For business women today creating a polished professional image is as much a key to their success, as their experience and skill sets. We've all seen movies like Working Girl where the secretary has far more flair and natural ability than her bosses, but is only taken seriously once she abandons her big hair and transforms her image to be well-groomed and elegantly dressed. Unfortunately this clich� is all too true in the work place and we all still have to dress to impress to get to the top.

These days you no longer have to renounce femininity to look professional. Gone are the days when a woman had to dress like a man to be successful. There are plenty of smart and elegant styles that a professional woman can make her own and when it comes to work bags she is no longer restricted to carrying a masculine briefcase or attach� case.

Big handbags have now been fashionable for a few years and some styles adapt perfectly to being chic work bags, taking on the briefcase role with far more panache and style than a briefcase could ever muster.

Instead of a briefcase a savvy professional woman can carry a structured tote, one which is well designed with plenty of pockets and compartments to keep her things in order. Look for totes that are the perfect size to fit papers and laptop.

Avoid the casual style of unstructured hobos for work bags, as though they are roomy they give off a relaxed, casual vibe that fits better with weekend and leisure time.

Professionals in creative industries can often get away with bright colors and more casual styles, but if you work in a more traditional business stick to the neutral classic colors. You can never go wrong with black for a work bag, but also look at other restrained neutrals, like this year's fabulous serpentine grey, a warm brown or the off-white tones of bone.

It makes sense to invest in a good quality bag when you have gone to the trouble of polishing the rest of your look. It doesn't have to be a designer bag with a five figure price tag though. Look for authentic luxury handbags that are hand-made by reputable companies. For a sleek stylish look consider investing in a bag made from an exotic leather, which will add a sophisticated note to your image. An elegant tote in ostrich or crocodile leather speaks of taste and discernment, it says that you appreciate quality and choose the best.

Exotic leathers like ostrich are considerable lighter to carry than a similar bag in calf skin, so that you can fill your ostrich tote with papers without being in danger of straining your back! They are also extremely tough, so will stand up to everyday use and still look good.

Check the size of your bag before you buy. You want to make sure that it is big enough to fit papers and your work essentials, but too big and it becomes less professional in look, beside the fact that it will weigh you down, potentially cause back problems and as soon as fashions change will start looking ridiculous. Your professional bag should be a classic, an investment that will last you for years and will put across the message that you and your work are also solid investments that can be relied upon.

About the Author

Kit Heathcock is a freelance writer contributing to Gleni the Italian luxury handbag maker's website. Read more on tote bags or start looking for your luxury professional handbag now.

Check out this handbag!