Tote Bag for Women on Wall Street?

I'm currently preparing for Summer 2018 recruitment and need to purchase a bag to take to superdays, etc. I have a really nice Coach tote, but I've heard that no one carries that brand at BBs. Does the brand really matter?

Everyone recommends a classic, neutral-toned Longchamp. Would you agree? Would a simple leather Cuyana tote be okay? Or is it best to stick with a well-known brand?

 

Neutral color, discrete logo if any. Basically, you don't want it to stand out at junior level; unless it's really subtle and only noticeable by people who are in the know. Then again, that applies to pretty much anything in such work situations.

 

I would go with either a Balenciaga or Birkin bag, as it something very neutral in terms of looks. But while being neutral it still looks great

 

I love Kate Spade, so that's what I carry for internships; I go with neutral colors like black, also try like Nordstrom Rack, they always have amazing Kate Spade purses on sale!

 

You're not in highschool. Drop the coach and MK brands, unless you plan on rolling up in your hollister jeans from 06' as well.

There are so many minimalist bags now - all affordable. Even Zara is better than those brands. Also drop the Birkin - stick to your lane; you are just starting.

Think classic. Or don't carry a bag, carry a simple sturdy well designed folio This bag is appropriate: bag

 

Longchamp is ok for an intern but you look fucking poor if you're more than a few years in. When you get a FT job invest in a Tumi. You can buy one on sale in the $200-250 range but even the full-price ones are worth it.

Exception made for the all-leather Longchamp purses, but at that price-point you can do better.

If you can go with something a little nicer ($400-$600), Annabelle Ingall and Mansur Gavriel make some nice totes that will give you style cred.

 

Annie, most guys don't get it. My suggestion, and I would defer this to a few other people (as what does a guy really know about an appropriate tote), is that you go with elegant and understated. I would suggest going with the Gatsby if you have it (or a similar design if you're talking last year's model). Remember, you're not being judged on the tote, but something that is out of place will be viewed as such.

As to brands, have you considered Coach? It's not out of place and you can do respectable with it. I happen to have a Transatlantic Flip Briefcase and I love it. It is one of the best bags I have ever purchased.

 

Wow...

ParappatheDrapper:
Yeah babe the guy who interviews you is going to be looking at your HANDBAG. This is New York, not Los Angeles. Jesus.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. The OP is from the West Coast, and there are investment banks, hedge funds and PE shops on the West Cost... ergo we can reasonably infer that she has an interview at a firm with offices in California. And as to her handbag, you assume that the OP is going to be interviewed by a guy with no sense of fashion or understanding of it. What happens if she is interviewed by a girl (it's a talking point for idle chatter) or its for a coverage group that specializes in high end consumer discretionary goods - you don't know. Now stop making generalized retarded statements and actually offer some constructive advice.

 
Frieds:
Wow...
ParappatheDrapper:
Yeah babe the guy who interviews you is going to be looking at your HANDBAG. This is New York, not Los Angeles. Jesus.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. The OP is from the West Coast, and there are investment banks, hedge funds and PE shops on the West Cost... ergo we can reasonably infer that she has an interview at a firm with offices in California. And as to her handbag, you assume that the OP is going to be interviewed by a guy with no sense of fashion or understanding of it. What happens if she is interviewed by a girl (it's a talking point for idle chatter) or its for a coverage group that specializes in high end consumer discretionary goods - you don't know. Now stop making generalized retarded statements and actually offer some constructive advice.

Sorry guy. Didn't realize how seriously you took your handbags. I will try to "step lightly" around the issue, if you know what I mean.

always move forward never sleep like a shark, bro
 

Oh yes... I love to consider the value of a handbag as to how it completes the ensemble. Actually, I blame my understanding on my sister who does Fashion related PR work.

Now stop being a jackass and read what the OP is saying before you make blanket assumptions as to the nature of the situation. It's the small shit that makes can make the biggest impact in an interview. I got my first internship solely on the basis that I could argue college football (He went to Michigan State and I went to Penn State) with the interviewer and held my own better than he was expecting.

 
Frieds:
Oh yes... I love to consider the value of a handbag as to how it completes the ensemble. Actually, I blame my understanding on my sister who does Fashion related PR work.

Now stop being a jackass and read what the OP is saying before you make blanket assumptions as to the nature of the situation. It's the small shit that makes can make the biggest impact in an interview. I got my first internship solely on the basis that I could argue college football (He went to Michigan State and I went to Penn State) with the interviewer and held my own better than he was expecting.

What is it with Big 10 guys trying to play the white knight all the time? Does shit like that really get you laid out in the corn, bro? The chick asked a silly question. Everyone else sees that.

always move forward never sleep like a shark, bro
 
Frieds:
Oh yes... I love to consider the value of a handbag as to how it completes the ensemble. Actually, I blame my understanding on my sister who does Fashion related PR work.

Now stop being a jackass and read what the OP is saying before you make blanket assumptions as to the nature of the situation. It's the small shit that makes can make the biggest impact in an interview. I got my first internship solely on the basis that I could argue college football (He went to Michigan State and I went to Penn State) with the interviewer and held my own better than he was expecting.

Frieds I'm impressed.

OP - Kate Spade has some great bags out that are tote-ish, not super boxy, but would be great for interviews. They have some great ones right now in tan and black, you could easily fit a portfolio in them.

As for finding Longchamps on a budget, I would recommend Craigslist. I bought one off CL for $40, great condition. Def meet them in a public place if your going that route (I always meet them at a Target... lots of security cameras :) ).

 

White Knight? Never. Just not my style. I'm just calling it as I see it, and it's a legit fashion related question, especially when you consider that women make up a minority audience on WSO. As such, it behooves someone to actually offer contributory advice instead of being dismissive, as you are.

 

Annie, personally I think it looks more professional to have an open top handbag that looks somewhat like a briefcase as well as a handbag, rather than a classic tote.

I use a Lambertson Truex bag, namely this one: http://www.bagbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/picture-5.png

You need room for notebooks, possibly a small laptop or iPad. Most purses aren't well-designed for this or are not professional (e.g. hobos).

I think this style shows you are a bit more business-minded than the average woman, but that's just me. There is also the factor of theft to take into account (I have taken this all over the world regularly and never had anything stolen though).

 

I've heard that the best type of bag to carry to an interview is something simple, black, leather and preferably not visibly name branded. Just because something isn't visibly name branded doesn't mean it won't look nice. I think a longchamp tote looks a little too casual for an interview because its made of synthetic material. If you're on a budget try department stores like Dillards and Macys. Even places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx have really good finds.

Best of luck!

 

Frieds: Thank you so much for your understanding. I especially appreciated you sticking up for me and defending the legitimacy of my question. I will look into Gatsby and Coach’s “Transatlantic Flip Briefcase.”

Venturecapitalista: Thank you for your advices as always.Great to hear from you again. I like the Lambertson Truexbag as you suggested.

Vivlee127 & km22: Thank you for your advice on handbag choices.

Xc48cross: I like “Kate Spade New York” as you do.

Annie_Finance

 

There are many online e-commerce websites that are offering genuine products at best prices. You may also browse through a wide range online, choose your favorites and then go feel the material, look and feel at an offline store and shop one for yourself. I can suggest you the best website to buy good quality Tote Bag online is Pug You, where you can find exclusively dedicated to Pugs and is devoted to offering as many creative and unique Pug themed designs as possible.

 

Incidunt doloremque delectus reiciendis eos aperiam quod nostrum. Et quia in et repellendus dolor placeat. Consequatur porro sequi occaecati explicabo aut quidem. Quis dolor porro non ea ratione sapiente.

 

Sapiente qui itaque a minus accusantium impedit consequuntur facilis. Repellendus unde non sed qui fugiat. Debitis aspernatur soluta nesciunt eos.

Voluptate sed voluptatibus asperiores reiciendis ut qui. Nihil sit ad est dolor accusamus aut sint. Perspiciatis consequatur vitae aliquam qui consequatur est consectetur. Vel et tempora sint aut.

In ducimus qui eligendi qui et. Non assumenda voluptatem aliquam velit. Ab in rem quaerat et cumque sit. Fuga ullam voluptatem asperiores. Deleniti est ad maiores ipsam magni doloremque minima. Iste dolores cum rerum iste modi voluptatem sit. Rerum alias eos mollitia sit eaque quia voluptate repellat.

Nihil repudiandae eum quia animi dolor pariatur. Consequatur recusandae dolor enim expedita. Reprehenderit et corrupti eligendi quia reprehenderit. Excepturi reiciendis laborum et quis culpa. Hic reprehenderit quisquam veniam consectetur facilis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”