Gap toggle cardigan | Polo shirt and tie | Hilfiger chino | L.L. Bean camp moc 

CB buffalo flannel | Polo Blackwatch vest and paisley tie | Hilfiger chino | L.L. Bean boot

Polo brushed flannel and silk knit tie | Brooks Brothers chino | AE intarsia boot sock | L.L. Bean boot

Polo plaid shirt, silk cableknit sweater, trouser and foulard bow tie | AE boot sock | L.L. Bean boot

Polo oxford and corduroy trouser | Merona aran shawl cardigan | L&T fair isle knit tie | AE boot sock | LL Bean boot 

Almost Doesn't Count

I may have been away from blogging, but nothing can keep me away from thrifting. Between a day at the spa and a day at the thrifts, I'll always take that sweet, second-hand gold. However, few things are as frustrating as those almost moments. You know, you come across the item of your dreams... then you see a giant rip, or stain, or discoloration, or tear, or whatever. 

Example: a vintage Baracuta G9 with tartan lining. Perfect size, perfect fit, perfectly misplaced motor oil stain all over the back. Bye bye, Baracuta.

Example 2:  A true guernsey sweater by L.L. Bean, and all-around one of the most beautifully crafted sweaters ever. Horribly and horridly shrunken, to be worn only by a four-year-old or my neighbor's prissy poodle.

Today's Outfit

Several days ago, I posted a Today's Outfit pic with this L.L. Bean shirt, a jacket and paisley tie. Later in the day, I swapped out the jacket and paisley tie for this vintage wool sweater and shantung silk tie. The sweater, vintage American Eagle, is (shockingly) made in America. The shantung tie is an old favorite, one of my first thrift finds. All this is accompanied by Levi's 501s and nubuck Polo Ranger Boots.

Today's Outfit

1960's 3/2 roll plaid sport coat

L.L. Bean vintage orange/blue tattersall

Ralph Lauren Purple Label silk paisley tie

Vintage Italian silk pocket square

Today at the Thrift

Joseph Abboud, LL Bean, Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud, Corbin, Hickey Freeman

Blue and Red Basics

My first outfit post in awhile also marks the first time I've worn sneakers since summer.

You have to change once in awhile, and speaking of change...

Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren cotton poplin tattersall - $12 ($85)

Tie - Robert Talbott silk patchwork - $10 ($130)

Cardigan - Merona cotton cable knit - $23 ($33)

Scarf - Merona cashmere plaid - $5 ($20)

Jeans - Polo Ralph Lauren Stanton wash - $25 ($125)

Shoes - L.L. Bean cotton canvas - $1 ($30)

My cost versus full retail - $76 ($423)

Savings of $347 or 82%

The reason I started this blog was to show others the style you can achieve on a limited budget. There's no shame in shopping clearance racks, eBay, yard sales and thrift shops. In fact, I'm quite proud of it and I resolve (okay so I'm two weeks early on the resolutions thing) to get back to my blogosphere roots.

Splish Splash

The Sebago Boat Shoe Boat. Brilliant. 

 

Next stop... the Bean Boot ATV. Brilliant-er.

C.K.C. Suggests L.L. Bean

I don't shop L.L. Bean too often, but lately I've come upon this excellent, very reasonably priced set of flannel shirts. Where I live, the temperature drops often enough to need a couple durable flannel shirts. These run $29.50 and are composed of premium Portuguese brushed cotton flannel. The cloth is yarn-dyed and roomy enough for extra layering. On top of all that, they're sold in four of my favorite tartans.

Royal Stewart. Bright and Bold.


Dress Thomson. Less seen, just as bold.


Dress Gordon. Always a classic.


Black Watch. My favorite, of course.

What's yours? And what's your favorite L.L. Bean piece?