Bean’s Norwegian Sweater
Immortalized in The Official Preppy Handbook as the sweater for the prep set in the 80’s—dropped in the early 1990’s by the Maine-based outfitter—L.L. Bean reissues their Norwegian Sweater this fall to the delight of East Hampton locals and Princeton Ivy Leaguers alike. It’s popularity among the prep set was so eminent it was similar to trying to nab a copy of Take Ivy on eBay. All too often a clothier’s attempt to improve upon the classics is lackadaisical. L.L. Bean nails it though. Still expertly knit in Norway, the wide, rounded neck and signature birds-eye weave remain unchanged; however, the 80/20 poly blend of generations past has been swapped for 100-percent water-repellent wool.
It’s worth noting that although the fit seems slightly updated, if you want a slim fit that sits closer to your body, order one size down. I typically wear a medium in most of the clothiers listed on the right, but Laurie in P.R. advised me the Norwegian still runs big. The small fits perfectly in the shoulders with just enough room for my extra-slim fit Brooks Brothers oxford underneath.
left a comment on 12/14/2009 at 11:05 AM:
The Boss—I’d be glad to. Let me get to work on this.
left a comment on 12/13/2009 at 12:04 PM:
Mr. Castleberry—Do you mind posting a photo of yourself wearing it? It is a nice sweater, but perhaps you can enlighten all of us with an actual photo that showcases it’s true fit.
left a comment on 12/12/2009 at 12:24 AM:
My comment about fit was related to the countless blogs that went on about how much slimmer the new sweaters were. I also never said that the old would be better than the new. I just want them to get rid of the ballooning. Not too much to ask, really. And, I can’t order a size down because I ordered a small as it is.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 11:22 PM:
Dear gentlemen,
I completely understand your frustration with the fit of Bean’s Norwegian Sweater. I am aware that it balloons out right above the waist; however, this is minimized if you would just order a size down.
Some of you believe that purchasing the original sweater will fit better. Have you actually worn the original sweater before? It’s fit is awkward by today’s standards…it’s so wide!
On that note, you are expecting a certain fit from L.L. Bean in which I believe has never/rarely been produced by Bean. Lower your expectations. They aren’t Ralph Lauren. They’re not the company that is going to be on the leading edge of fashion and it’s changing fits for men and women. L.L. Bean is about function first…and regarding function of the Norwegian sweater, they nailed it. It keeps me warm and it keeps me dry. Regarding fashion (and fit), they have some improvements to make—and that’s to be expected from a company like L.L. Bean whose target market isn’t physically fit 20-30 years old males (maybe it balloons slightly to accommodate for the spare tire many Americans are carrying around?). Say what you want about the fit of the new sweater, but go try the original one on first and then try the new one…I’d love to hear which one you like better.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 11:02 PM:
Michael B…if only the link you posted was for a medium. Although im sure it wont be hard for me to find one.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 9:00 PM:
you had me until you said 100% “water repellant” wool. Call me a purist…but let wool be wool.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 5:49 PM:
BBSLM: Would it be terribly crass of me to wiggle my fingers in my ears and yell “neener-neener” and posted this? 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330382795618&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I started the hunt for one of these as soon as the reviews started coming out on the new ones. The good news is that the bay seems to offer them up on a regular basis, but this one although “used” sure seems to be almost NOS.
Michael “Yeah, I’m braggin’” B.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 5:07 PM:
The reissue is an utter failure. LL Bean didnt “nail” anything, unless you consider designing an unwearable sweater “nailing it.” I too thought the one I was sent was a blem sweater, but after checking the reviews on LL Bean’s site, it appears the balloons on the sides are a universal trait. I wouldnt wear this sweater if you paid me to, muchless spend $120 for it. Hopefully they will fix the reissue; otherwise, back to eBay I go, in search of an original. At least the Bean boots havent been ruined.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 12:46 PM:
Count me as one of the disappointed. I ordered one by phone well before they hit the site and was shocked at how much the sweater ballooned out at the sides. It looked ridiculous. I had heard that the new ones would be slimmer than the old ones so I had Bean send me another one thinking the first was simply a mistake. It wasn’t. If it were a matter of it being a little too large, but the shape being right I could wear it. The strange shape does indeed make it unwearable.
left a comment on 12/11/2009 at 12:14 PM:
Readers will want to read the reviews of the sweaters fit before ordering. Almost universal complaints that the new 100 percent wool sweater is unacceptably baggy around the waist regardless of fit elsewhere. Apparently there was a reason for the original’s 20 percent rayon content- it enabled the sweater to maintain it’s shape. If you haven’t yet succumbed to the lust for a new one, pay heed to the percentage of Bean customers who are returning theirs as “unwearable”. ...sigh… If they’d only gotten it right…
Ian T.A. Whitson IV left a comment on 8/22/2010 at 1:46 PM:
I picked up one at a local thrift shop after seeing it in the window. Mint condition, my size, five dollars.