I Need a New Work Bag—These Actually Chic Leather Totes at Nordstrom Are My Top Contenders
The best part? They're all marked down for the Early Black Friday Sale
It’s a shared dilemma for professional women: I need a new work bag. My current one (a chocolate-brown suede shopper from Madewell) has served me well over the years, but it's starting to show its wear—and not in a chic, beat-up Birkin kind of way. Thus begins my hunt for a laptop bag that’s as functional as it is elegant and can handle my nine-to-five (fashion editing at Marie Claire) and five-to-nine (running around New York City to events, dinners, and the occasional yoga class) in tandem.
The first stop on my quest is Nordstrom’s Early Black Friday Sale, which runs now through November 19. The retailer’s just-dropped discount event offers up to 60 percent off already marked-down items, including—get this—editor-favorite Coach bags, under-$500 designer bags, and woven leather totes like those from the Winter 2026 runways. Even if you’re satisfied with what you currently use to shuttle your laptop and lunch into the office, Nordstrom’s bag deals are wallet-friendly enough that they’re at least worth considering.
Ahead, you’ll discover the 15 leather tote bags that stood out to me from Nordstrom's ongoing Black Friday sale. Some of the below tie into the Winter 2026 bags trends, while others have always been, and always will be, in style. Without further ado, here are the options on my work bag wishlist.
The best Coach bags offer everything you need—style, function, and affordability. The brand's tall tote, crafted from supple black leather and featuring a minimal gold "C" motif, is no exception.
ICYMI: Vintage- and pre-loved-looking bags are a cool-girl calling card. This handcrafted, naturally-tanned leather bag perfectly fits the bill.
Why not integrate winter whites into your bag collection, as well as your closet?
This sleek bucket bag from AllSaints makes for the perfect sister style to my current tote.
As mentioned earlier, woven bags are on the rise this winter. This taupe leather tote from Sam Edelman is an easy way to test out the trend.
You will never go wrong with Stella McCartney's faux leather wares. This perforated tote is as eye-catching as it is versatile.
Oh, how I love a suede bag. More than a passing trend, the material is timeless and a low-effort way to achieve an expensive look.
For the uninitiated, boho bags are all the rage among It girls. This white leather shopper tote from Donna Karan New York will help you join the club.
I've had my eye on the cherry red color trend for some time now. Now, I can take the eye-popping shade in with me to work.
This soft leather Maison de Sabré tote is one of the largest bags on my list, spacious enough to fit a 16″ laptop. That alone makes it a worthy buy.
Proenza Schouler, you just get me. This leather tote is, yes, pricey, but it's also eclectic and cool, and will give me the confidence boost I like from the bags I bring out with me into the world.
You might know and love Tumi for its luggage, but its line of everyday bags is worth your attention and dollars, too. This supple and slouchy black leather bag is a great introduction point.
This winter, I am committing wholeheartedly to the chocolate brown color trend. An oversized tote that's as functional as it is stylish and in fashion's favorite shade—what's not to like?
