5 Cute-But-Functional Shoulder Bags That Can Fit Your Heavy-Duty Laptop—And Other School Essentials

Traversing college is fun. You get to pursue your dream program, meet new people who add to your circle, and join orgs that will help you learn skills beyond what your course could offer. An eventful college life means that your Google Calendar is fully booked and you cling to your laptop to keep your tasks organized—and done on time. But how could you fit your 13-inch gaming laptop into your bag alongside your other school necessities, while still being stylish and cute?

As an art student who has to commute and bring my laptop everywhere to work on my school and internship requirements, backpacks are just not it. 😔 Maybe it's just me, but a pair of heels and my trusty Kanken bag definitely don't match in my book of OOTDs. Instead, I've found these five cute and functional shoulder bags that hit two birds with one stone. Expensive? Yes… But they are definitely worth the splurge, IMO!

Baggu is known for their collabs with brands like Hello Kitty and Sandy Liang. Beyond the partnerships, their original designs have proven to be cute and functional. Take the Nylon Shoulder bag, for example. It's a great pick if you're looking for something simple that allows you the freedom to personalize it with your own charms and keychains. This is essentially the best bag to bring around when it's raining outside, as its nylon material is naturally water-resistant. You can find it in Certified Calm physical stores and on their website.

The Archive Bowler is perfect for the girlies who love the fall academia aesthetic! Lullaby Run is a local brand known to use genuine leather for its bags and is a must-have for retro-academia lovers. The belt detail on the bag is not only cute, but also functions as a luggage sleeve, perfect for traveling! Make sure to check out their official website for more details.

If you want to spend less, but also need multiple bags of different sizes, then the Multi-Way Tote is for you. This Paper Bunny bag can be converted and folded into four sizes that adapt to your day-to-day activities. It is made out of a water-resistant canvas that comes in ten super cute colorways to choose from. If you want to see the bag in person before you buy it, you can visit the brand's physical store in BGC. Be warned, though: A bag may not be the only thing you're coming home with after your visit, since they also have cute planners and accessories you'll want to cop! 👀

IYKYK, Samo Ondoh is a well-known brand in Korea for its trendy designs that blend streetwear and luxury. The brand often uses artificial leather and minimal to no prints on their bags, but Le Belt Bag L (in stripes) is made out of cotton, rayon, and polyester—different from their usual style.

The Bow Bag, designed by Reese Collins Latonio, is popularly known for its huge bow. It's made from vegan leather with cotton lining, but he also has a denim version of the bag if you want a different material. The bag itself comes in three different sizes: mini, midi, and maxi in various colors. For college and your laptop, you'll definitely be needing the maxi. To order, just shoot Reese a DM on Instagram. Just a friendly PSA: watch out for his IG story announcements, because he sometimes opens slots for commissions and has pop-up stores in flea markets!