Handbags for working women: be the Office Organisation Aficionado
Laptop? Check. Notepad? Check. Keys? Check. All in one bag? Check.
You’ve finally got your system down to a fine art: you have your laptop for everyday work, your tablet for travel, you have a highly skilled technique for organising all your documents, and you’ve even managed to match your pen to your notepad. Office Organisation Aficionado, they call you (well, at least they should!) But then trying to carry all that with your keys, phone, extra lipstick, and can of Diet Coke? That’s the sort of mess that’ll see your official title whipped away from you quicker than Carrie Bradshaw races towards a new pair of Manolo’s!
Organisation is key when you’re trudging all your personal belongings to and from work, but purpose-made briefcases tend to be stiff, boxy and quite honestly just a little bit ugly. On the other hand, there are of course those beautiful, chic bags that’ll make sure all eyes are on you as you strut in to the building …because the delicate material has fallen apart under the weight of everything you need and everything’s rolling around on the floor.
In a style conscious world looks often end up taking precedence over practicality when buying a bag, but if we’re being really honest with ourselves we know a breath-takingly bold design won’t make up for the lack of zip compartments and large laptop space long term.
Now at this point we have a secret to share with you: you don’t have to compromise on style or practicality. You may scoff but really, it’s true. Maxwell Scott are adamant that working women should never have to choose between appearance and use; their products work to combine classic, luxurious, stylish leather with large, organised internal space so no sacrifices will be necessary.
‘I began supplying briefcases to corporate clients in London after noticing that many colleagues brought plastic bags to work instead of business cases’, founder William Forshaw told us. Understandably shocked – that’s neither stylish nor practical! – William decided to start designing for women who appreciate the finer things in life. ‘When we think of style icons we immediately turn to Kate Middleton, she even has one of our bags!’
One Maxwell Scott bag we’ve been buzzing about recently is their new ladies work bag: the Fiorella (it just sounds fancy, doesn’t it?). The Fiorella comes in three shades (classic tan, dark chocolate, and night black) and looks just as professional as it does stylish. Bonus? It comes with multiple pockets for all of your knick-knacks, a quilted laptop sleeve to keep your precious devices safe, slots for business cards—so you’ll never have to do the embarrassing fumble again—and a very convenient pen and pencil holder. Its simple shape, neutral colour, and sleek top handle also means you won’t have to be switching out your bag for different seasons or trends. The different compartments make organisation so easy and it’s classic enough to work in most office settings, from the super corporate to the super creative.
If you’re looking for something a little more androgynous, whether because of your personal style or your office’s vibe, the Lorenzo small leather briefcase is a gorgeous option. A twist on the classic briefcase, the envelope-style detail drew our eyes immediately to one. It also comes with a detachable shoulder strap—perfect for when you’re travelling and need all available hands free to carry a million other things into the office. Like the Fiorella, the Lorenzo features an organisational panel which has space for your phone, pens, and business cards. The only problem with this bag is you’ll have to keep your eye on it—your significant other may try and ‘borrow’ it while you’re not looking!
‘The Scala A4 ladies work bag is perfect’, William offers when we ask which of his bags is best for a busy day darting around the city meeting clients. ‘With a zipped opening and several compartments it is ideal for organising and keeping daily essentials safe and secure whilst dashing to and from the office’. Plus, no worrying about it falling apart as you tear across the road because all Maxwell Scott bags come with a 25 year guarantee!
Maxwell Scott have recently re-branded and launched a very sleek new website (we’d expect nothing less from a label with such sleek bags!) ‘We have an aim to become the most loved British bag company in the world’, they say. Well, they’re already the most loved British bag company in the YCB offices, and that’s a pretty good place to start!
