10" Shearling Lined Bean Boots

While we are on the subject of boots today. I figure I might as well write the initial piece on my Bean Boots that I am doing a long term review on.

From the L.L. Bean website:

"In 1911 an avid outdoorsman named Leon Leonwood (L.L.) Bean returned from a hunting trip with cold, damp feet and a revolutionary idea. He enlisted a local cobbler to stitch supple leather uppers to waterproof rubber boots, creating a comfortable, functional boot for exploring the Maine woods. This ingenious invention - the Maine Hunting Shoe - changed outdoor footwear forever and, a year later, began one of the most successful family-run businesses in the country."

Bean Boots have been firmly established as prep staples in New England for quite some time now, and after having lived in Maine for 5 years now, I reckoned it was time to solidify my commitment to the snowiest place I have ever lived.

Sadly, this has turned out to be the most pathetic winter I have ever experienced here. I honestly think that the two snow days that we have had here since the new semester started were given to us out of pity. Not to be completely discouraged, I picked myself up a pair anyway from the L.L. Bean outlet here in Bangor. Not a bad score, $89 bought me the normally $120 boots.

Right, first impressions. I honestly had what I thought were unreasonably high hopes for these boots, seeing as they are one of Maine's greatest sartorial contributions (still waiting to hear back if chamois shirts and flannel count). From the very first time I put them on, I knew I had made the right decision. They do run a size larger, to accommodate woolly socks, but honestly, go a size down again. These things are massive in the toe room department otherwise. Other than the sizing peculiarity, they are comfortable, rugged, warm, and honest-to-a-god-damn waterproof. My first field test of the boots was a 4 mile trek in freezing rain and snow to the local pub for snow day discount food and booze. They proved to be more than up for the task of deep puddles, snow banks, and the worst enemy of leather shoes in Maine, SALT.  I've only had the privilege of wearing them in such conditions twice, so this is by no means a conclusive test of the boots, but they have certainly made a good start out of the gate. Stay  tuned for more on how they fair into the spring months.

Not a shit was given by the boots that day...

The well earned reward...

The Case For Chelsea Boots

I do not know why, but it seems that on every single menswear blog I read, there seems to be some grouping of people that, besides being completely against black shoes (looking at you A Headlong Dive) also hang their heads at the thought of someone donning a pair of black, polished, Chelsea boots. Long have black boots been the staple of a pure rock and roll image. To be honest, nothing I can write can make the case better than Mr. John Lennon in the picture below.

Rock-the-fuck-on.

The Little Mistakes All College Age Men Make...

I've been toying with the idea for a while of coming up with a comprehensive list of all of the tweaks I wish someone had told me I should incorporate into my dressing habits when I started... well... dressing myself. Fact is though, such a list is quite the effort to put in for a college senior (who should already be doing better things with his time). Not to be completely defeated though, I have found a list of little (but HUGE) tips what will most likely be the first of many re-blogs to come from various sites that ALL men should read.
This one comes from the online magazine Primer, which follows yet another favorite website of mine Dappered.com, in its way of giving style advice and articles for guys who really do not have a lot of money, but want to get themselves looking more like men and less like boys. Enjoy.

10 Style Mistakes I Wish I Had Learned Long Ago

New Intro and L.L. Bean acquisitions

Let's do this. I'm making a m*****ucking style blog. From here on out, this is what this blog will be dedicated to. What the fuck am I afraid of anyway?

Disclaimer (as always): This is not going to be a place for those who are sensitive to abrasive comments about sartorial decisions that I will inevitably be making. If you are looking for more kindly worded criticism or advice. Watch American Idol or some shit.

Ahem... Let us begin

I recently got lucky and came upon quite a few pieces from L.L. Bean's Signature line of clothing. For those not familiar with the line, it is L.L. Bean's attempt to both modernize and refine certain pieces of clothing by trimming and remaking clothes from their humble beginnings in 1912. Such things that have been freshly looked at and (thankfully) slimmed up include sweaters, shirts, jeans, and even blazers and suiting. Many of the addictive-as-crack blogs that I frequent have discussed the great affordability (debatable in my case) and fit of the suiting options in particular. Having tried these items on in person though, I must say, they are quite right that the expense is worth it. Around about $300-$350 will get you the whole shebang. Adding on about $20 for tailoring afterwards of course, as the pants come unfinished at the end for a customizable fit.

Due to the number of items, I will be doing them in multiple posts. Since things like the shirts are all quite similar, only really differing in pattern or color, I can do those all together. Things like boots, sweaters, and accessories need their space though to give ample attention to them all.

First up though, the classic oxford cloth button down shirt (or OCBD in menswear blogspeak). Made in Sri Lanka or Malaysia, depending on which pattern you get, these are the first thing that I ever tell men to get if they are looking for classic staple like pieces to their collections. These particular shirts from Bean's are VERY soft and comfortable and available in everything from basic white and blue to great modern plaids. The fit seems pretty true, not as swamping as their standard shirts, and not as euro tight as offerings from shops such as H&M. When tucked in, which they always should be, there is minimal bunching at the sides and back, provided you did in fact select the right size. All of L.L. Bean's merchandise is protected by their 100% satisfaction warranty, which means, if you, for any reason are not happy with what you have, you can return it for a FULL refund. They take pride in their stuff, that much is clear.

However, I do have two annoyances so far. The sides of the shirt are STUPIDLY FUCKING SHORT. There seems to be no function for the shortness, which I might be able to understand if they were meant to be worn untucked, but the length of the front and back tail suggest otherwise. Also, the buttons seem to be very poorly sewn on, already leading to one of the collar buttons to come off on the second wearing. Not a huge thing, really, but still embarrassing enough. Especially when you shell out $50 (full retail) for a shirt. That should not fucking happen.

That being said, they are still very comfortable, and like any OCBD, incredibly versatile. Under a suit, sweater, with slacks, with jeans, and shorts, it doesn't matter. They look at home. I got several of them, and I intend on them being in heavy rotation for these next few months to test their durability.