It’s an all-too-relatable workday scenario: You’re digging through a seemingly bottomless pit of a bag for an item you’re desperately hoping you didn’t leave at home. And whether you did or didn’t, who needs the stress of those clutter-tastrophes, especially when all it takes to streamline your bag are a few strategic accessories? From cleverly designed cord keepers to zippered shoe sacks, these are professional organizers’ top picks to help you take control of your work tote.

No organization system is exactly right for every person, which is why the Grid-It Organizer bundle—recommended by Jeffrey Phillip, an interior designer and professional organizer based in New York City—comes with gridded panels in three sizes, all of which fit easily in a standard work bag. Each has multiple elastic strap slots to secure practically any work essentials: cellphones, chargers, pens, lip balm and more. (Even a single bobby pin stayed put when we shook the Grid-It to try it out.) 

Like a grown-up spin on your middle-school Trapper Keeper, the Smead gray felt file folder expands to 2 inches: It was big enough for us to store a thick 150-page spiral-bound notebook, with room to spare. Even in this digital age, there are always useful printouts and reference materials, and “this folder keeps any paperwork you might have to carry clean and organized,” says Julie Naylon, founder of Los Angeles professional organizing firm No Wire Hangers.

If you want to not only have important papers at the ready, but also store necessities like chargers, pens and notebooks all in one portable spot, the roomy, felt-lined clipboard case from Vaultz is the answer, according to Yukti Gupta, founder of Brooklyn professional organizing company Dr. Ace of Space. With mesh pockets and a locking latch, it’s also a handy place to tuck away valuables like jewelry or small devices like tablets. We were able to fit a 13-inch laptop inside.

With a slot for a laptop, a pocket for sunglasses, a stretchable strap that’s sized just right for reusable water bottles or coffee tumblers, and plenty of room for other essentials, Cuyana’s stylish leather insert slips right into your tote bag to add additional compartments instantly. Phillip is a fan of its “elevated and minimalist look” and practicality. “Whether you’re carrying an L.L. Bean tote or a Celine bucket bag, this insert will protect the inside from the likes of leaking pens and water bottle perspiration,” he says. Stains on its own microsuede exterior are easy to wipe clean. 

The common commuter switcheroo—swapping out sidewalk-friendly sneakers for office-ready heels—puts your germ-covered footwear in close contact with your valuables, which isn’t ideal. But neither is having to tote along a second bag just for your shoes. That’s why Los Angeles-based organizer Tanisha Lyons-Porter, founder of Natural Born Organizers, recommends Away’s Shoe Cube. It has a handle atop the zip-up nylon pouch for easy removal from your bag, and a mesh pocket inside is roomy enough to stash socks or even a second pair of backup shoes. 

Pouches allow you to organize important items by size and category, points out Phillip, who recommends Truffle’s Privacy Multi-Tasking Pouch Set. The sleek mix of four, from pencil-case size to big enough to hold an 11-inch tablet, is available in earthy blush and brown colorways in addition to the black we tested. A Teflon-coated exterior on each pouch makes it durable and spill-resistant, and the recycled leather detailing on the zipper, trim and pockets of the larger two keeps the pieces from veering too sporty. 

Need to see your essentials at a glance? The transparent Marie Kondo Kawaii Accessory Pouch Set is what Neylon uses for that reason, citing the added benefit of color-coded zip closures. “You can have a separate category for each bag,” she points out; “for example, makeup, medical supplies and office gear.”

Keep cords and cables from unauthorized entanglements with the Leatherology Small Cord Wrap Set suggested by Milwaukee-based Ashley Hines, founder of the organizing service Thee Tailored Life. Like little billfolds for your tech accessories, these luxe-feeling leather wraps (which come in a set of four) feature a magnetic closure—a strong one—which makes accessing your USB cord, Lightning cable, headphones or other charging accessories a headache-free task.

Waterproof and easy to wipe clean, Dagne Dover’s versatile Dry Bag is the perfect place to stash whatever needs compartmentalizing or concealing. “You can keep damp gym clothes separate from everything and nobody has to know what is inside,” says Porter, or use it to hold an extra sweater for a chilly office. The adjustable roll-top includes a plastic clasp closure, making its easy to maneuver into a handle or a stylish jar-style brim.

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