We’ll be the first to admit that, when compared to wealthy Manhattanites or tucked and toned Angelenos, Mainers aren’t exactly known for their high fashion. Generally speaking, we opt for laid back over Loewe, practical over Prada and a $20 tote bag over a $2,000 purse.
But that doesn’t mean Maine hasn’t quietly held its own when it comes to designing and manufacturing some fashion items that stylish folks from all over the world will recognize. Here are five iconic Maine fashion staples found in closets from Rangeley to Rodeo Drive.
L.L. Bean boots
For more than 100 years, Bean boots have been found on the feet of hunters, hikers and anyone who wants to look ruggedly stylish. These Maine classics date back to 1912, when they were first called the Maine hunting shoe by Leon Leonwood Bean himself, who was tired of soggy footwear when he was out in the woods and developed a waterproof, rubber-soled boot that would fix that problem. There are now hundreds of variations on the original classic design, including brand collaborations with designers and artists like Todd Snyder, Studio Ghibli and Beams.
G.H. Bass Weejuns
G.H. Bass was established in 1876 in the town of Wilton, but it wasn’t until nearly 50 years later that its handmade leather shoes began to be worn all across the world. While its moccasins and boots were popular, it was its Weejuns line — short for Norwegian — that became a style icon. The original American penny loafer, Weejuns were made in Maine for decades and were suitable for both preppy fashion and for rockabilly and punk styling. The shoes aren’t made in Maine anymore, however, and the company is today owned by G-III Apparel Group, which also owns luxury brands like Karl Lagerfeld and DKNY.
Angela Adams bags
While L.L. Bean and G.H. Bass both date back more than a century, there are also more contemporary fashion brands from Maine. Angela Adams, a native of North Haven, started her line of accessories and home decor in 1997 in Portland, but it was her rugs and bags that caught the eye of high-end decorators and stylists in the early 2000s. Her bold, colorful tote bags were seen on celebrity shoulders and are still an in-demand accessory for casual-chic shopping days and coffee dates.
Liberty Graphics
Nothing shows your Maine bona fides like wearing a Liberty Graphics T-shirt, whether it’s a classic nature design or one of the countless shirts the company has printed each year for the Common Ground Country Fair. Though Liberty has been making high quality screen printed tees for more than 40 years, its aesthetic was discovered by fans of the normcore look that was trendy in the late 2010s. Pair a Liberty Graphics shirt with a pair of Maine-made New Balance sneakers, and you’ve figured out how to look cool without looking like you’re trying too hard.
Maine tourmaline
Nobody in Maine made tourmaline — the Earth did it. But when people stumbled on tourmaline deposits in western Maine in the 19th century, it quickly became synonymous with the state. The berry pink and rich green gemstones are among the few gems regularly mined in the U.S., and like Australian opals and Colombian emeralds, they are rare and highly prized. Sporting a piece of jewelry with Maine tourmaline means you’ve got good taste.
