Pack Your Lunch in Style With These 3 Fashionable Lunch Bags
Sep 09, 2022
Miss the days of My Little Pony and Barbie lunch boxes? So do we! While not all women might have the confidence to carry their lunch or snacks in a lunch bag emblazoned with their favorite cartoon character, there are plenty of stylish options that might fit in a bit more with an adult wardrobe. These cute lunch bags will fit in everywhere from the cafeteria to a park picnic to the office break room.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PACKING YOUR LUNCH?
For starters, the cost savings can’t be denied. A $20 chopped salad can easily be put together for much less at home, while a large-format dinner makes a great leftover lunch the next day.
The health benefits are great, too. There’s no debate that dining out usually means more sodium and more unhealthy food preparation. But at home, you can control how your food is made, avoiding allergens or sticking to keto principles, gluten-free meals, or whatever specifics you need.
And while we’re the last to recommend a sad desk lunch, avoiding the time in long lines at the corner sandwich shop or taco truck means you can spend more time chatting with coworkers in the lunch room or taking a walk on a nice day. Plus, your lunch is ready to eat when you are!
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A LUNCH BAG
Lunch boxes used to be purely functional: a plastic rectangle that snapped shut or a paper bag rolled up. These days we have better technology to help with food safety, such as insulated lunch bags that are a must to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot until you’re ready to eat. Specifically, to avoid the growth of dangerous bacteria, the USDA recommends keeping foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit or below 40 degrees if they’ll be out of the fridge or oven for more than two hours. An insulated liner, especially when paired with ice packs, can help keep both leftovers and prepared lunches cool out of the fridge until you get to work or are ready for lunch on the go, making sure your food stays safe and fresh.
Other must-haves? A padded carry handle or shoulder strap; pockets for stashing snacks, napkins, or silverware; and a BPA-free liner that makes cleaning any leaks or spills a breeze.
And most importantly, you need to find a bag that fits your needs. If you’re just packing some snacks, something small and lightweight might be best. But if you’re heading out for the day, you might prefer a more spacious bag for lunch plus snacks, with an extra pocket for silverware and accessories. Bonus points if it can attach to a bag you’re already carrying.
Lunch boxes are also no longer the square things of the past; you can find one in a chic design if style is another must-have feature for you. Get something that matches your favorite outfit or just something you think is cool.
So how do you find your perfect lunch fashion match? Think about where you’re taking your lunch bag. If it’s just to the park or on the trail, you only need to think about what might look cool to your lunchmates or reflect your style. But if you’re toting it to the office, you’ll probably want to consider a look that’s more professional. (Unless you’re in a creative field, where perhaps a lunch bag that shows off your quirky side is welcome!) Either way, even just picking a fun color can help your lunch bag stand out among the others in a crowded office refrigerator. Headed to class instead? Then pick the pattern that speaks to you—or maybe one in your school colors.
No matter what you select, you can’t go wrong with a cute lunch bag that makes a style statement. Or pick up bags in a range of patterns to make sure you have one to match every outfit!
THE BEST LUNCH BAG FOR KEEPING THINGS COOL
The Super Snack has that classic cooler design, with enough vertical space (nine inches!) to stack several containers or even stash a six-pack for a camping trip. The flip top reveals a structured main compartment insulated with a BPA-free lining that will wipe clean easily. You can carry this classic lunch bag via its padded top handle or sling it over your shoulder with a longer adjustable strap, complete with sliding comfort pad. An easy-access front pocket can store napkins, silverware, straws, or other slim accessories.
The Super Snack boasts a recycled fabric exterior in three classic solid colors—Black, Pastel Lilac, and Navy—that wouldn’t look out of place in a more conservative office setting.
THE BEST LUNCH BAG FOR TRAVEL
Speaking of stylish, the Lunch Break bag comes in 11 cute patterns and colors. Floral fans will gravitate to the Neon Daisy design. Despite its bold name, the soft pink color and subtle flowers promise not to clash with your dress or blouse. If you’re looking for something darker and more moody than the Neon Daisy, you can rock the out-of-this-world Cyberspace Galaxy pattern with its gorgeous shades of purple, green, and blue. If you want to be more neutral while on the go, grab one of the solid colors like Misty Rose, Juniper, Navy, and Black.
Chic designs aside, what makes this cute lunch bag our top pick for travel? The Lunch Break’s angled zip opening gives it a lay-flat design that allows it to double as a tray for meals on the go. The structured main compartment has enough room to store your lunch inside, while on the outside, there is a zippered stash pocket to hold snacks or utensils. Of course, the lunch bag’s main pocket is insulated to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. The lightly padded top handle is comfortable for carrying wherever you’re headed; the webbed zipper pull makes for easy opening; and the exterior is made of recycled fabric. The Lunch Break has a slim profile at only three inches wide, which makes it easy to slip it into your bag for the day.
THE BEST LUNCH BAG FOR PACKING EXTRA
If you’re gearing up for a day hike, packing for a picnic, or just getting ready for a marathon work day or study session, you’ll want a larger lunch bag that has plenty of room to keep all your food insulated. The Big Break Lunch Bag lives up to its name; this cute mini backpack-style bag has an extra-roomy insulated main compartment. At 10 inches by 7.5 inches by five inches, it can fit several food storage containers for lunch, plus snacks and a drink—or whatever you might need to pack for a long day!
The cute backpack-style zippered front pocket has plenty of storage real estate in its own right for utensils, napkins, wipes, antibacterial hand sanitizer, and more. You can easily carry the Big Break by its top handle, but a thoughtful Velcro closure also lets you attach it to your backpack or daypack so you can go hands-free while you’re scaling the mountain—or even just the subway stairs.
For a subtle look, this lunch bag comes in solid Black and Deep Juniper to complement your work wardrobe. But where it really shines is in the patterns Batik Wash and Cyberspace Galaxy come with some tie-dye vibes for that summer camp feel.
Inspired to start packing your lunch? Read about other ways you can practice self-care on a budget. What adventures are you taking your JanSport lunch bags on? Share on social media using #LifeUnzipped.
With additional reporting by: Nicole Price Fasig
