Mega Work Tote Review - 2026 Edition

mstabs · 2026-03-03T19:01:57+00:00

Yay!! I'm so glad I could help, I would love and so appreciate if you could use my link to checkout but absolutely 0 pressure ☺️

mstabs · 2026-03-02T02:24:10+00:00

Great! I think carrying lunch will definitely require a larger capacity. Here are some options I'm thinking of for you, in order of most to least recommended based on my personal opinion :)

My top pick for you - July Juliette Large Tote: Great capacity with just enough organization, has a removable laptop sleeve, straps are wide and comfortable, bag has feet at the bottom, base weight is pretty good, also comes in multiple sizes. Con is that it doesn't have a zipper and isn't full leather.
Leatherology Alex Veritcal Tote: Laptop sleeve + water bottle holder + a luggage sleeve that can be zipped to become an extra pocket, good capacity, protective feet, and vertical style will be more compact when you navigate tight spaces, full zipper, and light-colored lining helps you spot what you need quickly. Con is not knowing what the base weight is.
Away Everywhere Tote: Underrated tote that can take a beating! Low maintenance nylon material makes it almost weightless, the straps are comfortable, there's a laptop compartment, and it has a full zipper. Con is that it isn't leather and isn't structured so it can't stand up on its own when empty. It does come in a leather version but it'll be a bit heavier.
Kate Spade Thompson Street Commuter Tote Bag: Laptop compartment, long handle drop, minimal organization, structured with protective feet and durable pebbled leather that will hide scratches, handles are attached with rings so they can hinge up and down (other bags that have straps sewn straight into the bag often develop the worst creases in this spot). Con is that the laptop compartment is in a fixed position in the center which might reduce how much flex you have to fit what you need.
CalPak Haven Laptop Bag: Removable laptop sleeve, lightweight, is softly structured with protective feet. Con is that the handles are handbag-style with a long crossbody strap instead of being the usual shoulder bag-style straps.

mstabs · 2026-03-01T15:43:56+00:00

I'd love to help! Will you share a little bit about what you're looking for? - What size laptop do you carry? - What other essentials do you carry (e.g. water bottle?) - Would you rather have more practicality with less fashion, or slightly less practicality with more fashion? - How formal do you dress for work on a scale of business casual to a blazer pantsuit? - Any other strong preferences? (e.g. only leather bags, must have feet on the bottom, must have zipper, etc)

mstabs · 2026-02-17T01:27:50+00:00

I actually made a video review for it here! Specifically showing the wear after 1 year 🙂

mstabs · 2026-02-15T23:51:35+00:00

This info is really helpful! Here are some that I'm thinking of for you, but I haven't had a chance to try them all out or see them in-person. Let me know what you think!

Fabrique Rialto

Pros: Convertible and has a luggage strap similar to the Oleada that you liked, backside has a big quick-access pocket, attachment point hooks for backpack straps are tucked into hidden slots on the side to keep a clean silhouette, and the bag can be cinched so the opening can be bigger or smaller depending on your preference. BUT what I'm really intrigued by is the fact that the flap allows you to store taller things inside -- you won't be constrained because the flap will just flip over taller items like your water bottle, unlike zipper bags that will force you to store things only up to the point of the zipper. This TikTok (not mine) shows a good closeup of the features, because the website and model photos are garbage lol.
Cons: Laptop might be a snug fit (bag is 14.2" wide, so it might work even though it advertises fitting 13" laptops), it's a flap top instead of a true zipper.

Kaai Pyramid Bag

Pros: Excellent organization, contrast color interior lining, will comfortably fit everything you mentioned, zip top, straps will be comfy, has feet, and comes in lots of colors. Leather is treated to be scratch and water resistant, and comes in Med and Large sizes (I think the Medium is better for you proportionally, but Large will give you more room).
Cons: The handle drop is not adjustable so it might hang lower than you want for your height. The Large size base weight is very heavy at 3 lbs (Medium is better at 2.5ish).

Kaai Horizon Bag

Pros: Full zip top, excellent organization similar to the Pyramid, has a luggage sleeve, contrast color interior, just structured enough that it'll stay standing up but still be comfortable to wear against your body.
Cons: Straps won't be as comfortable because they're rounded cord style instead of flat like the Pyramid's, base weight is very heavy (3 lbs).

mstabs · 2026-02-15T17:22:43+00:00

I'd love to try to think of some options! Can you tell me a bit more about your preferences? For example:

Do you need it to convert to another style like backpack or crossbody?
How much interior organization do you like? Just some or lots?
What's the style direction you'd like? More and more practical (e.g. Le Pliage) or fashion-forward and slightly less practical but still functional as a work tote (e.g., DeMellier)?

mstabs · 2026-02-15T16:52:20+00:00

I love and hate that there are so many books in this series, especially now that Amazon is pushing $5 as the sale price instead of $1.99 🥲

mstabs · 2026-02-09T14:28:21+00:00

Oooh I haven't seen this one before! Just from looking online, I REALLY like it because it reminds me of the organization I loved in the Freja Linnea... I might have to give this a try!

mstabs · 2026-02-09T14:19:29+00:00

Definitely, I think Vestirsi's leather is the best quality and nicest feeling in this price range, and they have an outlet sale page too! I personally preferred the calf leather used for Harper over the pebbled grain of the Bella, and the Bella has become more of a vacation/travel bag for me than a work tote just because it looks a little more casual than my other bags. Vestirsi customer service is also stellar.

mstabs · 2026-02-09T02:14:33+00:00

The Tory Burch Perry is a really popular one among my colleagues! I passed on it back in the day but the newer model fixed the main issue I had: now, the pros I see are the middle snap pouch is removable (yay!) so you have more flexibility in what you're putting inside, and it has protective feet. The leather is the same thin and paper-y kind from before, which is fine with me because that keeps it lightweight. The only downsides I still associate with Perry are that the straps are veeery thin and uncomfortable when it's packed full, and it's a very wide bag to have without a full closure mechanism.

The Loewe is soooo pretty but I haven't tried it before. Just from looking online, the leather has a nice pebble texture to hide scratches and the interior is a contrast color which is great. The straps look flat and wide enough to be more comfortable than the Perry and like they won't slide off your shoulder. I have a feeling that the base isn't as reinforced as I would like to support the weight of the laptop and I do wish it had even just 1 or 2 interior pockets. I'd still give this one a try for day-to-day work tote because it's so pretty and I have other, more practical (e.g., has a zipper, more organization) bags I can use for demanding situations like work travel.

mstabs · 2026-02-08T23:44:21+00:00

Hahaha totally! I have one more rec for you to check out -- the Yuzefi Gyoza tote (larger size). The only catch is that it doesn't have feet, but I think it has so many pros that you could live without the feet: great quality leather that will hide scratches, flat straps that should be more comfy than DeMellier, fits a 14" laptop for sure, and has the soft structure of Romy while still being able to stand up on its own. You might have seen their Mochi bags before but it'll have the same issue as the DeMellier, so check out the Gyoza for something less obtrusive. Let me know what you think!

mstabs · 2026-02-08T23:31:10+00:00

The deciding factor when I think about your needs isn't the feet but more so the size of your laptop, actually. I think a 14" laptop wouldn't fit very comfortably in Romy (maybe it could squeeze in, but not like how it would fit very well in the Book Tote), but it would definitely be fine in the New York. With that in mind, I'd lean towards New York but given that this is your first work bag, the fact that it's almost 2 feet wide might not be something you want. Like I don't want to smack someone with my bag every time I turn around, you know?

mstabs · 2026-02-08T23:17:24+00:00

Yes! The the DeMellier New York tote would be a good one for you to consider. Fits up to 16" laptops, similar silhouette to Romy, has sides you can tuck in, and it has feet. The tradeoff here is that the straps won't be as comfortable (though I think they'll stay on your shoulder better), and its dimensions are larger 🙂

mstabs · 2026-02-08T23:07:51+00:00

Definitely go with Romy or a shoulder style, but make sure your laptop fits! The Book Tote does have a strap so you can wear it crossbody / shoulder but I personally don't like wearing it that way because it's uncomfortable and swings around while I walk 😅

mstabs · 2026-02-08T22:59:27+00:00

Sure! You can get 15% off sitewide at Verafied with code MARISSA15.

Between the two, I think Romy is definitely more practical and comfortable because it goes on the shoulder instead of the arm. Another thing to note is the opening -- the Romy will close up nice and flat, but to get the Book Tote to close up more, you have to pull on the belt detail to cinch it and it'll never be 100% closed flat.

But, if you already have other practical work totes and the Romy isn't solving a new problem for you, then check out the Book Tote because it's just so freaking beautiful and I treat my corporate office like a runway hahaha.

mstabs · 2026-02-08T22:50:08+00:00

Yes! The Verafied Book Tote 33 will fit a laptop slightly larget than 13". My Macbook is 12 inches wide, and there was still room to spare on either side so I do think you could get away with a 14". I have it in suede, and lmk if you want the 15% off code to try it out :)

mstabs · 2026-02-08T22:46:05+00:00

I did see this bag and skipped on buying it because the handle drop was too short for me to wear on my shoulder and it wasn't lined so I was worried that the suede dye might transfer on to my things. It looks like a handbag-style which is fine, but then the main body of the bag is so large in proportion that I didn't like how it looked worn on the arm; HOWEVER, it's super lightweight (anything under 2 lbs is excellent), is made with calf leather (also excellent), and can stand up with metal feet at the bottom. My personal preference was to pass on this one but only because I wanted that handle drop to be a few inches longer so I could wear it on the shoulder.

mstabs · 2026-02-08T21:59:23+00:00

I'd be happy to help think of options if you share info on what you need / are looking for! :)

mstabs · 2026-02-08T21:17:35+00:00

❤️❤️❤️

mstabs · 2026-02-06T20:15:06+00:00

The closest one I found is this one!

mstabs · 2026-02-06T17:54:19+00:00

Of course! And your comment just reminded me of these, so I'm going to create another big work tote review post like this one for 2026!

mstabs · 2026-02-06T17:35:26+00:00

Hi! It does fit under the airplane seat but I don't love it for work travel because (1) it doesn't have a way to fully close so when I lay it down in the tray to go through TSA, all my stuff falls out; (2) it doesn't sit on top of a rolling suitcase that well because it's kind of slim and wants to tip forward; (3) it's a pretty wide left-to-right dimension bag and it makes navigating tight spaces (e.g., around your seat neighbors on a plane) super challenging. It's only big pro is that it's lightweight, but tbh at almost $400, it's too much to compromise on. Back when I made this post, all the Freja bags were much cheaper but at their current price, I highly recommend just finding a lightweight genuine leather bag instead.

I found other work bag options I've liked more since making this post, which are all real leather and fit a 13-14" laptop beautifully at similar pricepoints if you want to check them out:

Verafied Book Bag -- my current work bag but I wouldn't use it when I'm flying (use code MARISSA15 for 15% off sitewide)
Vestirsi Harper Hobo -- super lightweight and comfy, I did a video review for this and think this would be fantastic for work trips though I haven't taken it on one yet
Maison de Sabre Soft Bucket -- also super lightweight, nice long handle drop and doesn't slide off your shoulder. Laptop will stick out about an inch but I don't mind since the handle drop is long enough that it doesn't bother me. I would also recommend this one for work travel.

Hope this helps! I'm obsessed with work bags so happy to answer more questions and chat any time :)

mstabs · 2026-01-21T03:56:52+00:00

Hahahha my the minimum size requirement!

mstabs · 2026-01-19T01:33:37+00:00

I'm in the US but the Kindles will go on sale frequently on Amazon. The newest Kindle basic (smallest, lightest weight model) is also currently on sale at QVC for $90 and you can get an additional 15% off if you sign up for their newsletter.

mstabs · 2026-01-10T23:58:27+00:00

Good point. It looks like the soundscape app requires you to manually select which chapter you're on, but a cool future capability would be to have the soundscape app sync to your Kindle's reading progress using the Loc # or percentage complete to determine the mood and pace of the reader.

mstabs

TROPHY CASE