Katie Holmes Has Been Wearing This Best-Selling $178 Madewell Bag All Over NYC

Busy NYC resident Katie Holmes clearly knows that you need a bag that can hold everything from a water bottle to a change of shoes to an umbrella for a long day out and about in the city. Accordingly, you'll rarely find paparazzi photographs of her without an oversize bag on her arm. She appears to have a new favorite one that happens to cost less than $200.
The bag in question is Madewell's—a brand that's very good at making leather tote bags—Essential Bucket Tote in fall-friendly Chocolate Raisin. She's been wearing the roomy shoulder bag with all of her casual outfits as of late. If you head over to Madewell, you'll see that it's one of the brand's best sellers, and it has a five-star rating from the enthusiastic customers who have reviewed the bag. Plus, the bag, which comes in three other colors, has been added to more than 2000 carts in the past seven days. I'm convinced, and if you are too, keep scrolling to shop it for yourself.
Shop the Bag
Shop More Madewell Tote Bags

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
-
Just the 29 Best Bags of Summer 2025
From Tory Burch to Prada.
-
My Mom Wants to Start Shopping at Madewell—These Are the Sale Dresses and Sandals I Sent Her
Discounted through June 15.
-
Haven't Been to Madewell Lately? 36 Summer Clothing Styles I'd Snatch Up ASAP
Hurry—these pieces are bound to sell out.
-
Everyone With Good Taste Is Already Wearing These 7 Chic Summer Pieces
These instantly elevate any look.
-
Move Over, Zara and Mango—This Affordable Yet Expensive-Looking Bag Collection at Bloomingdale's Has My Attention
Get ready for endless compliments.
-
If I See You Swap Your Classic Ballet Flats for This Specific Alternative, I'll Know You Have Chic Taste
Don't think about it—just do it.
-
Since the Margaux Is Nowhere to Be Found, This Is the The Row Bag We're Buying Instead
It's also a forever piece.
-
More Elegant Than a Shoulder Bag, More Casual Than a Clutch—the Bag Trend Only Chic People Know About
Now, you do too.