I had scanned in some pages from a 1994 L.L. Bean catalog that was hidden in our bookcase a handful of years back. And as I came across these scans today, I thought it might be interesting to see if any of the items from 32 years ago were still as good today. I grabbed some links of the same, or similar, items for comparison.
- Women's Premium Double L Polo, Short-Sleeve Relaxed Fit
- Premium Double L Polo
- Men's Premium Double L Polo, Banded Short-Sleeve, Tipped
- Men's Premium Double L® Polo, Hemmed Short-Sleeve with Pocket
- Men's Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket
- Casco Bay Short Sleeve Polo
- Men's Casco Bay Rugged Polo, Short-Sleeve
- Casco Bay Rugged Polo, Long-Sleeve
- Men's Maine Warden's 3-In-1 Parka With Gore-Tex
- Men's Maine Mountain Parka
- Men's Baxter State Parka
- Women's Rugged Ridge Parka
- Men's Double L Jeans, Classic Fit
- Men's Double L Jeans, Standard Fit
- Men's Double L Jeans, Natural Fit, Hidden Comfort
- Women's Casco Bay Boat Mocs
- Casco Bay Boat Mocs, Mule
- Women's Casco Bay Boat Mocs
- Men's Casco Bay Boat Mocs II
- Women's Handsewn Moccasins, Blucher Moc
- Women's Handsewn Moccasins, Camp Mocs
- Casco Bay Boat Mocs II
- Pima Cotton Tee, Long-Sleeve Crewneck
- Women's Pima Cotton Tee, Short-Sleeve Jewelneck
- Women's Pima Cotton Tee, Three-Quarter-Sleeve Polo Stripe
- Women's Pima Cotton Turtleneck, Long-Sleeve
Those were the days. Full-fit shirts, must iron khakis, and performance referred to your game not your clothing. Thanks for these memories. JDV
ReplyDeleteI'm still wearing and buying the pima cotton tees. The fabric quality and workmanship has held up over the decades.
ReplyDeleteI still buy the Pima cotton tees as well — a basic part of my everyday uniform. Unfortunately, the ones I’ve purchased the past few years are made of much thinner fabric.
Delete30 years ago, and you could still wear almost everything in the catalog today and not look awkward. I only found 3 things that are outdated: The jean shorts, the Bill Cosby sweater, and the light wash loose fit jeans.
ReplyDeleteNeat & attractive....end of an era.
ReplyDeleteI wish they still made the Acadia parka the same way. It just looked so much better back then. The current version has a logo (of course), and basically comes in black or grey, as do most of their other offerings. I miss seeing colors like green, and red, and an actual not-almost-black navy blue.
ReplyDeleteYou can always use a felt tip marker to color over a logo. We do that. It doesn’t work absolutely perfectly but it works well enough. No one you pass on a sidewalk or stand next to in a store will mistake you for a walking billboard.
DeleteI suppose we can’t all be “influencers” and be paid for wearing some company’s logo.
DeleteThose were the days.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, simple and neat!
DeleteBring back the Bucs - Please and in EEE
ReplyDeleteViyella ribbed wool otc socks- 2 pr for $13, Made in USA white bucks - $75, Swaine Adeny Brigg umbrellas- $55. Etc. Please provide link to your way-back machine.
ReplyDeleteClass will out!
ReplyDeleteNow say, I hate to trouble you,
ReplyDeleteBut I drive a BMW.
I got my PhD in '73
And my Newport house overlooks the sea.
Now Bunny and I can always be seen
In just the right places if you know what I mean.
I wear khaki shorts from L.L. Bean,
And have favorite colors are pink and green.
Remember... you won't be tacky if you switch to khaki. Cheers. WBR
My shirt bears a crocodile
Deletebut I prefer the Charles to the Nile.
No logo is even better,
or hide it under a Shetland sweater.
Fall colors are soon to be seen,
and we will lose the lovely green.
I’ll wear a barn jacket from L.L. Bean,
as I survey the autumn scene.
– JL
In days of old - and to this day truth be told
ReplyDeleteOur favorite colors are green and gold
I saw a great many items of clothing I’ve purchased and worn for decades in that ’94 Bean catalog. The one that really caught my eye was the Arcadia Parka; I bought one in navy probably around ’96 that I still have and wear a lot. It still looks great, has no wear spots or problems. The zippers, snaps and drawstrings are all still in perfect working order. I recently was trying to remember what I paid for it and $89 sounds about right. I’ll likely have it for at least a few more decades; definitely got my money’s worth with that purchase.
ReplyDeleteEvery winter I pull out my pair of Bean hand sewn Mocs. They fit perfectly with thick wool socks. Easy on easy off. They’re great for a trip to the woodpile or a dash through a drizzle to grab something left forgotten in the car. Every couple of years I rub in a coating of schnee’s leather conditioner. The mocs will unquestionably outlive me and I’m not that, that old. I bought them never worn in a thrift shop in East G RI in 1995 for $8.
ReplyDeleteThose were not “the days”. They were past the end. They were mediocre.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness the pleats on pants are gone. Very unflattering. My wardrobe is full of pima cotton tees and turtlenecks, both new and thrifted. Not much of an increase in price from then to now.
ReplyDeleteSo much was still made in USA at that point. I still have many LL Bean items from that era.
ReplyDelete