Shopping strategy for work bags

1. Don't buy full price. Work bags are pretty traditional, so it is easy to find a classic shape on sale. If you choose a statement colour that is still classic enough to be a neutral in your palette (think red, olive green, purple), it could be even easier to find a model that is being sold off.
2. Keep an eye on mid-season sales and offers on free S&H/P&P.

• Department stores that carry the brands above make bigger discounts in the sales that the brands themselves, as they are more interested in getting rid of their stock from one season to the other. 
• The brands' outlets is where the remnant stock ends up. Find out where they are.

3. Buy second hand. You wouldn't believe how many work bags are out there on eBay and similar , from other women who have stopped working at a job that requires such bag, women who upgrade or change their work bag before it shows signs of wear because they can afford to.

1. Try to buy a model or a brand that you have seen in a shop.
2. Buy from a seller with a very high customer rating (or a really good explanation of why it is not so, it happens with small sellers with bad luck.
3. Always read the description carefully.
4. Check the photographs of the bag carefully, both outside and -very important- inside, you don't want nasty surprises for signs of use.
5. Ensure the bag is going to be packed for posting securely, not squeezed in and squashed in the process.

More on work bags? You can read about How to choose your work bag here and here.
Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.

Some brands for work bags

I have focused on affordable brands (somewhere between 100-250 GBP/155-400 USD/125-300 EUR) that do professional looking work bags and leather accessories that look and feel great:

• Radley makes great, high quality work bags that last for years and look great.
• Kate Spade New York, a bit on the girly side, but OK if that's what you are going for.
• Lodis makes nice, clean lines in interesting colours.
• J Crew for classic shapes in good quality leathers and fun colours.
• Dooney & Burke make very classic shapes and leather accessories.
• Cambridge Satchel Company, the IT bag for students, teachers and people in academia.

Best tops for work

A fitted turtleneck. Go for a close fit with a length that allows you to tuck it in if you want to but that doesn't swallow you up because it's too long. Choose cotton and Lycra blends, silk, wool, and cashmere. Pair it with wide trousers and miniskirts (A-line above the knee, with matte dark tights and/or boots).

Suffragettes did that for us. We vote now, are allowed into all university degrees and work, and are entitled to equal pay for an equal job also because of those early protesters, who were proto-feminists of a sort.

A twinset or matching shell and cardigan. Go for a close fit in both items, it's more modern. Instead of accessorizing with pearls (a classic, true, but of a conservative sort), try something more edgy. Always consider your twinsets an investment, so buy the best quality you can afford: wool, cashmere and blends with silk, and you will be wearing them forever. For that reason choose neutrals or really flattering colours from your seasonal palette (Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter).

Posters to denounce the injustice of the restriction against women to vote.

Dressy top. Avoid showing cleavage by wearing a camisole underneath any top, it will save you from feeling self-conscious during work hours. Adjustable wraps give the best fit, as they can be adapted to your body (as opposed to faux wraps). As this top can be potentially very curve-hugging, pair it with an A-line skirt, or boot-cut jeans.

Women tried at first peaceful ways of convincing politicians and society of the right of women to vote. They became organized, founded newspapers, marched in parades, sold newspapers on the streets, planned and attended meetings.

Button-down shirt and blouses. Close-fitting, but not gaping open at the bust. Try it on, check that it does close around your chest (move in it opening your arms and flexing them), or go a size up and have it taken in anywhere you need to. Don't close of the buttons up to your neck, it's to uptight.

Suffragettes went to prison and sometimes entered hunger strikes to protest their situation. They were then force-fed.

Material

• Always choose natural fibers, as polyester and poly-blends are not breathable and cause smells.
• Slinky, clingy, and stretchy is a sure recipe for showing every detail of your upper body and bra.
• Check your white tops every season, as they turn gray or yellow with time.
• If the material is see-through, wear a camisole in your nude (see below), or in a colour matching your top. 

Pattern

• Keep things classic and simple: no wacky or loud prints.
• No kiddy stuff (Hello Kitty, Disney characters...).
• No inappropriate messages: either rude or political.

What to wear under your tops

• A T-shirt bra under anything the least bit close-fitting. Have it professionally fitted if you are not sure you are wearing the right size (both bust and cup measurements).
• A camisole with a built-in bra in your nude shade (depending on your skin colour, that can vary from ivory to cocoa)

DOS and DON'TS of tops

DOS
Do go for classic silhouettes like the ones mentioned above. Avoid overworked constructions or detailing.
Do choose your most flattering colours for your tops, not just neutrals.
Do wear a T-shirt bra: no seams, molded cup, in a nude tone (or a camisole with a built-in bra).  Keep it new so it fulfills its function.

DON'TS
Don't show cleavage or your navel.
Don't wear sheer tops if your bra shows in the least, no matter how pretty the bra is.
Don't wear mesh, it's tacky (anywhere and everywhere, I may add).
Don't wear kiddy stuff.

Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.

Work accessories: How to look professional

I have talked before about How to choose the perfect work bag here and here, and also about How to choose a laptop bag here. I want to focus now on other work accessories, those that also help you maintain a professional image.

Old fashioned and high-tech work accessories

Something for everybody

The old-fashioned ones, for those of us who still rely mostly on paper:

• A personal organizer or planner...
• A jotter or memo pad.
• A pencil case.
• A professional-looking writing pen, not to be sneered at: make a small investment in a pen with some personality to sign documents. You won't be asking to borrow one or searching for a generic ones that happens to be lying around.
• A portfolio to carry to meetings. 
• An attaché or briefcase.
• A card case for your business cards.

The high-tech ones:

• A sleeve for your mobile/smartphone BlackBerry, iPhone and such.
• A laptop sleeve, if you are going to move around with it out of its bag.

More on work accessories? You can read about How to choose your work bag here and here.
Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.

Work essentials: How to carry your computer.

COMPUTER BAG

What to look for:

• A structured shape with extra padding inside. Your computer is fragile and the information it contains, precious.
  
• Inside pockets. If not, you will need to add another bag to organize your items, so go instead for a simple sleeve with handles to complement your work bag.
• A basic colour but also a happy one, or a pattern: design-wise, laptop bags have come a long way since the made their first appearance.
  

What to avoid:

• Weight. Your laptop is already heavy as it is, even if you have one of the lighter ones (I have to admit I'm a weakling).
• Handles/straps that are not padded. They will dig into your hands when held for any amount of time.

More on work bags? You can read about How to choose your work bag here and here.
Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.

How to choose a work bag II

Go for sophisticated classic shapes in basic colours , in leather or canvas with leather trimmings. Show off your personality with a different pattern (the J Crew leopard tote), colour (the Whistles Francoise tote, or the Radley Mary Portas shopper in orange and black) or detail (the Sophie Hulme bag has metallic plaques, it's tough). The red Cambridge satchel bag goes well with anyone in academia, but also with bohemian and creative types.

TOTE

What to look for:

• A structured shape, preferably in leather. If you go with fabric, make sure it keeps it form and doesn't crumble when laid on a surface.
• A flat bottom with studs. A minimum of six will keep your bag from grazing the floor (the bag will sag a bit in the middle if you are carrying weight: so you need two additional studs there).
• What to avoid: 
• A handle that doesn't keep on your shoulder when wearing a coat. A nightmare!

HAND-HELD BAG

What to look for:

• Optional across body/shoulder strap. For those moments when you need your hands free (for instance, in a crowded underground car). Studs are good too if you are planning on placing it occasionally on the floor.
• One that can also go under your arm: check that the straps are long enough (the "drop") to just fit under your arm with your coat on.
  
• A secure closure. Preferably, in the form of a zip, as magnetic clasps play havoc with anything magnetized (travel cards, credit cards...).

What to avoid

• Handles that dig into your hand: always go for padded straps and handles.
• Artificial materials that will tear and peel. It's throwing away your money and people DO notice. 

More on work bags? You can read about How to choose your work bag here and How to carry your computer/laptop here.
Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.

How to choose a work bag I

How important is your work bag? It's ESSENTIAL

First, it represents you as a working woman. Look at it as a bigger business card.
Second, you will spend many hours with it, so you need to choose carefully, as it needs to perform at its best.
Third, it's expensive, so you need to choose how to spend your hard-earned money wisely.

Three types

Work Bags DOs and DONT's

DOs

1. Do consider it an investment and buy the best quality you can afford: a work bag represents you a a working woman and need to make some serious carrying around, so a better quality will make the bag last longer and look better in the process. Do not go for leather synthetics (often described as leatherette, faux leather, or leather feel).
2. Test drive any work bag in the shop by putting your own bag into it and carry it around, checking for comfort.
3. Avoid a bag that is already heavy when empty. You don't need to carry additional weight: your back will thank you for it.
4. Do take care of your work bag. Clean it and avoid spillages inside.
5. Do chose a basic colour that goes well with all your coats: black, brown, and beige or taupe suit most wardrobes. Red is a happy option and goes with everything too!
6. Inside pockets.You need to get to your stuff fast to look professional.

DON'Ts

1. No kiddies' stuff for work: no cartoon characters (unless you work as creative at Pixar's, I guess), or WORSE animal-shaped bags (agggghhhhh!). Not grown-up.
2. No bags that show every bump (a Longchamp Le Pliage may be a great shopping bag, but not a work bag!). Not polished.
3. No backpacks. The shoulder straps will ruin your top and the bag will bounce against your bottom. A big don't.

If it's an emergency, rent your work bag!

These two sites make their business you get your bag when you need it:

• Bag, Borrow, or Steal
• Fashion hire

More on work bags? You can read about How to choose your work bag here and How to carry your computer/laptop here.
Interested in looking professional and ready for a promotion? Follow the label Work essentials.