The work bags that’ll have you almost looking forward to the commute

The work bags that’ll have you almost looking forward to the commute Heading back to the office? Start with a better bag. (Picture: Metro/Getty) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more It was always going to come round sooner than any of us thought. The great Return To The Office, which this year, hits particularly hard after a gloriously long summer. Especially if you’ve just returned from two weeks on a sun lounger where the most pressing decision was what cocktail to order next. Once you’ve reacquainted yourself with the concept of closed-toe shoes and, gulp, actual office wear, it’s time to get your work bag in order. The amount of stuff every commuter carts back and forth each day demands for something capacious, ideally with thoughtful pockets for organisation, yet chic enough for after-work drinks, hitting the gym, or catching up with friends. And heeding modern tube etiquette, something compact that won’t wipe out half the carriage every time you turn around will, we’re sure, be welcomed by your fellow commuters. If you regularly travel with a laptop, charger and battery packs, a padded design to safeguard tech from knocks and bumps is essential. Perhaps you need space for a lunch box or water bottle? Makeup compartments are useful to keep products from going AWOL to the bottom of your bag (well, until your next clear-out, anyway). But whatever functional features on your must-have list, we say style shouldn’t come as a sacrifice. From roomy totes and cushioned laptop bags to anti-theft backpacks that leave hands free to comfortably read your copy of Metro, see our pick of the most stylish work bags for work and play below. Who knows, they might even have you looking forward to the commuting obstacle course. Stubble & Co The Roll Top 15L From financial districts to airport business lounges, Stubble & Co is the brand beloved by professionals and executives. The waterproof Roll Top is the perfect commute bag, with wide adjustable straps that won’t dig in, a separate padded back pocket for a laptop, plenty of sleeves inside to organise paperwork, and zipped front pocket to stash things you need to keep close to hand: think lip balm, headphones and portable battery packs. The side pockets on either side are the perfect size for carrying water bottles or umbrellas. It’s slim in profile too – you won’t feel like you’re carrying the world on your back. It is on the pricier end of the scale, but we’ve used this as underseat bags on weekend breaks, so the cost-per-use is worth it in the end. We particularly like opening, which can be rolled up or down depending on the contents within. Buy Now for £110 Antler Urban Core Tote Bag in Olive Green Designed for busy worker bees everywhere, leading luggage brand Antler flexes its commuting arm with this generously sized tote, which comes in a trio of lovely autumnal colours. Made from recycled fabric that is water-resistant, it comes with a sleeve to put over the handles of a wheelie bag, making it a great travel companion too. Other features include long top handles that you can sling effortlessly over your shoulder, outer pockets to keep essentials to grab easily, and a wide internal compartment that can hold laptops up to 16-inches. Behold, a masterclass in utilitarian chic. Buy Now for £72 (was £120) Damson Madder Eliza Techy Tote Bag in Black Tech bros and girlies alike will adore Damson Madder’s sleek black tote, finished with contrast white stitching around the borders, giving it a cartoon-ish quality. With pockets for your phone, tablet and laptop, you need never fumble for the right tech again. Metal zippers keep the contents in your main compartment safe and there are toggles on the side pockets to keep prying eyes out there too. Buy Now for £65 M&S Belt Detail Tote Bag It may not have internal compartments, but M&S’s affordable tote comes with a matching pouch to stash coins, card wallets and keys. Featuring a sleek belt detail, the olive-hued design sports extra long handles for comfortable transportation. It has a flat bottom which helps keep the contents in an upright position. Elegant yet practical, perfectly balanced. Buy Now for £38 ROKA London Camden J Backpack in Lemonade Stripe Planning ahead for those days when natural daylight is in short supply, bring your own sunshine in with ROKA’s sunshine shade backpack. The roll top design is secured with a zip, and there are top handles so you can take it off your back to hold on busy buses and trains. With a recycled nylon construction, it can manage up to 14.5L of your valuables – plenty of room for a lunchbox, gym trainers and a change of clothes. External side pockets and one on the front help with organisation, and there’s even a padded compartment for tablets or laptops measuring 15-inches. Buy Now for £79.95 Katie Loxton Victoria Suedette Shoulder Bag A beautifully considered design from Katie Loxton, this suede-effect vegan leather shoulder bag comes with oodles of room for laptops and notebooks, working hard as an office bag while looking anything but. From the gold-tone hardware to the discreet poppers on the side so you can expand it or deflate as needed, every aspect has been made with the modern working woman in mind. You can also have it monogrammed with your initials, giving it an extra special touch. Buy Now for £59.99 LeahWard Anti-theft Women's Soft Leather Rucksack Realising some light-fingered folk have helped themselves to your belongings is a sure-fire way to ruin your day. Ward them off with an anti-theft bag, like Leah Ward’s. The design comes in a selection of fetching hues, including this futuristic silver made with real leather. All openings are fastened shut with a zip, with the opening for the main compartment resting against the back – there’s no nefarious types getting in here when you’ve got the bag strapped on. The top handles are a nice touch: you can hold it in your hands if you don’t want to use the strap to carry it backpack-style. Buy Now for £54.50 MONTY Medium Organic Cotton in Lagoon & Moss If you’re led by the winds of fashion trends more than anything else, there’s a new must-have tote on the block (soz Trader Joe’s and Daunt Books). Make way for Monty, whose colourful striped designs we’ve seen slung over chic Gen Z shoulders everywhere. Sewn with organic cotton and made in India, it’s a streamlined look that features an inside pocket under a zip closure. As for the colourways, there are plenty of lovely options, but we like this light blue and green stripe that will pop against the dull coats of the commute. Buy Now for £55 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below Arrow MORE: The best wedding guest bags to shop now, from M&S to Lulu Guinness Arrow MORE: Katie Loxton’s bestselling makeup bags are perfect for travel and beauty storage Arrow MORE: Raffia bags are everywhere this summer – these are the best ones to buy Puzzles Newsletter Get your favourite puzzles when they are ready to play on the website sent directly to you every day and track your daily streak!