First Look

Preppy 2.0

Filson. Brooks Brothers. Sperry. There's a slew of trad brands partnering with young, hip designers and offering subversive takes on classics. But for L.L. Bean, they're simply digging into the company's rich archive and reissuing iconic pieces—hold the irony. When it was announced earlier this summer, that the Bean would rerelease its famed Norwegian sweater—dropped from the Maine-based outfitter back in the early 1990s and later, a pricey eBay find—the news spread through the blogosphere with speed and a handful of archival catalog images. So when a top secret box arrived with the new version carefully packed inside, we tore it open and are happy to report that Norwegian Sweater version 2.0 is good. Like, really good. Gone is the poly-blend of generations past. This puppy is 100-percent, naturally water-repellent wool (expertly knit in the same Norwegian town as its predecessor). And while the signature birds-eye weave and wide, rounded neck remain, the fit seems slightly updated—with just enough room for your favorite slim-fit oxford shirt underneath.

$129, at L.L. Bean