A great tote bag is the one that carries your whole day: the laptop, the charger, the water bottle, the snacks, the extra layer and the things you forgot you threw in. It goes to work on Monday, to the market on Saturday and onto the plane as your personal item.
The right tote depends on what you carry and where you take it. This guide covers size, laptop fit, closures and materials, then compares three of our best-selling tote bags side by side.
How to Choose the Right Tote Size
Start with the biggest thing you carry most days. For many people, that's a laptop.
- Medium tote: fits a laptop up to about 14 inches, a notebook, a charger and your daily essentials. It's the polished everyday choice for work and errands when you don't want to carry more bag than you need.
- Large tote: fits a laptop up to 17 inches with room to spare for a water bottle, a sweater, kids' essentials or beach-day gear. This is the size for commuters, parents and travel days.
Look past the dimensions, too. The width of the top opening matters as much as the bag's height, because a wide opening makes it easy to drop a laptop in and find things without digging.
What to Look for in a Work Tote
- Laptop fit: check the maximum laptop size listed for the bag rather than guessing from the dimensions.
- Pockets: a zip pocket for keys and cards plus slip pockets for your phone, pens and earbuds keep a big bag from turning into a black hole.
- An exterior pocket: handy for a badge, transit card or phone you need to grab quickly.
- Closure: a magnetic snap keeps the tote closed while still opening in one motion, which is why it's a favorite for busy mornings.
- Strap drop: a drop around 9 to 11 inches lets a tote sit comfortably on the shoulder, even over a coat.
The Los Feliz Large Tote in Mushroom Suede, shown on a 5'1" model, fits a laptop up to 17 inches.
Leather, Suede or Crochet?
Soft pebbled leather is the most durable everyday choice. It handles daily commuting, resists scuffs and softens beautifully over time. If your tote is going to work five days a week, leather is a safe bet.
Suede brings warmth and rich texture, which is why a brown or mushroom suede tote is a fall and winter favorite. It's genuine leather with a soft, velvety finish, and it asks for a little more care in rain.
Hand crochet is The Sak's signature. Our crochet totes are made by hand, so each one is slightly unique, and the yarn is made in part with recycled ocean-bound plastic. Crochet totes have become year-round bags, from beach days in summer to sweaters and boots in fall.
The Best Tote Bag for Every Use
- For work: a medium or large leather tote that fits your laptop, with a zip pocket and an exterior pocket.
- For travel: a large tote makes an ideal personal item on a plane. It holds a laptop, a book, a layer and snacks, and on many airlines it fits under the seat in front of you.
- As a mom bag: a large tote has room for diapers, snacks and a change of clothes, plus your own wallet and phone. Pockets keep the small things findable.
- For the beach and summer weekends: a lightweight, roomy crochet tote holds towels, sunscreen and a book, and it looks right at home by the water.
How to Keep a Large Tote Organized
The biggest complaint about any roomy tote is that things get lost in it. A few simple habits fix that.
- Give everything a zone: laptop and notebooks against the back wall, everyday small items in the interior pockets, and anything you grab often in the exterior pocket.
- Use the zip pocket for what you can't lose: keys, cards and a passport belong behind a zipper, especially when the bag sits open on a train or under an airplane seat.
- Pouch the loose stuff: chargers, makeup and kids' snacks travel better in a small pouch you can lift out in one move.
- Don't overload the strap: a full laptop tote can get heavy. Carry the essentials, not the whole house, and switch shoulders through the day.
A well-organized tote means you can find your phone in seconds, even in the largest bag you own.
The Los Feliz Medium Tote in Meadow, an everyday work tote that fits a laptop up to 14 inches.
Our Best-Selling Tote Bags, Compared
The Los Feliz Tote is our best-selling tote, and it comes in two sizes and several materials. Here's how three favorites compare.
| Los Feliz Large Tote, Crochet | Los Feliz Large Tote, Suede | Los Feliz Medium Tote, Leather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $199.00 | $189.00 |
| Material | Hand crochet with recycled yarn, leather strap | Genuine suede | Soft pebbled leather |
| Size (L x W x H) | 14 x 7 x 12.75 in | 14 x 7 x 12.75 in | 11.25 x 5.5 x 10.25 in |
| Laptop fit | Up to 17 in | Up to 17 in | Up to 14 in |
| Strap drop | 9 in | 9 in | 10 to 11 in, adjustable |
| Weight | 2.5 lb | 1.44 lb | 1.28 lb |
| Pockets | Three interior crochet pockets | Back zip outside; zip pocket and three slip pockets inside | Back zip outside; zip pocket and three slip pockets inside |
| Closure | Magnetic snap | Magnetic snap | Magnetic snap |
| Best for | Travel, summer work bag, beach days | Work, travel, fall and winter | Everyday work bag, commuting |
The Los Feliz Large Tote in hand crochet is our carry-everything favorite in its most handcrafted form. It holds a laptop up to 17 inches plus chargers, notebooks and beach-day necessities, and the slouchy shape makes carrying a lot feel easy.
The Los Feliz Large Tote in Mushroom Suede has the same roomy interior with the added organization of an exterior zip pocket and four interior pockets. At 1.44 pounds it's much lighter than the crochet version, and the warm suede is made for fall and winter.
The Los Feliz Medium Tote is the right size if you carry a 14-inch laptop or smaller. Its 17-inch top opening makes it easy to load, and the adjustable leather strap helps you find your fit.
How to Care for Your Tote
- Leather: clean with a water-based leather cleaner and moisturizer, then use a protective spray.
- Suede: use only a dry cloth and rub gently. Some color may transfer to the cloth, which is normal and won't mark the suede. Keep suede out of heavy rain.
- Hand crochet: wipe clean with a barely damp cloth and air dry.
Tote Bag FAQs
What size tote bag fits a laptop?
Our Los Feliz Large Tote is made to fit a laptop up to 17 inches and the Medium Tote up to 14 inches. Laptops are measured diagonally and their widths vary by model, so compare your laptop's width with the bag before you buy.
Can a tote bag be a personal item on a plane?
Many airlines accept a tote as a personal item if it fits under the seat. Check your airline's size limits before you fly.
Are suede totes practical for everyday use?
Yes, with a little care. Suede is genuine leather and handles daily use well. Brush it with a dry cloth and avoid soaking it in rain.
What is the difference between a tote and a shoulder bag?
A tote is larger and more open, usually with a snap or open top, and it's built to carry big items like a laptop or a change of clothes. A shoulder bag or hobo is smaller, often zips closed, and holds your daily essentials closer to your body.
Is a crochet tote only for summer?
Not anymore. Neutral crochet works year-round with knits, denim and boots, and the roomy shape makes it a practical everyday carryall.
Find Your Tote
Whether you need a work tote that fits your laptop, a travel carryall or a crochet bag for weekends, there's a tote built for the way you carry. Shop all tote bags to find yours.