My Vintage LL Bean Chore Coat Changed the Game for Me

I bought the perfect vintage jacket and now I am unstoppable.

If you were to hack into my eBay account right now, you’d find a treasure chest of vintage goods: watches, t-shirts from the 90s, and Levi’s 501 made-in-the-USA jeans among other things. I’ve been shopping more from eBay for clothing, as opposed to any other clothing boutique or brand lately. They are better for the environment sure, but I also love finding rare and hidden gems on the platform - they make my wardrobe feel unique.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” about just about anything from cars to consumer goods. This also reigns true for clothing. I have a couple of vintage Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts from the 80s and 90s. Both shirts are boxy and thick as hell. I wear them to work out, so they’ve been washed dozens of times, and they still hold up well. I happen to work within walking distance from San Francisco Hard Rock Cafe. On one occasion, when not bogged down by insurmountable tasks and soul-sucking Microsoft Excel projects, I made the pilgrimage to Pier 39, a touristy hot zone located on San Francisco’s northern coast where the Hard Rock Cafe stood. I beelined for the gift shop, and when I felt the merchandise, I was shocked (though in hindsight I shouldn’t have been) to discover paper-thin t-shirts and lightweight hoodies. Capitalism won’t stop until the sanctity of EVERYTHING is ruined. More clothes, less quality, higher prices…

Anyway, I buy tons of vintage t-shirts every year, but I hadn’t dove into the world of vintage jackets. I purchased an old work jacket from the Professional Bull Riders league as part of a costume a few years back, but nothing since. In doing some research, I decided I wanted a vintage LL Bean Barn Coat, one of the classic silhouettes from the even more classic New England brand.

When looking to purchase a piece, I typically search for all items that will fit me. I’ll tab out a couple dozen items, then start looking at the condition of each piece. I’ll close the tabs for the items that are too far gone. Then I start looking at the price. After a quick gauge of the market, I decided that anything less than $60 for a vintage barn jacket in good condition would be a fair deal. If those two criteria were in good standing, I’d save the item to my watchlist, and sit back and allow the offers to roll in.

Ultimately I decided on two coats, a brown LL Bean piece, and a purple Lands End jacket. In total, I paid $90 for the two jackets, which are now my new go-to jackets when leaving the house. Both coats are in great condition despite them each being more than 40 years old, a testament to the build quality of yesterday’s clothes.

I’ve worn the brown coat every day for the last 6 days and I don’t anticipate that I’ll stop anytime soon. It’s slightly too big for me, but that works with the way that I wear my jackets - good for layering a sweater or hoodie underneath. I’ve been on a quest for the last several months - years even - for the one jacket I can grab for almost any occasion. I’m driven mad by the idea of having “one.” One jacket, one watch, one pair of Levi’s vintage 501, one pair of sturdy boots, etc.. That quest has driven me to have a watch collection that has touched a dozen pieces, a closet full of jackets, and too many vintage pairs of Levi’s to count. At the end of the day, I am a consumer - a lonely, hopelessly inquisitive consumer.

These barn jackets have given me hope that I can soon shop less and begin to sit with the clothes that I have and enjoy them without the desire to continuously add pieces to my wardrobe. I don’t think that people need as many clothes as they have. I love clothing, so of course I have a lot of it, but I recognize my limit, which I am rapidly approaching.

I don’t have any plans of selling any clothing for the time being, but the itch is scratched. These are the perfect go-anywhere, do-anything jackets. They are warm and sturdy while providing ample pocket space for all of my essentials. It’s a beautiful classic silhouette that will never go out of style. “Timeless” is an overused phrase, but the barn jacket is truly just that. It feels like the rugged younger brother to the Barbour waxed jacket - very American.

If you’re in the market for a beautifully worn-in vintage jacket, I cannot recommend a vintage LL Bean barn jacket enough. Not only are they built with incredible quality control, but they are also affordable and come in a wide selection of colors. Perfect for all climes and all occasions. I know I’ll be enjoying these for a while.

Peace and Love