My Work Bag
What I Carry, Why I Carry It, and What I’ve Learned
Arguably the most important staple for any young professional is the bag you bring to work. Over the past three years, I’ve rotated through three (maybe four?) work bags. I loved each one, but they all served different purposes. One thing about me: I was never going to settle for a boring briefcase or a basic tote.
The first bag I used was a hand-me-down from my mom. I really liked it, but eventually it started to fall apart. When it was time for an upgrade, I treated myself to something special: a purple and brown Anya Hindmarch shoulder bag from TheRealReal I bought with my first bonus. It was the perfect size, super comfortable to carry—even with a laptop—and incredibly cute. The only downside? The color palette made it hard to style with a lot of my wardrobe. And sadly, a part of it eventually broke, so it’s now more of an occasional bag.
Bag number three was also Anya Hindmarch from TheRealReal. (I love Anya Hindmarch.) This one was black with silver studs—simple but edgy, and it paired effortlessly with every outfit. I loved how slouchy it was; it felt relaxed and cool, not overly corporate. But while it looked great, it wasn’t built to carry a laptop every day. The adjustable studded straps started to stretch and come undone, and eventually, it became more trouble than it was worth. I still mourn that bag. If I could find a way to fix the straps, I’d bring it back in a heartbeat.
My Current Bag
So, what am I carrying now? A few months ago, I found this Francesco Biasia bag on TheRealReal for $66.50, and it’s been my go-to ever since. I wasn’t familiar with the brand before, but since discovering it, I’ve come across a ton of cute pieces from them.
This bag is pretty different from the ones I’ve used in the past, but I love its vintage aesthetic. And while it’s brown—a color that can sometimes be tricky—it surprisingly works with the majority of my work outfits. It strikes a nice balance between professional and personal, and I appreciate how it adds a little character to my overall look.
One of the best things about this bag is its shape and storage. It has plenty of pockets, and it fits all my day-to-day essentials perfectly. For me, a work bag isn’t just about what I carry to the office—it’s kind of like a portable home base. It has to hold everything I might need between 9 and 9, and this one does the job beautifully.
What’s Inside
My laptop (not pictured) is by far the heaviest thing I carry with me every day, so I try to keep everything else in my bag lightweight and intentional. These are the staples I never leave home without:
Kindle: I love my Kindle. I read on the subway all the time, and while I used to carry a physical book, my genre of choice is fantasy… which means my books are never small. Lugging a 500-page hardcover around "just in case" became a hassle—especially on days I didn’t get around to reading. My Kindle is compact, lightweight, and always fits.
Sunglasses: It’s summer, so I need my shades. That being said, I don’t send a lot of time outdoors on my commute. Pretty much just the 10 minutes from my apartment to the subway and the 1 minute from the subway to my office. Still, they’re good to have, and I always regret it when I forget them. My go-to shades are from Oliver Peoples. They’re classy, versatile, and logo-free, which I love.
Deodorant: The most essential item in the contents of my bag, especially in NYC heat. I’m often going straight from work to something else, so staying fresh is non-negotiable. I started using natural deodorant last year and… I hate it. But I’m committed. After some trial and error, I landed on the Salt & Stone Black Rose & Oud, which actually smells amazing—even if it’s not as strong as traditional formulas.
Wire headphones: I always keep these in my bag just in case I need to take a Zoom call, or find myself at a cafe. They’re simple, reliable, and save me when Bluetooth fails.
Personal Care
These are some of my smaller essentials—the practical items I always have on hand:
AirPods: I need them for my commute, to listen to music at work, and to generally survive the city in peace. Although I tend not to wear them at night so I can be more alert.
Hand sanitizer: If I touch a subway pole, hand sanitizer is happening immediately. I usually go for the Trader Joe’s spray, but I’ve been using a Purell lately because it was what I had on hand.
Pill holder: I like to keep a few Advil and supplements with me—especially helpful on days I sleep over at my boyfriend’s.
Hand lotion: I moisturize a lot. I hate the dry feeling after washing my hands or using sanitizer, so having lotion in my bag is a must. Plus, I just like feeling soft and smelling good.
Pads/tampons: Cora everything. A friend of mine works there and got me hooked. I always keep a pad or tampon in my bag—just in case (for me or for someone else in need).
Beauty Staples
Lip products are arguably the most important item to me. I need something to moisturize my lips at all times. I also like to smell good. These are my makeup essentials:
Lip products: My two holy grail products: Aquaphor and No7 Hydraluminous Lip Balm. I’ve been die-hard for Aquaphor since high school. It has so many uses, but most importantly, it keeps my lips moisturized. I discovered the No7 lip balms at the UK pharmacy Boots, and have been addicted ever since. They’re slightly tinted, but also very moisturizing. My favorites are the Caramel and Raspberry colors. I owe the discovery of my newest go-to product to Olivia Jade. She made a TikTok raving about the NYX Lip IV Hydrating Glossy Stain, and I was influenced. It stains and glosses at the same time, without the annoying dry-and-peel situation most stains require.
Fragrance: My go-to scent is Maison Margiela’s Replica By the Fireplace. It’s cozy, warm, and sexy—like an elevated version of the vanilla perfumed I lived in during middle school. I always carry a travel-size with me for mid-day touch-ups.
One thing I forgot to picture: my mini nail kit. I have weak nails, so it’s been a lifesaver more than once. Honestly, I’m just the kind of person who likes to have everything on hand. As I’ve gotten older, the bags have gotten bigger—but the point stays the same: a work bag should reflect your style, carry your world, and support your life on-the-go.
My work bag may change again, but the essentials? They’re here to stay.