The Perfect Burgundy Office Backpack Handpicked by Claire

Burgundy does something a black backpack never quite manages for office wear: it reads as considered rather than default. The colour carries enough depth to work with tailoring and enough warmth to avoid the slightly institutional feel of navy or black, which makes it the more interesting choice for anyone who wants their work bag to look chosen rather than grabbed off a shelf. The shade itself does a lot of the work here, so it needs to be right. Look for a burgundy with some brown or plum in it rather than one veering towards bright cherry or maroon; the richer, muddier tones age better and go with more of what’s already in a working wardrobe.

Structure matters more than people expect from a bag. A good one holds its shape when half empty, which usually means a stiffened base and a back panel with some rigidity rather than a floppy canvas sack.

Look at how it sits against the body: a flat, structured back that doesn’t bell out is what stops it looking like sportswear the moment it’s on.

Leather or a substantial vegan leather with a slight grain holds up to daily use far better than smooth, thin finishes, which crease and dull quickly under constant handling. Hardware should be understated, brushed rather than shiny, and the straps need proper width and padding if the bag is doing a commute rather than a five minute walk to a desk.

Styling it is straightforward once the bag itself is right. It sits comfortably against tailored trousers, a longline coat, and the kind of knitwear that looks put together without trying, and it has the useful effect of softening a sharp, structured office outfit without undercutting it. Against grey, camel, black or navy it becomes the point of colour without shouting for attention, which is exactly the register office dressing needs. It also works harder than a handbag on days that involve a laptop, a change of shoes, or documents that need to survive a train platform.

This is a category worth spending on rather than replacing yearly. The right one earns its keep through five day weeks, client meetings, and the unglamorous business of getting to and from work looking like someone who has their day under control.