The L.L Bean retail concept was founded by a fisherman and hunter named Leon Leonwood Bean in 1912 after he developed a waterproof boot he designed for and sold to hunters.  His waterproof boot, a combination of rubber bottoms and leather uppers, was sold through a mail order circular to a list of nonresident Maine hunting license holders that Bean had obtained.  In 1912, Bean sold the Maine Hunting Shoe, commonly referred to as the “Bean boot” through a four-page mail order catalog and the boot is still a staple of the company.  The original design was actually defective with 90 percent returned to Bean, who made good on the money back guarantee. He improved the boot design and continued to sell them.  After Bean died in 1967 in Pompano Beach, Florida, the company passed to the directorship of Leon A. Gorman, Bean's grandson.  In 2001, Gorman became Chairman of the Board and the first non-family member became CEO, Christopher McCormack.  The flagship L.L. Bean store was opened in Freeport, Maine in 1917 and has remained open for 24 hours a day since, other than four days - two Sundays in 1962 during Maine's blue laws, the day Bean died and the day President Kennedy died.  L.L. Bean has stores all over the United States and extending as far into the world as Tokyo.  In 2000, L.L. Bean because the official outfitter of Subaru with an L.L. Bean Edition of the Subaru Outback.

Today L.L. Bean features a variety of traditional, classic, high quality styles for petites and they are known for excellent customer service, striving to always satisfy the customer.  The Official Preppy Handbook appropriately cited L.L. Bean as “nothing less than Prep mecca”.

Petite Tops and Sweaters

L.L. Bean offers a practical, versatile selection of tops, shirts and sweaters.  Petites can choose cotton button up shirts with all sleeve lengths, cotton polos with all sleeve lengths, tee and knit tops with all sleeve lengths and sweatshirts.  The incredible sweater options include crew necks, cardigans, turtlenecks, v-necks, polos, Henleys and ¼ zips in materials such as wool, cashmere, cotton, blends and fleece.

Petite Dresses/Skirts

Skirts and dresses at L.L. Bean are wardrobe staples for petites that can be the basis for a variety of work and leisure looks.  L.L. Bean features long and short skirts in a-line, riding and straight styles in cotton, velvet, denim and corduroy and basic cotton knit dresses in short and long lengths.

Petite Pants

Comfortable petite pants are available at L.L. Bean in a range of inseams and sizes for the ideal fit.  Petite can choose from twill, stretch twill, comfort waist, pleated, cropped and chino pants for work or weekend pants in heather and herringbone designs. 

Petite Jeans

From low rise to waist, straight leg, wide leg or boot cut, petites can select durable jeans in just the right size size with styles such as boyfriend and broken in cottage jeans in denim and corduroy.

Petite Outerwear

Known for their long-lasting, rugged outerwear for all types of weather, L.L Bean gives petites a terrific selection of jackets and coats.  Petites can choose jackets, parkas, 3 in 1 systems, down insulated, synthetic insulated, puff vests, wind shells, wool coats, fleece jackets and vests and soft shell jackets.  For the rain, petites can find water-repellent coats, jackets, parkas and pants.

Petite Blazers and Jackets

Much like their outerwear, L.L. Bean has enduring, timeless blazers in short and long styles with textures such as herringbone, moleskin and corduroy.

Petite Sleepwear and Underwear

Petites looking for comfortable sleepwear will be delighted at the selections offered by L.L. Bean including nightgowns, nightshirts, robes and pajamas in cotton, pima cotton, flannel and Supima with cozy slippers and slipper socks.  L.L. Bean also retails quality sports bras and warm long underwear in all sizes.

Petite Active Clothing

Active petites will revel in the categorized clothing selections at L.L. Bean featuring the ideal workout wear for running, walking, hiking, yoga, fishing, cycling, ski sports and swimming.  Swim wear is attractive and designed for practicality as well as style.

L.L. Bean is the ultimate retailer for active, preppy petites to find clothing that perfectly suits all the activities of their lives.