My L.L. Bean Totes Had A Baby, and I’m Obsessed

The other day I went a little crazy. I decided to do it, go all in, and buy the mini, and we’re talking pencil size, L.L. Bean tote. The baby of the Boat and Tote family. I know, I know, you’re probably like, “wow, slow down, I need to know more.” If you insist!

If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you’re familiar with L.L. Bean totes; in fact, I’d make a pretty confident guess that you have one within a few feet of you. Whether we chose to call it a “Boat and Tote,” an “L.L. Bean bag,” a “Boat Tote,” or a simple “tote,” the standout item is unmistakable. L.L. Bean first introduced the tote in 1944 as an ice bag. While we may not be using the bags to carry ice today, their original purpose, hauling heavy items, stands true. In the 60s, the tote got a bit of a makeover when they added the iconic color trim. Not only did this make the tote more covetable, but it also added a cheerful option to a somewhat bland item. Many famous totes followed, Bonnie Cashin designed her famous tote, Birkin bags became a classic, and canvas advertising totes infiltrated our homes. We  likely have L.L. Bean to thank for our abundance of merch totes.

After eyeing this mini boat tote for some time, I decided to add this rare size to my “collection,” a collection that narrowly avoids hoarding due to its practicality, and price point. Last summer, my go-to bag was the small option with long handles; taking it from tote to purse effortlessly - making it the perfect bag for a tote person wanting to appear like a purse person. The mini tote was a stretch for me; I’ve never considered myself a “purse” girl, but given the year we’ve had, I thought, no better time than the present. It was a self-imposed challenge I was willing to accept. 

The mini tote has proven to be the bag equivalent of a clown car. It appears as though I’ve selected a few items to carry with me, yet, little does the world know I’ve got an abundance of unnecessary items!