I used to buy from LL Bean a long time ago but stopped when they whored themselves out to cheap foreign labor. I’m not sure there is anything made in the USA in their catalog today. Sad.
Ah yes, good times shopping in the LL Bean store in Freeport – enjoy the memories because, unfortunately, the quality is not what it used to be since they are outsourcing their items…Most of their hiking shoes are made in Vietnam and no two pair of the same model number and size are the same – Their flannel lined pants are thinner than they used to be – their tents are not up to the quality of the 70’s or 80’s – Bottom line – prices up – quality down – I"m really disappointed in the company today…
Take ads for adventure sports gear: They do a splendid job of making the miserable look desirable. Training and adventure are hard, and inevitably — frequently — there is suffering involved. But it looks noble and even fun, because it says, “these people are ALIVE!”
So I’m really impressed by L.L. Bean, because they make the mundane look fun. Those people aren’t conquering peaks or vanquishing the furies. They’re doing chores. Chores in beautiful places, but chores. And their core is warm, because they’re wearing flannel shirts and plush sweaters and khaki pants that don’t press against the skin and conduct cold directly nor flap around and let cold air in, but you know their ears are cold and their fingers are numb, and they’re moving logs from place to place, and they’re just as alive and probably a good deal more happy than that mountaineer in the other ad figuring out if he can make the summit and get back down before he loses another couple of toes.
There’s value in the mundane and intense pleasure to be had if you live in the moment, work with intent, see the beauty around you and can finish the job and go inside to a loving Labrador retriever at your feet on a custom monogrammed Polarfleece dog bed.
gocomics.comFrazz by Jef Mallett for October 16, 2018 | GoComics.comView the daily comic strip for Frazz by cartoonist Jef Mallett created…
Then came Lumbersexuals. “A manan whom is trying desperately to be masculine by looking the part instead of being the part, eg, dressing up like a lumberjack.” Urban Dictionary
asrialfeeple over 5 years ago
He’s no lumberjack, but he’s ok.
Buck B over 5 years ago
I used to buy from LL Bean a long time ago but stopped when they whored themselves out to cheap foreign labor. I’m not sure there is anything made in the USA in their catalog today. Sad.
T Smith over 5 years ago
Barn coat! Don’t forget the barn coat.
jessegooddog over 5 years ago
One of the few quality clothing companies left. I have shirts that are 30 years old and still in very good shape.
raptor over 5 years ago
Ah yes, good times shopping in the LL Bean store in Freeport – enjoy the memories because, unfortunately, the quality is not what it used to be since they are outsourcing their items…Most of their hiking shoes are made in Vietnam and no two pair of the same model number and size are the same – Their flannel lined pants are thinner than they used to be – their tents are not up to the quality of the 70’s or 80’s – Bottom line – prices up – quality down – I"m really disappointed in the company today…
The Legend of Brandon Sawyer Premium Member over 5 years ago
ill rock ll bean
FredCapp over 5 years ago
That reminds me, I have some firewood that needs splitting.
Duncan Idaho over 5 years ago
I am always in the mood to chop wood…. or bale hay as long as I get to drive the tractor.
Joliet Jake over 5 years ago
Speaking of … I was just at the local LL Bean store yesterday and picked up a couple new flannel shirts for the winter.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 5 years ago
Frazz16 hrs ·
Take ads for adventure sports gear: They do a splendid job of making the miserable look desirable. Training and adventure are hard, and inevitably — frequently — there is suffering involved. But it looks noble and even fun, because it says, “these people are ALIVE!”
So I’m really impressed by L.L. Bean, because they make the mundane look fun. Those people aren’t conquering peaks or vanquishing the furies. They’re doing chores. Chores in beautiful places, but chores. And their core is warm, because they’re wearing flannel shirts and plush sweaters and khaki pants that don’t press against the skin and conduct cold directly nor flap around and let cold air in, but you know their ears are cold and their fingers are numb, and they’re moving logs from place to place, and they’re just as alive and probably a good deal more happy than that mountaineer in the other ad figuring out if he can make the summit and get back down before he loses another couple of toes.
There’s value in the mundane and intense pleasure to be had if you live in the moment, work with intent, see the beauty around you and can finish the job and go inside to a loving Labrador retriever at your feet on a custom monogrammed Polarfleece dog bed.
gocomics.comFrazz by Jef Mallett for October 16, 2018 | GoComics.comView the daily comic strip for Frazz by cartoonist Jef Mallett created…
allenthompson over 5 years ago
kids say “trousers”?
Jhony-Yermo about 1 year ago
Then came Lumbersexuals. “A manan whom is trying desperately to be masculine by looking the part instead of being the part, eg, dressing up like a lumberjack.” Urban Dictionary