Vintage Deals on eBay: Sweaters for the Fall! (Part 1)

When I started re-building my wardrobe a few years ago, I bought a rust-colored merino sweater from Flint & Tinder during a Huckberry sale ( The sweater was nice enough. It was soft, well constructed, and the color worked well for me. But to be honest I didn’t wear it all that much. I found it to be a bit thin and clingy, and frankly just not that flattering on my dad bod. I then read a post from Derek Guy on sweaters and realized where I probably went wrong: * “Knitwear is Better Textured” (https://dieworkwear.com/2017/11/15/knitwear-is-better-textured/) Since then I’ve been building out a collection of knitwear with more texture & chunkiness. Things like Brushed Shetlands, Fisherman/Aran Knits, Ribbed Submariner Turtlenecks, Shawl Collar Cardigans, etc. See these various posts for good guides to the different styles: * [https://putthison.com/the-most-versatile-sweater/](https://putthison.com/the-most-versatile-sweater/) * [https://putthison.com/a-basic-guide-to-useful-knitwear/](https://putthison.com/a-basic-guide-to-useful-knitwear/) * [https://www.permanentstyle.com/the-guide-to-knitwear](https://www.permanentstyle.com/the-guide-to-knitwear) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/17ssru/knitwear\_guide\_sweaters\_jumpers\_and\_cardigans/](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/17ssru/knitwear_guide_sweaters_jumpers_and_cardigans/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/1k52iq/knitwear\_guide\_20\_sweaters\_jumpers\_and\_cardigans/](https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/1k52iq/knitwear_guide_20_sweaters_jumpers_and_cardigans/) So in the spirit of my previous FMF post on MiUSA Shirt picks from eBay (https://www.reddit.com/r/frugalmalefashion/comments/1n8rf9a/vintage\_deals\_on\_ebay\_miusa\_shirt\_recs\_for\_the/), I thought I’d share some quality vintage sweaters you can find on eBay for a decent price. This first part will mostly focus on some nice vintage options from LL Bean, and a second part coming later will focus on Shetlands, Fair Isle Sweaters, and a few other options. On to the picks! **Pick #1: Wool Aran Fisherman Sweaters from LL Bean (Made in Ireland)** Chunky fisherman sweaters are really cozy in the fall & winter. I also think they are more interesting looking than the classic cable knit sweaters from Ralph Lauren and the like. Some style inspiration: https://preview.redd.it/qal6b49hjtof1.png?width=2156&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb885820a4358c669e5a1f17393cd5d5ac0f15cf There are plenty of good makers of Irish Aran fisherman sweaters you can find on eBay. See an overview here of different makers: https://putthison.com/guide-to-buying-a-good-aran-sweater/. But I think one of the best options are the various sweaters that LL Bean was sourcing from Ireland over the years. These typically sell for $30-70, and should last decades if you treat them well. The LL Bean ones came in a bunch of nice classic colors (cream, heather, gray/blue, forest green, etc.) and a few different styles (crewneck, mock neck w/ buttons, cardigan, etc.): https://preview.redd.it/5vf98g2ijtof1.png?width=2244&format=png&auto=webp&s=7373e8120b9ceda21375c6bac8c69c4f29288bed There are two good ways to search for these sweaters on eBay: 1. Use the “Country of Manufacture” filter to find [just the Irish ones](https://www.ebay.com/sch/11484/i.html?_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&Country%252FRegion%2520of%2520Manufacture=Ireland&rt=nc&_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=1&LH_PrefLoc=1&LH_All=1&_nkw=bean&_sacat=11484&Material=Wool%7C) 2. Search for “Irish” or “Ireland” in [the item’s title or description](https://www.ebay.com/sch/11484/i.html?_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&Country%252FRegion%2520of%2520Manufacture=Ireland%7C!&rt=nc&_from=R40&_nkw=bean+(irish%2C+ireland)&_sacat=11484&LH_TitleDesc=1&Material=Wool%7C) Examples I thought looked nice: 1. S/M Charcoal Heather Button Neck - 21” Chest - $40 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/297595407801) 2. S/M Charcoal Heather Crewneck - 22” Chest - $80 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/387436855885) 3. M/L Forest Green Crewneck - 23” Chest - $72 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/376276058000) 4. L/XL Blue Gray Button Neck - 25” Chest - $65 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/236212962443) 5. XL/XXL Teal - 27” Chest - $75 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/127351771550) 6. XL/XXL Cream - 28” Chest - $60 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/136436111589) **Pick #2: Cotton Ribbed Henley Sweaters from LL Bean (Made in USA)** There’s a style of henley sweater you don’t see much of these days. They have \~5 buttons, a fairly high neck, v-shaped contrast stitching below the neck, and tight ribbing on the waist and sleeve cuffs. From what I can tell, this style is based on U.S. Army’s “High Neck Sweater” from WW2 (https://www.usww2uniforms.com/111F.html). Here’s a reproduction in a wool/acrylic blend from Bronson (https://bronsonshop.com/products/us-army-high-neck-sweater) and a modern example in 100% alpaca wool from Wythe (https://www.wythe.com/products/alpaca-submariner-henley-vintage-navy). But I really like the vintage ones from LL Bean. They are 100% cotton (so softer & more casual than the wool ones), were made in the USA, and can be found in a bunch of nice colors for just $20-40: https://preview.redd.it/6uyn8bwijtof1.png?width=2244&format=png&auto=webp&s=9d46b375fd6dde12c6935cb8a26d3d991d6e4edb Coyote Sharp has a good review of these sweaters in his vintage LL Bean YouTube post: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9wTU-AbHAA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9wTU-AbHAA) Here are two eBay searches to source them: 1. Via the [Country Filter](https://www.ebay.com/sch/11484/i.html?_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&rt=nc&_from=R40&_nkw=bean+(henley%2C+button)&_sacat=11484&Material=Cotton%7C!&LH_TitleDesc=1&Country%252FRegion%2520of%2520Manufacture=United%2520States) 2. Via a [Title & Description Search](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_oaa=1&_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&_from=R40&_nkw=bean+%28henley%2C+button%29+%28usa%2C+miusa%29&_sacat=11484&LH_TitleDesc=1&Material=Cotton%7C%21&LH_PrefLoc=1&rt=nc&LH_All=1) Some example items: 1. M/L Red Heather - 23.5” Chest - $25 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/396948920180) 2. M/L Green - 23” Chest - $35 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/157033703544) 3. M/L Blue Heather - 23.5” Chest - $40 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/315108506069) 4. L/XL Charcoal Heather - 24” Chest - $25 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/356213868494) 5. XL/XXL Light Gray - 27” Chest - $30 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/405598996280) **Pick #3: Wool Birdseye Fishermans Sweaters from LL Bean (Made in Norway)** One of LL Bean’s most classic pieces is the Norwegian Birdseye Sweater: https://preview.redd.it/qvefxb7kjtof1.png?width=2212&format=png&auto=webp&s=b635d7d7f90dbb6ac0e74be45c5d063afa358b2a They are based on a typical Norwegian fisherman-style sweater. LL Bean started sourcing them from Norway in the 1960s (https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/518261), and they actually still sell them today for \~$100 (https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/127375), though I believe the current versions are made in Asia. If you don’t want to buy a new one on sale, the vintage ones made in Norway are a very good option. There are tons of nice 100% wool examples on eBay, and they typically sell for $50-80. There are also some examples that are only 80% wool, but I wouldn’t recommend spending as much on those versions unless the condition looks perfect. Here are two searches that will find many examples: 1. Via the [Country Filter](https://www.ebay.com/sch/11484/i.html?_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&_from=R40&_nkw=bean&_sacat=11484&LH_TitleDesc=1&Country%252FRegion%2520of%2520Manufacture=Norway&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1) 2. Via a [Title & Description Search](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_oaa=1&_dcat=11484&_fsrp=1&rt=nc&_from=R40&_nkw=bean+(norway%2C+norwegian)&_sacat=11484&LH_TitleDesc=1&LH_PrefLoc=1&Country%252FRegion%2520of%2520Manufacture=!%7CNorway) Specific ones that look promising: 1. S/M Red & Navy - 21” Chest - $85 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/404813322633) 2. M Navy & White - 22” Chest - $100 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/336160214821) 3. L White & Navy - 23” Chest - $75 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/326756278163) 4. L/XL White & Navy - 24” Chest - $74 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/306219931684) 5. XL White & Navy - 25” Chest - $110 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/316207354959) **Notes on Buying Vintage Wool Knitwear** Two caveats on buying vintage wool knitwear, particularly LL Bean wool sweaters: *1. Check Dimensions Carefully* * The vintage sweaters from LL Bean can be quite boxy, so check the dimensions carefully and compare against something that fits you well. * If there are no dimensions in the photos or description, you can ask the seller to provide them. * If you can’t get the dimensions, probably best to skip the item. *2. Check Photos Very Carefully* * Wool sweaters can last forever if treated well and stored carefully. But you’ll see lots of examples with moth holes or tears in the knit. Avoid those unless you plan to repair them or are specifically going for a distressed look. * In addition, you’ll definitely see some vintage sweaters on eBay that have been hot washed and/or dried, and thus have shrunk down and lost that nice springy texture a wool sweater should have. Be sure to avoid sweaters that have what looks like “felting” in the knit, that exhibit any notable tightness/shrinking compared to other versions of the same sweater, or that have dimensions that are wildly smaller than other examples in the same tag size / vintage. Thankfully the picks above should have enough inventory on eBay that you can find one in very good or great condition at a reasonable price, but as always review everything carefully before buying! **Coming in Part 2: Vintage Shetland Sweaters, Fair Isle Sweaters, & Other Options** This post started to get way too long, so I’m going to break it up into two parts. Coming in Part 2 in a few days: Vintage Shetland Sweaters, Fair Isle Sweaters, & Other Options And if there’s anything else you think would be interesting to cover as we head into the fall season, let me know!