“I like your style, dude.” So says the narrator of the cult film classic The Big Lebowski when he meets Jeffrey Lebowski—a.k.a. “The Dude”—at the bar of the Dude’s favorite bowling alley. Now, you too can own a piece of that style, as the Dude’s ubiquitous beige cardigan goes on sale May 14-15 in Beverly Hills as part of a multimillion-dollar showbiz memorabilia auction.
Chunky, stained with White Russians (“careful, man, there’s beverage here!”) and, if the film is to be believed, probably reeking of marijuana, the Dude’s sweater will go on auction with a starting price of $4,000. The auction listing states: “There were four sweaters made for the production — this vintage sweater and three modern copies, according to costume designer Mary Zophres. [Actor Jeff] Bridges wore this vintage sweater exclusively during the entire production, preferring to wear it all the time and thus delve deeper into the ‘Dudeness’ required of the role.”
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If you’re the type of dude that has to write checks for milk — as Lebowski does in the film’s opening scene — then $4,000 might be a bit steep. Fortunately, Oregon-based Pendleton Woolen Mills, which designed the Dude’s cardigan, will soon bring back a tribute version of the design, inspired by the original, priced at $188.
So even though one of cinema’s greatest characters is no more, it’s nice to know that his sweater is still out there, “taking it easy for all us sinners.” The Dude abides after all. (via Oregon Live)