Shopping from 1982: LL Bean

On the subject of heritage garb for women, here is what was available from LL Bean in 1982. What I love about this era of LL Bean is how many items are offered in unisex sizes and colors (seriously...when was the last time you saw a contemporary catalog listing the exact same item, in the same colorway, "for men and women?").  While some of the clothing items are on the blandly prep side, I would immediately mail order the madras shirt, Chouinard shorts, tassel mocs and the anorak.  For a view of the full catalog reprint, see the venerable Heavy Tweed Jacket.

 

 
 Images courtesy of Heavy Tweed Jacket

Shopping from 1945: LL Bean Shopping Bags

Archival is working on a design for a collapsible tote for light marketing.  We take our inspiration from bags like these plainly named, Bean shopping bags circa1945.  We love the idea of stowing bags within bags (in anticipation of  impromptu portage).  Although we cannot promise that our bag will fold neatly into a women’s handbag, it will be compact enough to stash in our standard Archival Rucksack.

Shopping from 1933: LL Bean

I just received my LL Bean Spring 1933 catalog in the mail (egregious delivery delays!). I'm forwarding along to Archival readers in need of last minute moccasin sandals, pack baskets, tackle kits, Maine fishing coats, tobacco pouches or fly rod outfits for their August camps. To order your goods, complete the form below and send at once to LL Bean, Freeport Maine.
















Place your order here:

"no explanation or excuses required for returning an item"

Archival Refurb: Maine Hunting Shoes

Here's a terrific opportunity to have your favorite leather mocs resoled with Bean genuine 1922 hunting rubber soles.

Archival Vests: Rising Sun & Co Outdoor Vest

I first spotted the Rising Sun & Co Outdoor Vest at Man Up last January. John, Howard and Jeremy were all wearing versions of the vest: one in canvas duck and the other in indigo dyed canvas.

John in his Rising Sun & Co vest at Man Up

1952 LL Bean catalog

The Rising Sun vest's design is inspired by vintage hunting and shooting vests. Traditional fishing vests are cut short so they can be worn into a stream with waders. The addition of an internal game or poacher's pocket makes them useful for upland game hunting too.

Filson makes its own Original Hunting Vest out of a heavier weight waxed canvas. I'm still waiting for Filson to introduce this garment in their collection for women. As it stands, the vest is cut long and wears more like a shelter tent than a vest. I do love all the strategic internal pocketing (and reinforced wool shoulder panels).

Rising Sun & Co vest available in indigo dyed canvas.

A recent production model in black duck canvas and white herringbone twill.

Since Man Up, I've been asking Rising Sun to produce a version of the vest in XS for women. This December, for a larger production run, Mike cut a few higher for a women's fit. I finally own my own Outdoor Vest. Next to the super short, snug monkey fit, I love the vest's deep front utility pockets. Most clothing for women skimps on functional pocketing (see recent Barbour Utility jacket for a glaring example). For daily wear, the Rising Sun vest easily carries a large smart phone, pocket camera, notebooks and writing utensils. For revision, I wish Rising Sun would add two rear carrying pockets (per LL Bean vest) and ditch the back cinch. Since the fit on the vest is so snug, the cinch has no real use value. And for me, the cinch shifts the look of the vest from field clothing to western wear.

I'll be testing the vest for bike commuting later in Spring when the weather permits a formal transfer from wax & wool to canvas duck outerwear.

Camp Moc Review

Unlined, oiled leather camp mocs are my favorite shoes for summer. I wear several pairs in rotation from June to August. Where one would normally sport tennis shoes (for cycling, dog walking or skateboarding), I wear mocs. As the catalog patter goes: "these shoes have the snappy appearance of a moccasin with the support of a shoe." Once the weather chills, I revert back to loafers since I have a personal ethos against wearing camp mocs with socks. I wanted to document my collection before I clean and archive them for the winter.

The L.L. Bean original (actual camp dust in evidence)

Quoddy update (customized w/red brick soles a la all plaidout)

MacRostie Leathers Moccasins (recently restored by the maker)

Letter from Elaine and Bud

Catch and release: Russell Camp Mocs

Shopping from the past: J.L. Coombs

If you must wear socks with your camp mocs

Late summer arrival.