Choosing a medical bag is a very special and personal decision. And it’s not an easy one with a range of options varying widely in functionality, ethical values and price. So, we have assembled a list with the best medical bags for women in healthcare to help you find the right one for you.

Besides being an essential part of your daily equipment, your medical bag forms an image to the world and shapes people’s first impressions of you as a professional. It is important to choose one that provides all the functionality you need for your job, but also reflects your personality, style, and values.

Also, sustainable fashion is increasingly high on many people’s radars as we become more aware of our consumer society’s damaging impact on the world. That is why we have included both traditional leather options as well as alternatives to real leather in our list of the best medical bags for women in healthcare.

Traditional leather “Gladstone bags” have long been the iconic carry case of the medical profession. Here are a few of our favourite doctor’s bags for women.

If traditional luxury real leather is what you are after, the Maxwell-Scott “DonniniL” is a strong contender. Handmade in Italy from vegetable tanned leather, it is traditional in appearance, lockable, large and sturdy enough to carry lots of equipment. For lovers of the classical Gladstone doctor’s bag, this is an investment that has both style and longevity.

This bag, although modelled by a woman, is very masculine and, like most Gladstone bags contains a single central space in which to carry everything. Practically, the lack of individual pockets can result in a frustratingly tangled heap of intertwined stethoscope, BP monitor tubing, tourniquet, and scattered sample bottles.

At £539, it is in the top price bracket on our list of best medical bags for women. But its quality is guaranteed for 25 years.

A more feminine version of the traditional leather Gladstone bag is the “Monalisa” by Tuscany Leather. This classical hand carry case exudes vintage charm. Detailed metalwork and stitching add a touch of glamour.

Unfortunately, its width is only 14 cm, making it a little on the small side. However, it might do if you don’t take much on your home visits. Like the other Gladstone bag, there are few compartments to separate and organise equipment. It retails at £292.56

Ok, we admit this is a bit tongue-in-cheek. But whilst a wide range of traditional, real leather doctors’ bags are available (price range £200-£500+), we couldn’t resist mentioning this one from Etsy, purely for the amusement factor. Although we can appreciate the view, we are utterly bemused by the model’s “outfit” and the reason he is positioned so precariously on top of a mountain! However, we’re certain he will be in desperate need of a doctor if he leans back any further.

This bag had to be included in our list of the best medical bags for women as we are utterly besotted with these gorgeous little doctor’s bags by the Cambridge Satchel Company. They are cutest things and we want one in every colour! Sadly, they’re not really designed for doctors. Absolutely far too tiny to consider being useful for a home visit. The size guide says they can accommodate a stethoscope and a banana!

However, if you want to take one out for a working lunch, they cost £498.

The vegan handbag industry has grown rapidly in recent years due to increased public awareness of animal cruelty, high carbon footprint and toxic tanning chemicals used in the real leather industry. Here are a few of our favourite sustainable work bags for female doctors and healthcare professionals.

When it comes to the best medical bags for women, this faux leather doctor’s bag from Etsy is a good option if you’re looking for a basic, traditional style work bag and would rather avoid animal leather. It is available in brown, with blue lining, has a substantial, single central storage space, and fastens with a magnetic clasp.

At £81.98 it doesn’t break the bank, but it doesn’t win any fashion awards either. This bag is the definition of playing it safe while being environmentally friendly.

This bag definitely stands out! It’s cheap, light, and functional. It is a good size and has loads of compartments to separate your medical equipment. It even includes an ampoule holder for 43 ampoules. The designers have thoughtfully added backpack straps for ease of carriage and better weight distribution. It really does have everything you need to hold all necessary equipment for General Practice, and only costs £80.39.

So, are there any problems at all? Well, it’s not exactly pretty, is it? No one can argue with the functionality of this bag, but it is not aesthetically desirable – at all!

IYASU is a new range of luxury, vegan medical bags which have been designed by female doctors for female doctors. They are available in 6 beautiful styles and a range of contemporary colours to reflect your personality.

At IYASU, we recognise that you don’t only care about your patients, but also about the world. So our bags are made with eco-friendly materials including recycled plastic bottles and vegan leather. Even better, 5% of our profits go to charities which fund education and healthcare. And to celebrate and support women in healthcare, the bags are named after inspirational, pioneering women in medicine.

IYASU bags are not only beautiful on the outside, but they are functional on the inside. They have multiple pockets to carry essential medical equipment, and each contains a quilted laptop pocket. Also, they are available as both handbag and backpack style – so you can choose what suits you best.

Check out our IYASU range now.