Tote bags are a true MVP of your handbag lineup. While some say basic, we say essential — as useful for your office commute as they are for a weekend getaway, out-and-about strolls, a farmer’s market visit, or a day of antiquing. Plus, there are tons of on-trend styles from our favorite brands that make hauling your life around look effortless.
Think of totes as emotional support in functional accessory form: always there when you need them, holding way more than you probably should be carrying, and just plain dependable. Leather tote bags help you get to and from work in style, zip tote bags keep your valuables (hello, laptops!) secure while traveling or on the go, and durable, lightweight styles make those days when you’re lugging your entire life around a wee bit easier.
R29 readers can’t resist a good Everlane, Madewell, or Coach pick. From sleek leather carryalls to fashion-forward shapes like Polène’s structured stunner, these tote bags deliver on both office practicality and off-duty style.
Travel Tote Bags
These travel companions — which often come in washable or stain-resistant fabrics — are designed to keep your essentials secure. Don’t miss the beloved Lululemon multi-pocket tote and Free People cult-favorite quilted carryall in fresh, seasonal colors.
Errands & Everyday Tote Bags
Styles that flex from work to travel and errands? The true MVPs. Whether you’re opting for a taller and slimmer vertical silhouette of flap-top design or a luxe take on the staple in supple suede, a workhorse tote is one you’ll never regret investing in (or buying in multiple colors).
Durable & Lightweight Tote Bags
The vibe: utilitarian and low-key. These totes, crafted from nylon and canvas, are the ultimate anything-and-everything schleppers. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist option (peep Banana Republic’s new arrival), a playful print (see: Baggu’s signature XL market bag), or a custom style with cheeky embroidery or a timeless monogram, these are the sturdy go-tos for work, grocery hauls, the beach, travel — wherever!
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Just days after Victoria’s Secret announced the return of its fashion show, there’s more excitement on the horizon. The iconic brand’s younger sister, Pink, is teaming up with vintage-inspired label LoveShackFancy on a Gen Z-coded collection. And we couldn’t think of a more iconic duo to bring us the whimsical, cheeky, and playful pink drop of our dreams.
“It celebrates our shared love of frills, florals, and everything pink — and captures that fun, carefree energy of the early 2000s,” says LoveShackFancy founder and creative director, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, in a press release. “It’s playful, it’s feminine, and it brings our two worlds together in the most magical way.”
While nostalgia is at the heart of the collection, the campaign stars Gen Z influencers and talent who reflect both brands’ audiences — and their love for “the spirit of spontaneous fun and carefree celebration.”
President of Victoria’s Secret Pink, Ali Dillon, adds: “We’re excited to offer fan-favorite styles with LoveShackFancy’s signature romantic twist and bring back nostalgic pieces from our archives. Designed to spark joy and real-life moments, this collection is perfect for taking you from high summer fun to back-to-campus style.”
From party dresses and foldover flare leggings to varsity jackets and embroidered underwear, plus rhinestone-covered everything, the LoveShackFancy x Pink collaboration will have you ready for fun days out and cozy nights in.
This collection will be available to shop starting August 6 at 5 a.m. EST on VSPINK.com and LovwShackFancy.com. Prices range from $19 to $200, with apparel offered in sizes XXS to XXL. So set your alarm — these pink pieces are bound to go fast.
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As a team with several editors and contributors under 5’4”, we believe that good things can come in small packages. Check back for our go-to places and styling advice onpetite denim, workwear, and so much more.
Being 5’1” has its perks: I get more leg room on flights (even in economy), don’t have to duck my head under low ceilings, and, in my book, no heels are too high. On the other hand, being “petite” can be a nuisance when shopping for clothes that don’t drown my short-girl frame — especially when it comes to workwear.
Whether your 9-to-5 is in corporate, creative, or beyond, office attire generally follows an overall approach that achieves a “put-together” look. This often includes polished pieces like suit pants, button-up shirts, and blazers. If you’re 5’4” or under, you know the struggle of searching for said workwear staples that have lengths and hems that fit your height. Tailoring is an option, but one doesn’t always have the time or extra money to fix new purchases. With that in mind, finding brands with an extensive petite selection is key, and Ann Taylor offers a plethora of petite work styles.
If you haven’t heard, Ann Taylor got a revamp in the past few years. The go-to mall brand is staying true to its core mission, continuing to offer women sophisticated workwear, while incorporating of-the-moment trends into styles that feature modern silhouettes and quality fabrics.
Ahead, I’ve styled three office-ready outfits from Ann Taylor’s petite range, all available to shop for the upcoming season. Note: When selecting sizes, I found the petite size chart to be helpful as it’s separated by tops, bottoms, and dresses. I can attest that the pieces were true to size, with either 0 or XS working for me across the board. (For reference, I am a waist size 24/25, and a 34B in bust.) Shop my favorite Ann Taylor fall workwear for petites below.
A pair of sleek trousers and an elegant blouse are wardrobe staples that easily work in any professional setting. It’s often a struggle for me to find longline pants off the rack that don’t drag on the floor. Luckily, this wide-leg pinstripe design is offered in a 29” inseam — compared to the standard 31.5” measurement — that teams seamlessly with any pointed-toe pump (another workwear classic).
I chose this floaty, ruffled button-down with subtly puffed sleeves to add a hint of volume. The petite sizing of this top features a shorter torso length, making it easy to tuck into pants without extra, unnecessary bunching. I added texture to the look with an embossed belt boasting an organic-shaped buckle, a pair of rich brown straw pumps, and a woven clutch bag.
There’s something about a coordinating set that instantly looks sleek. The second I saw this navy blue cropped jacket and matching flare pants with hems that perfectly hang at my ankles, I knew I would be swapping out my overworn black blazer pantsuit for this modern iteration.
Crafted from a smooth crepe fabric that is stretchy and soft, the suit doesn’t feel stiff — literally or aesthetically. I especially love the jacket for the unexpected short sleeves, pointed collar, large buttons, and front besom pockets. I accessorized the ensemble with silver jewelry and buckled slingback, square-toe pumps.
Never have I dared to even attempt to pair flat shoes with a midi dress — until now. Thanks to the petite length of this classic burgundy pleated style that actually hits my calves (instead of my ankles like most “midis” do), my 5’1” frame is not overwhelmed by an immense amount of fabric. Most importantly, I can wear these comfortable, eye-catching metallic mesh flats without my legs appearing shorter than they are, even with a full-skirted dress. Plus, the cinched waist and high-neck design are a bonus in giving the illusion of a longer torso. I finished off the look with an arched metal handle shoulder bag and tortoise shell eyeglasses.
Issa Rae is learning how to slow down. And she wants other women to give themselves permission to do the same. Ironically, running is slowing down for the mogul.
“It’s about feeling good and feeling your best. It’s not about being perfect,” she said in a Zoom interview. “That movement, and running especially has just felt like such a great release. It makes me happy. And that’s so weird to say, because it’s something my younger self couldn’t imagine finding happiness and in movement in that way. I’m not a dancer, I don’t consider myself athletic by any means. But this is mine.”
Her movement fuels her to create, prioritize wellness and find a moment to reconnect with herself amongst the hectic world around her. The “Insecure” and “Rap Sh!t” creator’s latest collaboration with Beyond Yoga is promoting just that. With the Seek Beyond collection, Beyond Yoga and Rae are celebrating the beauty of the journey over the vanity of results, looking one specific way. Rae penned Seek Beyond’s mantra, which encapsulates that.
“Not a single second has ever been wasted on joy,” she wrote for the campaign, which launched July 25. “And here’s the thing: you can have as much as you want. Take a second, a minute, an hour, a whole day and breathe.”
With TV and film projects, Viarae prosecco, businesses around Los Angeles and a forthcoming book, slowing down takes intention for Rae. But she’s made movement a ritual as she builds her empire and cherishes the little moments.
In a conversation with Unbothered, the mogul dished on her collaboration with Beyond Yoga, how she redefines wellness for herself and the best business advice she has for Black women in 2025.
Unbothered: Congrats on everything that you’re doing! You have your hands in so many pots, and they all seem to align with who we know you to be. How did this collaboration come about? How does it align with your personal mission?
Issa Rae: It just came at the perfect time. I’ve been focused on myself, how I feel in my body and how I want to present and feel in this next phase of my life. So it was just a super natural collaboration. I’m already wearing their clothes a lot. I’ve taken my passion for running and taking care of myself seriously. When the opportunity presented itself to be a part of the brand and write their mantra, I was basically talking to myself and thinking about what I wanted to hear and what I wanted other people, my friends, to hear, and the people who contribute to my own wellness. Like, what can I say to them?
I tell myself I’m going to run, but I’ve never been a fan of running. How did you get into running? Are you doing long distances? What does that look like for you?
IR: I started off as an early morning walker. That became like, ‘This is my time, and this is the least I can do for myself.’ There’s a little course trail in my area, and I got recognized looking really ugly early on. I was like, damn, I don’t want to stop walking in my neighborhood. So I bought a treadmill so that I could walk at any time of the day. And that turned into just trying out running. Then it turned into I want to run outside and try long distances. And it just became kind of a fun test of what I could do.
And I feel you on getting caught slipping mid-workout. There was a point where I would just put on anything. Now there’s more of an emphasis, not only to get dressed so I don’t get caught slipping, but also, if I have on a cute set, I think it fuels that movement a little bit more.
IR: You’re absolutely right. Not only that, now I want to kind of dress up and take care of myself. And it’s dressing up in a way where it’s still comfortable. Even with these, these new sets, I took them back to London after I shot the campaign because I was shooting something, and that kind of became my uniform. The wide leg pants I wear all the time. It bridges the gap between showing up any kind of way and showing up for myself.
I want to talk about that bridge between movement, wellness and creativity. I found that when I’m moving, I write better and I’m more focused. How does movement show up in your creativity?
IR: We’re the same. Whenever I have writer’s block, whenever I feel overwhelmed by something I’m trying to accomplish in writing, I go and take a walk and literally try not to think about it. But you inevitably think about it, and then something comes. An idea comes just because I feel like I’m outside living, and I’m not putting too much pressure on coming up with the idea. There’s something about just sitting in the misery of a [writer’s] block and then actually walking off and literally getting your creative juices flowing and allowing that movement to complement the thoughts that you’re having in your mind. And it just helps to rev up the creative process in the best way. For me, it’s so necessary.
I’d be remiss not to mention women in sports, not only on the court and field, but also behind the scenes. I love seeing your journey as part-owner of the San Diego Football Club. What has that experience been for you? Why did you decide to take on this venture?
IR: Sports in general, and women’s sports, the moment that they’ve been having over the last few years, has really thrilled me. It hasn’t been a model [like this before]. In the WNBA in particular, I love basketball, but there was always a sort of stigma against women’s basketball for some reason. And I think this new generation of players has just completely taken ownership of the image of what a female athlete looks like. I think that generation has grown up seeing women like Serena and Venus [Williams] and even these incredible, beautiful Olympic track stars, and just being like, I can own my definition of femininity and be athletic and be a boss and take on anybody in this profession. And it’s so beautiful to see.
I was just talking to the Washington Mystics the other day when they came to LA to play the Sparks. I was also curious about the other ways that they want to show up outside of being athletes. Everyone wants to kind of just show all parts of themselves and not be limited in that perception of being just in one lane. I’m not just an athlete. I’m more than this. I create, I make things, I have passions for this. That’s what it comes down to. And that’s where my passion comes, even in owning teams, it’s just like the stories of each of these individual players.
Yeah, absolutely. I want to pivot to talk about some of the other things that you’re working on. What are you most excited about right now?
IR: There’s too much. The several shows that I’m working on really excite me. Obviously, we’re working on the One of Them Days sequel, which is coming together great, and I’m excited to have news about that soon. But lots of things are in the works that I’ll be able to announce really soon. I do have a book coming out in August, I Should Be Smarter Now.
From what I’ve read, the book feels like such a good retrospective, from your first book, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, to now. Especially considering the business perspective that you give, and right now it feels so important. What is the best advice you have for other Black women when it comes to business in 2025?
IR: Try to find what your niche is in this particular marketplace. It sounds so obvious, but you’d be surprised. I think even in a culture of content creation, there are so many copycats, and we’re literally in an era of people repeating other people’s words or mimicking other people’s videos, and the originality is lacking in some cases. My advice is always just to find what nobody else is doing and what space you’re filling. And to also think about yourself because it really does start with you. Then find the community to build around that.
Lastly, any new developments on the Sweet Life revival?
IR: Not yet, but I hope people are watching it on OWN. But not yet.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
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