRealReal.
For everyday outings, she uses the $3,150 medium-sized Flamenco clutch from Loewe.
"It doesn't scratch, and I'm constantly throwing it around," she said.
Another founder and CEO uses her daily tote bag to advertise her company.The Lydia quilted bag in an olive print from Rachel Antonoff.
Rachel Antonoff
Nikki Seaman, 30, is the founder and CEO of Freestyle Snacks, a food brand that offers premium olives and pickles in to-go pouches.
Naturally, her daily office bag — the $195 Lydia quilted bag from Rachel Antonoff — has a colorful olive print all over it.
"I like to be a walking billboard for my brand," she told Business Insider.
The 24.5-inch-long bag is made entirely from poplin cotton, and it features a shoulder strap above its zippered pocket.
She goes designer when it comes to her diaper bag.A diaper bag from Chloé.
Chloé
In addition to being a founder and CEO, Seaman is also a mom of two boys. She relies on an $875 diaper bag from the French designer brand Chloé to carry everything she needs for them.
The cotton tote has top handles, a leather shoulder strap, and numerous pockets. It also comes with a detachable pouch for extra storage and a folding changing mat that can be used on the go.