The Material Review

Issue 031: The L.L. Bean Field Coat, A Perfect $20 Watch, Instagram Photo Dumps, Red Lobster's Demise and a Spotlight on Camping Gear.

Michael Williams

and

Taylor Stacey

Sep 18, 2024

Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.

What Makes This 100-Year-Old Hunting Jacket an American Icon?

As L.L. Bean’s Field Coat hits the century mark, here’s what makes it so special — plus your chance to score a true vintage one. [Gear Patrol]

The Perfect Watch Costs $20

“In its gray digital face, I’ve found a little piece of my past.” [The Atlantic]

The Desperation of the Instagram Photo Dump

“On today’s social media, the only way to counteract the overflow of online content is to put out an overflow of your own.” [The New Yorker]

“Contemporary cycling is all about spandex and personal bests. The bicycle designer Grant Petersen has amassed an ardent following by urging people to get comfortable bikes, and go easy” [The New Yorker]

Greed, Gluttony and the Crackup of Red Lobster

“How missed opportunities, a $1.5 billion real estate deal, all-you-can-eat shrimp and the global pandemic sank the country’s largest seafood chain.” [NYT]