The Tote for Your Working Week

A work bag has a harder life than any other bag you own. It rides the subway, sits on conference room floors, holds a laptop and a lunch, and gets set down a hundred times a week. So it has to be built for use, not for the photo.

What actually matters

The leather. Full grain wears in instead of wearing out. Corrected and bonded leathers look fine on day one and start cracking at the folds within a year.

The hardware. Look at where the handles meet the bag. Riveted or stitched through the leather will outlast the bag itself. Glued is usually the first thing to fail.

The size. Buy for what you carry on an ordinary Tuesday. A tote that is too big never looks full and never sits right on your shoulder.

The color. Black and cognac go with everything, from a first interview to a Friday with no meetings at all.

Which one to pick

The Everyday Tote ($428) is the one for full days. It fits a laptop up to 15 inches, a book, a water bottle and everything else you need for the day: wallet, keys, chargers, the sweater you'll want by 4pm. It was designed as an everyday piece, so it is meant to be carried hard.

The Everyday Mini Tote ($328) is for lighter days. Phone, wallet, keys, a tablet or a folder. It's also the one to reach for in interviews and client meetings because it looks considered without taking over the room.

If your bag turns into a junk drawer by Wednesday, drop an Everyday Pouch ($128) inside for keys, cables and pens.

Taking it on the road

The same tote works for a short work trip. It goes under the seat as your personal item and straight into the meeting after. For anything longer than a few days, pair it with a carry on and let the tote hold what you need at hand.

One last thing

Full grain leather is a little stiff at first. That stiffness is what gives the bag its shape later. Give it a few weeks of real use and it will settle into the way you carry.