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My Own Boatkin Bags and the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote
I own Boatkin bags with red and navy trim; you can see my photos in my Boatkin bags post. The bags pictured below are L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote, shown in the brand’s photos.
The personalized option: this Etsy seller’s canvas boat tote keeps the same shape and lets you put your own word or monogram on the front, from a single initial to an inside joke. Choose the natural canvas with navy trim for the classic look; the listing also offers zip-top and long-handle versions. Shop the tote
Shop the full collection: buy it here
Love the Boatkin look but want a different take? These six Boatkin totes bring the roomy tote shape and playful details into everyday outfits. One is chocolate faux suede with removable charms. Another is a cream-and-hot-pink boat bag with a tiny matching bag attached. Madewell adds warm caramel leather with a clever dog-clip closure, ANINE BING brings black grained leather with a belted front, and DÔEN keeps it relaxed in striped raffia.
This is a different direction from my L.L.Bean Boatkin post. Instead of another list of basic canvas totes, the focus here is on bags with personality: chocolate faux suede, hot-pink contrast trim, warm caramel leather, black grained leather, relaxed raffia and a hands-free L.L.Bean crossbody.
Six Boatkin Totes to Know
- For chocolate brown and removable charms: Steve Madden Leilani Bag Chocolate.
- For caramel leather that fits a laptop: Madewell Lexington Tote in Caramel.
- For a classic boat-tote shape with bright trim: Steve Madden Boat Bag Hot Pink.
- For black grained leather with a belted front detail: ANINE BING Elly Tote in Black.
- For a relaxed striped-raffia carryall: DÔEN Grande Harbour Tote.
- For a hands-free crossbody carry: L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Crossbody Plus.
Steve Madden Leilani Bag in Chocolate
The chocolate color is what makes this bag easy to style. Wear it with cream knitwear, straight-leg jeans and loafers, or let it soften an all-black outfit. It has a turnlock detail and expandable side gussets, so the shape feels more dressed up than a plain open tote.
The charm strap and bunny are removable. Keep them on for a playful weekend look, or take them off when you want the bag to look simpler. That gives you two very different moods without changing the bag.
Steve Madden lists the Leilani at 11.5 inches high, 14 inches wide and 7 inches deep, with room for a laptop, tablet, books and a water bottle. Laptop fit is the brand’s claim, not a packing test; check your device’s dimensions before buying. The material is faux suede, not leather. The care guidance says to avoid water and rain, so this is not a weatherproof travel tote.
Shop the Leilani Bag Chocolate
Madewell Lexington Tote in Caramel
The Lexington Tote is the everyday leather option in this edit. The warm caramel shade sits easily with denim and cream knits, and the softly structured shape keeps the roomy, open feel of a boat tote. Collapsible sides close with a dog clip that doubles as a key fob, and a magnetic snap keeps everything secure. It carries by comfortable shoulder straps and fits a laptop, a large water bottle, phone, wallet and the rest of the day.
Wear it with cream denim and a white tee, or let it warm up a gray coat. Check the listing for exact measurements, closure and leather-care details before buying.
Shop the Madewell Lexington Tote
Steve Madden Boat Bag in Hot Pink
This is the closer match to the boat-tote side of the Boatkin idea. The cream body, contrasting hot-pink straps and pink base make it feel familiar, but the front turnlock detail and attachable micro bag charm give it a more styled finish.
Keep the outfit simple: a white button-down, blue jeans and flat sandals, or a striped tee with cream trousers and sneakers. You do not need to match the pink. Let the bag be the color in the outfit.
The listed measurements are 12 inches high, 13.5 inches wide and 6.5 inches deep, with an 11-inch shoulder strap. Steve Madden describes a canvas design and lists synthetic materials. Its product copy also uses the word denim, so do not read that as a verified cotton-canvas composition. The front turnlock is described as a detail; it is not proof that the whole main compartment closes securely.
Check the purchase terms: check the retailer’s terms for this color and size before ordering.
ANINE BING Elly Tote in Black
For a black bag with more character than a plain tote, the Elly Tote pairs grained leather with a belted front strap and gold-tone buckle. It is the dressiest of the six and moves easily from office to dinner.
Style it with straight jeans, a blazer and loafers, or with a long wool coat. Check the size and interior layout on the listing if you plan to carry a laptop.
Photo credit: Steve Madden
Photo credit: Madewell
Photo credit: Steve Madden
Photo credit: ANINE BING
Bag Charms and Scarves to Personalize a Boatkin-Style Tote
J.Crew Raffia Lobster Charm: A woven red lobster with a leather loop gives a neutral tote instant personality. Check that the loop fits your bag’s handle. shop here
DÔEN Khione Scarf in Gray Wolf: A chunky-knit neck wrap in soft gray. Loop it through a tote handle for texture, or wear it as a warm extra layer. shop here
DÔEN Grande Harbour Tote in Natural Striped Raffia
Raffia takes the boat-tote idea in a relaxed direction. The Grande Harbour Tote pairs natural raffia with warm brown, rust and black stripes: the warm-weekend pick, easy with a swimsuit and sandals or a cotton dress. It balances the leather bags in this edit.
Check the listing for exact measurements and closure details before buying.
Shop the DÔEN Grande Harbour Tote
Photo credit: J.Crew
Photo credit: DÔEN
Photo credit: DÔEN
Photo credit: L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Crossbody Plus in Blue
The Crossbody Plus is the hands-free take on the classic L.L.Bean canvas tote. The medium size with a front pocket has navy handles and a crossbody strap, so it carries like a casual shoulder bag. Pick it if you want the Boat and Tote look without holding the handles.
Shop the Boat and Tote Crossbody Plus
Fun Jelly Bags for Weekends and Resort Outfits
If you like the playful Boatkin idea but want a jelly finish instead of canvas, these are two more options to browse. Think casual weekends, a warm-weather resort outfit or a simple poolside look, not a claim that the bag is waterproof. These are style alternatives, not Hermès bags. Check the exact color, size and purchase terms through each link.
Pink jelly-style top-handle tote
Pink is the playful color option in this little jelly-bag edit. I would keep the rest of the outfit simple: denim, a white shirt or a neutral knit.
Shop pink jelly-style top-handle tote
Horizontal matte black top-handle bag
This is the opaque black alternative, with a long horizontal shape and a matte finish. I would wear it with black trousers, denim or a simple coat when the transparent version is not the look I want.
Shop horizontal matte black top-handle bag
Which One Would You Choose?
Choose the Leilani if you want a brown tote that works with a neutral wardrobe and lets you remove the charms. Choose the Boat Bag if you love the original boat-tote shape and want a bright contrast trim. Choose the Lexington Tote for warm caramel leather with room for a laptop. Choose the Elly Tote if you want the dressiest option, in black grained leather with a belted front. Choose the Grande Harbour for a relaxed striped-raffia carryall, or the Crossbody Plus for hands-free days. None is an Hermès bag or affiliated with Hermès. These are style alternatives, not claims of the same materials or craftsmanship.
For more canvas-tote options, see my Boatkin bag edit and L.L.Bean Boat and Tote styling guide.
Product details can change. Check the current size, material and return terms before buying.
More Style Guides from Shoppingandinfo.com
- Best Nude Nail Shades: Skin Tone, Undertone and Finish
- The Best Boatkin Bags for Fall
- The Top 10 Luxe Birkenstock-Style Sandals to Shop Now
Shop the Post
- Steve Madden Leilani Bag Chocolate
- Madewell Lexington Tote in Caramel
- Steve Madden Boat Bag Hot Pink
- ANINE BING Elly Tote in Black
- DÔEN Grande Harbour Tote in Natural Striped Raffia
- L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Crossbody Plus Blue
- Personalized Ironic Canvas Boat Tote on Etsy
- J.Crew Raffia Lobster Charm
- DÔEN Khione Scarf in Gray Wolf
