I have had these bags for years and I was excited to get a zipped top one for my daughter when she went into nursing. I felt a little like Goldilocks when we ordered one. The medium was too small and the large was way too big. If there was a "medium and half" size it would have been just right. As it was we kept the medium, but we really wish there was a size in between the medium and large. I love these bags and think LL Bean really nailed it in the durability and looks department. Now they just have to work on sizing too.
I ordered 3 tote bags, two large with short handles and one medium with long handles and zipper top. I was tired of going places and hauling my stuff in brown grocery bags. I was truly a bag lady. I was so excited to get my tote bags and use them on vacation. I must say they exceeded my wildest expectations. They are super heavy duty, they stand up and stay open by themselves, the zipper top folds down completely out of the way if you decide not to use it, and they are so pretty. I had mine monogrammed with a single letter and it looks so classy. No more brown bags for me. I could use two more large bags with zipper tops so they are going on my Christmas list. No wonder these are a best seller. Don't ever stop making them.
My sister received the XL tote with regular handles as a gift 15 years ago. The huge size was rather comical. She wondered why the heck she would ever need a bag that big. She now has 15 years worth of proof. That bag has been on dozens of car trips, girl's/sewing/scrapbooking weekends, her daughters' dance classes and now their wedding events. That thing has carried crockpots, blenders, cake pans, laundry, and all kinds of "necessities" of a cross-country car trip. Finally, my jealousy got the best of me, and I bought the same one, with a monogram. It looks the same as her old one. I camp every single weekend and have enough room in one tote bag for all my clothes & crafts, books and snacks. I HATE it when my bags fall over. This one is sturdy and never, ever sags. I was so tickled at the quality and price that I purchased another for a wedding gift this weekend. I sure wish I had a clever note to add to the gift of an empty bag because the bride and groom are sure to comment, "What the heck are we going to do with a bag this big?"
This bag is great. It holds everything and make it easy to find stuff. I ordered the extra large bag (which is huge; bigger than I thought) but I love it. I'm now going to order the large for smaller trips! I use it everyday on my way to work; umbrella, lunch, makeup, sweater and room to spare. Love it!
