Looking smart when you're traveling is a breeze with the right tote--one that's rugged, able to be wiped clean and sanitized, and carries everything you need.
Almost by accident I acquired a signature color. And now it's a determining factor in my purchases--especially those for business. If you've been looking for the perfect tote, I've rounded up eight leather totes in my signature red color that easily accommodate a 15" laptop. (Totes are also available in black.)
Is your luggage or tote in that color?
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, followed by (*affiliate link). I feature products that I own or that I am considering purchasing. All opinions presented are my own.
A Love Affair with Red
I'd never seen myself as a girl who lived in red. Sure I'd had a couple of turtlenecks (an amazing one from Ann Taylor that I seriously lived in while going to school for my MBA) and a somewhat boxy power suit in the 90s. But a girl who rarely goes anywhere without a touch of red? Nope.
Between 2010 and 2012, I became that girl. First a firey red tailored Guess wool jacket. Then a firey red vintage trapeze coat to substitute for it when I got pregnant. And then a gifted red Style & Co. Tote bag. It was all downhill from there including red tights, and two red purses.
Then I added the color to my logo, scored another vintage red purse, and recently acquired a small reversible laser cut red and black Tote.
Now I can't imagine traipsing across town to clients or traveling without a red Tote. And that leads to my current dilemma. I've almost come to the end of my red Style & Inc. Tote bag's life. The straps have been slowly disintegrating for the past year and a half. And my creative use of red sharpie to hide the wear is becoming more and more noticeable. So as much as I love the bag it's time to part ways.
Criteria for a Tote that Serves as a Mobile Office
Besides being red, my other requirements for a new tote are simple:
- Made of leather
- Have hidden magnetic snap close or top zipper close (don't want the contents spilling if I need to tuck the bag under the seat in front of me)
- Fit my MacBook Pro 15 Retina laptop (14 1/4" by 10")
- At least 9" strap drop to fit over my shoulder when wearing a jacket
But here's the challenge: Do I get a tote that's big enough to fit a laptop? Or do I get a tote that's specifically designed for a laptop?
Red Totes Large Enough to Fit a MacBook Pro Retina 15
These totes aren't specifically made to hold laptops but, like my Style & Co red vinyl tote, are big enough to fit my laptop.
Totes Shown (top left clockwise): Christie Leather 18 1/2" long by 12 1/2" high and 5" Tote by Joy Mangano, $59.99 on sale at Macy's; Slip Pocket 18" long by 15 1/2" high and 7" deep Tote by Le Donne, 11 1/2" strap drop, $152.99 at eBags; Kata Leather 15" long by 16.5" high and 5.5" deep Tote by Anthropologie (No longer available); Turnlock Crossgrain Leather 17 3/4" long by 11 1/2" high and 5 1/2" deep Tote by Coach, 9" strap drop, $189 at Amazon (*affiliate link); and York Buckle 15" long by 11" high and 6" deep Handbag by Tory Burch, $295.
Red Laptops Totes that Fit a MacBook Pro Retina 15
These are totes that are specifically designed for a laptop and have a laptop compartment large enough to fit my MacBook Pro 15 Retina.
Totes Shown (top clockwise): Jessica Leather 15 1/4" long by 12 1/2" high and 4 1/4" deep Tote by Lodis with a 14 1/4" long by 9 1/2" tall and 1/4" deep laptop compartment, 8" strap drop, $298 at Amazon (*affiliate link); Women's Laptop 16" long by 14" high and 5" deep Tote by Le Donne with 15" long by 12" tall and 2" deep laptop compartment, 11 1/2" strap drop, $172.99 at eBags; and Leather 18" long by 12 3/4" high and 5 1/2" deep Tote by Kenneth Cole Reaction with 15 1/4" long by 10 1/4" tall and 1 3/4" deep laptop compartment, $109.99 at eBags.
Know any other brands that I haven't considered that would fit the bill?
Credits: All layouts designed by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. All product images from the respective brand or retailer. Alt Summit conference photo of me taken by Brooke Dennis and used with permission.
DISCLOSURE: None of the brands or companies featured in this post have paid me anything to be featured. I first linked to bags that met my criteria and were as of this writing available for purchase. Then I checked to see if any were available on Amazon--three were so I changed those links to affiliate links. Note that as any of the links go dormant (products are no longer offered for sale), I'll remove them.
This post contains affiliate links, followed by (*affiliate link). I feature products that I own or that I am considering purchasing. All opinions presented are my own.
The Road To The Good Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
