Ok I have a confession. I have a longchamp bag. It’s vey nice. It was great to throw in my suitcase because it folds up and takes up no space.
But honestly I love my nylon bagallini tote. It has tons of pockets and a padded pocket for laptops. I think I bought it for $30 at TJ Maxx.
I want to love the longchamp, really I do.
I can’t believe how much people spend on leather totes. I am currently using one I bought on ebags on clearance for about $65. It looks fine and has lasted well though it doesn’t have a fancy name.
My daughter had a number of Longchamp bags over the years but now prefers a bag made by Dagne Dover. She has several; they come in a multitude of styles, colors and fabrics. They hold up well. https://www.dagnedover.com
Then there are folks like me that hate multiple pockets on their bags because those just get filled with junk. 
The bag my cousin chose was by MZWallace. Besides the interior pockets, it came with a small inside pouch and 2 larger ones. She immediately said how one pouch could be used for her husband’s medical supplies. I bought the large Sutton, but when I looked it up, it shows only the small pouch. I guess I got lucky.
I see many young professional women carrying the Kate Spade bag linked up thread. I use a Longchamp tote often but there are things about it I don’t like. I would definitely want a bag that zippers- not sure if the Madewell bags noted above have a zipper though the leather is quite nice.
Whatever you decide it’s a really nice, thoughtful gift!
I bought a Furla leather tote in a beautiful deep blue that zipped across the top for myself but D2 was graduating and needed a tote for her new job and I offered it to her before I had a chance to use it. She used it daily for about 2 years but has since moved to a backpack. I looked for a link but couldn’t find the exact one; it looks fairly similar to the Kate Spade one. I found it at Nordstom Rack for $150 which was a great deal.
OP, I think you’ve come up with a very thoughtful gift. As will just about all gifts I give, I just like to make sure the gift is returnable in case my idea of what I think the recipient will want isn’t quite right.
@sabaray those Dagne Dover bags are beautiful.
Try the Coach outlet nearest you (may be online as well). I’ve had a couple from there, they are the perfect size for a full size notebook or binder, etc., have a zippered inside pocket and the handle straps are the perfect length. I’m sure the are faux leather, price at the outlet is around $125-150. Personally, I wouldn’t spend much more than that. My bags get throw around the car, placed on the floor during meetings, etc…the Coach bags have lasted years.
I second lo and sons. My daughter uses the Brookline and loves it!
FYI - Kate Spade is 30% off on their website.
Longchamp is hugely popular among 20- and 30-something women. That’s what I would choose.
I think it depends on where the user lives. In HI and LA, Longchamps is NOT popular in the circles my D and I frequent.
FYI - the black loandsons totes are 40% off.
Another FYI - the 13" saffiano tote weighs 2.5 pounds. That is about 1-1.5 pounds more than I find comfortable.
It really helps to know the precise dimensions of the contents the person plans to put in the bag so as to minimize disappointment in too big or too small a bag.
Such a personal decision. My 20 something daughter would NOT carry a Longchamp bag but does use a Madewell leather tote. Nothing wrong with either just different looks. Bottom line, if you don’t know her preference better to let her pick it out herself. It is a generous gift though, for sure.
How are you going to know the “precise dimensions” other than perhaps to know her current laptop size and if she carries files home??? I mean, what you take home one day isn’t what you drag home the next day…
“I think it depends on where the user lives. In HI and LA, Longchamps is NOT popular in the circles my D and I frequent.”
Thats a good point. The issue is whether there is a commute via public transportation and then walking real distances. When you do weight is a critical feature. Very few bags weigh as little as the longchamps. I think that’s it’s about how much one needs to carry that bag and for how long
I have more work bags than anyone should, but they all serve different purposes. My current favorite “all purpose” bags are the 13-inch Dagne Dover and the Tory Burch York buckle tote. Both of these hold a notebook and a few files, plus the stuff I would otherwise carry in purse.
For what it’s worth, here is a ranking of work totes…