How to Style a Black Tote: Seven Tote Bag Outfits for Every Day of the Week
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A good tote bag outfit starts with the bag, because the bag is the one piece you carry from your desk to dinner to the airport. We picked one black leather tote and built seven fall outfits around it, one for each kind of day you actually have. Every piece is shoppable right now, and none of them fight with the bag.
Black is the easiest bag color to wear because it sits happily next to camel, olive, crimson, ivory and denim. That means you can buy the tote once and change everything else around it. Scroll through the looks, borrow a full outfit or a single piece, and see how far one bag can go.
The one piece
Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
Tory Burch built the Perry as a work tote, and the details back that up. It measures 11 inches tall, 14.9 inches long and 5.3 inches deep, and it fits a laptop up to 13 inches. A removable zip pouch snaps into the middle to create a center divider, so your laptop and your lunch never share a pocket.
The bonded leather is pebbled on the outside, with a saffiano texture inside that Tory Burch says is easy to clean. The leather straps have a 10.2 inch drop, which is long enough to sit on your shoulder over a sweater or a coat. Small rectangular feet sit on the base, and a dust bag comes with it for storage.
Shop it at Tory Burch1. Monday at the Office: A Taupe Blazer Look That Holds Your Laptop and Lunch
Start the week with the Everlane Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth in Deep Taupe, a roomy, menswear shaped jacket in a TENCEL Lyocell and cotton blend. It has flap pockets and cuff buttons, and it is cut closer through the arms so the sleeves stay neat. Pair it with the Vince Elsa High-Rise Crepe Straight-Leg Trouser in black, which sits high on the waist and has creased legs like proper menswear tailoring.
Finish with the black Dolce Vita Ramzie Loafers, which have a softly scrunched leather upper and a heel under an inch for walking to meetings. The black loafers and black trousers bookend the outfit, and the black Tory Burch tote ties it all together at your side. Slide your laptop into the snap in pouch and you have one less bag to carry.
Blazer: Everlane The Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth in Deep Taupe · Trousers: Vince Elsa High-Rise Crepe Straight-Leg Trouser in Black · Loafers: Dolce Vita Ramzie Loafers in Black Leather · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
2. Saturday Errands: A Camel Cardigan Look That Carries the Whole To Do List
Saturday calls for the Rails Carre Cardigan in Heather Camel, a relaxed, slightly boxy knit in a wool, organic cotton and cashmere blend. Button it all the way up and wear it as a sweater, or leave it open when the afternoon warms up. The Reformation Bex Super Stretch High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Fior Di Latte keep the outfit light, with generous stretch made for all day wear.
Add the Allbirds Women's Wool Cruiser in Natural Grey, a lace up sneaker with an upper made of recycled wool and polyester. Camel, ivory and soft gray look calm on their own, so the black Tory Burch tote gives the outfit a clean, graphic edge. It is also big enough for a farmers market haul, a water bottle and a library book.
Cardigan: Rails Carre Cardigan in Heather Camel · Wide leg jeans: Reformation Bex Super Stretch High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Fior Di Latte · Sneakers: Allbirds Women's Wool Cruiser in Natural Grey (natural White Sole) · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
3. Airport Ready: A Comfy Half Zip Look With Room for Every Carry On Essential
Airports reward soft layers, and the Everlane Half-Zip Sweater in Luxe Merino in Heathered Oat is made from 100% extra fine wool with a tall, wide collar. Zip it up on a cold plane and open it once you land. Below it, the Spanx PerfectFit Ponte Wide Leg Pant in Classic Black pulls on with no fuss and has smoothing four way stretch for long hours in a seat.
The Rothy's Original Slip On Sneaker in Black Solid slides off fast at security and goes in the washing machine when you get home. Tuck your laptop in the Perry's removable pouch so you can pull it out at screening without unpacking the whole tote. If your laptop is 13 inches or smaller it fits, and the rest of the tote still has room for a scarf, snacks and a passport.
Half-zip sweater: Everlane The Half-Zip Sweater in Luxe Merino in Heathered Oat · Ponte wide leg pants: Spanx SPANXsupersmooth PerfectFit Ponte Wide Leg Pant in Classic Black · Slip-on sneakers: Rothy's The Original Slip On Sneaker in Black Solid · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
4. The Dinner Date: An Ivory Turtleneck and Silk Skirt That Make a Tote Feel Dressy
For dinner, the Vince Cashmere-Silk Slim Turtleneck Sweater in Off White is a blend of 67% cashmere and 33% silk with a feather light feel. Its doubled neck and seam free construction look clean under a coat. Tuck it into the Reformation Layla Silk Skirt in Black, a bias cut midi in 100% silk charmeuse that moves when you walk.
Steve Madden Berkleigh boots in black finish the look with a square toe, a block heel and a 1 inch platform for steadier steps. The skirt hits a few inches above the ankle on most women, so the knee boots fill the gap and keep you warm. Bring the black Tory Burch tote straight from work, and leave the laptop pouch at home if you want a lighter bag for the evening.
Turtleneck: Vince Cashmere-Silk Slim Turtleneck Sweater in Off White · Silk midi skirt: Reformation Layla Silk Skirt in Black · Knee boots: Steve Madden Berkleigh in Black · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
5. The Rainy Commute: A Waxed Jacket Look That Shrugs Off the Weather
Barbour's Classic Beadnell Waxed Jacket in Olive is made from Thornproof waxed cotton with a tartan cotton lining. It is based on the brand's Bedale but cut to a more feminine shape, with a back length of 74 cm. Pull it over the FRAME Le Sleek Straight jeans in Rinse, a high rise, ankle length straight leg in super stretch denim.
Hunter Original Tall Boots in Dark Green are 100% waterproof, with a rubber upper and an adjustable buckle. The ankle length jeans tuck into the knee high boots, so your hems stay out of puddles. Keep the tote tucked under your arm beneath the jacket, and wipe off stray drops with a soft cloth when you get inside.
Waxed jacket: Barbour Classic Beadnell Waxed Jacket in Olive · Straight jeans: FRAME Le Sleek Straight in Rinse · Rain boots: Hunter Original Tall Boots in Dark Green · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
6. Casual Friday: A Breton Stripe Look With Easy Ballet Flats
Fridays get a little looser with the Boden Olivia Long Sleeve Breton in Ivory, Bitter Chocolate Stripe. It is soft cotton with a boat neck, and the brown stripes feel warmer for fall than classic navy. The AG Caden Straight Leg Trouser in Super Black keeps it office ready, with a relaxed fit at the hips and an ankle skimming straight leg.
Black Dolce Vita Reyes Ballet Flats add a mary jane strap and an almond toe, so the outfit reads polished without heels. With black on the bottom, black on your feet and black on your shoulder, the striped top gets all the attention. Hold the tote by the handles at your desk, then sling it over a shoulder for drinks after work.
Breton top: Boden Olivia Long Sleeve Breton in Ivory, Bitter Chocolate Stripe · Straight trousers: AG Jeans Caden Straight Leg Trouser in Super Black · Ballet flats: Dolce Vita Reyes Ballet Flats in Black Leather · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
7. Holiday Shopping: A Crimson Sweater Look Made for Carrying Gifts
December shopping means hours on your feet, so start with the Rails Lidya Sweater in Crimson, a loose V neck in a wool, organic cotton and cashmere blend. The deep red reads festive without any sparkle, and it looks rich next to the black leather tote. Citizens of Humanity Zurie Straight jeans in Helia, a dark indigo wash with a high rise and a clean straight leg, keep the outfit grounded.
Blundstone's Women's Classics 558 in black is a water resistant leather Chelsea boot with elastic sides, a cushioned midsole and a removable footbed built for shock absorption. That comfort counts by the third store of the afternoon. The Perry is 14.9 inches long, so small gift bags fit inside, and the center pouch keeps your wallet and receipts apart from the presents.
V-neck sweater: Rails Lidya Sweater in Crimson · Straight jeans: Citizens of Humanity Zurie Straight in Helia · Chelsea boots: Blundstone Women's Classics #558 in Black · Tote: Tory Burch Perry Tote in Black
Carry It on Your Shoulder
The Perry's straps have a 10.2 inch drop, which is made for wearing on the shoulder. Switch shoulders through the day so one side does not do all the work. If the bag feels heavy, pull out the laptop pouch and carry only what you need.
Use the Pouch as an Organizer
The removable zip pouch snaps into the center and splits the tote into two sides. Keep your laptop and chargers in the pouch and your wallet, keys and phone on the other side. On weekends, leave the pouch at home or use it on its own for small things.
Keep the Leather Looking New
Wipe the outside with a soft, dry cloth after a rainy day and let it air dry away from heat. Tory Burch describes the saffiano interior as easy to clean, so a damp cloth handles most spills inside. Store the tote stuffed with paper in the dust bag it comes with so it keeps its shape between seasons.
What should I wear with a black tote to work?
A tailored blazer, straight leg trousers and loafers make an easy tote bag outfit for the office. Keep the colors simple, like taupe and black, so the bag and the outfit look planned together. A structured black tote that fits a 13 inch laptop keeps your work gear in one place.
How do you style a black tote so it does not look too serious?
Pair it with soft knits, stripes or ivory denim to lighten it up. Sneakers and ballet flats also make a black leather tote feel casual and relaxed.
Can a leather tote go out in the rain?
It is best to tuck it under a jacket or an umbrella when the rain is heavy. Wipe it dry with a soft cloth as soon as you get inside, and let it air dry away from heaters.
