You’re either a backpack gal or a bag lady. Since there is no Buzzfeed quiz for it (yet), let us help you decide which one suits you best.
If there was such a thing as a consulting starter pack for ladies, a big black Lo & Sons OMG would definitely be in it. And for good reason, it’s a solid choice by all accounts — but before you shell out hundreds of bucks for that bad boy, let’s consider the merits and detractors of all the options your little yo-pro heart could consider.
Do you tend to carry EVERYTHING with you? I’m talking abut like extra tea bags, extra chapstick, emergency tampons, emergency Emergen-C, extra pads of Post-It stickies and Sharpies, Tide to Go, mini flashlight, extra hair ties, that book you’ve barely made a dent in but are always totally convinced you’re going to get some time during your commute to read… the list goes on and on. If you are, then let’s talk about it.
Either you want to stop carrying the world on your shoulders, literally, in which case you might want to try a backpack — it does force you to prioritize. Think back to high school when you could tell who the biggest nerds were (read: this was me) based on how bulging and full their L. L. Bean backpacks were. The best bags on the market also have very specific pockets and compartments for things to go — your laptop here, your keys there, etc. — which helps to prioritize what goods make the cut.
If you do take comfort in having every possible thing you could need on hand in case the apocalypse happens and your period comes early and the electricity goes out in the building and the kitchen runs out of green tea (because apocalypse), I get it, I’m the same way — maybe a bag is the right solution for you. It’s just more possible to cram shit into a vessel that doesn’t necessarily need to be zipped or closed up.
Do you do a lot of flying? If so, you’re gonna want to look into options that have that little coverlet that you can thread the handle of your suitcase through. Take it from me, as someone who frequently hauls ass to the gate 10 minutes after boarding has started, the difference between effortlessly pushing your goods alongside you vs. struggling with a giant purse or backpack while rolling your carry-on and trying to get your boarding pass back up at the same time is like light and day. Anyone who spends a lot of time commuting between multiple cities absolutely needs to consider this, and luckily Tumi and Lo & Sons among others have lots of products that offer this handy dandy feature.
However, if domestic or international travel is not a regular part of your professional life, the option that allows you to double-hat is likely the most practical or can most easily transition from day to night. Think zippers for when you’re smushed up against other people in subway cars or buses, think waterbottle holder, think which one you are probably able to pack your gym clothes and shoes into, etc.
How formal is your workplace? For instance, if you work in traditional investment banking (although my perception is that this is starting to change — even companies like Goldman are trying to re-brand themselves as a tech company) I think women tend to go with bags more frequently. If you’re in a more business casual workplace, or work in a start-up/tech environment, backpacks are definitely more commonplace and more casual brands like Fjallraven or a nicer Herschel are good everyday options that are much cheaper. Although I don’t think you necessarily have to conform to your workplace, it’s worth thinking about the kind of image that you’ll be projecting and being intentional about your look because it’s a big part of your personal brand.
Other factors for your consideration include:
Is it/does it get super hot or humid in the city you work in? It might be worth to avoiding the back sweat issue with backpacks if you are prone to perspiring a lot.
Are you trying to appear older than you are? Not in a creepy catfish way — simply acknowledging that a lot of us in management consulting have come straight from undergrad and work directly with high-level clients who have decades of experience under their belt. If you’re not trying to stand out in any way as particularly youthful, the bag might help neutralize your worries that you look like an obvious millennial.
So without further ado, here are some of the brands that we’ve either tested ourselves or our friends are big fans of. Sound bites below:
Bags
Lo & Sons: Claire has the OMG and I have the Seville. The reason you’ll see more of the OMG or the OG (larger version of the OMG) is that it has that coveted suitcase sleeve in the back, built in. The Seville tote is more of a traditional shoulder bag and you have the option to remove the hard shell so that you can use the soft interior, which has the sleeve — but it’s a cumbersome operation to attempt on the fly. For consultants who fly, I’d say the OMG or OG is more suitable but the Seville is a more classic shape, it stands up by itself, and it has the nifty capability where you can swap out the shells as you please — they offer lots of different colors and textures to keep your work bag feeling fresh and fun.
Away: We’ve all seen (some of us own) the beautiful Away suitcases, but did you know that they’ve started coming out with bags and backpacks? My senior manager has the Everywhere Bag and I felt the need to include it on this list because the colors are so lovely (the blush leather — drool) and this is an unconventional choice that also features the suitcase sleeve. She loves it because while it looks like a typical throw-everything-in tote (which is everything to her as a mom of two young kids) and it certainly has the space for everything you might need in a given day and more, it still has the compartmentalization on the side that allows you to keep the chaos organized. We’re still hoping that they come out with more colors like the ones you see for the suitcases before we make the plunge, but we’re keeping an eye on this one.
Backpacks:
Dagne Dover: I love the texture of my black Dakota backpack, it is neoprene and looks and feels sleek like a scuba suit — it’s demure enough to blend into any client situation, but also cute enough that I can use it for leisure purposes on the weekend like stuffing groceries and books in it for a picnic. I’ve even gone hiking with my Dagne Dover in a pinch! I’ll say that after 1.5 years of wear, it does show some creasing and pilling but on the product page it gives you some instructions for caring for it (fabric shaver for pilling and a steamer for creases). Nevertheless, it’s a good option that’s not crazy expensive and I would definitely wear it everyday if I were a daily commuter.
Tumi: If you’ve received your tax return (alternately, we are only 8 months away from Christmas) it’s time to have a serious think about Tumi. It’s the most expensive option on the market for a reason — these bags and backpacks are extremely high quality and will last you a lifetime. My personal opinion is that the designs seem a little serious and the backpacks are on the heavier side. But I know so many people in consulting, men and women, absolutely swear by them. They definitely communicate luxury and have such a polished, professional look that you can’t go wrong with a classic choice like this or this.
What’s your go-to work bag or backpack?
Are you a ride or die for Lo & Sons? And if so, are you an OMG or an OG person? Do you prefer to keep it timeless in a Tumi backpack? What other sleeper hits (has anyone tried Knomo) are there in the professional bag or backpack market? Let us know what side of the fence you stand on.