I Tested Charles & Keith's Carryalls to Find the Best Work Bags for People Who Bring Everything

With our social media feeds force-feeding us “What’s in My Bag?” videos and luxury hauls featuring purses that cost as much as the average person’s rent or mortgage payment, all a girl wants to know is: Where can I find a great-quality, affordable bag? The budget girlies need some recs, too! Enter Charles & Keith.Especially with school back in session, the hunt is on for a purse that’s cute and functional—one that fits your laptop, tablet, makeup pouch, notebooks, and daily essentials without ripping at the seams or feeling like you’re carrying a suitcase. Finding that sweet spot between style, quality, and affordability can be difficult when an Hermès bag seems like the new normal. That’s why Charles & Keith caught my attention. The brand, which I’ve seen everywhere in Asia, offers stylish, elevated options without the painful luxury price tag.So I set out to find the best styles from the mid-designer brand for college, work, or those days when you need to bring all the things. They’re on-trend, practical, and, dare I say, look far more expensive than they are. Below, the bags that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something that’ll hold everything and look designer.The moment I saw this envelope bag in person, it was love at first sight. Made of genuine leather, this slouchy yet structured style perfectly fits my 13.3-inch MacBook Air, a journal, snacks, my Apple AirPods Max, and smaller essentials like my wallet, hairbrush, and makeup.The classic flap-over silhouette and minimalist design give it the chic, elevated look I’m obsessed with. Plus, the magnetic closure makes it easy to open and close, so I don’t have to fight with a zipper when the bag is packed to the brim.Megan UyMegan UyAdd Cosmopolitan as a preferred source in your Google search results.Use your Google account to add this to your settings.For me, a suede bag is a must for fall, and this hobo style is already gearing up to be my favorite for the season. It has the spaciousness and comfort of an upgraded tote, with plenty of room for my laptop and more without looking oversized. A true Mary Poppins bag, if you will.The hobo shape gives it a cool, relaxed vibe while still feeling fashion-forward and put-together. Its adjustable, belted shoulder strap—a trend I’ve been seeing on bags in 2026—makes it easy to customize the length to whatever feels most comfortable.Megan UyMegan UyDon’t underestimate this bag as I did—it can fit a surprising amount. While it couldn’t zip closed with my 13.3-inch MacBook Air, it easily fit an under-10-inch iPad or Kindle, plus smaller essentials like keys, a wallet, sunglasses, and a few lip products. The side pockets come in handy for hand sanitizer, gum/mints, a travel-size perfume, and other grab-and-go essentials.I love its small-but-roomy hobo shape and the long handle, which makes it easy to sling over your shoulder and carry comfortably throughout the day.Megan UyMegan UyOne thing the girlies will always go feral for? A bag that looks vintage, distressed, or like you found it at a thrift store. This stunning brown design, complete with cool belt details, could’ve easily fooled me into thinking it was a vintage find. When I first took it for a spin, I was surprised by how much it could hold: my laptop, the makeup pouch I bring everywhere, an extra shirt, and all the other random things I’m constantly stuffing into my purses.The adjustable straps and long handle make it easy to carry, and it’s especially practical on days when you’re wearing a hoodie or heavier jacket—you won’t have to worry about it feeling too snug.Megan UyMegan UyMegan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.