A laptop bag for work used to mean nylon, a padded sleeve and a shoulder strap that dug in by lunchtime. Today you can carry a laptop in a bag that looks good at a client meeting, on the train and at dinner afterwards. Italian leather is a popular choice because it holds its shape, softens with use and looks better the longer you carry it. This guide explains what to look for in an Italian leather laptop bag for women, how to get the size right, and which styles from our own collection suit different working days.
What makes a good leather laptop bag?
Before you think about colour, check four things: the size of the laptop it really fits, the structure of the bag, the lining and the straps. A beautiful bag that is 2 cm too small for your laptop will end up in the wardrobe. A soft, unstructured tote will sag around a laptop and make it awkward to find anything else.
- Laptop fit: look for a stated fit, such as "fits a 15.6" laptop", rather than a vague "room for a laptop".
- Structure: a structured body protects the laptop and keeps the bag looking neat on the floor or on a desk.
- Lining: a soft lining, such as suede, protects the laptop screen and keeps the inside looking new.
- Straps: a strap drop of around 25 cm or more lets you wear the bag on the shoulder, even over a coat.
- Closure and pockets: a magnetic closure is quick to open; an inside zip pocket keeps keys and cards apart from your laptop.
How to measure your laptop
Laptop sizes are measured diagonally across the screen, so a 15.6" laptop is not 15.6 inches wide. The body of most 15.6" laptops is about 36 cm wide and 24–25 cm deep. Measure your own laptop, including any case, and compare it with the inside width and height of the bag. Leave a couple of centimetres spare so the laptop slides in easily and the bag still closes.
If you carry a 13" or 14" laptop, a slimmer tote is often more comfortable. If you carry a 15.6" laptop plus a notebook, a charger and lunch, you need a larger, deeper tote.
Our Italian leather laptop bags, compared
Maxima Croco Tote: for a 15.6" laptop and a full day
The Maxima Croco Tote is our bestselling work bag. It comes in croc-embossed Italian leather, with a suede lining and gold-tone hardware, and it measures 48 × 30 × 14 cm. It fits a 15.6" laptop alongside a notebook and your daily essentials. Two shoulder straps with a drop of about 26 cm sit comfortably over a coat, the magnetic closure is quick to open, and a zip pocket keeps small things in one place.
The croc-embossed finish gives the bag a polished, slightly formal look and helps disguise small everyday marks. It comes in black, grey, red, camel and white. Black and grey are the easiest office colours; camel goes with navy, cream and denim; red and white are for women who want their work bag to be noticed.
Maxima Tote: the same size in smooth Italian leather
If you prefer a cleaner, softer look, the Maxima Tote has the same 48 × 30 × 14 cm shape in smooth Italian leather with a suede lining. It also fits a 15.6" laptop. Its clip-in corners let you change the shape: leave them open for a classic shopper, or clip them in for a sculptural triangle silhouette. It comes in red and beige.
Alinari Tote: a structured tote with a removable strap
The Alinari Tote comes in textured Italian leather and measures 30 × 48 × 14 cm, with room for a laptop and documents. It has two top handles and a removable leather strap, so you can carry it by hand into a meeting and on the shoulder on the way home. It comes in black, camel, burgundy and red. If you need a stated 15.6" fit, choose the Maxima.
Viviene Tote: slim, for a 13" laptop
The Viviene Tote is wide but slim, at 45 × 35 × 6 cm, so it sits close to the body. It fits a 13" laptop with a notebook and documents, and has a suede lining and a removable inner pouch. It suits days when you carry a smaller laptop or a tablet and want a lighter, flatter bag. It also comes in black.
Croc-embossed or smooth leather for a work bag?
Both finishes work well for a laptop bag. Croc-embossed leather is textured and eye-catching, and the pattern hides small scuffs, which is useful for a bag that goes on train floors and under desks. Smooth leather looks minimal and feels softer, and it shows the character of the leather more clearly. If you want help deciding, read our guide to how to tell real Italian leather, or browse all croc-embossed leather bags.
Which colour is most practical?
Black is the safest choice if you want one bag for every outfit and every season. Grey and camel are softer neutrals that look less formal and still go with most work clothes. Red is a confident statement colour that works well with black, navy and camel coats. White looks fresh and modern, and it needs a little more care: wipe it regularly with a soft, dry cloth and keep it away from dark denim.
How to care for a leather laptop bag
A laptop bag works hard, so a little care goes a long way. Empty it at the end of the week, store it in its dust bag away from direct sunlight and humidity, and stuff it lightly with paper if you will not use it for a while, so it keeps its shape. Wipe the leather occasionally with a soft, dry cloth and avoid alcohol-based cleaners. Our leather handbag care guide has more detail.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Measure your laptop and compare it with the bag's stated fit.
- Choose a structured shape if you carry a laptop every day.
- Check the strap drop if you want to wear it on the shoulder over a coat.
- Look for a soft lining and an inside zip pocket.
- Pick a colour that works with your coats as well as your outfits.
- Compare the inner dimensions with your own laptop before you order.
Check it against your own laptop
The best test of a laptop bag is your own laptop, your own commute and your own working day. Measure your laptop and compare it with the dimensions on each product page. Delivery is free to Europe (1–3 business days), the UK (2–5) and the USA (3–7), and code BAG15 gives you 15% off bags. See all our leather work and laptop bags, or, if you are shopping from the UK, our Italian leather bags for the UK, with prices in GBP.
Ready to choose? Browse our Italian leather bags, from leather tote bags for women and leather shoulder bags to Italian leather work bags and laptop totes, all handcrafted from full-grain leather and delivered free to Europe, the UK and the USA.
Related reading: our UK guide to Italian leather bags under £200 and what "Made in Italy" means on a leather bag. Or meet our three bestsellers, the Maxima Croco Tote, the Navona Classic and the Alita, all designed in Florence and made in Italy.