The RUSSH team are on the hunt for the perfect bag that fits all of our belongings just right – all the while being chic, no matter how much chaos is ensuing inside said bag.

It can be tough finding the right bag to invest in that'll cover all bases. Enough space for ones laptop and water bottle. Enough compartments for little knick-knacks, snacks and sanitiser. Well, we've taken the journey and we're here to report back with our findings: a list of the best carry-all bags we can't seem to put down.

Mia Steiber

Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher

I’ve been in the market for a chocolate brown carry-all for some time. I do have a few on the list. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the ultimate goal is a Miu Miu Aventure bag. But I also do want something else that I’ll feel more comfortable schlepping around on planes and to and from work. 

I’m really loving everything July is doing right now. I spend far too much time on the brand’s website. This brown suede work tote is to me, perfect. Designed for work, travel and everything in between, it’s definitely on my list. While I’m there, I might pick up one of the weekender bags in red. They unzip in a way that allows you to unfold the bag like a book. I love it. I’m also looking at the dark brown Verstirsi convertible tote. You can wear it like a shoulder bag or convert it to a backpack. Obsessed. I love the other colours too. I’m also toying with the suede totes from &Other Stories, I think they’re great quality for the price point. Last, but certainly not least, I am on the list for the Chloe Paddington relaunch. All hail the Boho Bag resurgence.

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

First, my new Palorosa Mercado Medium Tote in the Chocolate + Palm colourway. It’s somewhere between a carry-all bag and a market basket; perfect for office days and beach days alike (or a spontaneous grocery haul). Second, the Aest Studios Capture Large Shoulder Bag has the functionality of a camera bag but in such a chic, slouchy duffle kind of way. The moveable / removable dividers and the side flap-pockets are a stroke of genius (and perfect for organising clutter). Last, the perfect travel carry-all is July’s Juliette Soft Work Tote. It slides perfectly onto your carry-on suitcase, can be carried cross body or on the shoulder, and is large enough to fit all the essentials plus a laptop.

Stacey Gaskin

Consumer Revenue Manager

I'm a girl who likes pockets. Pockets in skirts, pockets in dresses, pockets everywhere. You therefore would not be surprised to hear that the Miu Miu Pocket washed nappa leather bag is a bag I urgently need. Everything would have it's place and I know it would hold a lot of things.

For a bag that is not overly large in size, the Oroton Mica bag (in the gorgous dark khaki colour) has the space to hold all of my essentials for running errands or going to dinner. For summer, I am still in love with my Wynn Hamlyn Woven Beaded Bag that is now unfortunately sold out, but something with a similar shape and structure that I would love to pick up would be Dragon Diffusion's NS Diagonal Triple Jump bag or the slightly more compact LOEWE Mini tote in beads and lambskin.

Kirsty Thatcher

Digital Editor

The MVP of my bag rotation at the moment is my Emilie Large Shoulder Bag by Le Tanneur. It’s the perfect size for busy days at work (it fits lunch boxes, makeup bags, my laptop, etc.) but doesn’t feel like I’m lugging around something big and bulky. The leather is beautiful and smooth, too. At the other end of the spectrum, I will always love the look of a straw tote, and this one by Sensi Studio is so cute. It comes in a bright orange colour too, if that’s more your speed. I’m all for taking basket bags beyond the beach – farmers markets, work, the possibilities are endless. 

I love fashion’s current fixation with suede brown, and I think this slightly slouchier shape by & Other Stories is great. And last but certainly not least, the Bottega Ciao Ciao will always have a place on my wishlist. Obsessed with the dark mahogany colour.

Emily Algar

Beauty Editor

I’ve spoken before about my love of a big bag because I’m incapable of travelling light. I always have food, my laptop, a water bottle, chargers, combs and a lint roller on me at any given time (and this is the bare minimum). I just got a secondhand Celine Boston that I love. I’ve also been sucked into The Row Barn Tote online discourse, but it’s sold out… Paying $1500+ for a mesh beach tote is also kind of insane. I love this Etsy seller as an alternative — a great beach/market/vacation bag. I also find that Cos do great bags in beautiful fabrics at a reasonable price. This City Canvas tote is such a good colour. And the pomegranate shade of this Longchamp tote is perfect, is it not? On the other end of the scale, I’ve been wanting a Chanel 25… I blame the Jennie campaign.

Alys Hale

Music Editor

I’ve never been able to fathom the desire for tiny bags, perhaps my love of lugging notebooks and a ‘just in case’ kit around town rules me out of the demographic. I love the practicality of a large bag that has the Mary Poppins effect (although not an actual carpet bag, please). The Grocer Deluxe tote from A-esque has been my go to for the past month, perfect for work and domestic flights. However, for something a little more structured, formal and French, I love Le Tanneur, in particular their Emilie Double Flapped bags, I’m eyeing up the document holder in tan. I used to live out of a Givenchy Studded tote that sadly had to be put out to pasture, so I’m looking to reincarnate in a more modern way with the Voyou in black. Now that Jane’s Birkin has been sold and there is no hope for us ever being together, I will have to start incorporating her love of taking a basket around town, and this by Dragon Diffusion could be a modern alternative.