tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post7319460479792928856..comments2024-03-28T16:17:49.667-04:00Comments on Salt Water New England: L. L. BeanSalt Water New Englandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08940851375677714833noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-84613222405319081702020-11-08T18:04:30.202-05:002020-11-08T18:04:30.202-05:00LL Bean and Brooks Brothers both lost their way du...LL Bean and Brooks Brothers both lost their way due to the political correctness which propagated the US during the late 80s thru the 90s. The focus on client sectors which gave them their prowess as Brooks Brothers at the office and LLBean outside the office became very cloudy. They tried to be everything for everyone which as we have seen throughout the ages does not work. Businesses are born thru a recognized need by a specific culture/identity. They then grow their product line to adapt<br />to that specific culture/identity. This one-size fits all business model does work when you begin to outsource manufacturing to low cost countries such as China and India...wait, this guys onto something!:) Say hello to trendy clothing and disposable apparel, and good-bye to style and quality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-42976165448593319632020-11-04T12:33:03.844-05:002020-11-04T12:33:03.844-05:00It may be just a coincidence but there was a rough...It may be just a coincidence but there was a roughly twenty year period from about 1990 to 2010, maybe earlier, when there were serious changes in the retail sector. During those years, local and regional department stores were being bought up by national chains, which themselves underwent some consolidations. These were what might be called traditional department stores. At the same time, the traditional five and dime stores began disappearing. Those were generally replaced by so-called big box retailers, most of which seem to be thriving. Most of those seem to be in freestanding stores. All of that happened before this year's pandemic ruined some of those businesses. L.L. Bean and similar retailers like Orvis and REI, Inc., are really specialty stores for the most part and it's hard to say what effect changes in other retail sectors had on them. Undoubtedly their customers changed. BlueTrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008640585987540252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-63996676121150061362020-11-04T12:25:10.962-05:002020-11-04T12:25:10.962-05:00Yes, they source more overseas goods, and they hav...Yes, they source more overseas goods, and they have pulled (and sometimes brought back, arguably with lesser quality) old standards like the Norwegian sweaters, the bluchers, Shetland sweaters, country cords, and so on. Yes, they have moved from untreated natural fibers to no iron/no character stuff. However, they have never abandoned their alignment with their core market. Their core market that hearkens to the sixties and seventies now has an array of options they can buy online that are inevitably making life for L.L.Bean challenging (Barbours in place of barn jackets, Jack Donnellys or Bill's in lieu of Bean khakis, Quoddys or Rancourts in lieu of Bean bluchers). Despite these shifting patterns they still offer pretty nice stuff at pretty nice prices. I just got two pairs of their five pocket cords and really like them. Would that Brooks Brothers could have evolved along similar lines. Tim Irvinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-56565857584311176992020-11-04T09:59:32.067-05:002020-11-04T09:59:32.067-05:00Wow, I hadn't seen the comment on 'unwashe...Wow, I hadn't seen the comment on 'unwashed masses' before. A bit bombastic...ça me gonfle!TwistyTreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15127781091098128473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-39861514194988484542020-11-04T07:05:28.502-05:002020-11-04T07:05:28.502-05:00Unwashed masses ? Let me make this clear. My an...Unwashed masses ? Let me make this clear. My ancestors came to this country in 1620. We had our summer home in Maine for 100 years. The point is that I am not new to this. What an asinine comment. It is in your opinion that you are separate from the unwashed masses. Maybe it’s time we grow up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-40057476190131289472020-11-03T13:32:14.917-05:002020-11-03T13:32:14.917-05:00I don't have a good answer. I think probably ...I don't have a good answer. I think probably in the 1980s. I know the quality for some of the products isn't what it once was, but I still order from them. I can't help it...The Prairie WASPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-22354538560433559752020-11-03T11:47:03.369-05:002020-11-03T11:47:03.369-05:00I can only speak for the late 1980s when I was in ...I can only speak for the late 1980s when I was in uni (no thanks to Lisa Birnbach btw). I still have a pair of duck boots from that era! TwistyTreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15127781091098128473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-63221961608703576462020-11-03T08:49:20.030-05:002020-11-03T08:49:20.030-05:00I have an LL Bean 100 percent cotton fisherman'...I have an LL Bean 100 percent cotton fisherman's crew that is at least 25 years old and it looks brand new. The natural off-white cotton is very high quality, very soft and the weave pattern is gorgeous. I've never had a snag or hole in it. I've searched for many years on Ebay to find another one just like it because it's my favorite spring and fall sweater for those warmer days that quickly turn cool in the afternoon/evening. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-33480281312539865022020-11-03T07:55:41.217-05:002020-11-03T07:55:41.217-05:00They're not itchy, can be worn as a single lay...They're not itchy, can be worn as a single layer, are great for late spring, early fall, brisk coastal Maine summer mornings and around the house. Averylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-46532495331035670552020-11-03T03:04:44.046-05:002020-11-03T03:04:44.046-05:00Why would anyone buy a sweater made of cotton? Why would anyone buy a sweater made of cotton? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-66143895600958446342020-11-02T10:45:56.034-05:002020-11-02T10:45:56.034-05:00I would say late 70's, but the decline moved r...I would say late 70's, but the decline moved rather quickly. I still have three pairs of their country flannel trousers purchased just before being discontinued and every color of their Shetland crewneck sweaters: some the made in Scotland early ones and all of the later made in China ones. Not the greatest but the best for the money.Frederick Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-22262134323765318102020-11-02T10:35:17.412-05:002020-11-02T10:35:17.412-05:00Ashley I have the same acrylic-like cotton sweater...Ashley I have the same acrylic-like cotton sweaters from Bean as well as the 100% cotton sweaters purchased from Lands End and Ralph Lauren in the past few years. They have an unnaturally soft feel and pill after a couple of gentle washings. The RL sweater literally fell apart and my LE and LLB sweaters look terrible. I would like to know what kind of Frankencotton this is. One used to be able to trust that 100% cotton meant it felt and wore like cotton.Averylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-76466644014403316162020-11-02T08:45:16.796-05:002020-11-02T08:45:16.796-05:00No, they surely did not. I have a navy Double L ...No, they surely did not. I have a navy Double L crew neck that is showing it's age, but I will not replace it with another.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-40805732700639159852020-11-02T06:17:15.395-05:002020-11-02T06:17:15.395-05:00By the way there should be no space between the L....By the way there should be no space between the L.L. and Bean. It's L.L.Bean. Averylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-75868802348775098872020-11-02T06:15:58.137-05:002020-11-02T06:15:58.137-05:00Personally, I rather like the no-iron all-cotton s...Personally, I rather like the no-iron all-cotton shirts. They are less trouble and wear much better. There have never been any clothing factories probably within 100 miles of where I live, so in a sense, they've always been imported. <br /><br />I don't think I ever bought anything from L.L. Bean until they opened their store in the local mall. There's also an Orvis store down the street in a strip mall. But take heart; Tiffany is still in a free-standing store. But it's close enough to the mall so that you can park in the garage there and walk to the store. BlueTrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008640585987540252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-35706822214162636422020-11-02T05:43:54.283-05:002020-11-02T05:43:54.283-05:00I collected the catalogs before moving to Maine. T...I collected the catalogs before moving to Maine. They were brilliant! When I was working the phones at Bean in the early 90s an elderly gentleman asked me if I was the model on the cover of the Christmas catalog. I told him yes! He sounded so elated. My soul is ok with that white Christmas lie. Averylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-63998707813554905272020-11-01T21:26:28.057-05:002020-11-01T21:26:28.057-05:00I would say 1978, before dressing like a "pre...I would say 1978, before dressing like a "prep" became an 1980's "trend".spudnik99https://www.blogger.com/profile/02024375034158847114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-53126497075930134452020-11-01T20:35:31.121-05:002020-11-01T20:35:31.121-05:00The pre-1984 LL Bean would have very little overla...The pre-1984 LL Bean would have very little overlap in its inventory with Brooks Bros. BB might have wooden and gut snowshoes as a decoration, but that was it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-65053353552970198862020-11-01T20:29:30.062-05:002020-11-01T20:29:30.062-05:00Quelle tristesse.Quelle tristesse.The Cirquitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00520547596176411538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-80556407018077916142020-11-01T20:25:32.701-05:002020-11-01T20:25:32.701-05:00It's time? No, the proper question is when wer...It's time? No, the proper question is when were customers of LL Bean in their prime? For decades, LL Bean catered to a very, very small group of customers comprised of residents of Maine and New Hampshire, wealthy people who summered in Maine and their children and relatives. Those years, roughly, ended around 1970. Prior to 1970, the only persons who did not fit into that demographic were prep school students whose friends at school were in that demographic. So, if you were a fourth form student and a fifth former work Bean boots (then without chain tread soles, making the boot extremely light and very comfortable), you found LL Bean in the catalogue someone left on the coffee table in the common room of your house at school. Then, you ordered you own pair of Bean rubber mocs, with no train tread. These shoes were uber, uber prep at the time and long ago entered the prep hall of fame for being utterly exclusive, somewhat bohemian and completely appropriate for every occasion except your aunt's funeral. So, to respond, LL Bean died when it hired marketing consultants in the early 70s and started to send catalogues to the unwashed masses based upon someone else's customer lists. Then, after ten years, everyone knew about LL Bean and the 'back to prep' craze of the 80s was founded on Bean products. A great tragedy for those of us who knew the secret, so long ago.<br />The Cirquitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00520547596176411538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-41442363445136919402020-11-01T19:42:36.668-05:002020-11-01T19:42:36.668-05:00For me, 1966 to 1992. Then, foreign made stuff to...For me, 1966 to 1992. Then, foreign made stuff took over. I was 13 in 1966. Brooks Brothers held out longer. I have a lot of clothing I bought from 1980 to 200 that is still perfect. I occasionally find something great on ebay. Here's something that is still the real deal-Frye harness boots made in the USA. They will easily last 30 years if you take care of them.West Coast Stoicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-10997096651035552842020-11-01T18:24:45.542-05:002020-11-01T18:24:45.542-05:00Eight-year-old me wanted a cruiser axe.
Much wiser...Eight-year-old me wanted a cruiser axe.<br />Much wiser Dad said no...<br />Trailer For Sale Or Renthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05023809756083772638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-84491921664213272362020-11-01T17:08:33.868-05:002020-11-01T17:08:33.868-05:00I live in Canada and L.L. Bean opened a store in m...I live in Canada and L.L. Bean opened a store in my city in August. I went shopping at L.L. Bean this afternoon and bought a warm Double L mixed cable turtleneck sweater. The sweater is 100% cotton but it feels almost acrylic. Their other cotton sweaters felt the same. Did their cotton sweaters always feel acrylic-like? Ashley Jamesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567854110988715259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-43769237584432932582020-11-01T15:36:57.839-05:002020-11-01T15:36:57.839-05:00I’m only 30 but have inherited many a 1940s-1980s ...I’m only 30 but have inherited many a 1940s-1980s Bean product (my grandmother-in-law worked there for years), and like many my age, I try to source vintage Bean where I can find it. I don’t think it was immediately felt, but the quality seemed to dip after NAFTA decimated domestic clothing manufacturing. <br /><br />I agree with those above who note plenty of their products are still very well made. Anything they still manufacture in the US or Canada is a sure bet quality-wise, and even a few that aren’t. Their chamois shirts, (some of) the polos, the untreated (let our clothes wrinkle please!) oxford shirts, the Norwegian crewneck, any jeans with 1% or less stretch, and their Bean Boots I and many millenials swear by. I’m cautious of the new Todd Snyder collaboration, but I’ve heard good things and they seemed to put a lot of care into it so I’ll likely be looking at their new puffer vest for the winter. Evan Lanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714922182513339530.post-47914949406974846892020-11-01T12:43:13.731-05:002020-11-01T12:43:13.731-05:00They still have some good products, though I wish ...They still have some good products, though I wish they were all US made. American apparel businesses are in the fight of their life . Let’s face it, “preppy” style is in the minority these days as most young people prefer to dress in gym clothes 24/7. Penny Fredettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05252006130836781903noreply@blogger.com