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What Size Bag Do I Need for an Internship?
From medium-sized totes to extra-large carryalls, here are a few of the best internship bags that will fit all the essentials.
- Your internship bag should be spacious enough to hold all your workday essentials, including larger items like your laptop.
- Here are the bag styles that come with plenty of room for everything you need.
Starting out a new internship comes with a lot of excitement (and maybe even some nerves). But securing a handbag that’s able to take on everything you need on a day-to-day basis is a good way to prepare for all your early morning commutes to come.
In other words, capacity is of utmost importance when deciding on the best bag for your internship. But how do you know exactly what size bag you really need? Below, we’ve rounded up styles that will fit different sizes of laptops—plus a list of important features to consider and commonly packed items to think about before committing to a bag this internship season.
What size handbag should I carry for an internship?
While you’ll need to carry more than just your laptop to your internship, considering the size of your largest items is a good place to start when deciding what size bag you need.
For 13” Laptops
If you know you’ll have to carry a 13” laptop to and from work, you’ll need a medium-sized carryall, shoulder bag or crossbody bag for comfortable commuting.
For Effortless, Everyday Style: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34
For Refined Structure: Lana Shoulder Bag
For Convertible Convenience: Soft Empire Carryall Bag 40
For 15” Laptops
Carrying a larger laptop? Not a problem. There are plenty of bag styles that comfortably fit 15” or even 16” laptops with ease.
For a Slouchy Silhouette: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
For an Extra Spacious Top-Handle: Soft Empire Carryall Bag 48
For a Versatile Favorite: City Tote Bag
For 13” Laptops
If you know you’ll have to carry a 13” laptop to and from work, you’ll need a medium-sized carryall, shoulder bag or crossbody bag for comfortable commuting.
For Effortless, Everyday Style: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34
For Refined Structure: Lana Shoulder Bag
For Convertible Convenience: Soft Empire Carryall Bag 40
For 15” Laptops
Carrying a larger laptop? Not a problem. There are plenty of bag styles that comfortably fit 15” or even 16” laptops with ease.
For a Slouchy Silhouette: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
For an Extra Spacious Top-Handle: Soft Empire Carryall Bag 48
For a Versatile Favorite: City Tote Bag
What features should I look for in an internship bag?
Pockets
What’s your commute like? If you find yourself dashing from train to bus, a bag with a few extra pockets to stash your essentials like your phone, keys and wallet might come in handy. Consider styles with internal snap pockets that keep your smaller items safe and secure.
Zippers
Sometimes, you just need that extra sense of security to feel confident on your everyday commute. A zip-top closure will give you that peace of mind—keeping all your items enclosed and protected at all times.
Straps
Versatility is always important, especially in an internship bag. If you appreciate the ability to change styles as you wish, opt for a bag that has adjustable or detachable straps. One day, you’ll walk in wearing a stylish crossbody and the next, a sophisticated top-handle.
What’s your commute like? If you find yourself dashing from train to bus, a bag with a few extra pockets to stash your essentials like your phone, keys and wallet might come in handy. Consider styles with internal snap pockets that keep your smaller items safe and secure.
Zippers
Sometimes, you just need that extra sense of security to feel confident on your everyday commute. A zip-top closure will give you that peace of mind—keeping all your items enclosed and protected at all times.
Straps
Versatility is always important, especially in an internship bag. If you appreciate the ability to change styles as you wish, opt for a bag that has adjustable or detachable straps. One day, you’ll walk in wearing a stylish crossbody and the next, a sophisticated top-handle.
What should I pack in my internship bag?
Once you find a bag that comfortably fits your laptop, you’ll want to consider what else you plan on bringing into the office every day. Below are some of the most common items to consider.
Essentials: Phone, keys, wallet or card case
Technology: Laptop, tablet, chargers, headphones
Cosmetics: Makeup pouch, hairbrush, lip product
Miscellaneous: Water bottle, sunglasses, umbrella, packed lunch, change of shoes or extra sweater
Essentials: Phone, keys, wallet or card case
Technology: Laptop, tablet, chargers, headphones
Cosmetics: Makeup pouch, hairbrush, lip product
Miscellaneous: Water bottle, sunglasses, umbrella, packed lunch, change of shoes or extra sweater
Discover even more styles you’ll love.
FAQs: You asked. We’ve answered.
What bag color will go best with my internship wardrobe?
What bag color will go best with my internship wardrobe?
When choosing a versatile, professional bag color for work, neutrals are always a timeless, safe choice. Consider handbags in shades of warm brown, navy, black or white for a bag that will never fail to complement your work wardrobe—colorful blazers included.
What are the best materials for internship bags?
What are the best materials for internship bags?
The best internship bags are crafted of high-quality, durable materials that are made to be lived in and lived with.
For more details, visit our guides to leather and non-leather bag materials.
- Pebbled Leather: Soft and easygoing, pebbled leather is recognizable by its distinctive, special pebbled grain.
- Glovetanned Leather: Soft, supple and as durable as its namesake the baseball glove, Glovetanned earned us our name as the Original American House of Leather. Wear it out to wear it in. It will only get more beautiful with age.
- Canvas: Coach canvas is a durable and easygoing material crafted with the everyday in mind.
For more details, visit our guides to leather and non-leather bag materials.
How do I choose the best luxury bag for a recent grad entering the professional world?
How do I choose the best luxury bag for a recent grad entering the professional world?
Choosing the best luxury bag for a recent grad entering the professional world means balancing durability, functionality and style.
- Durability: When crafted from high-quality materials, a leather bag can evolve with you, withstanding wear-and-tear and maintaining structure. For a more casual, lightweight choice, consider fabric and woven materials like canvas, denim or nylon.
- Functionality: Prioritize interior and exterior pockets, magnetic closures and zip closures for a bag that fits all the essentials in an organized manner.
- Style: From midday meetings to post-work events, the right bag silhouette will align with personal style and overall lifestyle. For more details, check out our guide on how to find the perfect bag silhouette.