I received my LL Bean Blucher Mocs as a Christmas gift in 2006. They received a lot of wear at first but I always favored my boat shoes in the end. Since leaving my well worn and much loved boat shoes in a rental car on a recent vacation, I’ve rediscovered my Bean Bluchers. Like a good ball cap and so many other classic items, they only get better with age and wear.
The Bean Blucher Moc has been around for a long time and some still think its glory days have passed. The Trad along with many of the members at the AAAC Trad forum think this way. I don’t have the experience to comment on this, so perhaps they are right, but I feel like I enjoy the modern iteration for many of the same reasons the previous generation liked the original shoe. (It should be noted that I have never heard of any official changes to the shoe from LL Bean. This old shoe vs. new shoe debate is based on the memories of individuals and comparisons with vintage shoes from the 1980s).
It is casual and comfortable like the boat shoe and has enough history on its side to be considered a classic. The blucher excels in its versatility. I love the Sperry Authentic Original and could easily wear them everyday of the year (well maybe in Georgia, not Ohio) but despite the all season wear endorsed by the trad and preppy crowd, it is still a single minded piece of footwear. The blucher is best enjoyed without socks, but can be worn with socks and stretched to a business casual look. The boat shoe is sock free only in my mind.
The Bean Blucher Moc remains a classic piece of footwear that deserves more attention that it gets. Yes it has evolved some with the times, but I don’t think this degrades the appeal. I recommend you give it a try, it was even endorsed by GQ back in November of 2007. They can also be found on ACL’s list of recommend fall footwear. Mine will continue to get plenty of wear for the rest of the summer and into the fall.
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Tags: blucher mocs · clothing · llbean · shoes · style13 Comments
I still say Crocs are the most supreme shoes/footwear on the planet.
Comfort – check. Most comfortable shoes I own. They let the feet breathe and they’re light as a feather
Versatility – check. I can wear them to work, to go hiking or even ford a large stream in them. The small holes on the top and sides allow for water to pass through and drain out when I’m back on dry land.
Casual – check. You can wear them to the movies, to football games or to work. The brown ones are best for work because they can be worn with khakis or jeans. You can go with socks or no socks (I prefer no socks).
Classic – coming soon. Crocs stock price was once near $70/share about 2 years ago. It fell to a little over $1/share in December but has crawled back to above $6. They say they’ll make a profit next year, but who knows. If they stay in business, great–I can buy more of them, and they’ll become more famous. If they go out of business, they will attain a cult-like status like other brands/stars whose lives have unfairly been cut short – Kurt Cobain, the Jeep Scrambler, Stretch Armstrong, etc.
My experience was similar to The Trad’s. Ordered a new pair from L.L. Bean and sent them back immediately. Luckily, I won a pair of vintage Sebago Campsides on eBay soon after.
they are awesome. i think i may just have to get a pair. i need a good sockless shoe for the fall.
Foster
Your crocs get extra ugly points for being Carolina blue, Jason.
Thanks for the comments everyone else. The nostalgia in me would love find a vintage pair of mocs, but I enjoy these for now. Any word on the camp mocs? Do they live up to the classic?
are they still made in maine?
are they worth 59 bucks?
David,
They are still “handsewn” but to my knowledge, the only shoes LL Bean still makes in Maine are the the Bean Boots/Hunting Shoes (which I also enjoy).
Worth the money? I think the bluchers are.
Looking for something very comfortable but still with support. What are some of the best running shoes in your opinion and why?
What color should your shoe match? How do you pick a shoe with a color that would look good? um, hope that makes since.
What shoe and shirt color to match dark brown velvet coat?
Does using a shoe stretcher on leather shoes make them look longer from the outside?
what kind of chemicals or detergents do we use to clean leather shoes?How do we clean a leather shoe without going to professionals?
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