The L.L.Bean Boatkin Tote Is the Bag of the Moment

Spread the love

The L.L. Bean tote is having a fashion moment – here is how a decades-old canvas carryall became the new Boatkin, and how I am styling mine now.

It started with a photo. A candid of someone at Hotel du Cap, in a black maillot, sipping something citrusy, with the now-legendary Boatkin bag slung over her shoulder. Suddenly, the world remembered that summer bags didn’t have to be loud. They could be understated. Woven. Structured, but easy.

The Boatkin Bags: Red and Navy Trim

I have my own Boatkin bags just like these, one with red trim and one with navy trim.

Photo credit: L.L.Bean

A Brown Leather Tote for Fall: Tory Burch Lee Radziwill

My red- and navy-trim canvas bags above are still the casual starting point. For a more polished fall outfit, the Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Tote in Aged Tan takes the carryall idea in another direction: brown napa leather, a suede lining and a belt-and-clasp detail rather than canvas trim. This is a different bag, not an exact alternative to the ones in my photos.

Wear it with a cream knit, dark straight-leg jeans and brown boots for a town day, or a blazer and trousers for work. The brand lists room for a laptop up to 15 inches, three interior compartments, a back-wall zip pocket and protective metal feet. At 12.2 inches high, 16.5 inches long and 5.5 inches deep, it is a roomy tote, not a mini. Compare those measurements with your own bag and check the care guidance before taking leather and suede out in wet weather. Shop the Aged Tan Lee Radziwill Tote.

The Boatkin Bag

The Boatkin bag isn’t from a major fashion house or a storied European atelier. It’s the brainchild of Jen Risk, a Philadelphia-based creative and quiet luxury enthusiast, who also happens to be a descendant of the Vanderbilt family. What started as a passion project quickly became a sought-after icon. Jen posted the bag on her personal Instagram during a weekend in Antibes, and the ripple effect began.

If you like the navy trim on my own bag, browse the Mini Boatkin Canvas Tote Bag in Navy. This is a smaller style alternative, not the large bag in my photos. The mini is shown farther down this post so you can compare its proportions.

There was no influencer push. No mass distribution. Just good design, intentional styling, and the appeal of something that felt both timeless and new. The shape echoed vintage boat totes, but the details – raw raffia, top-handle structure, and monogram potential – gave it a polished edge.

The brown leather carryall above is the polished fall option. The J.Crew Berkeley suede shoulder bag in Coffee Bean is a deep brown carryall in soft suede, with a slim adjustable strap, gold buckles and a relaxed, slouchy shape that suits a cream-knit-and-jeans day. And the Madewell Signature Woven Tote in Coffee Bean gives a cream-knit-and-jeans outfit texture – real leather, not raffia, with an interior pocket, a 9.5-inch handle drop and an 11-inch-high, 17-inch-wide body.

Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Tote in Aged Tan Shop here
Photo credit: Tory Burch

J.Crew Berkeley Large Shoulder Bag in Suede Shop here
Photo credit: J.Crew

Madewell Handwoven Leather Tote Shop here
Photo credit: Madewell

A brown woven carryall gives the woven-bag idea a different season: wear it with a plain knit and dark jeans, or a white shirt and tailored trousers. The Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce bag is handwoven leather that softens beautifully over time, with the same quiet craftsmanship as the Boatkin bag but year-round wearability – seen on stylists from LA to Lisbon. The Cesta Collective lunchpail bag is made in Rwanda and finished in NYC: structured, architectural and endlessly photogenic, in neutral tones from a brand we love for its sustainable sourcing.

Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce Big Leather Tote Shop here
Photo credit: Dragon Diffusion

Cesta Collective Half Breton Lunchpail Shop here
Photo credit: Cesta Collective

Tory Burch Mini Perry Tote Shop here
Photo credit: Tory Burch

For a smaller bag, the Tory Burch Mini Perry tote in black has a zip closure, cotton lining and removable crossbody strap; at 5.5 inches high, 7.2 inches long and 3.7 inches deep it is for essentials rather than a laptop, and works with a white shirt and dark trousers. Don’t underestimate J.Crew’s accessories right now: the handwoven straw market tote is sturdy, clean and roomy enough for a towel, a magazine and whatever sunscreen is trending. The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Mini is the compact version of the classic canvas tote, measuring 7 inches high, 10 inches wide and 6 inches deep – a small essentials bag, not the full-size carryall in my travel photos.

J.Crew Como Woven Straw Tote Shop here
Photo credit: J.Crew

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Mini Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

Barbara Katz Luxey Mini Canvas Tote in Navy Shop here
Photo credit: Barbara Katz

How to Style Your L.L.Bean Boatkin Bag

In St. Tropez, we spotted woven bags everywhere – from Club 55 to Dior Cafe. The key is not overthinking it. Pair with a linen mini, oversize sunglasses, and leather slides. If you’re heading to Lake Como, lean into the minimalism: all-white outfit, sleek ponytail, a basket bag slung casually in the crook of your arm.

On a recent weekend in Montecito, I used the Loewe basket bag with jeans and a tank. It somehow made everything look considered. That’s the Boatkin energy.

The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote has also become my go-to for flights. It slides under the seat, holds more than it looks like it should, and fits right in whether you’re in Aspen or Amagansett.

Other Summer Travel Staples To Pair With Your Boatkin Bag:

L.L. Bean Small Accessories, Big Personality

If you’re leaning into the Boat and Tote look, don’t skip the extras. These little add-ons bring personality and practicality. L.L. Bean’s keychains are the perfect accent – clipped onto a handle, used as zipper pulls, or tossed into your bag for a touch of charm.

Some favorites worth adding:

L.L.Bean Tote Bag Key Chain in Red Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean Bean Boot Key Chain Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean Rubber Moc Key Chain Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

These aren’t just novelty pieces. They’re well made, durable, and give any bag – whether a Boatkin, a Tibi collab, or your classic L.L. Bean – a playful edge.

Also worth adding to your summer lineup: L.L. Bean’s Micro Boat and Tote Bag. It’s tiny, durable, and perfect for summer errands, essentials, or gifting.

L.L.Bean Wicked Good Slipper Key Chain Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean Micro Tote Keychain Shop here
Photo credit: L.L.Bean

Lily and Bean Medium Tote Insert Shop here
Photo credit: Lily and Bean

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no cost to you.

If you missed the Boatkin drop, don’t stress. What made it so good was its simplicity. And that can be found elsewhere – with better prices and quicker shipping.

Mini Boatkin Bags and Tote Keychains

The little details are part of the fun. Here are two more ways to get the canvas-tote look, from a tiny keychain to a navy mini bag.

L.L.Bean Tote Bag Key Chain in Red

The little canvas tote keychain is such a fun detail. This red version has a working zip and room for a tiny item such as lip balm. Check the ring attachment against your tote handle before adding it. shop the red tote keychain.

The Mini Boatkin Canvas Tote Bag in Navy

If you like the navy trim on my own bag, this is a mini version to browse. It is a smaller style alternative, not an exact match for my large tote. The natural canvas, navy trim and gold-tone hardware give it that same contrast. browse the navy mini tote.

Organizers for a Canvas Boatkin Tote

Lily & Bean Medium Tote Insert

An organizer makes an open tote easier to use. This canvas insert has compartments for keys, a phone and cosmetics. Measure your own bag before choosing it: the retailer lists width 30cm and height 10cm. Check the current delivery terms for your location too. browse the medium tote insert.

A red canvas tote to browse

If you like a structured Boatkin-style canvas tote bag, the Canvas & Clutch 35 cm option in red with black trim and gold-tone hardware is another direction. It is a separate style alternative, not the bag in my photos or an L.L.Bean collaboration. Check the measurements and seller before choosing. Shop the red canvas tote here.

For more ways to style a tote, read the fall canvas-tote outfit guide and totes with color, charms and character.

Looking for the best tote bags this season? A canvas tote bag is the everyday answer, a woven leather tote suits dinners and weekends away, and a suede shoulder bag is the cozy fall pick. For summer, a straw tote bag keeps things light, a mini tote bag handles errands, and designer tote bags in quilted leather or monogram canvas finish the line-up.

Luxe Totes to Shop Now

If the canvas carryall is your starting point, these four take the same easy shape into leather and monogram canvas. Each one holds a laptop and a day of errands.

Saint Laurent Icare Medium Quilted Shopper: Brown quilted nappa leather with the gold monogram front and center. The shopper shape is open and easy to load, so it works as a daily bag from the office to the weekend.
The Row Agnes 15 Calfskin Tote: A rounded, slouchy tote in soft brown calfskin with slim top handles and a zip closure. It looks best with simple knits and straight-leg trousers.
Gucci Giglio Large GG Canvas Tote: The classic GG canvas with the green and red stripe and black leather handles. It is the closest nod to the canvas carryall idea in this post, only more polished.