I suppose it isn’t surprising, given how much my current aesthetic skews preppy, that I found much to like here, and I always feel like a purchase from L.L. Bean is bound to be a good one, because their stuff is so fairly-priced and stupendously well-made. Consider this barn coat: I think I’d wear it endlessly once cooler weather hits.
Just a good striped tee with an always-flattering boatneck and three-quarter sleeves; I like this one too.
I like the horn buttons on this duffel coat.
You can spend a lot on a braided belt, but you don’t have to.
This striped pullover would look fantastic layered under a blazer.
A perfectly classic peacoat that comes in a variety of colors, though I’m partial to tried-and-true navy.
This sweater feels kind of French to me.
There is something delightfully anti-statusy about wearing an L.L. Bean watch, and I happen to think this one is really smart-looking.
This field jacket is a slightly more well-tailored alternative to an army jacket.
Just a fun blue clog with a substantial heel.
I appreciate that this fisherman sweater isn’t too chunky, which is my main complaint about most fisherman sweaters.
I include this sweater for sentimental reasons. Just about everyone at my boarding school owned one—the preppy kids wore theirs with khakis, and the hippie girls liked to pair them with Indian block print skirts, which looked kind of weird but also kind of awesome.
And finally: a really handsome weekender.
The quality has declined from when I regularly bought from L.L. Bean in the ’70s and ’80s. I also wish they’d kick the Trump-supporting Bean off the board.
Clogs! Hmm. I am in the market. Found a cute pair from MIA but got the wrong size. I will check out this newyorker business first.
So … I read a little bit and it appears that that was only one Bean who donated to the president. Apparently there are many Beans? So I wouldn’t worry about that. Whereas the labor thing would be more research than I have time for right now. Still, I must say, Maine sounds nice. I too like having women senators. It’s the thing to do. At least til we get to 45-50 percent.
Well, or up to 60 percent I think. Weirdly enough, it is possible also to have too many women in a thing. I have experienced this myself. Anyhow. long way to go before we worry about that.
“Too many women in a thing.” What is that supposed to mean?
Well … it’s complicated, but you know how sometimes, organizations and/or places can be male-dominated? That can happen the other way too. Just my opinion. And, it surprised me too, when I first experienced it.
I wore THAT.EXACT.BARNCOAT in college. I wore it with black leggings and really clunky, chunky shoes. What can I say, it was the 90s.
Woa. I did not know the Bean made clogs. I wonder if they’re comfortable.
While I used to be a big fan of Bean, the fact that products are “imported” as opposed to being made in the US as well as the political make up of the company leadership ( DJT donors, I believe?) – has sent me to REI for my sporting goods.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump-l-l-bean-and-the-peculiar-politics-of-maine
Thanks for this reminder, Kim.
Still – think I’ll stay with REI, as yet untainted by you-know-who
I’ve had my olive barn jacket (here in the rural Midwest it’s called a chore jacket) for years and look forward to wearing it every fall as it just gets better with time. My husband has had his wool duffel coat since the early 90s and it still looks great. I do have some beefs with LLBean though: they are cutting back their plus size offerings (where Land’s End is expanding and improving their selection) and the quality has slipped in the last few years. A $200 plaid blazer where the stripes don’t match? C’mon.
For what i’s worth, am friends with a Bean family member and the rest of the family can’t stand the DT supporter. The navy sweater carried me through my preppy sorority girl days. LL Bean has a unique nostalgia factor that others have copied but never come close.
It helps!
Love llbean …. especially while in high school. That Norwegian sweater was very popular …. still have mine.
Just a side note: I ordered the perma-loft lined buffalo plaid shirt-jacket you showed the other day. Unfortunately it is going back because it runs so LARGE! However, I can HIGHLY RECOMMEND because it has a cool vintage vibe (1940’s Katherine Hepburn-ish) and side pockets that are extremely handy when you need a place to put your keys/phone/tissue etc. So if you’re already ordering something from LLBean and you were thinking about adding that shirt––DO––but I would go down a size or two.
I recently spent a weekend camping in upstate New York and I wore my classic LL Bean duck boots. It turned into a very wet and muddy weekend and my feet stayed dry and comfortable. Duck boots are the best.
I had the Norwegian sweater for more than 30 years (Freshman Year of college – sign. This “Girl of a Certain Age” feels ancient.) I hadn’t worn it in ages and finally ditched it last year, and now…. Darn you, Kim!
No, I think it’s better this way. Do not mourn the sweater. (we are talking about the navy ones w the little v’s on them? Btw, are those supposed to evoke geese or something? Real question.) I like certain aspects of prep, generally the colors … but those sweaters never did anything for anyone. Leave it gone.
Unless you actually want one, in which case you should go ahead and get one. Just my two cents.
The classic Norwegian sweater – and people (like me) with Norwegian heritage seem to be extremely proud of it – so I vote thumbs up!
I have never bought much from L.L. Bean – my style is the opposite of preppy – but in 2008 I bought that boatneck striped T to wear to a nautical theme party – I still have it, still wear it, and it has not faded or stretched out one bit. Still looks like the day I bought it (and it’s in heavy rotation). Their quality is impeccable.
Whoa, these are surprisingly good!
I’ve been suckered into buying fisherman’s sweaters a few times now. I love the look (especially with the perfect pair of faded jeans) – but suspect they may only be flattering on the very thin, whereas I am decidedly middle sized, and not flat chested. But I find myself, once again, thinking that maybe this fisherman’s sweater could be the one…
I try that sweater on every time I’m in a Bean store and it always looks terrible on me. I start to overheat and itch all over. I want to love it, but it doesn’t love me. I’m a size 12 and a 36DD. Short and curvy. I wish the neck wasn’t so high on that sweater. I know it’s to keep you warm, but I end up feeling choked.
I haven’t bought anything except bedding from them in years, so I’m not sure if the quality is still the same, but I’m impressed with what few pieces of theirs I do own. When I first met my husband, he bought all his clothing from LL Bean and so I gave a few pieces a try. Bought that striped zip pullover in navy and cream about 15 years ago, wear it at least a couple times a month, wash it in the machine, and it still looks brand new. Another favorite of mine is a cropped cream wool turtleneck fisherman-style sweater that I’ve had for about 10 years. Hasn’t pilled or stretched out one bit. And all of my running fleece is from LL Bean—again, years old and still in perfect condition. I might have to check out those clogs and field jacket.