This Is the Best L.L.Bean Tote Bag Released in Decades, by a Mile

Forget canvas, give me leather and tweed.

Brown and beige houndstooth fabric tote bag with brown leather handles and trim.

Published 4 hours ago

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In 2010, L.L.Bean launched the Signature collection, which consists of higher-quality products influenced by the brand’s extensive archive.

Despite 15 years on the market, it is still criminally underappreciated because the Maine outfitter doesn’t put much marketing behind the sub-label. It is something of a hidden gem filled with grail-worthy items like a roll neck sweater embroidered with Bean Boots and a pure cotton chamois work shirt with a 1930s hunting motif.

Brown and beige houndstooth tote bag with dark brown leather handles and front pocket on a rustic metal stool. — The Signature Anniversary Tote is part of a Harris Tweed collection marking 15 years of the Signature collection.

The Signature collection has become more exciting recently, and the 2025 line is not only its most expansive release but also pleasantly similar to the hyped L.L.Bean and Todd Snyder collaborations from a few years back.

At the center of the Fall 2025 L.L.Bean Signature collection, which marks its 15th anniversary, is a set of pieces made with Harris Tweed. It includes a shirt-jacket, slippers and a purse, but the star of the show — because this is L.L.Bean we’re talking about — is a tote bag.

Close-up of a brown and beige Harris Tweed wool fabric with Lee Berman Signature and Harris Tweed labels. — L.L.Bean started using Harris Tweed in 1982, but hasn’t done so in decades.

This EDC bag blows away the much-loved canvas Boat and Tote. It has a 100-percent wool tweed shell and full-grain leather detailing. It’s woven red, green, yellow and white houndstooth pattern gets prettier the closer you look and will only improve with age.

The design is based on a leather tote bag that has been in and out of L.L.Bean’s catalog for decades, but Harris Tweed has replaced the leather body.

From Scotland by way of Maine

L.L.Bean started using Harris Tweed in 1982, but hasn’t worked with the legendary Scottish mill in decades. As vintage Bean fans are keen to point out, the brand served a higher tier of products in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Brown leather and houndstooth fabric tote bag with handles and shoulder strap, containing gloves, sweater, and plaid scarf. — The zip-top Signature Anniversary Tote is ideal for daily use or weekend travel.

At roughly the same size as the large Boat and Tote, which has a 35L capacity, the Signature Anniversary Tote is suited for daily use and weekend travel. It has a leather panel top with a zipper closure and a leather patch pocket on one side.

The bag is not lined, but an additional zipper pocket is inside. The handles are wrapped for comfortable use and reinforced with metal rivets, and the bottom is protected with a stitched leather panel that wraps around the edges.

Brown and beige houndstooth fabric tote bag with brown leather straps and corner reinforcements. — The Signature Anniversary Tote has a removable and adjustable leather shoulder strap.

A removable and adjustable leather shoulder strap is made from the same leather as the bag detailing.

Availability and price

As a brand representative recently explained to me at L.L.Bean’s New York City pop-up, which runs through November 2025, the Signature collection aims to serve more discerning customers who are searching for vintage-styled, higher-quality products and are willing to pay a bit more for them.

However, even with the material upgrade and impressive name attached, at $269, the Signature Anniversary Tot is still remarkably affordable compared to equivalent products from other brands.

Brown and beige houndstooth fabric tote bag with brown leather handles, front pocket, and adjustable shoulder strap. — The Signature Anniversary Tote is a limited edition piece.

The Harris Tweed collection and many items in the new Signature collection hit the mark. Anyone who misses or missed out on the Todd Snyder collaborations should be able to find at least a few items they’re excited about here.

Of course, the Signature Anniversary Tote is a limited edition, but if it is a sign of things to come, I can’t wait to see what the Bean team comes up with next.

Brown and beige houndstooth tote bag with dark brown leather handles and front pocket on a wooden stool.

Harris Tweed x L.L.Bean Signature Anniversary Tote

$269 at L.L.Bean

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.

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