L.L. BEAN CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL FIELD COAT

Heritage outdoor retailer L.L. Bean will celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of its most iconic items by releasing a limited-edition collection of vintage Field Coats in collaboration with renowned American vintage curator Wooden Sleepers.

This is the second vintage collection that L.L. Bean and Wooden Sleepers will debut this year. The pair released a vintage Boat and Tote collection in June 2024 to celebrate the iconic tote’s 80th anniversary, which sold out within 24 hours. Future drops include vintage L.L. Bean Boots and Chamois Shirts in October and Norwegian Sweaters in November.

Brian Davis, the founder of Wooden Sleepers, says, “The L.L.Bean Field Coat is an icon of style, found everywhere from the streets of Bushwick to Bar Harbor. If you look at a Field Coat from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s through today, some details have changed, but the overall design has remained intact. Knowing L.L. himself had a hand in designing it makes it that much more special.

“For me, the best clothing starts with a specific function and then spreads beyond its intended use. The Field Coat began as a hunting jacket but was adopted for daily use. Details like the oversized flap pockets, corduroy collar, and cotton canvas fabric make it easy to wear, functional, and a timeless style icon.

“Good design doesn’t need reinvention. Give me the piece that has not changed in 100 years. To me, that is peak design and the definition of timeless style. I want the saltiest one, the one that was lived in and beat to hell. I want nicks, stains, sun fades and patches. I like knowing it had a life before me. Well-made, well-designed things are the ultimate ‘sustainable clothing.’ Buy it once and wear it to death.”

The L.L. Bean website features the garment’s origin story, From Field to Fashion: The 100-Year Journey of the L.L.Bean Field Coat, explaining that it was originally introduced as the Sportsman Coat in 1940, “an evolution of the Maine Duck Hunting Coat but with an added emphasis on versatility and ease of movement. This coat featured the rugged durability expected from L.L.Bean, along with extra design features like the bi-swing back and larger front pockets to hold shells or other hunting gear.
…
“Technological advancements in fabric production allow for lighter, more breathable materials that still retain the rugged durability that had made the coat famous. While some of the original details, such as the shell loops and rubber-lined game pocket, have been phased out for more casual use, the Field Coat remains a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and style-conscious individuals alike.”

The collection will feature 12 one-of-a-kind coats dating back to the 1950s and will be available on wooden-sleepers.com beginning Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m. EST while supplies last.  [Editor’s note: at 5:00 pm, the collection was already sold-out.}