Remember schlepping? If you’ve been working from home for the last year and a half, commuting to and from an office might seem like a distant memory at this point — so much so that you can perhaps indulge in some nostalgic romanticization of what used to be the most annoying part of your day. Ah, the rush out the door! The scramble to chug your coffee, pack a lunch, and find your keys (which are probably still hanging in the door) before running to catch a train. Remember checking the weather? Throwing extra layers and an umbrella in your bag in case a storm hit in the extended period of time that you were outside? Remember the category of “day to night”? And carrying around lipstick and heels, instead of a face mask and hand sanitizer? Ah, the good old days.
During the pandemic, there was markedly less of a need for handbags — specifically ones that didn’t serve a purely functional purpose. According to Euromonitor International, the luxury-handbag category was among the hardest-hit in 2020, with sales falling 19 percent globally. But as offices and life (hopefully) start to reopen this fall, people will (hopefully) have to start schlepping again, and they’ll need something to carry all their junk. Below, we’ve rounded up some enormous bags that are both functional and very nice to look at.
Gucci tote bag with leather details, at gucci.com.
Prada Signaux bags in Peacock Blue and Violet, at prada.com and select Prada boutiques.
Alexander McQueen Tall Story, at alexandermcqueen.com and 71 Greene Street.
Balenciaga Black Calfskin Neo Classic City Bag, at 620 Madison Avenue.
Hermès Kelly Relax Voyage Bag in Black Leather, at hermes.com and stores nationwide.
Brandon Blackwood Morell Shearling Tote in Brown, at brandonblackwood.com.
Bottega Veneta Leather Mount Tote, at bottegaveneta.com.
Gabriela Hearst Hildegard Leather Tote in Cognac, at gabrielahearst.com and 985 Madison Avenue.
Gucci Diana Medium Tote Bag, at gucci.com.
Proenza Schouler Nappa Stripe Small Tobo, at proenzaschouler.com and 121 Greene Street.
Gucci tote bag with leather details, at gucci.com.
Prada Signaux bags in Peacock Blue and Violet, at prada.com and select Prada boutiques.
Alexander McQueen Tall Story, at alexandermcqueen.com and 71 Greene Street.
Balenciaga Black Calfskin Neo Classic City Bag, at 620 Madison Avenue.
Hermès Kelly Relax Voyage Bag in Black Leather, at hermes.com and stores nationwide.
Brandon Blackwood Morell Shearling Tote in Brown, at brandonblackwood.com.
Bottega Veneta Leather Mount Tote, at bottegaveneta.com.
Gabriela Hearst Hildegard Leather Tote in Cognac, at gabrielahearst.com and 985 Madison Avenue.
Gucci Diana Medium Tote Bag, at gucci.com.
Proenza Schouler Nappa Stripe Small Tobo, at proenzaschouler.com and 121 Greene Street.
