This sweater met the lofty expectations I have of all LL Bean products. Being made of wool, it's a bit scratchy but I found that when worn over a long sleeve t-shirt I have no problems. It serves as a nice sweater for those days when you just don't feel like wearing a jacket. It's served me well down into the 20s. As you might expect, materials and construction are all top notch. I held back on the 4th star only because it's a little scratchy to wear over just a short sleeve t-shirt.
I saw this sweater on a manaquin at the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, and it looked awesome. So I bought it without trying it on. It's my favorite sweater because I have an athletic body, and the ribbing really enhances muscle tone, and it is forgiving in the gut, since I also am a guy! I had three compliments the first time I wore it to work. I particularly like the feature of extra-long sleeves, which come folded up on the wrist. I can't think of a sweater that does this, most wash and are then almost short sleeved or 3/4 sleeve after washing. I like the really long sleeves.
I ordered one of these from Bean when I was in High School, circa. 1985. Received another for Christmas circa. 1990. Just ordered a new one this year because I liked my old ones so much. The old ones were made in England - the new one is made in China. The old ones were woven in a way that the cabling stretched, but retained its shape when not worn- this one does not. The old one was just more "stretchy" and could handle rigorous use. The old ones had a superior quality twill at the shoulders and elbows, the new one has some kind of canvas fabric. In short, the quailty, fit, and construction were far better/nicer on the old ones, made in England. Of course, the old ones cost about the same 20 years ago or so as the new ones cost now, so I suppose to keep prices the same corners must be cut. A huge disappointment. A decent sweater, if you didn't know what the old ones were like. I will haunt some army/navy surplus stores and see if I can't get one that is made like the old ones I had acquired from Bean in the past.
