LLBean is a new brand we will be carrying this season.
I had been wanting to carry this product at Midiumi for some time, and now I have the opportunity to do so.
LLBean is a historic American brand founded in 1912.
The flagship store is in Freeport, Maine, and while it has also grown since its original opening, it has been in business there for over 100 years.
The main store is open 24 hours a day, and has been for over 70 years. That's amazing.
Why is it open 24 hours?
Freeport, Maine is a land rich in nature, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors throughout the day.
Go fishing in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and gaze at the stars at night.
It is open 24 hours a day to support you in enjoying the outdoors at any time.
LLBean's signature items are the Bean Boots and the Boat and Tote.
In the US, LLBean is known for its Bean Boots (hunting shoes), but this time we will be selling the Boat and Tote.
Boat and Tote also has a long history, with the original item being released in 1944 under the name Beans Ice Carrier.
As the name suggests, this bag was originally designed to carry ice.
You may wonder if there is a demand for bags to carry ice.
In Maine, ice was cut from frozen lakes in the winter and stored in ice houses, so it was invented as a tool to transport ice.
It is made of 24-ounce canvas, which is thick enough to stand on its own, so that water does not seep out immediately even when the ice melts.
These sturdy bags were also used to carry firewood for the fireplace, harvested vegetables, and other items in addition to ice.
This became popular in the 1950s in the United States. In 1965, it was renamed the Boat and Tote, and the concept was to pack all the necessary items for a boat ride and carry them anywhere.
It was even featured in the Japanese translation of "Cheap Chic," which was released in 1977, and gradually began to be adopted as a practical fashion.
The design is simple because its purpose is clear, which makes it easy to incorporate into fashion.
What keeps it from being a prototype is its durability (tested to withstand a weight of approximately 226 kg).
As mentioned above, it is made of 24-ounce canvas, which is thick enough to stand on its own.
The overlapping areas are double-stitched with durable nylon thread to prevent the seams from deteriorating or fraying.
When new it is stiff, which is fine, but as you use it the canvas will gradually soften and take on a different look that you won't get when it's new.
Once you get used to it, it will surely become a bag you'll love and never want to let go of.
The clean, simple design without pockets or dividers can be inconvenient at times, and the stitching can look a little rough, typical of Americana. I think these are also the unique features of this bag.
I also have a few Boat and Tote bags, but because they are made of 100% cotton canvas, I scrub them when they get dirty, and once the fabric has softened a bit, I just put them in the washing machine, which is a bit of a lazy way of caring for them (although I think the brand would probably recommend more careful care).
A well-used bag may have some frayed edges here and there, but that's part of its charm. This bag.
LLBean's signature products, the Bean Boots and Boat and Tote, are still produced in their own factory near the flagship store, just as they always have been. This shows the pride LLBean takes in their signature products.
It's simple and durable, so you can use it for a long time.
The Boat and Tote is sure to become a staple bag for anyone.
