Tote bags are, hands down, the most versatile bags in any wardrobe. To state the obvious, they can be used to replace single-use bags when purchasing clothes at a favorite boutique or picking up a few ingredients at a local farmers market. But they are so much more than a reusable shopping bag.
“A tote bag is a very versatile piece to have in your closet, [as] it can be used for a variety of occasions,” says celebrity wardrobe stylist Naz Meknat. “Whether you’re going for an overnight stay somewhere or taking it on a long flight, it can store all of your essentials." She also notes that a tote makes for a perfect everyday bag, as well as a work bag, of course.
For a more elevated take on the classic tote bag, we turn to leather (and vegan leather!), which can make the tote bag feel a little more intentional, chic, and all the more timeless.
From leather work totes to faux leather tote bags for everyday use, we tracked down the best leather tote bags for every occasion, and we share our curated list of must-have designs, ahead.
The Madewell Transport Tote is an all-time favorite among fashion editors and style enthusiasts alike, thanks to its roomy design, neutral raw-edged style (it goes with literally everything), and how gorgeous it looks with a little wear. As a bonus, Madewell sources its leather from a sustainable manufacturer, so you can feel good about your purchase. On top of that, you can add some personalization at checkout with a little monogram moment in your choice of a metallic or hued stamp font.
Material: Vegetable-tanned leather | Dimensions: 3.75 x 14 x 6.25 inches | Colors: True Black, English Saddle, True Black/Brown
Finding a high-quality, budget-friendly leather tote bag isn’t the easiest task, but we feel really good about this pick—especially with over 1,500 Amazon customers backing it up. This leather tote bag is made from vintage waxed cowhide and features a classic rectangular tote bag shape, only it’s much easier to stay organized with so many extra pockets and compartments for your things. The shoulder bag has a spot for everything, with two main pockets, a zippered pocket, two open pockets, a couple of slots for smaller items, and an outer zippered pocket.
Material: Vintage waxed cowhide split leather | Dimensions: 11.8 x 5.1 x 14.3 inches | Colors: Light Brown, Black, Green, Red, Brown, Blue
If you’re looking to invest in a designer bag, you can’t go wrong with a designer tote bag, as you’ll get so much use out of it. This all-black leather Saint Laurent tote bag features a timeless and sleek design constructed in 100 percent calfskin leather with a detachable zipper pouch and key holder to keep you organized. It’s also adorned with a leather tag for added detailing.
Material: Calfskin leather | Dimensions: 11 x 14.6 x 5 inches | Colors: Black, Storm, Deep Marine, Dark Beige, Opium, Crema Soft, Khaki Fonce, New Vert Fonce
The classic tote bag is simple in design, ultra-durable, and spacious—and this Cuyana bag checks every box. This pebbled leather tote bag is made in Argentina in a small family-owned factory, ensuring that the highest care and quality goes into every bag produced. In addition to its classic design, the bag has a safety upgrade with a top zipper, so you can rest assured knowing that everything inside will remain in place.
Material: Italian leather | Dimensions: 13.5 x 18 x 5.75 inches | Colors: Navy, Caramel, Stone, Dark Olive, Burgundy, Black
Beis is all about making accessories that are as practical as they are stylish—and The Work Tote is no exception. Made from vegan leather and designed to be the most functional for work, plus easily transition to out-of-office activities, this leather tote bag has a removable pouch to house smaller items, a padded laptop sleeve that closes to keep your device secured, a larger interior zippered pocket, smaller pockets, pen slips, and a key ring for easy access. The bag also has comfortable shoulder straps, plus a removable adjustable strap, and—get this—a zippered trolley sleeve that doubles as another pocket when it’s not in use.
Material: Vegan leather | Dimensions: 16.75 x 13.5 x 7 inches | Colors: Beige, Cognac Croc, Black, Black Croc
Whether you have a lot to tote around (pun intended) or require a good overnight bag, having a large tote bag on hand is a must. We are obsessed with this one from Cuyana because, although it is a large bag, its design still has intentional structure, so it can hold your stuff while also holding its shape. This tote bag is made from Italian leather with a pebbled finish in a woman-owned factory that follows responsible practices.
Material: Pebbled leather | Dimensions: 13.25 x 19.5 x 6 inches | Colors: Black/Blush, Black/Caramel. Caramel/Blush, Cappuccino/Blush, Stone/Blush, Ecru/Blush
When shopping for a leather tote bag for travel, you want a bag that was specifically designed with jet-setting in mind. This one from Calpak will keep you organized on the go, with a durable and removable shoulder strap, zippered and magnet closures, a trolley sleeve, and a removable laptop sleeve that also features smaller pockets to keep items safe and snug when stowed.
Material: Vegan leather | Dimensions: 16 x 12.5 x 5 inches | Colors: Black, Petal, Toffee, Birch
Smaller tote bags might not be the most useful, since they carry far less than your average tote, but we love them as an alternative for an everyday purse. This one from Coach might be small, but it has all the room you need for everyday essentials, with a spacious interior, two open pockets, and a detachable shoulder strap to make it a cross-body. The bag is designed from polished pebble leather and is available in a neutral color that is sure to stay in style.
Material: Polished pebble leather | Dimensions: 9 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 4 ¼ inches | Colors: Brass/Dove-grey
For moms with young children, a tote bag that doubles as a diaper bag is ideal for versatility and organization. This full-grain leather tote bag has everything you need while chasing your little one on the go, with plenty of slip pockets, a zipper closure, and a removable fabric insert with five insulated pockets for diapers, snacks, bottles, and more.
Material: Full grain leather | Dimensions: 13 x 18 x 6 inches | Colors: Black Onyx, Bordeaux, Cognac, Camel, Scarlet, Charcoal +more
Everlane makes some of our favorite tote bags, including this Leather Studio Bag. Made from 100 percent Italian leather, the bag has four pockets and is big enough to fit a laptop, so you can wear it as an everyday bag or transition it into a work bag, depending on your day-to-day needs. It features an elevated spin on the classic tote bag design with a bucket-like shape, a large front pocket, and a single adjustable strap.
Material: Leather | Dimensions: 13 x 6.25 x 9.75 inches | Colors: Black, Cognac
If you’re planning to take your tote bag to school, you want one that has lots of compartments, including a spot for your laptop. This one from Etsy is made from full-grain leather and designed with tons of great pockets and zippered compartments. It's available in different sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Material: Vegetable tanned leather | Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 4 inches (small), 17 x 13 x 4 inches (large) | Colors: Caramel, Coffee, Black, Wine, Aloe, Chai, Moss, Sunrise Rose, White Rose
Where We Stand
Madewell’s Transport Tote is our overall favorite due to its sustainable fabrication, versatile design, and customizable options. On the budget end, Kattee Vintage’s leather tote is our top pick for everything from a day at the office to a browse at your local market. If you’re looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong with Saint Laurent’s classic leather tote.
How We Tested
Each tote bag in this roundup was chosen after hours of online research where we considered a number of different brands, hundreds of online reviews, and our own real-life testing. We assessed each leather tote on their fabrication, internal organization, straps, and versatility in a wardrobe.
- Fabrication and materials
- Size and dimensions
- Internal details and compartments
- Range of colors
- Straps and handles
- Versatility
- Price and value for money
What to Look for in a Leather Tote Bag
- Weight: When shopping for a tote bag, weight is an important factor to consider. “Make sure the tote isn’t too heavy,” says Meknat. “As you add your essentials into the bag, it will get heavier and hard to carry."
- Use: How you will use your tote bag is also important to think about. “Consider what the bag is going to be used for. For example, if it is for traveling or work, a nicer leather tote would be ideal,” Meknat explains. “However, if you want to use it for shopping or a picnic, you might want to consider a different material [such as canvas]."
- Color: If you’re shopping for a tote bag for everyday use, you’ll want one that goes with anything. “Choose a neutral-color tote like black, brown, or tan, so it won’t clash with the colors of your outfits,” Meknat advises.
Why Trust Byrdie
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor's degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. When researching the best leather tote bags, Jessie looked for high-quality options that wear well, are versatile, and have an organization factor to keep items from being thrown about inside.
Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. Her freelance career has given her the opportunity to work for some of the world’s biggest beauty brands and women’s titles and test hundreds of makeup, and skincare products in the process. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves using her own knowledge, expert advice and detailed insights from Byrdie’s NYC testing lab.
- Naz Meknat is a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist and author who has been working in the fashion industry since 2005. She has a degree in Fashion from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.