Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Showing posts with label Clothing and Accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clothing and Accessories. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

Wellies / Rain Boots (r)

Le Chameau - Photos by Salt Water New England

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Umbrellas

Photo by My Father
There are a wide range of umbrellas available for different situations.  What should people look for in an umbrella, and what are vendors and products of note?

Some options include:
Photo by Salt Water New England
Photo by My Father

Monday, February 19, 2024

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bags - The Complete Guide (2024 Edition)

Photos by Salt Water New England
I have received quite a few questions about L.L. Bean Boat and Tote bags.  Here are the top ten, and my answers (and some answers from the community).  

1. What is an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag?

Friday, November 26, 2021

Lotuff Leather Zippered Pouches, Made in the USA

iPad Mini Pouch in Chestnut- Photos by Salt Water New England
I have had my first Lotuff pouch for almost a decade.  I use it everyday in my pocketbook.  It has only gotten better with age and use.  

To this first pouch we have added a few others in varying sizes and colors over the years.  They are perfect for personal uses—phone, checkbooks/pens, bills, extra keys—and more public, such as for business receipts. Handling them is always a pleasure as they are beautifully made of their always sumptuous vegetable-tanned leather, and they are offered in a wide range of lovely colors.   

As with Lotuff wallets, the Lotuff pouches are subtle and satisfying luxuries. 
In last photograph, shown with:
Zipper Pouch #7 in Saddle, Indigo, and Orange

Sunday, August 15, 2021

The Fabulous Follifoot for Men from Cordings of Piccadilly

Weighty yet Supple - Photos by Salt Water New England
The fabulous Follifoot, a Cordings' tour de force, is made of 100% Irish Donegal Wool from Ireland's Magee.  It is made for Men but being on the tall side I can easily wear it, especially with the raglan sleeves.  They describe it as weighty yet supple and that is precisely what it is.  The Irish tweed is especially soft and putting it on feels like a dream.  A wonderful piece with a wide range of wearing options.

Monday, June 21, 2021

Men's Italian Linen Jacket from Cordings

Photo by Salt Water New England

Just Arrived!
 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Lotuff Wallets - Made in New England

Photos by Salt Water New England
Lotuff wallets represent the ideal - classic, functional and made of their extraordinary signature vegetable-tanned leather.  

We have been using their traditional Bifold Wallet non-stop for nearly a decade, yet it barely shows any wear.  (And that is despite having gone through the wash twice.  My fault!) 

But for those with slighter needs, Lotuff offers two credit card wallets, also perfect for Fathers' Day.

While the bifold is perfect for trips around the country, the credit card (and driver's license) wallets may meet the needs of local errands.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Roscommon Country Boot from Dubarry of Ireland

Photos by Salt Water New England
The Roscommon Boot from Dubarry of Ireland is an ideal boot for this time of year, both for general wear and also for gardening.  The Roscommon features the same waterproof qualities and superb construction as all of Dubarry's country boots, but in a shorter style for warmer weather, which makes a cooler boot.  I have been wearing them every day.

Monday, May 10, 2021

The Lotuff No. 12 Weekender Bag in Camel, Made By Hand in New England

Photo by Salt Water New England

The highly popular Lotuff No. 12 Weekender Bag, selected by GQ three times as the best weekend leather bag <https://www.gq.com/story/best-leather-duffel-bags>, is now available in their new distinctive Camel color.  Sleek and roomy, it has that familiar Lotuff feel of their vegetable-tanned leather, soft and strong.  Impeccably constructed, it is perfect for business trips and summer house weekends.  Monogrammed, an ideal Father's Day gift.

Monday, April 26, 2021

Shorts and Sweaters

Photo by Salt Water New England  (Repost)
Late summer, spring, and early autumn are the perfect times for the paradoxical combination of sweaters and shorts.  (And for some in Maine, year-round.) As with all of The Uniform, it enables action.  It is the perfect solution to the conditions famously described by Charles Dickens: "It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

The combination is especially ideal by the water, where everything below the knees somehow, despite best efforts, becomes soaked.  And those sweaters that get dragooned into a day of activities end up with the sleeves rolled up.  

Shown here, an Extra Fine Merino Sweater, which many have called their most used and versatile sweater.   
  • Patagonia 9" Stand Up Shorts (RIP)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Monday, March 29, 2021

Tweed Waistcoat on a Windy Day

The combination of a soft pink shirt and a mossy-green tweed. Photo by Salt Water New England
A tweed waistcoat is an ideal layer for the still cool spring days.   And the large pockets are quite handy.

Made in England:

Made in the USA:

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Lotuff's 929 Briefcase - Made in New England

Photo by Salt Water New England

In their sumptuous 929 Briefcase, Lotuff  Leather has successfully created an everything bag.  Made of their celebrated hand-selected vegetable-tanned leather,  it is a briefcase for those not wanting a briefcase; a pocketbook for those not wanting a pocketbook.   Due to its well designed top, it is very easy to use with a generous opening.  

It shifts easily between men and women, and I have been experimenting with using it for all of my daily activities, and have not hit a problem yet.  I like the feel of it under-filled, as a pocketbook replacement, but it bulks up beautifully to tote a lot more when needed.

Those who want their bags to be structured and stand up on their own are in luck.  And those who like the feel of soft, pliable leather are also in luck.  It is both.

The pockets inside handle a couple of pens, a phone, and sunglasses on one side, and a bigger item such as an iPad or laptop on the other.  It is also perfect for business meetings or as a carry-on for cross country trips.  

I truly love this bag.

Sunday, March 14, 2021

The Grenfell Shooting Coat

Photos by Salt Water New England

The Grenfell Shooting Coat - Made in London - fills the gap between winter and summer, between thick tweed coats and windbreakers.  Made of iconic Grenfell Cloth—with tightly woven 600 thread-per-inch long staple Egyptian cotton twill—the coat is naturally water resistant while remaining breathable.  

It also brings an unmistakable presence.  

The Grenfell Shooting Coat has been relied upon by countless soldiers, sportsmen, and London commuters for protection from the elements over the decades.  This coat has a simple practical design with a relentless attention to detail, including real horn buttons, removeable game pocket, and a rich color often described as iridescent green.  And it uses its combination of outer layer, lining, and knit cuffs in concert to achieve a surprisingly secure while ventilated fit.

Said one reader:

The Grenfell jacket is an excellent piece of kit. I own one and wear it most days The cloth developed for Sir Wilfred Grenfell when he was in Labrador now very useful for walking mine. Grenfell may have died in Vermont but was born in a village less than 8 miles from where l live and the next village on from where Lady Hamilton of Lord Nelson fame came from.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Business Casual Coat | The Navy Chepstow Keepers Field Coat for Men from Cordings of Piccadilly, Made in England

Photos by Salt Water New England
While technically a field coat, the Chepstow Keepers Field Coat is also a seriously smart Business Casual garment.  Warm and substantial but not too bulky, it will be ideal for many for travel during the colder months.  It has all of the advantages of being made for the field - comfortable and waterproof - but still at home in many corporate headquarters today. 

This superb coat is made in England for Cordings of Piccadilly (by Chrysalis, known for their truly outstanding British craftsmanship) of 21oz Teflon coated Keepers Tweed, woven in Britain.

Cordings also offers it in Loden.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Leather Gloves

Photos by Salt Water New England

Monday, November 9, 2020

Corduroy Trousers

Photos by Salt Water New England
Corduroy trousers are an Autumn staple.  

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Barbour Jackets: Bedale vs. Beaufort vs. Border

For Review, A Comparison of Size 36 Barbour Waxed Jackets in Three Styles - Photos by Salt Water New England

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Tweed Shoot Coat | The Cordings Men's House Check Tweed Field Coat

Photos by Salt Water New England

The Cordings Men's House Check Tweed Field Coat - Made in England