The Best Affordable Work Totes Inspired by Paris Street Style

Reformation Patricia Bag

Anyone else been hearing about how the Margeux bag from The Row is the new Birkin? It's everywhere on socials, and I've fallen victim to lusting after it as well. That all stopped when I found this insanely cheaper alternative from none other than Reformation. And unlike places selling The Row version, you won't have to pay $10,000!!! Grabbing this one immediately!

Anthropologie Love Knot Bag

White doesn't have to stop after Labor Day, especially in beautiful cream shades like this one here. I love the milky, creme color, along with the slouchy shape of the bag. It's seriously the ultimate slouchy bag I've been looking for — and all for under $100!

Free People Bobbi Slouch Bag

This Free People bag appears to be the perfect type of bag to "Jane Birkin-ify" — AKA grab your charms and necklaces and get to accessorizing it (like above)! It would look so cute with some added accessories to style it according to your personality!

Target Slouchy Bucket Shoulder Bag

Brown suede is truly all I'm thinking about for fall, particularly in bag form. This bag from Target is an amazing option because while it's "slouchy", it still has some structure on the bottom, making it easier to sift through for your things. Because nobody likes spending 10 minutes looking for your lipstick!

Madewell Curve Shoulder Bag

This style of curved-shoulder bag is everywhere ATM, and I can see why. Not only is it giving the effortless "I barely thought about my outfit, but it still looks like it's straight from a magazine shoot" vibe, but it's also so practical! The crossbody and shape of the bag help it to be comfortable for anybody that's on-the-go! I also happen to love this burgundy color — so on-trend this season!

Reformation Silvana Bag

The always-chic Reformation just won't stop slaying the game with their accessories. From their shoes to their belts, and now bags, I truly can't get enough! Become an instant cool, city-girl in this suede bucket bag. I would pair it with a mini skirt, sweater, and knee-high boots!

Target Crescent Sling

#BratSummer has left the chat and made room for #BratFall, because this color trend is not going anywhere! I'm loving this more watered down shade of green compared to the typical neon Brat color we've seen. It's definitely a fall-appropriate hue, while still bringing in some fun, autumnal color!

J.Crew Edie Shoulder Bag

J.Crew is always hitting the mark, and they've done it yet again with this year's hottest color: butter yellow. The typically summer color is breaking out for fall in an amazing way. I love incorporating this light hue to my more neutral outfits that need some color-love. This bag is also on sale, so you definitely wanna grab it now!

Mango Shopper Bag

A great, slouchy shopper bag like this one from Mango is great for all our commuters that work in-office and need a bag to fit all their must-haves for the day. This one is my fave, because it also could double as a chic travel bag to fit all your toiletries and travel essentials. We how affordable it is, too!

Reformation Bucket Bag

This bucket bag is the ultimate luxe option for my girls that love to replicate Princess Diana's '90s style. I just know you'll feel oh-so chic with this heather gray bag slung over your shoulder. I recommend pairing this bag with a sweater-top like above, boyfriend jeans, and cute ballerina flats! Seriously, this would be my daily work outfit combo! And some bonus points for this bag? It looks like it could fit your entire office inside.

Target Ruched Crossbody

This bag would have you thinking it's high end before you saw that the tag actually says "Target" on the inside. I love the chic ruching that is definitely trending this season. It's a great option if you're looking for something a bit more on-the-go and easier to carry around.

Reformation Cylinder Bag

This bag genuinely looks like it came straight from The Row. It's a great alternative to their beloved '90s bagthat's taken the internet by storm! If you're looking for an alternative that isn't always sold out (and happens to be around $700 cheaper), then look no further!

Bucket Crossbody Bag + Small Zip Wallet

I've been known to throw random things in my purse, but this crossbody bag makes me want to create an organized system. The forest green shade and gold hardware looks so chic together, but that's not what truly wows me.

I honestly can't get over all the interior space this bag has! You can finally stop fumbling around for your cellphone because there's a designated pocket for them — and plenty of room for everything you need to bring along. Plus, you won't have to consistently yank the strap back on your shoulders over and over again because the strap is adjustable, so you can get it juuuust right.

P.S. I added the matching small zip wallet if you want your credit cards and I.D. to be housed in something equally stylish.

Olivia Miller Richie Satchel Bag

The boho look is always going to be in style, but I never knew I'd fall head over heels for — and absolutely need — something like this satchel bag. Unlike other designs, this one has 3 interior pockets to help you store your most precious belongings, and the magnetic snap closure makes it easy to open or close. This is the perfect purse to take your whimsical summer vibes straight into fall!

Rouched Chain Crossbody Bag

Isn't this the prettiest oxblood crossbody bag you've laid eyes on?! I've had my eyes on these Mary Jane flats from Franco Sarto, and think they'll match this beautifully.

Pair them both with one of the Anthropologie fall dresses I can't get enough of, and you'll look like you stepped off someone's runway.

Mini Woven Handbag Clutch

I don't care what anyone says — you should have at least one tiny little clutch. They're perfect for your best brunch 'fit, heading out on the town with your girlfriends on a Friday night, or a sultry date night. This purse has a trendy woven brown material, and it won't fit much beyond your cell phone, I.D., a couple of other necessary cards, and a lip gloss (of course). This purse is perfect for those fun outings with your friends, but honestly it's even better for those date nights when you need to ditch a bag quickly for...reasons. 😉

East West Satchel Handbag

Everyone needs a sturdy black satchel handbag, so it might as well be this one. The double handle makes me smile because it be used as a 'tote bag' if you're not interested in placing it on your shoulders.

Aside from that, the quilted texture will remind you of the stylish throw blanket you recently bought for the couch in your living room. I love to keep the cozy vibes going all fall long — even when I need to be chic, too.

Puffer Hobo Bag

I won't argue that the name of this bag needs an update, but it's still a cute fall option nonetheless. You'll find a inner zippered compartment and pocket that makes it easy for you keep things secure. This purse is perfect for the new intern who doesn't want to lug around a backpack — it's an adorable lightweight companion.

Belted Satchel Handbag

This handbag means business! She's classic and probably won't be caught partaking in the "demure" trend because she's too busy serving alongside her owner's tailored suit. If I still worked at a law firm, I'd definitely take this to and from work.

Boxy Tote Handbag

This tote is the transitional handbag you didn't know you needed — but you do! Since you can't force fall to make her grand entrance, you need something that'll make you feel like you've got the right style to deal with cool mornings and sweltering afternoons. Plus, it's big enough to hold everything you need to bring along for the day!

Sling Pack Handbag

Are you on-the-go running errands? Only working half the day on Fridays? Bopping around from get-together to get-together? You need a cute sling pack handbag to carry your essentials. This is a sleek option you can easily toss over your shoulders to take you to-and-from any destination!

Lady-Like Top Handle Handbag

This cute bag will complement the red hot styles you plan to wear this fall. I can picture you wearing a classic tan trench coat, a cream knit dress, and matching boots with this fire engine red design.

P.S. It's small, so I don't suggest you to try to treat it like a slouchy satchel or bucket bag!

1. Full Coverage Foundation

There was a time where wearing full-coverage foundation was all the rage. From drugstore to high-end brands, it seems like they were consistently shoved in consumers’ faces to help us achieve a ‘full beat’ without sitting in a makeup artist’s chair. Also, those of us with dark spots or hyperpigmentation may have relied on them when we were in the thick of our skincare woes.

But these days, wearing too much foundation isn’t as popular as natural and skincare makeup are prioritized. If anything, more people are interested in wearing light-to-medium coverage foundation, skin tints, or tinted moisturizers.

2. Too Much Concealer

It wasn’t until I watched this video by makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes that I realized some of us have been too heavy-handed with our concealers. There’s no reason we should be slapping products under the thinnest parts of our face, but we didn’t know any better!

Now that you know you can still get the desired effect with a minimal amount of concealer, don’t revert back to painting your under eyes!

3. 'Baking' Your Setting Powder

Before you throw away your setting powders, step away from your makeup drawer and have a sit-down chat with me. There isn’t anything wrong with applying them to your face to help ‘set’ your foundation and concealer. However, spending over 10 minutes ‘baking’ your powder (AKA letting it sit untouched) doesn’t work for everyone.

It can lead to creased makeup which can derail your look, plus it’s a pain to correct when you’re halfway through your routine!

4. Overlining Lips

I love a good lip liner, especially if it mirrors my favorite ‘90s makeup look. But, there’s such a thing as overdoing it. The key to lining your lips is following the natural flow of them. Going out of your way to draw above and under your lips’ lines comes off as comical and exaggerated. If anything, use a lip plumping gloss to help your lips look fuller.

5. Overtweezing Your Eyebrows

I don’t even have the words for this outdated makeup look besides wanting to say “no” 20 times in a row. But, I’ll bite and say why this shouldn’t be on your 2025 beauty moodboard.

Some people naturally have thinner eyebrows which is A-okay! However, purposely tweezing your eyebrows to smithereens is cringey. If you truly want to wear this look, here’s what you can do instead of tweezing:

• Create a faux bleached look by applying a skin tone colored setting powder all over your brows.
• Once they’ve ‘disappeared,’ take an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner to draw a thin line over them.

I’m…wondering what the ramifications of telling you how to do this will be, but only use go for this look if it’s a part of a themed party…like Halloween.

6. Exaggerated Highlighter On Cheeks

The shimmery look is in since it’s winter, but please don’t make it look like you dipped your cheeks into a vat of glitter. You can lightly dust highlighter onto your cheeks for a more natural glow that flows with the rest of your look. Otherwise you’ll look like a walking disco ball which could be the opposite of what you were going for.

7. Heavy Contour Or Bronzer

I know the ‘sculpted’ look is popular, but too much contour or bronzer can overpower the rest of your makeup and face. While it’s not impossible to fix if you do it by mistake, using the wrong shade of contour or bronzer may still peep through no matter how much you try to buff it out.

When in doubt, be gentle with your contour or bronzer application!

8. Incredibly Matte Makeup

Matte makeup that didn’t budge was the ‘It Girl’ look for oily and combination skin girls! We thought it was the answer to our skin’s incessant need to hydrate our faces instead of actually using skincare products that focused on combatting that issue (psst…Vitamin C serums help!).

But now’s the time to break up with this look for good for one reason: dewy skin looks healthier.