Frequently Asked Questions

AU Essentials is a Maine bag company, based at 41 Canal Street in Lewiston, Maine. AU was established in Maine more than 40 years ago. Our Raincoat Cotton™ prints are hand silk-screened in the USA.

Raincoat Cotton™ is our trademarked laminated cotton. It is durable, stain resistant and water resistant, not waterproof. The laminate uses a water-based adhesive, chosen with the environment in mind, so standing water or full immersion may get through. It shrugs off spills, sea spray and a rainy walk to the car.

Shop the Raincoat Cotton™ collection.

Sailwax™ is waxed cotton, the original oil cloth, developed in Scotland in the early 1800s as foul-weather gear for mariners. The wax gives it superior water resistance and amazing durability, and it looks and feels better with time, like your favorite pair of jeans. Every Sailwax bag comes in Chestnut or Navy with a chocolate brown lining and leather trim.

Shop the Sailwax™ collection.

Harbour bags are made of carefree, water-resistant nylon with crazy strength. Navy/Red is lined in yellow, and Navy/White is lined in white. Shop the Harbour collection.

Erin Flett is a Maine textile and surface designer. Our Island Edge, Mrs. Robinson and Worn Current prints are designed exclusively for AU and hand silk-screened in the USA. Because each one is screened by hand, every imperfection is hand created, so no two bags are exactly alike.

About 18% of our fabric ends up as scrap that would otherwise go to landfill. We reuse those scraps in bags that mix our new and old patterns and colors, so every 18% bag is one of a kind. See the 18% Open Tote and the 18% Small Toiletry.

Every product page lists its size (height × width × depth, in inches). Our size guide compares every bag side by side. A few favorites: the French Tote is 13 × 14 × 4, the Medium Open Tote is 14 × 19 × 7, the Grande Open Tote is 17 × 24 × 10, and the Weekender is 16 × 20 × 8.

The Raincoat Cotton™ Weekender (16 × 20 × 8) is designed to be large enough to pack for a weekend and small enough to carry on an airplane. The Duffle (14 × 23 × 12) is another favorite for travel. Both are soft-sided, but airline size limits vary, so check your airline’s carry-on dimensions before you fly.

The Grande Open Tote is oversized for travel or the beach. The Zip Sprint fits four beach towels with room to spare and zips shut against sand. The 6 Pocket Market Tote keeps your water bottle, keys and phone handy in its outside pockets, and its nylon bottom wipes clean.

The nylon linings of our toiletry bags and dopp kits wipe clean, and so does the nylon bottom of the 6 Pocket Market Tote. Sailwax™ waxed cotton is made to wear in and look better with age. For care advice on a particular bag, call (207) 333-3366 or email sales@au-inc.com.

All orders ship UPS Ground within the United States, from Maine. Orders up to $200 ship for $8.75, orders from $200.01 to $350 ship for $12.00, and orders over $350 ship free. UPS Ground usually arrives in 1 to 5 business days after your order ships, and you’ll get a tracking email. See our shipping policy.

Maine sales tax (5.5%) is added to orders shipped to Maine addresses. Shipping charges are not taxed.

Returns are accepted for a full refund within 14 days of receipt, and for merchandise credit or exchange within 30 days of receipt. Items must be first quality and in their original packaging, and clearance sales are final. See our Terms & Conditions for how to send a return.

Yes. The Harbour collection is perfect for club events and corporate gifts, and we’re happy to help with wholesale inquiries. Call (207) 333-3366 or email sales@au-inc.com for quantity pricing.

Our store locator lists shops that carry AU. Call ahead to check what a shop has in stock.

Call (207) 333-3366, email sales@au-inc.com, or write to AU Essentials, Inc., 41 Canal Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240. Office hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm and Friday 7am to 4pm Eastern.