"Thanks!" to many of you, including Amanda & Kimberly, who let us know that the new Fall catalog for LL Bean's latest line, Signature, is now available (click here to view online). To also view their Fall/Winter Look Book, click here.The line reminds me of J.Crew circa 2000-2004. The line is pretty and a bit pricey too. But you know the items are of quality with LL Bean's name behind the line. (I still have not purchased anything from them, but doesn't mean I won't in the future!) :)
What are your thoughts on the new LL Bean Signature line? Have you ordered any items yet? If so, please share! :)
I bought a light sweater from the summer collection & I really like it a lot. I liked their summer collection better than JCrew's because I felt JC was just too drab this year. As for this fall LL Bean collection I have the same complaint as JC's summer: too drab! Why does fall have to mean no color or fun? Blah.
ReplyDeleteI ordered several items from the fall/winter 2009 Signature collection: the varying striped turtleneck, the floral print scarf, two ribbed tank tops, a sweater and some khaki pants. I've been very pleased with the quality and fit, the the exception of the pants -- the waist was too low cut and the pants feel like they're falling off when I walk.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you say compare them to J. Crew circa 2000 to 2004. Christmas 2003 I bought my husband a suede J. Crew coat (almost $500) and the quality was beyond beyond. I started receiving their catalogs after that. I still have the summer 2004 catalogs and they were "simple". Then Fall 2004 and the Mickey era came. That's when everything changed. Amazing jackets, British theme and Mickey's hand clearly had taken the reins. I carried that catalog, stalked the stores and the J. Crew obsession began. I still have it. 2005 was it was even more ornate, slightly less classic and what we know of J. Crew in their golden era. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the autumn colors of the tweed skirt, but I am so sad that it is only 17" long--I might be able to squeak by with tights and boots for casual days, but not the rest of the time :-( My legs are as fabulous as every but my Ally McBeal days are behind me!
ReplyDeleteHexicon, that was the first thing I noticed too. I was sad to see I couldn't buy that skirt because I loved the colors!
ReplyDeleteI like the new LL Bean line too, but you're right -- it seems VERY expensive! I got a pair of navy tassled flats from their spring line when the went on sale for like $40, and they're beautiful, but there is no way I would have paid full price for them! I think for my $$, I like the LE canvas line better. Similar styles, great quality, but much better prices.
ReplyDeleteloved the bucket hats, loved the high-heeled loafers -- wish LL would understand that one size does not fit all women, nor do medium width shoes. Oh, and I still cherish a rich olive (it's a nice color when it's got some depth) suede crusher hat from the era Elizabeth recalls.
ReplyDeleteI personally prefer the Canvas line better too. The the fit on the Signature stuff just seems off for me (i.e., non normal height people). I also am really liking Boden's fall collection and Talbots' too!
ReplyDeleteOT- Can anyone give me any advice about the Jeweled Maya Sandal? Is it TTS and is it fairly comfortable?
ReplyDeleteTIA!!! I really appreciate how helpful everyone is!
I don't think this line is any more pricey than JCrew and the quality is better. Plus, the items are guaranteed for life! Cannot beat that!
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ReplyDeleteCan I just defend J. Crew a bit here?
ReplyDeleteI have been on the ode to J. Crew of the Fall 2004 to 2008 era bandwagon for some time and yes, I do wish I had bought all the shoes from Fall 2005 and Fall 2006, all the tweed and herringbone, etc. Yes the quality was stellar and the quality is my biggest issue lately.
But if you look at the catalogs, and I have them all, some of it does look a bit dated. Not all of it, but some. I have to be honest even to myself about that. There are items in the new season that I will be buying and other retailers may have a version but I like J. Crew's version better. Sometimes I have to see an item a few times to adjust to the look but then I love it.
Plaid shirts and sparkly necklaces are cute. So are straight legged chinos and cords in feminine colors and so are wedges that are have a not too high heel. Yes, some items are over the top and they have some real quality challenges, but there is no other clothing catalog I look forward to as much. Some of the colors are just stunning, always have been and just can't be found anywhere else.
I didn't think I would like Madewell from what I had seen online. Then I went in the University Village store. I wish I had had more time and money. There were items I could see wearing and the styling of the store was really really good. It gives you ideas. In fact, a lot of their items give you ideas, just like a Pottery Barn catalog gives you ideas.
So even though there were over 100 comments dissing J. Crew, and I've been one of them sometimes, I still love a lot of their aesthetic and I don't want them to turn into Talbots, etc. which also have a place.
If they add some of those adorable academy jackets and jeweled shoes, I'll be smiling but I appreciate their current season view too. I may skip the odd furry scarf but someone else could do something really clever with it that I would never think of.
I bought a "french sailor" striped boatneck from LLBean and was quite happy with it. Very nice. Long wait for that one. It was only $35 or so.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm with Elizabeth. LLBean does a piece or two that may be nice, but the whole line isn't fun and often inspired like J. Crew.
I just ordered the tweed jacket. None of JCrew's jackets for fall inspire me. I had $50 in LL Bean coupon dollars to use towards it plus free shipping and free returns from having their Visa.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this post is meant for defending JCrew. Just to show what other options are there for fall.
Genny, I think it's fantastic that JCA posts other shops we all like, I like them too! I just was reading the post below and got a bit sad. I could have posted below and it's certainly OT, but just thought I would put a thought out there that wasn't too far below :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, spectacular news for the tartan inclined: The effortlessly chic encrusted highland tunic is now marked down to a mere $559.99! If only I'd had this yesterday when I attended our local Highland Games...
ReplyDeletemaybe it would go with the tartan pants from the LLB Fall Signature? oops, nope, that's already sold out 00 to 10. LBH you inspire me. Effortlessly.
ReplyDeleteI bought a few shirts from the Signature summer collection. I was very impressed with the quality. The fit is great for me but I am a bit taller than average. I also love that they have reviews for each item.
ReplyDeleteI look at the LLB sig collection and just feel nothing. I'm ambivalent. Their jackets/outerwear are always fab but always $$$, and my tastes just change too fast for me to buy anything with the intent of keeping it for life. I have no doubt the quality is there, but I've no desire to wear the clothes. Ah well. LE Canvas fares only slightly better. I almost want to say both are a little *too* conservative for me. Too safe, too sure to appeal to the masses.
ReplyDeleteI may bag on the Crew now and then fpr crazy prices, weird styling, etc., but never does a season pass without me buying several items I didn't think I liked at first. I find things I love, things I hate and a few things in between, but I always at least feel something.
Feeling introspective on a Sunday, I guess....
I've never purchased anything from LL Bean (other than a few things from their childrens' line) but I did order the tweed skirt and the striped cashmere turtleneck. The skirt is short, not terribly so for me at 5'4 but it really does seem they should offer a longer length as well. My J Crew cashmere from last year is really pilled, so going to give this a try. Part of the appeal of J. Crew, as opposed to LEC or LL Bean, is the number of rollouts. I ordered one or two things from LEC over the summer, but the selection just isn't that large.
ReplyDeleteI love the old regular LLBean line as well as the new signature line. I esp. love the green leather jacket in the signature line. I have been looking for a green leather jacket to replace one I had in the 90's that is really out of date. I think this one just might be the ticket. And to think if needed I could return it a year or two or more from now if I am every unhappy with it for a full refund! I have all my LLBean receipts safely filed if ever needed.
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ReplyDeleteI'm loving the green leather jacket too. AND that the LLBean return policy applies to Signature - the pieces aren't expensive when you consider the warranty. Any defect/rip/tear or whatever and you get a full refund, I believe. Or a replacement - I remember friends in college getting replacement sweaters a lot.
I really like the bags - they're pretty masculine (er, borrowed from the boys), and I especially like the grown-up back-pack and the Downeaster Sport Twill bag. All in all, I really like this line because it offers classics that are super well-made - perfect for the nice basics they have, since I hate taking chances at some stores *cough JCrew cough* and paying a lot for basics without being sure of the quality.