Where Stylist Jana Bartolo Shops: Stylish Work Bags To Carry You Through 2026
New year, new (office) gear. Earn your Marie Kondo stripes with cleverly designed compartments, or embrace slouchy silhouettes that move effortlessly beyond your nine-to-five.
Since Covid reshaped how (and where) we earn our living, the humble work bag has taken on a new role of responsibility. Hybrid schedules have created the need for hybrid bags – the kind that no longer serves a single purpose, but “adapts from desk to commute to social plans with ease,” as Sydney stylist Jana Bartolo puts it.
That shift has made space for slouchier, more sculptural silhouettes within the professional wardrobe – and designers are responding. “Work bags are evolving in both shape and material,” says Bartolo, observing an “appetite for fresh proportions and playful experimentation” across spring/summer 2026 collections.
While neutrals – soft white (à la Pantone’s Cloud Dancer), camel, black and baby blue – remain the backbone of the season, the runway also reveals a desire for something a little louder. “Accent colours and decorative finishes like sequins, beads, chains and tactile leathers offer statement pieces that feel professional yet editorial,” she says.
But style aside, what should you look for in a work bag? Bartolo highlights organised compartments for daily essentials (without overly gimmicky built-in tech), versatile carry options that move easily between shoulder and crossbody, and a considered design that works just as well beyond office hours as it does at your desk.
Read more in Broadsheet.
Category : Jana Bartolo
