Katie Holmes wore a shearling-lined winter coat with a classic black tote bag, the timeless style Amal Clooney and Bella Hadid carry. Shop the no-fuss style from Coach, Kate Spade, Longchamp, Amazon, and more, starting at $50.

It’s a classic for a reason.

As much as I gravitate towards statement bags, I also know the importance of a classic, goes-with-everything one. A bag you can wear for and with everything is essential to a wardrobe, and while there are plenty to choose from—like a sleek black shoulder bag or simple crossbody—my personal favorite is the one Katie Holmes just wore.

The actress took on NYC’s winter weather wearing the most extra layer: a full-length, shearling-lined coat with the fuzziest collar. The jacket was such a statement that, for the outfit to work, the rest had to be really simple, so of course, she opted for a classic black tote bag. The style is timeless and practical; it works with your entire wardrobe and fits all of your daily essentials. There’s a reason everyone from Amal Clooney to Bella Hadid reaches for it. 

A black tote bag is the style you’ll find yourself wearing more than any other—IMO, it’s the white T-shirt of the purse world. Below, shop 10 of my favorite styles, including Katie Holmes-lookalikes, Bella Hadid’s exact style, and even a $50 pick.

10 Black Tote Bags

• $50 Deal: Apryl Work Tote Bag, $50 (Originally $60); amazon.com 
• Katie Holmes Lookalike: Everlane the Luxe Medium Italian Leather Tote Bag, $250; everlane.com
• Bella Hadid-Worn: Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag, $495; coach.com
• Zara Faux Leather Tote Bag, $60; zara.com 
• Kate Spade Phoebe Large Tote Bag, $169 (Originally $459); katespadeoutlet.com 
• Madewell the Essential Bucket Tote Bag, $178; madewell.com 
• Longchamp Medium Le Pliage Shoulder Tote Bag, $240; nordstrom.com 
• AllSaints Phoenix Leather Tote Bag, $299; nordstrom.com
• Cuyana Classic Easy Tote Bag, $268; cuyana.com 
• Tory Burch Romy Tote Bag, $568; toryburch.com 

Apryl Work Tote Bag

$60 $50 at Amazon

You can get the look for less at Amazon, where Apryl’s faux-leather tote bag is on sale for $50. But beyond the look, what I love about this style are its functional details, including a zip-top, laptop sleeve, and nine other pockets, including one designed specifically for your water bottle. While this might not be the most luxurious on the list, it definitely ranks among the most practical.

Kate Spade Phoebe Large Tote Bag

$459 $169 at Katespadeoutlet.com

If you want to up the quality without dramatically upping the price, you’ll want to consider Kate Spade’s Phoebe bag. This outlet store find is 63-percent off. But despite being marked down for less than $200, this is still a really nice bag; it’s made from soft leather, has two durable straps, and is finished with a classy turnlock closure.

Longchamp Medium le Pliage Shoulder Tote Bag

$240 at Nordstrom

Longchamp’s Medium le Pliage shoulder tote bag is a classic, shopper-favorite style. Many love the coated canvas it’s designed from, with Longchamp loyalists calling it a nice upgrade from the brand’s classic nylon styles. Others are obsessed with its size. The bag “is small and big at the same time,” wrote one person, with another explaining that it “fits everything” without being “too oversized.”

Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag

$495 at Coach.com

Coach’s viral, Bella Hadid-worn Brooklyn shoulder bag is my personal favorite. After months of coveting this bag, I finally got it and can confirm that it lives up to the hype. The leather is soft, thick, and durable but surprisingly doesn’t weigh down the bag. It also fits everything. I recently used it as my personal item because it could hold my laptop, water bottle, book, two magazines, toiletry bag, and cardigan. A nice bonus is that the style’s slouchy, oversized look is just plain cool.

A black tote bag is the no-fuss style you’ll wear on repeat, and Holmes, Clooney, and Hadid proved just how chic the practical style can be. Below, shop even more of my top picks.

Everlane the Luxe Medium Italian Leather Tote Bag

$250 at Everlane.com

Zara Faux Leather Tote Bag

$60 at Zara.com

Cuyana Classic Easy Tote Bag

$268 at Cuyana.com

Tory Burch Romy Tote Bag

$568 at Toryburch.com

Madewell the Essential Bucket Tote Bag

$178 at Madewell.com

AllSaints Phoenix Leather Tote Bag

$299 at Nordstrom