What’s In My Work Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage

I’ve recently switched from driving to work to taking the metro. Although that seems like a small change, there’s a lot more to it than I originally thought! Instead of walking out the door to my car in the driveway, I walk out the door and then 15 minutes down the road to the metro station. Carrying a lot of stuff is more of a hassle when you don’t have a backseat to toss it into. And weather! Unexpected rain is a much bigger deal when you have to walk through it in your work clothes. To help me be prepared for anything that comes my way, I’ve curated a few of my essentials into the perfect work bag- the Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote.

The Bag

First and foremost, I have to rave about this bag. It is big enough to carry everything I need, but small enough to not look enormous. It comes in eight colors and is made of a durable, water-resistant nylon. There are two leather shoulder straps and a small interior pocket where I store my keys and lip balm. The Le Pliage tote closes with a zipper, which was a must-have in a work bag for me. Sometimes the metro can be crowded, and you don’t want to give anyone the opportunity to reach a hand into an open bag. I have heard nothing but good things about this bag, and I’ve seen SO many people carrying them around town that it makes me think I made the right decision.

The Contents

1. Lunchbox

I’ve been trying to bring my lunch to work as often as I can, and this adorable watermelon lunchbox from SunnyLife has been my go-to container. I got this in a Popsugar Musthave box a few months ago and think it is SO cute. It’s dishwasher safe and Eco-friendly, plus it gives me a little bit of summer joy. I have been putting a salad in it, and so far no leaks! It comes with a silicone band to keep the lid on.

2. Wallet

I knew that my small wallet and phone would most likely get lost in a bag this size, so I wanted to get a little wallet/clutch that I could find easily. This one from Target is great- it has a place for my cards, cash, coins, and phone. Plus, it has a wrist strap if you just want to grab it and go. I couldn’t find the exact one online, but here are some great options that are super similar! 1 // 2

3. Umbrella

Within my first week here in the city, I have learned that the weather isn’t predictable. I checked the forecast one morning, saw a 10% chance of rain, and left without my umbrella. Bad idea. It poured and I was S.O.L. I’ve learned my lesson and now I always have this ShedRain compact mini umbrella with me. It’s so small that it weighs next to nothing and hardly takes up any space. Definitely a life saver.

4.  Gum and Mints

I’m new to this job and trying to make a good impression. No one wants to be caught in the elevator with the president of the company with onion breath! My two go-to breath fresheners are Orbit gum and Icebreakers mints. I tend to lean toward the wintergreen flavor, but of course that’s personal preference.

5. Deodorant and Perfume

Walking 15 minutes to the metro, dealing with crowds on the train, and stress throughout the day can take their toll. I always carry a mini deodorant, like the Secret Clinical Strength in Completely Clean, with me to make sure I’m stink-free all day. I also carry around my rollerball Giorgio Armani Si for any scent touch-ups during the day. Just because I schvitz on the metro doesn’t mean I have to smell like it.

6. Chapstick and Hand Sanitizer

I can’t go anywhere without some kind of lip balm. It’s almost as bad as leaving my phone at home if I walk out without it! I actually stole this Chapstick Total Hydration from my sister and it’s been great. The vanilla flavor is light and not too overwhelming, and the moisture lasts for a good while! Also, hand sanitizer is a MUST. Just thinking about how many people had touched the metro pole that I held onto for 20 minutes makes my skin crawl. OF COURSE I’m going with my good ol’ Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath and Body Works. This is a seasonal scent that I stocked up on, so it won’t be available for a few months, but I love these little sanitizers.

I am so happy with this bag purchase, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job stocking it with my must haves. Even with all these things inside, I still have room for an extra pair of shoes, a sweater, and even a book! As an added bonus, here’s a picture of the bag with my new roommate dog Carlos:

What do you always have in your bag?