Madewell Whipping Post Tote vs. Madewell: Which one should you buy?

The Madewell Whipping Post Tote is a premium, full-grain leather bag with a classic structured silhouette, representing a long-term investment. In contrast, Madewell's general tote collection offers a wider variety of styles and materials, including more affordable canvas options with a casual, lightweight feel and different leather designs for various needs.

Here’s everything you need to know to decide which Madewell tote belongs in your closet.

The Madewell Whipping Post Tote

The Whipping Post Tote is a sophisticated, everyday carryall designed for durability and timeless appeal. Crafted from rich, full-grain leather, it features a structured, minimalist design that works just as well for the office as it does for weekend errands. It's built to last and develops a unique, beautiful patina with use, making it feel more personal over time.

• What it is: A structured, medium-to-large tote bag made from high-quality, full-grain leather.
• Key features: Spacious main compartment, reinforced handles for comfortable shoulder carry, minimal hardware, and interior organizational pockets.
• Price: Around $198
• Materials/Construction: Full-grain leather known for its excellent durability and how well it ages. The stitching is sturdy, and handles are reinforced to support daily use.
• Sizing/Fit: Approximately 14" W x 12" H x 4" D, offering a generous capacity that can fit a laptop, wallet, notebook, and other daily essentials without feeling oversized.
• Pros: Excellent durability from full-grain leather, develops a beautiful patina, timeless and versatile design, maintains its structure, good long-term value.
• Cons: Higher price point than canvas options, requires some leather care, can be heavier than fabric totes.

This tote is for anyone seeking a durable, polished, and classic leather bag that will withstand daily use and remain stylish for years.

Shop this product: madewell.com/whipping-post-tote-XXXX.html

Madewell's General Tote Collection

Madewell's broader tote collection encompasses a wide range of designs, materials, and price points to suit different lifestyles. From sturdy and casual canvas totes perfect for the farmers' market to more polished leather styles for work, the collection is defined by its versatility. These bags maintain Madewell’s classic, functional aesthetic but offer more variety in terms of style, structure, and cost.

• What it is: A diverse collection of tote bags available in materials like canvas, cotton blends, and various types of leather.
• Key features: A variety of sizes, interior and exterior pockets, different handle lengths, and both structured and slouchy silhouettes.
• Price: $98 - $198+
• Materials/Construction: Ranges from durable cotton canvas to various grades of leather. Construction varies by design, with canvas offering lightweight flexibility and leather providing more durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizes vary significantly from small, compact totes to large, oversized carryalls suitable for travel or beach days.
• Pros: More affordable options available (especially canvas), wide variety of styles and colors, lightweight choices great for casual use, easier to clean (canvas).
• Cons: Canvas is less durable and offers less weather resistance than leather, leather quality can vary across different styles, may not offer the same longevity as the premium Whipping Post Tote.

The collection serves a wide audience, from students needing a lightweight bag for classes to shoppers looking for a versatile or budget-friendly everyday tote.

Shop this product: madewell.com/bags/totes

Madewell Whipping Post Tote vs. General Collection Comparison

Price & Value

The Whipping Post Tote is priced around $198, positioning it as a premium option. Its value comes from its full-grain leather construction, which ensures it will last for many years and age beautifully, making it a sound long-term wardrobe investment. It's a "buy it for life" kind of bag.

Madewell's wider tote collection, on the other hand, offers more accessible price points. Canvas totes often start under $100, providing an excellent budget-friendly choice for casual, lighter use. While some leather bags in the collection match the Whipping Post's price, the overall value proposition is different - you're either paying less for a casual tote or getting a different style of leather bag, but none are consistently touted for the same heirloom quality as the Whipping Post.

Materials & Construction

This is the most significant point of difference. The Whipping Post Tote is exclusively made from full-grain leather, the highest quality grade. It’s known for its strength, durability, and ability to develop a rich patina over time. The construction is focused and robust, with reinforced handles and sturdy stitching meant to handle a heavy load day after day.

The general tote collection features a mix of materials. The canvas totes use durable cotton or synthetic blends that are lightweight and easy to manage but less resistant to stains and a great deal less durable than leather. Other leather totes in the collection typically use top-grain or genuine leather, which are good quality but don't have the same resilience or aging potential as the full-grain leather of the Whipping Post Tote.

Style & Aesthetic

The Whipping Post Tote has a singular, focused aesthetic: classic, minimal, and structured. Its clean lines and lack of flashy hardware make it incredibly versatile, easily transitioning from a professional environment to a casual weekend setting. It’s a timeless piece that won’t go out of style.

Madewell's general collection offers stylistic variety. You’ll find slouchy, relaxed canvas bags with printed graphics that are perfect for a beach day, as well as more structured zip-top transport totes in various colors. If you're looking for a specific color, a more trendy shape, or a very casual vibe, the general tote collection is the place to look.

Capacity & Sizing

The Whipping Post Tote is designed as the ideal all-arounder - its ~14" x 12" frame is large enough to comfortably fit a 13-inch laptop, a notebook, and daily essentials without being overwhelmingly large. It strikes a great balance between capacity and everyday usability.

The general collection includes a wide spectrum of sizes. You can find smaller totes for quick trips or massive carryalls capable of holding everything you need for a weekend getaway. This variety allows you to select a bag specifically tailored to your capacity needs, whether that’s extra-large or more compact.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both options from Madewell are fantastic, but they serve different priorities and lifestyles.

Choose the Madewell Whipping Post Tote if:

• You're looking for a long-term investment piece that will last for years.
• You prioritize high-quality materials and love the way full-grain leather ages.
• Your style is classic, minimalist, and you need a bag for both work and weekends.
• You want a structured tote that protects its contents and always looks polished.

Choose a tote from the general Madewell collection if:

• You want more affordable options, particularly sturdy canvas totes.
• You prefer lightweight bags for casual everyday use or running errands.
• You enjoy having a variety of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from.
• You need a tote for specific, casual purposes, like a beach trip or an easily packable travel bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between the Whipping Post Tote and other Madewell Totes?

The main difference is the material quality and design focus. The Whipping Post Tote is a premium product made from full-grain leather designed for longevity and timeless style. Other Madewell totes offer variety in material (canvas, other leathers), price, and style, catering to more casual or diverse needs.

Can the Whipping Post Tote fit a laptop?

Yes, its dimensions of approximately 14" W x 12" H can comfortably accommodate a 13-inch laptop, along with other work essentials like a notebook, charger, and wallet.

Which tote is more durable?

The Whipping Post Tote is significantly more durable due to its full-grain leather construction. While Madewell's canvas totes are sturdy for casual use, they won't stand up to the same level of wear and tear or last as long as a high-quality leather bag.

Is the Whipping Post Tote heavy?

As a full-grain leather bag, it will be heavier than a canvas or nylon tote. However, it's generally considered a moderate weight for its size and material, and most users find it comfortable for daily carry.

How do I care for the Whipping Post leather tote?

To maintain its condition, it's best to use a leather conditioner periodically to keep the leather moisturized and protected. Avoid prolonged exposure to heavy rain and store it in a dust bag when not in use.

Are Madewell bags real leather?

Yes, Madewell's leather bags, including the Whipping Post Tote, are made from real leather. The brand is known for using high-quality leathers, and the product descriptions will specify the type, such as full-grain or vintage-style leather.

Which tote is better for travel?

For a lightweight, packable option that you can fold into a suitcase, a canvas tote from the general collection is a great choice. For use as a personal item during your travels that needs to be sturdy and secure, the Whipping Post Tote's durability makes it an excellent travel companion.

Do Madewell totes go on sale?

Yes, Madewell has sales periodically throughout the year, especially during seasonal changes and major holidays. It's a good time to look for a discount on their tote collection. Classic styles like the Whipping Post might be excluded from some promotions, but it’s always worth checking.