We promised to spotlight a few worthy vendors whose products and services are in line with Old Money Values. With that in mind, every OMG (Old Money Guy/Old Money Gal) should be familiar with L.L. Bean.
In business for more than 100 years, the Freeport, Maine, based company sells quality apparel for men and women at strong prices, including outdoor wear and clothing for hunting and fishing.
They have a number of retail outlets, but much of their business is now done online (the print catalog was a staple on many OMG coffee tables in decades past.) Their loyal customer base keeps warm with the company’s great sweaters and flannel-lined chinos year in and year out, in a style that’s more New England than preppy.
The Signature Product: the L.L. Bean boot.
Other Go-To Items: their crew-neck sweaters and chinos.
The Scenario: Aunt Edna is feeling generous now that you’re going off for your first year of college, but, being the ultimate OMG, she hasn’t been to a shopping mall in the last half century. She has no idea what clothing costs. She thinks you’ll be able to buy everything you need with $1000.00. If you shop at L.L. Bean, she might be right. Damn it.
Gentlemen, here’s your list:
5 Oxford Cloth Button Down Shirts – 50 bucks each – $250.00
5 Cotton Polo Shirts – 30 bucks each – $150.00
2 Crew Neck Sweaters, Cotton or Wool – 50 bucks each – $100.00
3 Pair of Double L Chinos – 50 bucks each – $150.00
3 Pair of Double L Jeans – 50 bucks each – $150.00
1 Town & Field Blue Blazer, Wool or Cotton – $125.00
1 Pair LL Bean Penny Loafers – $100.00
1 Pair LL Bean Chukkas or 8 inch boots – $125.00
Ladies, L.L. Bean has these same products for women in a variety of styles and colors, so feel free to allocate likewise.
With this arsenal in your dorm closet, you’ll hit campus with a low-profile, low-maintenance wardrobe that will last–with a few additions–til your senior year. No one will know how much money you have (or don’t have), but a discerning few will suspect that you’ve shopped wisely, with good taste.
And as Mark Twain once said, don’t let your schooling interfere with your education. (Wink, nod.)
– BGT