If you’ve spent any amount of time deep-diving into menswear, you’ll know that Japan has a habit of taking classic American staples, tweaking them ever so slightly, and somehow making them better. More refined, more interesting, just… cooler. It’s been happening for decades – Ametora, and all that – and L.L. Bean’s Japan-exclusive line is a prime example.
Since launching its first store in 1992, the brand’s Japanese division has been quietly perfecting its own take on L.L. Bean’s American outdoor staples – subtly oversized silhouettes, richer textures, earthier tones – creating the kind of pieces that vintage hunters and menswear nerds have been importing for years. But now, for the first time, American shoppers will actually be able to buy them on home soil. The brand is bringing a curated selection of its Japan-only designs to the U.S. this spring, popping up in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for a limited run.
L.L. Bean Japan: The collection
The collection features more than 20 pieces, spanning canvas work jackets, nylon anoraks, striped tees and graphic T-shirts adorned with wild fishing illustrations and vintage L.L. Bean logos. The aesthetic feels distinctly Japanese – considered but easygoing – without losing sight of the brand’s Maine roots. Think classic outdoor colours punctuated with soft pastels, generous fits that still feel wearable, and fabrics that look better the more they’re worn.
Where to get it
If you want to get your hands on it, the pop-ups are in Brooklyn from April 11 to April 13 (96 North 5th Street), with an L.A. location to be confirmed ahead of its April 10 opening. The pieces will likely sell fast – so consider this your warning.
Next up: The best American outdoor brands of all time.
