Latest news with #L.L.Bean's
CNBC
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNBC
This $40 bag is having its most popular summer ever—and you probably already have one in your closet
If Sterling Olmstead Reynolds needs a bag for the beach, traveling with her 3-month-old daughter or dirty laundry on vacation, she reaches for the same two-toned canvas bag. The same style of bag, that is. Olmstead Reynolds, an art director at Sephora, owns 11 variations of the carryall, commonly known as a boat tote, inspired by signature Boat and Tote. She has mini versions, some with longer straps, others with added zippers, pockets and key leashes. They're monogrammed, too — with her last name, her daughter's name or kitchy sayings, like "Del Taco." "You can get a bag that is 100% your vibe, that you can keep for a really long time," Olmstead Reynolds, 32, says. "And that style is timeless." The tote is experiencing a renaissance of sorts after making a comeback in 2022, experts say. Lauded for its chic practicality and customizable charm, it's become a favorite for celebrities and everyday people alike. This year the canvas carryalls — which cost $40 at and Lands' End for the standard size — are having their most popular summer to date, according to experts, big brands and small sellers. This summer bag trend goes beyond a single purchase, experts note. Shoppers of all ages are purchasing multiple variations for themselves and their friends. The boat tote, for example, has become a go-to for bachelorette parties and other events. Olmstead Reynolds estimates she's gifted 35 bags to friends and family. "Personalization is a huge part of [the trend]," says Matt Trainor, senior vice president of brand creative at Lands' End. "Monogramming makes [the bags] unique. There's a scarcity to it. And regardless of your age … the idea that you can have something not everybody else has is highly enticing." Since Memorial Day, the company has sold more of its Canvas Pocket Totes than it did in the first quarter of this year alone, their spokesperson says. Similarly, Boat and Tote sales are up 75% for the first six months of this year, compared to the same time period in 2024, a company spokesperson says. Online, some of bags are on backorder for months. Lands' End has capitalized on that consumer hunger by launching marketing campaigns and in-person pop-up events to fuel the frenzy, Trainor says. At some events he's even seen customers line up for hours, waiting to personalize their bags with their names and charms. Customizing boat totes is a market of its own, too: Rebecca McGovern-Clarke — who launched her paper goods business Maker Scholar out of her apartment in Boston — went viral after posting TikToks of her painting poodles, retrievers and pugs on canvas totes last summer. As a result, her annual sales more than doubled, and she brought in more than $100,000 in 2024, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. "It was kind of like a, 'No s---' feeling. Of course people are going to pay to see their dogs on tote bags," says McGovern-Clarke, who now sells customized coastal-themed bags for up to $500 to customers across the country. "They're very easy to customize … and fit in with the rise of the coastal grandma, Nancy Meyers aesthetic and the glorification of a really fancy summer." Personalizing a common bag fits into a broader cultural trend: Using clothing and accessories to express personal identities, says cultural and economic sociologist Dicky Yangzom, who teaches at New York University. Instead of shelling out $2,100 for a Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag, canvas totes can add flair to an outfit, and are a low-cost nod to the cultural zeitgeist, she says. The material of the bag can also signal a rejection of status. "There's a [distrust] against the 1% in our society," Yangzom says. "Canvas is more often seen as a working class fabric." She's right to an extent. When first launched its Boat and Tote in 1944, it was advertised as an easy way to carry ice home. But while still practical and easy to use, the bag has also become a symbol of a coastal lifestyle only the wealthy can afford. But even the rich value functionality, and options for the luxury buyer have created yet another submarket of the canvas tote. Earlier this year, Hampton's boutique Hathaway Hutton released $1,200 "Boatkins," tote bags reimagined to resemble Hermes Birkins, according to the New York Times. One question looms large for both industry insiders and consumers alike: Will the bag ever lose its relevance? "The trend is past its frothy peak," says Marni Shapiro, founder of The Retail Tracker. While the trend may soon lose some of its shine, demand isn't waning, proving customers haven't moved on just yet, she adds. Trainor predicts the bag will continue to be a staple for Lands' End and their customers' closets. Like denim in our wardrobe, "I just don't think it goes away," he says. Olmstead Reynolds, who grew up bringing totes on sailing trips along the coast of Newport, California, doesn't foresee getting rid of her bags, either. "They're popular because we saw our parents carrying them around," Olmstead Reynolds says. "My mom probably has some in our childhood rooms. I've never tossed, I've never donated any, these are my collection."
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
L.L. Bean drops lawsuit against canvas tote copycat
Apr. 25— has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against 4Imprint Inc., a Wisconsin promotional products company that the Freeport-based retailer had claimed was copying its iconic "Boat and Tote" canvas bag. In a federal lawsuit filed in March, charged 4Imprint with trademark infringement, deceptive trade practices and unfair competition for selling a "confusingly similar" canvas bag called the "Boat Tote." lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, claimed that 4Imprint "sells the same goods, to the same consumers, using the same advertising and sales channels ... using 'Boat Tote' in an apparent effort to deliberately free ride on well-known (trademark)." On Thursday, filed a notice of voluntary dismissal, which simply states that its case was "voluntarily dismissed with prejudice" against 4imprint. Representatives of each company didn't respond immediately to interview requests. Under federal rules for civil lawsuits, a plaintiff may dismiss its own case if the court or the defendant have yet to respond. A dismissal with prejudice is final and bars the plaintiff from refiling the same claim. This typically happens when a matter is resolved outside court. As of Friday, there was no apparent item called "Boat Tote" for sale on 4Imprint's website, although there were multiple canvas, cotton and other bags similar to the totes, including bags referencing lakes, beaches, schooners and other nautical themes. When celebrated the 80th anniversary of its "Boat and Tote" canvas bag last year, news stories noted its growing popularity among celebrities and social media influencers decades after the Maine company first sold it in 1944. sells several styles and sizes of Boat and Tote bags, recognizable for their two-tone heavy canvas construction. There's a leather-handled version that sells for $99 and a key-chain miniature bag priced at $9.95, according to the company's website. 4Imprint sells several similar bags, including a "Large Heavyweight Cotton Canvas Tote." It can be custom imprinted with a company or group logo and purchased in lots ranging from 15 bags for $20 each to 1,000 bags for $11.49 each, according to the company's website. Founded in 1912, first sold its tote as a sturdy carrier for heavy ice blocks that were used in iceboxes, which preceded refrigerators. It disappeared from the company's catalog for a while before being reintroduced in 1965 as the Boat and Tote. The lawsuit said the success and commercial strength of the Boat and Tote brand has led to high-profile collaborations and partnerships with other companies, including Tibi, Farmgirl Flowers, Abbode, Noah Kahan and the Boston Red Sox. The digital court document included photos of celebrities seen carrying Boat and Tote bags, including the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who died in a plane crash in 1999 with her older sister Lauren and her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr. Other more recent celebrities who are shown using the bag included the now-divorced actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, as well as actresses Chloë Sevigny and Reese Witherspoon, and model Hailey Bieber. Copy the Story Link
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- General
- Business Insider
L.L.Bean's crisp percale cotton sheet set is our favorite of all time
I've tested numerous sheet sets for our guide to the best sheets. In my opinion, the softest, most comfortable, and most durable sheets are easily Pima Cotton Percale Sheets. Trendy, direct-to-consumer brands often rely on glitzy photos of beautifully made beds to attract attention. stands out by quietly mastering the fundamentals: simple design and high-quality materials. Read on for more about why I think these sheets are the best option for most people. Design and materials Pima cotton is an extra-long-staple cotton. The yarns are smoother, stronger, and more resistant to abrasion than long-staple and short-staple cotton, according to Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University. This is why sheets feel so good, despite the low thread count. When it comes to cotton sheets, material matters the most. "When finding sheets that will last and provide comfort and a relaxing night's sleep, take a look at the material first and thread count second," Ave Bradley, senior vice president of design and creative director at Kimpton Hotels, told us. That's why the sheets are still so soft and comfortable: they have a low thread count, but they're made from long-lasting, high-quality cotton. Weave is also important. The pima cotton in the sheets are a percale weave. This refers to a specific type of weave in which one cotton thread is woven over another into a tight grid pattern. The result is an airy, breathable fabric with a matte, crisp feel. Percale differs from sateen, another popular kind of cotton weave in which three or four threads are woven over one thread into a looser grid pattern. Sateen is silkier and shinier, and it has more of a tendency to snag. The sheets aren't particularly exciting in terms of color options (there are nine, including white, yellow, light blue, and gray) or design flourishes (they feature a simple hemstitched detail). For about $10-$20 more, you can get the sheet set in simple floral, checked, or windowpane patterns. They're unassuming but versatile. Some thoughtful features are less apparent from looks alone. The inside of the fitted sheet has labels for the long and short sides, so it's fast and easy to change your sheets. And it has a generous depth of 15 inches, accommodating most mattresses. Quick tip: Thread count doesn't matter as much as you think. Thread count is the number of yarns per inch, horizontally and vertically, but some brands manipulate the definition of a yarn to create an artificially high thread count. After a certain number — around 500-thread count — the difference in feel and durability isn't noticeable. Comfort and durability I could immediately tell the difference in just my first few nights of sleeping in the sheets, and they continued to feel super soft through many more nights of sleep and many more washes. After nine months, they hadn't torn, developed holes, or pilled. In addition to being soft, they feel cool — resulting in a pleasant silky smooth effect — and don't trap heat. Unlike sateen-weave sheets, which have a luxurious silky feel but tend to trap heat, the percale sheets are breathable and airy. They're perfect for people who sleep hot or for warm summer nights. I could sleep in them year-round since I love to stay cool at night. Kinsley Searles, home and sleep fellow, also tried percale sheets. "I'm a hot sleeper and I absolutely love these sheets," she said. "The percale weave feels crisp and soothing against my skin. They're noticeably cool when I crawl in bed at night and don't overheat throughout the night. Rather than waking up with the sweaty blankets thrown off of me, I'm always happily snuggled into my bedding in the morning." Care The Percale Sheet Set can be machine-washed and dried, but the tags do not go into specifics. Laundry experts recommend washing cotton on the hottest setting it can tolerate and drying on low. heat. This is a major perk since other types of sheets, like bamboo sheets or linen sheets, require more intensive care. We didn't notice any tearing, pilling, or shrinking after washing and drying these sheets, so they're sure to last for many laundry days to come. Value Given the quality materials and premium feel, we think the $169 price tag for a queen set is well worth it. These sheets will last you years, so they're worth the investment. While there's no warranty or trial period for sheets, they do have a one-year return window. If you're not happy with your sheets, you have 365-days to return them. You'll also have to pay a $6.50 return fee to cover shipping costs. Cons to consider While it's difficult to find flaws in our favorite sheets, we do wish there was a larger color and pattern selection available. The neutral color range is versatile, but we'd love to see some brighter colors or patterns as well. Searles also noted that the flat sheet was prone to wrinkling, even when removed immediately from the dryer. This isn't uncommon for cotton bedding, however. These sheets also aren't OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. The product description says that the sheets are tested for harmful chemicals, but they aren't certified by any official organizations. What are your alternatives? For a smoother, softer cotton than percale, sheets with a sateen weave are a perfect option. Our favorite budget sateen pick is the Threshold Performance Sheet Set. These silky sheets fit the bed like a glove. We also love the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set which is similarly priced to the Percale Sheet Set. For another percale option, Searles suggested the Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set, which nailed the crisp, smooth construction she expects from percale. If you're looking to try cooling fabrics besides cotton, the Quince Bamboo Sheet Set is our top pick in our best bamboo sheets guide. Like percale cotton, bamboo sheets are known for their cooling properties, but have a slicker hand. For more options, read our best sheets guide. The bottom line Comfort and quality should be a couple of your top priorities when you shop for sheets, and nails both with its Pima Cotton Percale Sheets. They're the softest I've tried in my years as a product reviewer, and I love that they're fairly priced for all their benefits.
