Unidentified Hungover ’80s Prep In LL Bean Norwegian Sweater

Sounds like a title for a museum exhibit, doesn’t it? And no, this isn’t Rob Lowe, but an avid Ivy Style reader who might just have missed his calling in Hollywood. 

17 Comments on "Unidentified Hungover ’80s Prep In LL Bean Norwegian Sweater"

  1. I love the Norwegian sweater, it just looks so timeless and comfortable. Has anyone here picked up the current iteration of the sweater? I’d assume its not as good as the original. Any reasonably priced alternatives?

    (Current version: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60845?feat=norwegian-SR0&page=heritage-sweater-norwegian-crewneck&csp=a)

  2. I have one of the recent versions, and one of the ’80s versions. The old 80% wool 20% Rayon mix is actually much better than the current 100% wool version. Both are made in Norway. The old one just feels more substantial, and the cuffs (which we’re doubled over on the old model) don’t stretch out and keep their shape, even after being pushed up or rolled back.

  3. Prodigal Prep | November 9, 2017 at 3:20 pm |

    I picked up a 1980s version (80% wool – 20% nylon) on eBay for under 50 dollars, including shipping. You have to know your size (chest measurement in particular) and ask the seller for this measurement and the overall length of the sweater, because they either run large (I bought a medium, which fits perfectly, though I usually wear large sweaters), or they’ve shrunk because they’ve been run through a dryer, so in either case, measure before you buy!

    There are often bidding wars on these sweaters.

    I’ve also read articles (here and at Salt Water New England – though they removed this article from their site for some reason) that say that the newer versions are not as good as the older versions.

  4. Thanks for the tips, gang, I appreciate it.

  5. Handsome bastard.

    Will

  6. I have an old one and a more recent one. They’re very warm. I tend to wear them only when it’s extremely cold and I think I’m going to be out of doors for a while.

  7. I have one from about five years ago in all wool and made in Norway. Great for skiing out west. Too warm for Tidewater, Virginia on all but the coldest of days.

    Will

  8. IMissChristopherHitchens | November 9, 2017 at 5:35 pm |

    There is something very off-putting about the proportions of that hat.

  9. I’ve noticed that a lot of retailers are coming out with their own versions of the Bean Norwegian sweater now. It seems like every few years popular retailers pick an item from the prep pantheon and decide to market their own version of it. 10 years ago it was patch madras. Remember when every single store had their version of patch madras? I still have my old Bean Norwegian sweater but I stopped wearing it because I don’t wear wool any more. I wish Bean would come out with a cotton version.

  10. The hat looks like the old fisherman style with a longer and wider brim (usually green underneath to prevent additional reflection–just like the baseball hats from the 70’s). Probably works wonders for hungover eyes, too.

  11. My original Bean sweater, bought when I was around 18, back in the 80’s when Bean’s still had creaky wooden floors, and bathrooms like outhouses, was lost or nicked, at some point after college. I set about trying to replace it a couple of years ago. I bought the current version, but couldn’t really find a good fit, and the wool without the nylon, seemed very different. I scoured Ebay, and eventually found a vintage version in medium, with basically no wear, and picked it up for something like $50. I’m happy to have it back. I do think vintage is worth looking for, setting an Ebay alert and patience usually works.

  12. Living in Europe, I bought one last year directly from Norway, the company is called Norelender and according to that SWNE post already mentioned here, is the maker of the current LL Bean sweater.
    I like the sweater a lot, unfortunantly the cuffs really do stretch out rather quick.
    Just recently I scored a vintage 80/20 LL Bean with almost no signs of wear for less that than 50$ which should arrive soon. I’m pretty excited, the old ones were a tad shorter and should be a better fit for me.

  13. Ahh, the good ole days… 😉

  14. I never looked that good sober as that guy looks hungover. Handsome bastard, indeed. I also agree that’s a fisherman’s hat. It’s kinda goofy, but deserves extra points for no logo.

  15. I prefer Bean’s wool Irish fisherman’s sweater to their Norwegian one. I have both styles, but I wear the Irish more often. Both are very warm, however.

  16. Arthur E. Lloyd III | July 15, 2019 at 2:52 pm |

    Where can I find this sweater in white…?

  17. I’m a little late to this thread but wanted to contribute my sweater. It’s a Joseph Turner Yorkshire in lambswool Norwegian in Burgandy. Its knit is thinner than one made from other wools but, as been mentioned here previously, quite warm in wearing.

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