Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman Tunic Sweater

This sweater is pretty but extremely heavy and long. The sizing is beyond generous. I'd hoped for something lighter weight. Disappointed and returning.

I want to love this sweater, but the boat neck cancels the overall warmth of the sweater. I really wish this sweater had the classice crew neck, then it would be the perfect sweater. With the boat neck I find I have to wear a heavy cowel scarf or a crew neck t-shirt to stay warm, and cover bra straps.

Yeah, I know. Nothing is made like it used to be. Even at LLBean. So I replaced a sweater I got as a gift 25 yrs ago, because it was finally wearing out. 3 yrs later, the new sweater looks about 20 yrs old. Disappointed. Pretty, but will be short lived.

I wanted to love this Christmas gift. I am 6'2, 155lb, small bones, broad shoulders, small waist/hips, long torso, and long legs. A size Large fit well up top and in sleeves, but was HUGE around the bottom, as if I should have weighed many more pounds to fill it in. It's looks much more tent-like than tunic-like. It made me look much, much larger than I am. Sadly, it was returned to store.

Great sweater but runs long. If you are not tall, there's a lot of sweater!

The extra small was still very loose at the front portion covering the abdomen. Unfortunately, they do not have any smaller sizes than extra small for the sweater.

Cute sweater. rough scratchy fabric. Maybe over time it will soften.

I like the sweater, and it's true that you should size down by one size, however, the color is really beige or tan - not off white or cream. I would not have purchased it if I had know this.

Out of the box it's a very pretty sweater, but it runs large and is way too heavy, bulky, and somewhat boxy. That makes for an unflattering fit. I was anxious to get this sweater and wear in over the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, it was a big (and I do mean big) disappointment. I sent it back.

This was simply too heavy for my small frame. Also, the small size was too big.

it is a bit lumpier than I had hoped. or perhaps it merely showed m every lump. unflattering on me. 5'6", 150 lbs, 38DDD.

I can't wear any type of wool. Even 10% wool sweaters make me itch, so I stick with cotton. I've bought four cotton sweaters from L.L Bean over the years, which includes two of these. I first bought one in ivory. It looked good from afar, but the yarn felt EXACTLY like cotton baking string (I am not kidding- if you've got some, go feel it and imagine a sweater knit out of it... that's what this sweater feels like: thick, stiff, rough, with loosely wound fiber strings, even after washing). BUT, while thick, stiff, and not soft, it was NOT itchy, thank goodness, so I kept it even though the sleeves were too short (the plight of every tall woman, I'm guessing). I liked the torso length which covered my bum a little lower than halfway- women's sweaters very rarely come in tall, so I appreciated the longer length, even though it's not a true tunic length for taller people. I then ordered an ochre color, thinking maybe only the ivory color was rough. Nope. The ochre one had a baking-string feel to it too. Also, the boatneck shows bra straps and pulls on the front of my neck a little. I kept both anyway because they felt sturdy, like they could last many years, plus I hate going to the post office and because I love Maine and L. L. Bean, and I always feel guilt returning things that are good quality but just a little off the mark. But I find myself saying "Well, okay, I guess I'll wear it" when I put it on, rather than "Yes! I LOVE wearing this! On it goes!" L.L. Bean, I have a suggestion for you... could you make a few of your fisherman or cabled sweaters in women's tall sizes please? Maybe even with U or V-necks, because they hide bra straps and don't pull on necks. And maybe with slightly softer cotton yarn? Thank you for making good quality clothes, and sorry for the rambling review. :)

Sweater looks nice but rough and extremely itchy. Had to wear a long sleeved t shirt under it. Finally donated it to Goodwill.

It's as beautiful as the picture in the Catalogue, but when I took it out of the package I was shocked at the hard, rough texture. I ran it through the washing machine with a cold load. Didn't hurt the sweater. I air dried it on a towel. Still coarse and rough. Thinking of using Calgon water softener next time.

I like the fit and style. Not as soft as I would like. I have other cotton sweaters that are much more comfortable and cost less. I am hoping it will soften up with time.

Too heavy, weird neck and the cotton isn't very soft. Very well made though.

Beautiful sweater but not on me! Too much bulk around the hips and mid section and too long. Returned for different style.

I returned this sweater, even though I liked many aspects of it. Pros: Beautiful stitching, flattering scoop neckline, nice cream color, longer length offers back coverage, unique side zipper at bottom. Cons: Quite heavy and loose fit. It looked like it was hanging on me instead of fitting me. If you have broader shoulders and want a sweater that drapes through the torso, it may work really well for you. The cream color would look lovely with many fall colors including navy blue, cocoa brown and olive green. It could also be worn into the spring, especially on damp, cool days. You would need to take care not to pick it.

I love the look of this sweater, but the fit was way too boxy for me.

I really like the fit of this sweater, although it ran large for me. The main critique I have is that the cotton fabric is very rough and doesn't feel good on my skin. Usually cotton is soft, but not on this sweater. I wear tees under it anyway, so I did not return it.

Sweater and quality are superb. Sizing not so much. So here's my longish story. Received PINK option in L for Christmas 2020. According to sizing I should have been fine. It was huge. I stupidly took off the tags and wore it once. It's been sitting in a closet for 12 months unused. Loved the sweater enough I asked for another one this year, in BEIGE and size M. Took tags off again (I'll never learn my lesson) and right off the bat realized it's MUCH longer than it's predecessor. Almost too long to be flattering as a tunic. It's approaching the odd length of looking like it should be a dress but it isn't. Oh and the overall size is STILL TOO BIG!! Sigh. So now I have two gorgeous sweaters I cannot wear. I wouldn't stray from buying this sweater, because as I mentioned the quality and weight is great. But beware of sizing.

This sweater is clearly well made and great quality, however I ordered a Large and it's ginormous on me and weighs a TON- and yet usually Large tends too run small for me. No way should I be ordering a medium. The length is simply goofy, as it's more of a tunic than a sweater, but the material is so thick it makes me look that much heavier and absolutely shapeless. I had high hopes for this sweater, but alas I don't think I'll ever wear it. I keep trying and each time am reminded it's just not going to work.

I really, really love this sweater. The color (the blueish/red) is amazing and I love the detail of the zippers but the sleeves were way too long. I usually buy petite sizes so I'll just have to wait for a sweater tunic in petites :)

Way tooo long, and I'm 5'7". Returned and bought the "regular" fisherman sweater. The "regular" one is beautiful! Why haven't I bought sweaters from LLBean before?!

The sleeves are tight and it is not very soft. We need XXL sizing in more clothing for women.