There’s not really an occasion that a tote bag doesn’t work for. Heading to work? Throw your laptop, lunch and a change of clothes in it. Off for a weekend away? You’ll definitely fit all of the essentials in a larger tote. Shopping trip, gym session or Saturday picnic? Tote, tote, tote.
Much like a white t-shirt, jeans or a leather jacket, a tote bag is a staple for virtually everyone thanks to its versatility and timeless style. Available in all shades, sizes and fabrics under the sun, you likely have a few tote bags sitting around at home already.
But there’s no reason not to buy one more. Especially if you’re looking to elevate your tote bag experience with a leather or wool number. Switch it up with a vibrant, designer rubber tote bag or take things back to basics with a staple cotton option.
Need a little inspo? Read on for all of our favourite tote bags of 2022.
Mulberry Bayswater Tote
Mulberry’s classic Bayswater Tote is an essential accessory if you’re someone who loves a designer bag. This timeless tote comes with a history to match and an appeal that’s hard to beat.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a neutrals or brights kind of person: with upwards of 10 shades to choose from, the problem leans more towards deciding your favourite rather than struggling to find one that suits you. Spacious enough to fit anything from an iPad to a pair of shoes, it’s an investment piece, but it’s one you’ll definitely get the wear from.
Buy now £725.00, Mulberry
Adanola Active Lifestyle Tote Bag - Cream/Green
A bag that our very own shopping editor marks firmly into her “good totes” pile, Adanola’s Active Lifestyle Tote Bag is likely to become your most frequent travel companion. Made from thick, durable cotton with extra-wide straps and an oversized design, it’s neutral enough to go with all kinds of outfits and spacious enough to throw in a quick change of clothes if need be, too. Perfect if you tend to find yourself juggling multiple bags on the daily, this practical tote ensures stress-free travelling with a few different colour accents just to round it off.
Buy now £27.99, Adanola
CHLOÉ Woody small logo felt tote
It’s hard to walk away from this Chloe tote, particularly when you’ve eyed up its logo-print webbing and brown leather trims. Small but perfectly structured with the brand’s classic French style, it’s all about the details, from its black felt to its detachable shoulder strap. A great tote for everyday wear, it’s got just enough room for all of the essentials.
Buy now £790.00, Chloe
Casablanca Logo-detail knitted cotton tote bag
Casablanca's beautiful knitted cotton tote is a bag of dreams: the closest thing you'll find to carrying around a socially acceptable teddy bear as a fully grown adult.
With its seriously soft baby blue and off white colour, it's a world away from the heavy duty totes of the working week and should best be reserved for easygoing Sunday strolls around a farmer's market or an equally whimsical occasion. It's also available in a yellow and white colourway - perfect for summer.
Buy now £498.00, Farfetch
Marni Green logo canvas tote
Marni’s green and pink oversized tote bag is definitely an attention grabbing one. Versatile enough to carry you through countless shopping trips, weekends away and anywhere else where you need a larger than usual option, it’s proof that sometimes, size really does matter. Made from durable canvas and with a handy internal detachable black leather zip-fastening pouch, it’s surprisingly easy to instantly locate your belongings inside this tote bag.
Buy now £850.00, Harvey Nichols
Been London East Tote
This vibrant orange tote is the bag equivalent to waking up to sunshine each morning and, with its bright shade, practically does the job of waking you up at the same time. Made by East London-based sustainable brand, Been London, the East Tote is an everyday gallery-to-coffee-shop companion that comfortably fits all of the necessities inside.
As well as the ever-popular Ripe Mango, it’s also available in six other contrasting shades. Handmade entirely from recycled materials, this luxury full-grain leather bag proves that premium quality bags don’t have to come at an unreachable cost.
Buy now £99.00, Been London
Cos Leather Medium Tote Bag
Cos bags are all about simplicity, as proven by this leather tote bag. A great minimalist tote for everyday wear, its light grey shade ensures it goes perfectly with everything in your wardrobe.
Designed from a soft coated leather and accentuated with zip-up leather pouch, meticulously hand-painted edges and contrast lining, it’s all about the subtle elements and will see you through all kinds of occasions.
Buy now £135.00, Cos
FURLA Gilda Tote M Grass
Furla truly is the cream of the crop if you’re looking for a leather tote bag. This luxury Italian brand started its life as a leather company before launching a range of buttery soft bags 40 years later. The Gilda Tote M Grass is our favourite: a sleek, stylish compliment-receiver that’s almost too beautiful to take out the house.
While some tote bags are designed to be thrown around wherever and whenever, this is a tote you’ll probably want to reserve for special occasions. Warning: once you’ve stepped up to this quality of leather, you’ll probably struggle to accept anything lesser in the future.
Buy now £395.00, Furla
AllSaints Ali Canvas Tote Bag
Head to All Saints for the elevated version of your old favourite tote: the one you’ll throw books, clothes, gym gear or anything else into. This canvas bag is one of the most versatile around with an oversized design and thick straps to ensure your shoulders never suffer from its heavy load. Made from cotton and leather, this one’s a daily staple. Want something a little jazzier? It also comes in a pink and orange dip-dye version.
Buy now £89.00, AllSaints
Kate Spade all day large tote
Kate Spade’s all day large tote does exactly what it says on the tin. If you’re used to throwing everything in a tote and hoping for the best, this is the refined version that works just as well but comes with a slightly more professional appeal. This popular bag comes in six varying shades including black and white and a few different colours.
Sophisticated yet understated, it’s an easygoing bag: one that’s just as happy becoming your next Monday to Friday option as it is being taken away as hand luggage for a European weekend trip. It fits an iPhone XS max, iPad, A4 binder or a 13” laptop, amongst other things.
Buy now £250.00, Kate Spade
Lululemon Side-Cinch Shopper Bag 18L
There are some tote bags designed to be admired and others designed for movement. Lululemon’s Side-Cinch Shopper Bag is the latter, a bag that deserves to be filled to the brim with leggings, trainers, shower gel and a yoga mat spilling out of it in order to really make use of its huge size.
Arguably the best upgrade your current gym bag could get, this one comes with adjustable side details to customise its look and function depending on just how much you’re trying to cram inside. Its water-repellent fabric keeps everything nice and dry, too.
Buy now £48.00, Lululemon
Marc Jacobs The Tote extra-large cotton tote bag
Marc Jacobs practically put tote bags back on the map. The brand's ubiquitous "The Tote" comes in a range of sizes and the extra-large cotton tote bag is our favourite for its versatility.
With a jet black colour and soft cotton fabric, it's a staple bag that'll probably spend most of its time either on your arm or draped over your bedroom chair - it's rare it'll ever get put away. Designed for minimalists who prefer a monochrome look, this oversized tote has a lot to offer both inside and out with two internal slip pockets and one internal zipped pocket, too.
Buy now £280.00, Selfridges
Acne Logo-Appliquéd Recycled Ripstop Tote Bag
Acne's little signature face emblem is subtly recognisable a mile away but, with the vibrant peachy orange shade of this bag, it's still probably the second thing you'll notice.
This roomy tote bag is made from recycled polyester and comes with two handy straps depending on whether you're throwing it over your shoulder or holding like a shopping bag. Offering a stylish alternative to your usual shopper, there's a single mesh insert pocket inside for keeping your phone or purse safe while you're out and about.
Buy now £140.00, Liberty
Massimo Dutti Raffia maxi tote bag with leather handles
Massimo Dutti’s oversized raffia tote bag isn’t just a top choice for beach days. The unique cut out nature of this design ensures it fits smoothly over your shoulder, no matter how much you try to cram inside.
Available in two shades - black and dark brown - it’s a world away from the usual light-coloured raffia bag and comes with stylish tonal accents. Made from a combination of heavy duty paper and lambskin, it’s the definition of a luxe tote bag that you’ll admire for years to come.
Buy now £99.95, Massimo Dutti
Bottega Veneta Arco large rubber tote bag
Bottega Veneta's Arco large rubber tote bag may be a little more than you'd anticipate spending on a rubber bag but, with its unique style and brilliant lime green shade, it's a bag you'll probably fall for regardless of its high price tag.
This attention-grabbing tote can handle more than a little wear and tear thanks to its entirely rubber design. Its faux woven construction and faux stitch detailing also give it a little extra character. Its large size makes this bag perfect for those shopping trips when you anticipate leaving looking a little like Santa Claus with a sack full of gifts.
Buy now £1140.00, Selfridges
Palm Angels Logo knitted wool-blend shopper bag
This bright orange Palm Angels tote is a pretty sturdy one, made from a 58 per cent wool blend that promises never to wear out. An Italian-owned brand, Palm Angels is famed for its loud shades and retro-hued designs and this shopper bag brings together everything the brand is best-loved for.
Our favourite has to be the red/orange shade with its sharp black logo splayed across the front. But the bag also comes in a slightly softer yellow if that's more your thing.
Buy now £375.00, Selfridges
Verdict
You’ve no doubt seen it on the arms of thousands of women around the world and it’s time to join the gang: the Mulberry Bayswater Tote is our favourite tote bag, with its timeless design, premium leather and large range of colour options.
