LL Bean teams up with Wooden Sleepers for a limited edition

Now that the beach season is back in full swing, tote bags are still a must-have for many fashion-conscious people. And LL Bean has no plans to fall behind when it comes to trends.

And why not, since the Freeport, Maine-based company invented the rugged tote bag 80 years ago. To celebrate that staying power, LL Bean has teamed up with men’s fashion label Wooden Sleepers to put together a collection of 24 of its vintage boat and tote bags. Both brands share a common sensibility, as Wooden Sleepers founder Brian Davis specializes in all things Americana, whether it’s workwear, outdoor wear, military wear or “Ivy Style” clothing.

His arsenal includes hard-to-find LLBean gear and apparel. When Davis approached LL Bean about a potential collaboration that would involve curated, themed collections of LL Bean’s most iconic products, “we were thrilled,” a company spokesperson said Wednesday. First developed in 1944 to carry ice, the Boat and Tote can carry up to 500 pounds, according to LL Bean.

The $1.7 billion outdoor brand LL Bean has been collaborating with smaller, hip labels in recent years. Through an alliance with Summersalt, the company launched limited-edition apparel, sun-protective swimwear and beach gear, including a paddleboard, this summer.

True to Wooden Sleepers’ vintage roots, the bags feature their share of wear to “reflect the unique stories they tell,” Davis said. (Think paint splatters, water stains and frayed edges.) Starting at 9 a.m. EST Thursday, shoppers can vie for 24 one-of-a-kind tote bags from the LL Bean x Wooden Sleepers collection, which range in price from $95 to $165 on Wooden Sleeper’s website. The fact that some of the iconic products selected are celebrating milestone anniversaries, including LL Bean’s 80-year-old Boat and Tote and 50-year-old Field Coat, only made the deal more appealing to Davis. The brand’s Norwegian sweater is another personal favorite of the Wooden Sleepers founder, who called company founder Leon Leonwood Bean “the greatest American fashion designer.”

The LL Bean style has been worn by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Chloe Sevigny, Sarah Jessica Parker and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy over the years. From Davis’ perspective, vintage LL Bean is “incredibly well-made and somehow trend-proof.”

The ironic boat-and-tote trend that started on social media in 2023 sent sales of the accessory item at LL Bean to a 10-year high. Earlier this year, Trader Joe’s met demand with a mini version of a tote reminiscent of LL Bean’s signature style. A viral blitz wiped out Trader Joe’s inventory, which has yet to be replenished. The supermarket chain recently launched an insulated cooler version for $3.99, which also sold out after going viral.

Asked about Trader Joe’s version in an April interview, Stephen Smith, CEO and president of LL Bean, said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Look, if people want to buy bags, and they want to buy sustainable bags, then they should buy ours.”