Note: This post about How To Style L.L. Bean Boots contains affiliate links and was originally published in February 2019. It has been fully updated for your reading pleasure! Thank you for supporting the brands that support Something Good.
I’ve had a lot of different winter boots over the years (as you could probably imagine, since I grew up in Wisconsin). But it was in Pittsburgh that I discovered my love of duck boots. A pretty basic boot, but with a rubber covering on the end and a rubber bottom. It was from there that I started to learn about bean boots and the wonderfulness that is L.L. Bean (an even better version of the basic duck boot and rubber bottom boot).
I knew about L.L. Bean growing up (everyone in cold states does), but I always resisted the brand when I was younger. It just didn’t seem “cool” enough. Why shop there when I could shop at the Gap or Delia*s right?! It’s once I got older that I saw how ridiculous I was being and how perfect L.L. Bean Boots are for winter!
I also didn’t realize until I got into blogging how popular L.L. Bean Boots actually are, so I thought it would be fun to share how to style L.L. Bean Boots. Now, before I start, I also want to full acknowledge that I know that these boots can be a little pricey. So with this post I want to also share how these boots are COMPLETELY worth it. We’ll walk through the fun part of styling them and the practical side of them, so you can get a really good idea of what you’ll get.
J.Crew Factory Sweater (Old, Everyone’s favorite L.L. Bean Version, Similar, Similar)
Aeo Jegging (Old, Similar, Similar)
Old Navy Quilted Vest (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)
L.L.Bean Boots (Similar, Similar)
How To Style L.L. Bean Boots
Styling a piece really is more fun, so let’s start here, shall we?
Jeans
Styling your L.L. Bean Boots with jeans is most of our automatic reactions, so why not start here? Typically with bean boots, your goal is to avoid getting your feet and clothing wet, so I would suggest a jean that you can easily tuck into your boots. I would go for a full length skinny jean or jegging. Both of which can easily be tucked into your boots or socks. They’ll also then easily slide into your boots.
You could also go for an ankle pants and then roll them once at the top, so they sit right on top of the boot. I would personally not recommend this though for two reasons. First, this can be a hard look to pull off and it’s easy to get wrong. Second, if you’re wearing bean boots, there’s a chance it’s cold and I personally don’t want to risk bare skin.
Work Commute
If you want to wear bean boots for your work commute, I saw do it! However, I would say either do it on a day when you’re wearing either fitted pants, skirt, or dress (which will get into in a minute). Make sure you also then pack a pair of shoes you can slide into a work, since I’m guessing your employer won’t want you hanging out in bean boots at work. If you know you’re going to have to wear bean boots multiple days in a row, you can also just store your shoes at work.
Skirts and Dresses
I think that some people are a little nervous about figuring out how to style L.L. Bean Boots with skirts and dresses with their bean boots, but trust me, this can look so cute! The first trick is to not go too fancy with it. Think no more formal than business casual. Second, try to play off of one of the colors in your boots for your outfit. If you have one of the classic boots, that’s probably a tan, navy, or brown. That’ll help to tie the whole outfit together. Finally, this is more of a strong suggestion than a rule, but wear tights! Don’t let your little legs get cold. Maybe it’s black tights or maybe it’s nude tights, but keep those legs warm and covered. Obviously, if you’re wearing these when it’s raining, maybe it’s a little warmer, but if it’s snowing, put the tights on!
Socks
One of my favorite things is to see socks peeking out of the top of L.L. Bean boots and folded over! It’s such a cute look that I think people forget about all of the time. You can definitely do this with jeans that are tucked in, but you can also do this when you’re wearing a skirt, L.L. Bean Boots, and a pair of tights. It’ll actually help with providing a little padding on the inside of the boots and make your outfit a little cuter.
L.L. Bean Boot Sizing
Speaking of padding on the inside, let’s get into the logistics of L.L. Bean Boots now. There are lots to talk about, so I’ll break it down.
Height
When you’re picking your Bean Boot, you have the choice of different height sizes: Tall (16″ or 10″), medium (8″, 7″ or 6″), or short (their gumshoes or mocs).
The boot that most people aim for is the 8″ or 6″. The 6″ comes to right above your ankle and the 8″ starts up your calf. How would you choose? Personally, for me it came down to the coverage. I knew that I would be wearing it when it snowed. I wanted to make sure that these would give a good amount of coverage and stop snow from going into my shoes. From seeing how people shovel in DC, I felt that the 6″ were too low and snow was likely to fall into them.
If I wanted the most coverage, why didn’t I go for the 16″ or 10″? I wasn’t looking for a tall boot in this case. Here, I wanted something easier to get in and out of, but would keep my feet dry and warm. Also, these could be used it warmer months when it was just raining, not snowing.
Thinsulate
Another thing you need to look into is Thinsulate lining. Thinsulate is an option in many of the 8″ boots that will help to provide extra warmth to your feet.
I’ve had one of the Bean Boots with Thinsulate and it didn’t make as much of a difference for me. However, that may be because I have crappy circulation and raynaud’s. If you’re somewhere super cold, then getting a pair of boots with Thinsulate isn’t a bad idea.
Another option is goretex, is which is an waterproof lining. But I can assure you, even if your boot doesn’t have goretex included, your feet will still stay dry!
Fit
L.L. Bean boots don’t come in half sizes, they only come in whole sizes. Because of this, people can have trouble figuring out their size at first. For me personally, I suggest that if you’re true to size, size down. It’s worked well for me in the past.
True to Size?
So are they true to size if you wear a whole size then? Honestly, I typically wear a size 6 and I think they still run a little big. However, I think that’s also a good thing because it leaves room to wear thick, warm socks. You can also put in shoe liners if you need them too.
Do you have other questions about sizing? Let me know in the comments!
How To Style L.L. Bean Boots: Outfit Ideas
Let’s get back to how to style L.L. bean boots, shall we? Here is one way that I styled my L.L. Bean Boots. Then, I’m going to show you an outfit from last month and then explain how could I switch up that outfit to style my boots with that outfit.
A Layered Look
As you can see in this look, I decided to pair my outfit with jeans, but I also layered my cable knit sweater to play with different textures in the outfit.
Another thing I could have done with this outfit is to have my socks tucked on the outside of my boots and folded over like I suggested earlier in this post.
Winter Business Casual
Though I’m not wearing L.L. Bean Boots with this outfit, I’m going to share how to how to style L.L. Bean Boots with it, since I easily could be.
First, get rid of the knee high riding boots (as much as I love them). Second, I’ll throw on a pair of tan knit socks. Second, I put on a pair of my tan L.L. Bean boots with the brown ends (since that also ties in with the brown skirt). Then, I’ll fold down the socks and have them folded slightly over the edge of the bean boots.
Finally, I might also get rid of my delicate silk scarf and replace it with a heavier knit scarf to match the bean boots.
Voila! Outfit done!
I’ll end on this note…
L.L. Bean Boots depending on the time of year (primarily around the holiday season) tend to have a pretty high waiting list. (When they’re handcrafted one pair at a time, what do you expect?) So make sure to plan in advance and check the waitlist times when you order!
Also, they don’t have it running right now, but make sure to check the L.L. Bean’s site, because they frequently run a “special limited time offer save 25% today” on Bean Boots and other items. That way you can get your Bean Boots at a less expensive price!
Want even more inspiration? Check out my post, 5 Outfits with Duck Boots!
Photos by Kimberly Graydon
