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It’s no secret that I’m a fan of L.L. Bean. From collaborations with contemporary designers to iconic styles from way back in the catalog, I’ve been talking about the 113-year-old brand on this very site for ages. Well, guess what? I’m back today to do it again. Because not too long ago, I acquired a pair of Bean’s beloved Blucher Mocs—and they’ve quickly become a staple of my warm-weather footwear rotation.
Why? Well, they’re damn comfortable, for one, with very little break-in period. But it’s mostly because they occupy a space, style-wise, that a lot of other shoes can’t quite fill. They’re less structured than a traditional lace-up blucher, obviously, what with the low-profile rubber sole and the soft uppers. But they’ve got a more robust look—at least to my eye—than some of their moccasin-inspired cousins, most notably the boat shoe. They’re easygoing but feel ready for action. And considering they cost less than a hundred bucks, you might just want to get in on the action too.
First, the Feel
The Blucher Moc was introduced in 1936, when founder and namesake Leon Leonwood Bean—a fucking fantastic name, by the way—was still in the picture. It was designed to mimic the comfort of handmade Native American moccasins. And these days, you do get that feeling of having your foot swaddled by your shoe that you would expect from a moccasin. The rubber is pliable and molds to your foot without stretching so much that you have to worry about sizing down to unpleasant snugness at first. And as I mentioned, the break-in period is brief. But despite the softness of the upper, the cushioned footbed gives the Blucher Moc more structure and support than I initially expected. While I might think twice about wearing some other moccasin-inspired shoes out for a long walk around the city, these don’t give me pause. And while I haven’t yet had a chance to test them out on a far-flung woodland trail, something tells me that they’d be right at home there too.
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Next, the Vibe
It’s strange how a couple of eyelets can change the whole feel of a shoe. Even though it’s not the frat-bro punchline it once was, the boat shoe still has an air of old-money ease about it (even if the actual act of sailing can really put you through your paces). The Blucher Moc, on the other hand, feels more rough-and-ready. It’s got the kind of look that invites pairings with selvedge denim or broken-in fatigues instead of freshly pressed chinos (more on that later). Not that I—or you, I’m sure—am yearning for the days of the urban lumberjack to return. It’s just nice having a pair of shoes that can work well throughout the warmer months while offering a bit of ruggedness along the way. And to anyone worrying that they look like “dad shoes,” I say this: Yeah, they do. But haven’t we finally realized that the Old Man was right about a thing or two, style-wise?
Shop $99, L.L. Bean.com
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Finally, the Versatility
I’m not saying you should try dressing the Blucher Moc up too much. Suits are out. Most tailoring is out, in fact. Anything that looks appropriate for a garden party should not be worn with these shoes. But inside the casual continuum, they can go a lot of places. Dark jeans and something like a shammy shirt are a natural pairing, though we don’t have long before the temperature makes wearing that much heavy material inadvisable. Heavier, looser chinos with a little fraying around the hem along with a boxy T-shirt might have a long shelf life, however. Or you could try something like ripstop cargo or climbing pants with a well-worn oxford-cloth button-down. Or crinkly nylon shorts with an understated graphic tee. Are you sensing a theme? Stuff that looks loved and lived-in is generally a better call than anything too polished, lest you veer onto the wrong side of dad style. Speaking of: It’s almost Father’s Day. And I think I know exactly the pair of shoes he might want this year. Just something to think about.
Shop $99, L.L. Bean.com
Photographs by Florence Sullivan
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