Boatkin-style bags are chic, structured, and the season’s best-kept secret. These budget-friendly finds bring designer vibes without the splurge.
You know the one. It’s structured but relaxed. Has top handles like a tote, a slight slouch like a bucket, and the quiet polish of something your Upper East Side aunt might’ve carried in the ’90s—without feeling vintage. The Boatkin bag is what happens when utility and quiet luxury meet.
We’ve seen versions upwards of $1,200, but it’s possible to get that same unfussy, elevated shape for under $100. Below, our favorite Boatkin-style bags at accessible price points—including a classic from L.L.Bean—and how we’d carry them all over NYC this fall.
Why the Boatkin Bag Works
- Top-handle structure gives it a polished profile—even when soft-sided
- Roomy without being oversized—ideal for carrying what you need, not what you’ll forget you brought
- Leather or canvas makes it seasonless—switch the palette, not the silhouette
- Feels wearable, not trendy—perfect for minimalists who still want shape
Boatkin-Style Bags Under $100
Madewell Essential Medium Bucket Tote
Technically over $100, (but often marked down)
and worth mentioning. Has the softness and structure of a Boatkin, especially in Deep Indigo.
$148.99 Shop here
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote® Open-Top
The OG. Waxed canvas. Built to carry logs, groceries, or—more realistically—your phone, cashmere wrap, and magazine. Comes in multiple sizes and colors.
$39.95 Shop here
How We’re Carrying Ours in NYC This Fall
Coffee in Tribeca
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote (in navy) with a camel trench, ankle boots, and an oversized scarf. Minimalist but grounded.
- Grab a flat white at Laughing Man Coffee on Duane Street. Sit outside if it’s sunny and people-watch with your tote tucked beside you.
Strolling Central Park
Waxed Continental Rucksack thrown over one shoulder with a cashmere sweater and cuffed jeans. Easy and weatherproof.
- Enter at 72nd and head toward Bethesda Terrace. Stop for a croissant at Maman on Columbus Ave before you go.
Dinner in the Village
Madewell suede Boatkin tucked against a blazer and vintage denim. The structure makes it feel considered, even with sneakers.
- Book a table at I Sodi or Via Carota. The vibe? Sophisticated but not try-hard. The bag says exactly that.
Chelsea Gallery Hop
Everlane cactus tote paired with tonal trousers and a striped sweater. Clean lines, clean conscience.
- Start at David Zwirner, swing by Gagosian, and then head to Cookshop for a late lunch or a glass of wine.
Afternoon Book Browsing in Nolita
Portland Leather tote with soft-washed denim and a button-down. Perfectly undone.
- Spend an hour flipping through titles at McNally Jackson, then pop into Café Gitane for Moroccan couscous and a mint tea.
Evening Drinks on the LES
Suede tote or waxed canvas bag, worn with a leather jacket and heeled boots.
- Sip something moody at Bar Belly or Reception Bar—both have the right amount of cool without trying too hard.
Related Articles to Explore
- KOZAKH Jewelry and What We Wore in NYC This Fall
- Summer to Fall in Nantucket: The Ultimate Packing Guide
- Packing Guide: Saint-Tropez and Biarritz
The Boatkin-style bags are practical, a little nostalgic, and surprisingly good at pulling a look together without much effort. And that’s exactly why we’re carrying it—from the West Village to the Upper East Side, and everywhere in between.
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