If you are a working girl like me (and I mean that in the professional sense, not the street-walking sense), then you know that the ability to carry all your “stuff” in style is of utmost importance.

The ideal work bag must be roomy… On any given day, I’m hauling about a laptop, notebook, small make-up refresher bag, a bottle of water, and potentially my lunch. If it’s a gym day, throw workout clothes and sneaks into the mix, too. Among all that, it’s easy to lose a cell phone, blackberry, extra pen, wallet and glasses… so clearly, compartments are key.

The perfect work bag is over the shoulder, not handheld. But, the straps should be short enough that you COULD carry it by hand or on the crook of the elbow as well. It should be leather (in my opinion), and a neutral color to ensure you don’t have to change it every time you change your outfit.

It might be high end …

Or it might be less expensive…

Or it may be somewhere in between…

Or, break out of the neutral box and get something colorful like this sunny yellow number…

Either way… the bag is only half the style battle. Make sure you don’t overstuff (a very bad look), and make sure you pick one big enough to truly carry your essentials. Otherwise, the collection of work bag, gym bag and lunch/shoes in a shopping bag looks disheveled and sloppy — not a good look for a working girl… not THIS kind of working girl, anyway!