Madewell Bucket Tote Review: From Work to Weekend

My latest hyper fixation handbag? This ultra chic Madewell Bucket Tote, which I’ve seriously put through its paces. It’s doubled as my everyday large bag and travel bag for weeks now, and I’m finally ready to pass judgement on it, running through the pros and cons as I see them. Let’s dive in.

Quick Facts

Price: ~$323 AUD
Available in seven colours: dark caramel, tawny khaki, true black, warm cinnamon, chocolate raisin, amber brown, and ecru
Country of manufacture not listed
Fabric: leather
Dimensions: 14″H x 10″W x 6″D

Madewell Bucket Tote Pros & Cons

#1 | It fits a standard-sized laptop. Yet it’s not a laptop bag. Or even a classic tote. Major pro. The sheer size and generosity of the interior is one of the things that drew me to this bag. Ample enough to fit all the essentials, plus anything else you could possibly need for the day – for work or otherwise. I used this as my onboard handbag for my recent NZ trip and it accommodated everything I could possibly need to have within easy reach.

#2 | It’s a soft, slouchy leather. Both a pro and a con. When empty, the bag droops in on itself in the ultimate slouch. It latches on to the curves of your body, giving it a visibly supple, curved shape. Personally, I like this look, but it’s not for everyone. It highlights the chill and ease that is baked into this bag both though the actual silhouette/style, and the choice of leather. If you want some structure, then you’ll need to buy a bag shaper – though I highly doubt there’s one designed specifically for this make of bag.

#3 | It’s one large compartment. Con. If you have lots of little bits and pieces floating around, it’ll feel like a black hole. It’s one of the reasons why I purchased this pouch, in the name of organisation, as there’s only a small handful of items I need within easy reach, and the small slip pocket just doesn’t cut it. I do think that this style could be improved by adding an interior (attached) pouch.

#4 | The leather is prone to scratches. Another con. I wouldn’t class this as the most delicate leather bag I’ve ever owned – I think that title goes to the Sezane Milo – but I am weary of how I use it. You’ll be able to see from the close ups that there’s a very minor scratch on the strap. While I’m not entirely sure where I got this, I’d surmise it was probably from stashing this underneath the airplane seat. A miracle it didn’t get any other marks. So, if you’re mindful, you shouldn’t have many issues with this, and most surface scratches like this can typically be buffed out with a little TLC.

#5 | It has a magnet closure. Not my number one concern when buying a bag, but it does mean it ranks more highly when I need that added security. Because it’s a shoulder bag, the two elements combined make it awkward to pinch anything from inside that bag. Note that it isn’t the firmest magnet I’ve ever had on a bag, but much more secure than this little woven shoulder bag I bought from St Agni last year.

#6 | Adjustable buckle strap. I like to think of hardware on bags as a touch of embellishment and adornment. Ways to elevate, add drama, make a statement. That’s just what the buckle strap does. It breaks up all the leather, while also having a practical purpose too. It allows you to turn this bag from a shoulder bag to a crossbody bag. Hyper functional – we love this. Best for petites IMO, or those with a shorter torso.

#7 | Price + color range. Both excellent. I’ve purchased bags from Madewell before, and the quality has always been superb. The Madewell Bucket Tote is no exception. The glossiness of the leather feels luxe, I love that adjustable bucket strap, the size is generous, and the price is very fair. There’s also seven colours to choose from, which run the spectrum of unique, mucky earthy neutrals.

Final thoughts

I see the Madewell Bucket Tote as being a great style to crossover multiple facets of life. Often, I’ll be asked for baby bag recommendations, and I think this is a good an option as any if you want something that feels atypical. It works for the office, though I’d recommend more for a semi-relaxed setting than corporate (unless you go with black) due to the slouchy design.

It’s spacious, though I do find that the “black hole” nature of the bag a little frustrating when you’re in a rush, though that’s nothing some proper organisation can’t fix – for me, in the form of pouches. I think the thing that does make this feel awkward is that the design is vertical, rather than horizontal like most tote bag styles.

The crossbody strap option is another boon; while I’m unlikely to utilise it this way myself, having the option to go completely hands free is nice. Though I haven’t had much issue with the strap falling off my shoulder. The width of the strap is generous, which means that the weight is distributed more evenly and doesn’t cut into your shoulder.

I have the chocolate raisin colour, which is a beautiful burgundy brown. A colour that seemingly pairs well with most things in my wardrobe, it’s versatile but feels less obvious than classic black (often my first choice with this style of bag).

While yes, I do wish that the leather was a little more scratch resistant, aside from one minor blemish in a rather inconspicuous spot, it still looks flawless. The slouchiness of the leather is what adds to the design. And I’m happy to be a little more mindful about how I use it as a result.

Overall for me, this bag is a total win. It feels like an update on a standard tote, reflective of my more relaxed lifestyle, and overall the silhouette and details are elevated and chic.

Wearing Madewell tee; Levi’s jeans (also here); Andersons belt; Quince cardigan; About Arianne ballerinas; Madewell Bucket Tote; Mejuri garnet ring