Then, a few days ago, armed with birthday money from my parents (yes, they still give me money in a card), I happened across this number:
Knitted of wool as-thick-as-your-thumb, a real bullet proof piece. $6.99
No, it ain't L.L. Bean, it's Boston Traders. No, it ain't made in Norway, it's made in India. Possibly early 90s vintage. I remember once I had a pair of white cotton flannel pants with deep inverted pleats from Boston Traders. Those were pretty cool too.
Unlike the Bean sweater, this one has a nice little detail knit at the cuffs and waist, as well as an extra white stripe at the neck. Jaunty.
Best to keep it simple with this one. Paired with a pink and white university stripe oxford...
Levi's and blucher mocs. What outfit could be more of a New England classic in early December?p.s. Seems I've now got a dedicated following of trash talkers. I must be getting popular.
Great alternative to the now ubiquitous original. And I thought my burgundy joint stood out in a crowd...affordable oneupmanship right here.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about popularity is unfortunately true. I did some research, and once a blog has approx. a thousand readers a day you have made it. Along with making it comes a herd of trash talkin idiots. The idiots forced me to remove free reign in the comment section, and moderate my comments. I was getting between 50 and 100 comments a day for a moment, but 75% of it was trash and I hate Richard vernacular. However, by removing the free reign, my traffic has almost doubled. Keep up the good work, and don't let the sour ol chaps get you down. They are just jealous of your style and good work!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh, I see you have attracted that non_such chap.......you are lucky :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice.
ReplyDeleteLike one of yer former posters, I'm jealous of the quality of stuff you find in yer local thrifts! There's bugger all like that round here. Even in small highland towns you'd struggle to find harris tweed or shetland wool in the thrift stores - it's all Primark cast off's and burgundy polyester. There was an article in last weekend's Guardian about Mary Portas's famous celebrity thrift store in Edinburgh and how it was full of rubbish too.
I'm gonna have to holiday in Boston next year!
I was at Epcot recently and was impressed by the sweaters in the Norwegian pavilion and absolutely floored by the prices. I can't imagine dropping half a grand on a sweater. My most expensive suit, with alterations, didn't cost nearly that much.
ReplyDeleteGreat sweater - I like the different style queues from the ubiquitous LL Bean version. Not to dwell on the negative, but being a regular reader of Richard's, your blog and others, I really am disappointed in the lack of common courtesy and respect that I read in many of the comments. It definitly makes some of the forum unreadable, my choice, please edit them! I enjoy your blog and find myself jealous that there aren't more thrift stores in my area (let alone men who liked to dress well!). Best!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your post.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you purchase numerous shoes at thrift stores.
Do you fear disease, fungus, mold, toe jam, etc?
Have you written a post on how to clean up a pair of used shoes so they're safe to wear? ie - disinfect? de-salt? de-sweat, de-funk? ha ha ha If so, I'd enjoy the read. Can you refer it?
There are few thrifts in my area. As I learn more from your post I may visit some next time I'm in Metropolis.
Do you see many snappy shoes in 16EE?
Anonymous asks a good question about cleaning up shoes.
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest a blog post about cleaning thrift finds? How to perform simple repairs and alterations would also make for an informative post.
well, I guess you aren't popular until someone hates you! Keep it up. Nice sweater. I actually like yours a bit better than the Bean version.
ReplyDelete“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
ReplyDelete-Winston Churchill
long time lurker, maybe first time poster: sorry about the trash talkers. they are hard to avoid.
ReplyDeletei enjoy your posts and though i can't agree with every enthusiastic thrift purchase you make, your making them for yourself, so go to it! i enjoy reading about it none the less.
our thrift stores in oakland have tons of oversized and baggy clothes, nylon and acrylics, and few clothes of quality in any style. maybe i should venture cross the bay to sf for some thrifting? carry on.
The hate makes things a little more interesting, don't sweat it too much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great content. I really enjoy the blog. Damn the trolls.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this outfit. Perfect with Bean boots and maybe a hunting jacket to top it off. I recently found a similar sweater while thrifting, but to my great disappointment - 100% acrylic. Oh well, I've found a lot of great intarsia prints lately.
ReplyDeleteHello Giuseppe,
ReplyDeleteI was given an award by Mimi Bleu at http://bonjourromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/merci-madame-sucre.html, and by Simone at : http://theromanticqueryletter.blogspot.com/
I’m to pass it on to 7 others. Now, I’ve chosen you as one of my 7 but if your blog is award free or you choose not to participate, no worries - just my way of saying I enjoy your blog!
I have included a link to your blog in a post that was published today December 8th.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Christine Rochet-Jacob
Great sweater...I love 'finds' like these.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog - I look forward to your posts.
You also have a dedicated following of non-haters too.
ReplyDeleteI love the trash talkers. It's interesting to find out what makes them tick. Usually it's just envy or some sort of attempt at a power grab.
ReplyDeleteLove the sweater - what a great find! I have to agree the details are better than the Bean version.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your blog and check in often to see your latest "find." Keep up the good work!
G - You are quite possibly the most boring dresser on the face of this earth.
ReplyDelete"p.s. Seems I've now got a dedicated following of trash talkers. I must be getting popular."
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the party G. Can't take the heat? Don't stoke the fire!
One day I'm being told I look like an East Harlem pimp, the next someone says I've redifined boring....and the hits just keep on comin'!
ReplyDelete"Welcome to the party G. Can't take the heat? Don't stoke the fire!"
ReplyDeleteAh, tough-talking anonymous commenters ... where would the internet be without them?
As for the sweater, I vote against. It's almost too wholesome/preppy, and unless you pair it with something really sharp, it emits a distinct '80s schooteacher vibe. I think in order for it to really take off, you have to be a bearded, barrel-chested Norwegian fisherman, lugging around some hooks, or nets or something.
Also, why encourage Norway?
At least you don't cherry pick comments like that self-flatulator WASP101.
ReplyDeleteHi, Giuseppe.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure you know who these hater's are.
Just keep having fun.
I enjoy your site.
A.
All my clothes came from Boston Traders when I was in elementary school, then they went out of business in my area at the time. Love anything preppy!
ReplyDeleteI like the Churchill quote sums it up nicely. Keep the thrifting faith I just scored a wool cowl neck from LL Bean like new $3.49!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog. It is fun, unpretentious (unlike most others) and creative. Let your critics rant and rave.
ReplyDeleteMy only complaint...
You don't blog often enough!
"You don't blog often enough!"
ReplyDeleteShouldn't you be thanking him for that?
And yet you keep checking in....
ReplyDeleteI'm digging it Giuseppe; I was wearing something nearly identical last night (swap the Levi's for some flannel lined khakis).
ReplyDeleteBoring? Maybe a little. But who cares? It's comfortable, looks good, and was done on the cheap. I don't think there's much more to it than that.
I agree with whoever said you don;t blog enough. I check in daily - a light moment in an otherwise stressful day. Your critics always have the choice of not checking in. their lives must be truly empty if the only reason they read your blog is to bad mouth it. Sad sad people.
ReplyDeleteG,
ReplyDeleteGreat find!
I've seen a couple of the Boston Trader Norwegian sweaters in thrifts and prefer them to the original, mainly because they lack the itch-y 15% nylon.
Great find!
-Joe
Great sweater that is better than Bean's. You wear it well. The outfit is simple and clean--I guess you had to tone down after wearing your snazzy new shirt.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the idiots trolling your blog, but so it goes. I'm sure you'll handle them with your usual aplomb.
Looks like a Silly Xmas jumper.Doesn't work unless you are in The Heroies of telemark.
ReplyDeleteWhy not ban anonymous? Simple Eh?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resource!
ReplyDelete