photography by Taylor Keegan
As of late, there has been a recent uproar in the College of Wooster community. With cryptic messages of another trend sweeping across the campus, many of us who consider ourselves 'original' have run into a thick brick wall. That wall's composition? L. L. Bean Boots. If you are a student of the college, hell, if you walk through campus for five minutes, ten times out of ten you will notice someone wearing the boots. Taylor Keegan sought to answer the question that so many of us have been posing to ourselves?
Why the hell are these boots so popular?
1.) Why do you have bean boots?
Hannah Dauber: "They were my grandma's and she gave them to me."
Lauren Gilliss:" I got my Bean Boots before coming to Wooster because I knew there would be long, snowy winters. They're waterproof and I don't have the furry ones so I can wear them in the fall/spring too when it's rainy."
Isabel Baylor: "My sophomore year I realized Uggs were not sufficient shoes to wear during the snowy Ohio winters, so I asked my mom if I could have her ll bean boots. She was reluctant but finally gave them to me. "
2.) Do you like the way they look? (When asked if people like the way they look, the consensus was yes. I asked this question because last year I commented on how I loved them, and wanted a pair. A friend responded with how ugly they are.)
Hannah Dauber: Yes
Lauren Gilliss: Yes, I like that they're simple. I'm not really a fan of fur or fancy snow boots.
Isabel Baylor: "I think they are definitely more practical than anything else. I like when they look more vintage and worn in."
3.) Do you think they serve more function or fashion?
Hannah Dauber: "I think they do a good job of serving both purposes"
Lauren Gilliss: "Function for me but I also think the look is becoming more popular."
Isabel Baylor: "Definitely serve more function, but I guess I try to make them fashionable when I wear them."
4.) How long do you think they will be in style?
Hannah Dauber: "I think they will be in style for a long time"
Lauren Gilliss: " I don't know if they'll always be as trendy as they seem to be now but I think people will always wear them."
Isabel Baylor: "Forever, or I guess when it stops snowing?"
5.) When you see someone else wearing them, what do you think?
Hannah Dauber: "They are practical"
Lauren Gilliss: " I think "I had those first." Ha lame but true most of the time... I like to think."
Isabel Baylor: "When I see someone else wearing them I like to look and see if they are new or worn in. The older ones are definitely cooler. Also, I like to see how people try to make them fashionable."
6.) When you see someone else wearing other shoes that are popular (ugs, timbs, etc) what do you think?
Hannah Dauber: "They are fashionable."
Lauren Gilliss: "I don't think of Uggs as snow boots. They get all dirty and salty and stained in the snow. I think those styles are still way more popular than Bean Boots."
Isabel Baylor: "I usually just notice if people wear popular shoes, but they have unique outfits."
Brendan Horgan responded to these questions with a statement.
"Growing up my Dad had a pair of Bean Boots. They were weathered perfectly and had character. I think the image of his boots is why I bought a pair of my own. I used to like the way my Bean Boots looked, going into college I thought my Bean Boots were unique; little did Iknow… Honestly now I kind of resent them for what I think they’ve come torepresent: yet another way for the middle class to try and construct an identity of privilege and education that’s based off some misguided perceptions of the elite. Think about it, what kind of images are evoked by Bean Boots? WhenI think about it now all that comes to mind is rich educated white people. I think it’s a bit like deck shoes, why do people in Ohio wear them? Where are the sailboats for all these deck shoes? People wear them because of what they represent culturally—class and privilege. I think if you realize this about Bean Boots you can still get away with wearing them in a tongue and cheek kindof way. Or maybe they can be worn in a way that transcends their popular image;all I know is that the next pair of boots I buy will not be Bean Boots. That said I’ll still rock my pair for now; I do like the way they look, and they’re the kind of boots I imagine Hemmingway would have worn."
So while I'm still not entirely sure I understand why these boots are so popular, I can rest assured that we are going to be seeing them for quite some time... or at least until people start realizing just how affordable the UGG Butte is, or how warm the Hunter Rubber Boot is. Whoops, did I just reveal purchasing plans for next fall? Whoops.
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