The 15 Best Shoulder Bags for Women of 2024

A beautiful shoulder bag is an important accessory for any woman. Handbags and clutches offer a classic appearance but shoulder bags are handier for people who work in environments where remaining hands-free is a priority.  Research shows that both men and women have used shoulder bags at some stage in their life. Shoulder bags made of leather with longer straps are an easier and more alluring fashion. Travelers prefer having them during their trips because they offer adequate space for their belongings and allow faster access.

In fact, best shoulder bags for women are among the safest and convenient ways of carrying important stuff. Thieves will have a hard time snatching your shoulder bag. They will also keep your hands free for the self-defense part. The market offers many shoulder bags and the shopping part can be trickier for people who do not know the features to look for or what to buy. This guide will take you through the features you have to look for when shopping for the best and cheap shoulder bags for women.

Key Considerations When Buying a Womens Shoulder Bag

Distributors are always introducing new shoulder bag options for women. However, you should not go for any that they produce. Base your selection of the best shoulder bag for women on your needs. Here are some of the things to look for when shopping for one.

  • Organized sections: Did you know that the contents of your shoulder bag, particularly those on the largest side, are likely to shift each time you lean, bend or twist? However, the problem is unlikely to take place when the shoulder bag has interior and exterior pockets in addition to zippered compartments that can keep each essential in its allotted space. Compartments also allow the user to find things easily each time they need them. The organized sections will prevent the weight of your bag from puling continuously on the shoulder at different angles.
  • Accessibility: Unlike handbags, you will have to set the shoulder bag on a flat surface and use your two hands to open it when accessing your essentials. Some women choose to reach into them when wearing them. So, if you are among them, you will have to choose a bag featuring simple closure systems that are both secure and easy to open. The zippers have to glide smoothly when using one hand because the other hand will be keeping it steady.The snap straps that loop across the bag have to be secure and easier to open. You might need to go for shoulder bags with magnetic closure or Velcro closures on the inside sections that allow both sides of your shoulder bag to meet at the middle portion. Some women will go for open shoulder bags because they are manageable and easier to open but they are not a good choice when security and privacy are a top consideration.
  • A quality strap: The performance of your shoulder bag will lie on the quality of straps. Some come with adjustable straps so that the user can lengthen them and keep the bag closer to the body. Even though that is not a necessary feature, it is important if the items you carry make the bag heavy.

Here are the leading women shoulder bags in the market today:

Best Overall: Kattee Women’s Vintage Genuine Leather Shoulder Bag

Best Overall: Kattee Women's Vintage Genuine Leather Shoulder Bag

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If you need a small shoulder bag that will hold your laptop and other items comfortably, go for the Kattee Women’s Vintage Genuine Leather Tote Shoulder Bag  15 inches laptop will fit in the bag properly. It provides two primary compartments that make up its interior with a middle divider, which offset to its one side. Therefore, one compartment is smaller than the other is. Use the large compartment to hold your large items like the wallet and calendar. The divider goes down to the bottom part, which means that things cannot slip down or cross into the smaller compartment. The zippered area is suitable for your lipstick and the other two pockets are suitable for your cellphone and other large items. Remember that the strap is removable and adjustable.

Best Value: Jack&Chris New Vintage Cow Leather Shoulder Bag

Best Value: Jack&Chris New Vintage Cow Leather Shoulder Bag

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The manufacturer uses premium leather, the same they use to make saddles. It is therefore thick and it will stand on its own including when it is holding nothing in it. Moreover, the distressed appearance adds to the beauty. Due to its large size, the shoulder bag will hold your laptop, books, notes, umbrella and the other things you use daily. The leather material will look better as you continue to use the bag. To keep the bag in its right shape, use a dry soft cloth to clean it whenever it gets stains.

Best For 15.6 Inch Laptop: SOLO Jay 15.6 Inch Leather Shoulder Bag

Best For 15.6 Inch Laptop: SOLO Jay 15.6 Inch Leather Shoulder Bag

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The SOLO Jay 15.6 Inch Leather Laptop Carryall Tote, Espresso is roomy and a convenient laptop carrier. It will hold all your essential college supplies such as a 2-inch binder, MacBook and 1-inch textbooks. However, it will be heavy if you include many things in it. On the exterior, it boasts a dark coffee color and the leather is supple and durable. The straps are wide and they will fit over your shoulders comfortably. The interior material and lining material are among the things you will love about its interior. Lastly, the manufacturer includes metal feet to protect the bottom part of the bag. You will enjoy the 5 years warranty.

Best For Travel: KPL 14 Inch Leather Purse Womens Shoulder Bag

Best For Travel: KPL 14 Inch Leather Purse Womens Shoulder Bag 

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The KPL 14 Inch Leather Purse Women Shoulder Bag Crossbody Satchel Ladies Tote Travel Purse Genuine Leather is the wallet to carry when planning to explore the town, do some shopping, meet your friends for the afternoon coffee and attend the evening concert. The bag will handle all that and feel like it is not containing anything. The manufacturer includes 2 front pockets for easier access to the important items and 1 inner pocket for convenience. They use solid brass hardware and a push-lock closure. The adjustable shoulder strap will keep the bag closer to your body when in crowds and the 2 internal zipper pockets will keep your documents, tablets, iPad or iPhone safe.

Best Retro: Firu-Handmade Women’s Brown Leather Crossbody Shoulder Bag

Best Retro: Firu-Handmade Women's Brown Leather Crossbody Shoulder Bag

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If you want to upgrade from a small size bag to one that offers several pockets or something small and offering enough room for your everyday carry, the Firu-Handmade Women Vintage Style Genuine Brown Leather Crossbody Shoulder Bag Handmade Purse is a good choice. After receiving the shoulder bag, some of the things that are likely to make you happy include the quality material and the color. You can use it as a women’s tote bag, ladies’ purse, diaper bag, a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag. It offers study buckles to hold your phones, tablets or other routine stuff and wallets. The 2 small pockets will comfortably hold your small items like cash and pins. It will form a great gift for your friends and relatives too.

Best Lightweight: Sunny Snowy Laptop Tote Bag Shoulder Bag

Best Lightweight: Sunny Snowy Laptop Tote Bag Shoulder Bag

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The Sunny Snowy Laptop Tote Bag is a good choice for people who have a laptop to carry daily. The manufacturer includes several division pockets along with sippers to allow storage of small items like cords and chargers without any fuzz. The laptop bag will double up as a quality tote bag for your short travels and daily convenience. The quality materials and construction make it a better choice than the highly-priced shoulder bags in the market. You will have 2 large compartments for your books and folders, a zippered pocket for your documents, keys, cell phone. The in front outside pocket will hold the items you use more often.

Best For School: ECOSUSI Ladies Vegan Leather Laptop Shoulder Bag

Best For School: ECOSUSI Ladies Vegan Leather Laptop Shoulder Bag

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The ECOSUSI Ladies Vegan Leather Laptop Bag for School Briefcase Crossbody Message Bag brings sturdy performance while maintaining its feminine appearance through the stunningly beautiful exterior design. The manufacturer uses faux leather along with the lining fabric to ensure that it is smooth and the handle is durable. It offers 1 huge compartment, 2 small compartments and 1 zippered compartment. In addition to the roomy compartments, the shoulder bag will hold your iPad, cell-phone and any other personal stuff. The bag will provide you with a great appearance.

Best Waterproof: NOTAG Women Waterproof Shoulder Bag

Best Waterproof: NOTAG Women Waterproof Shoulder Bag

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The NOTAG Crossbody Bag for Women Waterproof Shoulder Bag comes in purple color, which makes it one of the most beautiful. It will come in handy if you have various toiletries, lotion and some other small items to carry during your short car trips. In fact, it will replace your old purse. It has 1 zipper compartment on the backside, 3 zipper compartments on its front side and 2 side pockets on its inside that allow easier sliding in and out of the small stuff like lotions. Due to the used sturdy material, the wallet will stand without falling. And due to the great quality, the cleaning part is also easy.

Best Style: DTBG Laptop 15.6 Inch Women’s Shoulder Bag

Best Style: DTBG Laptop 15.6 Inch Women's Shoulder Bag

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The DTBG Laptop Tote Bag looks great, is made of great material and practically a laptop shoulder bag. The shoulder bag is lightweight and boasts a stylish design. That is because the manufacturer uses quality nylon material, which is scratchproof and water-resistant, to make it. The bag is more attractive, spacious, lightweight and practical for travelers, shoppers and professionals. You will have separate compartments for your 15 inches laptop and iPad. The hook, soft foam and loop fastener will keep your laptop safe. You will have 2 slots for pens, 4 slim pockets for name cards, credit cards and debit cards, 3 big pockets for your power bank, phone and notepad. The back big pocket is ideal for lipstick, perfume bottle, wallet, papers, folders, books and skincare.

Best Design: Realer Shoulder Bags for Women

Best Design: Realer Shoulder Bags for Women

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One of the first things you will notice about the Realer Shoulder Bags for Women is the excellent straps, which comes as long and short, thick and not wimpy when folded. The manufacturer includes classy hardware to match the design and quality material. You will have heavy-duty zippers on the outside pocket, middle of the bag and on the 2 small pockets situated on each side of this shoulder bag. You will also love the pockets for gate cards and car keys. The manufacturer lines the inside part with a thin material that is seemingly strong. You can use it as a gift for that special person.

Best for Organization: Sunny Snowy 15 Inch Laptop Shoulder Bag

Best for Organization: Sunny Snowy 15 Inch Laptop Shoulder Bag

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If you need a shoulder bag that you can easily carry when it is holding nothing, the 15 Inch Laptop Tote Bag is a perfect choice. You just need to fold it three times more like a roll around 3 inches wide. If you have its straps hanging, you will just need to tuck them in and secure the shoulder bag along with its straps with something that can prevent unrolling. The bag weighs 0.88 pounds, which means that it is a perfect handbag, tote bag, travel tote bag or shoulder bag. The producer divides the interior space into two sections. The first compartment will hold a wallet, books or tablet and the second compartment is ideal for your laptop. It is padded to keep the computer safe. The interior lining, front zipper and 2 multifunctional pockets allow easier access to the extra storage for mouse, phone, credit cards, cash and passports.

Best For Work:  Gonex Women Laptop Shoulder Bag

Best For Work:  Gonex Women Laptop Shoulder Bag

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The Women Laptop Tote Bag is a good choice for people who want to travel moderately. It comes with a sturdy handle and it is properly stitched. It will hold everything that you would want in a 15.5 inches purse including your laptop, power brick, wallet, phone, toiletry bag, business cards, pens, and ereader. You may also include some socks in the compartments. If you need to carry anything more, then you need a large tote or backpack. The tablet and laptop compartment have thick soft foam padding, which offers additional protection in case of accidental bumps, impacts and fall. It will protect your computer from scratches.

Best For Business: MOSISO Laptop Shoulder Bag for Women

Best For Business: MOSISO Laptop Shoulder Bag for Women

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The MOSISO Laptop Tote Bag for Women looks like one of the highly-priced shoulder bags for women. It is made of great materials; it is super sturdy and it will hold everything safely. Just like the photos show, the bag is both professional and sleek. It boasts long straps that will help you carry the bag on your shoulders without the need for the included single strap. The premium PU leather material will protect your devices from accidental impacts, bumps and scratches. It offers an adequate room with 3 pockets and3 compartments for your everyday carry. Use the exterior pocket to keep your keys and mobile safe and easier to reach.

Best for Functionality. Angelkiss Womens Shoulder bag

Best for Functionality. Angelkiss Womens Shoulder bag

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The shape and white blotches make the Angelkiss Women’s Handbags Multi-pocket Functional Women’s Purse attractive. The stitching work is perfectly done and not sloppy. You will love the soft material and how it collapses each time, you place it on a bench. It features 8 functional pockets, including 2 small pockets on the front side to hold large items like apples or oranges. It is, therefore, an ideal for daily use such as dating, shopping, traveling and working. You will have 1 back zipper pocket to place the items you use more often on the exterior and 2 main zipper compartments on the inside to help organize your items. It is large enough to hold your wallet, iPad, books and mobile phones.

Best For Vegan: KROSER Laptop Tote Bag 15.6 Inch Large Shoulder Bag

Best For Vegan: KROSER Laptop Tote Bag 15.6 Inch Large Shoulder Bag

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The KROSER Laptop Tote Bag 15.6 Inch Large Shoulder Bag will hold your laptop properly and accommodate many other items. The manufacturer uses high-quality PU leather and waterproof nylon to make it and it is therefore among the durable shoulder bags. The bag offers several pockets to meet your daily needs. After buying it, your iPad, laptop, cards, accessories and wallets will remain in place throughout the day. It features 1 large compartment for umbrella, notebook and some other small items, 1 padded compartment for your 15.6 inches laptop, 1 iPad compartment, 2 pen slots, 1 wall zippered pocket for your business cards, wallet and other valuables, 4 slip pockets for glasses, cell phone and mouse in addition to 1 front pocket for the coins and keys.

About Clarisa Mane

Clarisa Mane
Clarisa is a freelance writer who specializes in product reviews alongside other writing niches. Her areas of specialization when it comes to product reviews include but are not limited to Baby items, women’s clothing, makeup, kitchenware, and accessories among other interesting topics. She is an avid reader of biographies and science fiction. When she is not behind her computer working, she is in the kitchen experimenting with different recipes.