What locations would be on a Preppy Atlas of New England?

 A reader question.

Dear Muffy,

 It seems like there are iconic or historically meaningful locations that have been pivotal to the evolution of the preppy culture.   You have shown some of them here, Murray’s Toggery in Nantucket, Choate, the Guilford green, the gravestone of  Thomas Dudley, The University Club in New York, the site of the first Harvard-Yale Regatta in 1852, South Beach on Martha's Vineyard, the rowing boathouses along the Charles River.  What are others, like Phillips Exeter, Brooks Brothers' original New York location, Newport's Rosecliff Mansion where scenes from The Great Gatsby (1974)  were shot, and the John F. Kennedy's Hyannis compound? The more wonky the better!

 

A Reader Thought

A reader thought:

Dear Muffy, 

May I share with your readers, that in this increasingly violent and dangerous world in which we live (here in the UK we have reports of stabbings on our streets every day now - luckily guns are difficult to get hold of) where we appear to be on the brink of world war three, it is a joy to have this little oasis of peace and tranquility where people can share their views on how they like to dress, the things that they love to own and love to do and the worst thing we can bicker about is who should and who shouldn't be wearing a Cordings tweed jacket. 

May I wish you and your family and my fellow readers a peaceful and joyous Sunday and pray for peace in our troubled world

Best wishes

You can have a sweater in any color you want, as long as it's Aran.

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

Waiting for sandwiches...

Photo by Salt Water New England

 

Mid-April Along the Coast

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

The Magic Tote Bag from Via No. 9

Photos by Salt Water New England

There are so many good things to say about these totes.   The trim color options are vast and the hues are particularly good.  The unique shape, with its wide base, makes for a very easy to use bag.  The canvas is a sturdy 24 ounce.  The snap closures are also substantial.  And they are made in Los Angeles.  

• The Magic Tote Bag <https://www.viano9.com/shop/p/thetotebag>

Offered in bright and pretty trim colors as well as more subdued colors, they are used by men and women alike.  A perfect pocketbook on one hand,  and I am told,  an equally good bag for fly fishing.

Already a favorite warm weather bag.

 

"Old money English upper-class style" (The Guardian) including Cordings Clothing in Guy Ritchie’s series The Gentlemen.

Muffy Aldrich wearing her Cordings Wincanton Tweed

"Heritage checks and tweeds, sharp tailoring and expensive watches – shoppers are increasingly seeking to emulate the old money English upper-class style portrayed in Guy Ritchie’s hit Netflix series The Gentlemen." - The Gentlemen creates surge in sales for upper-class fashion <https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2024/mar/31/netflix-the-gentlemen-sales-english-upper-class-fashion>

"It's discreet, stylish and very, very British - so no wonder hit Netflix show The Gentlemen has reached for the Royal fashion wardrobe..." - <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13259543/Discreet-stylish-Netflix-Gentlemen-Royal-wardrobe.html>

I have received so many questions about what The Guardian refers to as "Old money English upper-class style," from old readers and new.   Guy Ritchie’s series 'The Gentlemen' has prompted questions about where to get such featured items as the Cordings Wincanton Tweed and Cordings Follifoot.

Here are links to those posts:

• Cordings Wincanton Tweed <https://www.saltwaternewengland.com/2020/03/the-wincanton-tweed-jacket-trousers-and.html>

•  The Fabulous Follifoot for Men from Cordings of Piccadilly <https://www.saltwaternewengland.com/2020/10/the-fabulous-follifoot-for-men-from.html>

But I have also been asked about other examples of this style, and how to wear them in today's world.  As the more experienced SWNE readers know, the label 'Canon' focuses on the Sloane side of our Preppy Sloane world.

• <https://www.saltwaternewengland.com/search/label/canon>

A Good Leather Belt?

A reader question::

Dear Editor: 

What are some recommendations for a good leather belt? I am looking for a bridle belt that can be worn both professionally and casually, that is 1” or 1.25” wide, and most importantly that is durable without warping quickly? I have tried the J. Press calfskin belt, but it has warped and shows significant wear after just a year or two. Does anyone have experience with Cellar Leather or Tim Hardy belts? Any recommendations would be appreciated. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Spring has arrived at Cordings!

Green Bamboo Leather Handbag, Made in Italy, and Fiona Devaux Shirt made with Liberty Tana Lawn
Photos by Salt Water New England

There are so many pretty new season arrivals at Cordings.  

Shown here are a few for the Ladies:

• Green Bamboo Leather Handbag <https://www.cordings.co.uk/green-bamboo-leather-handbag.html>

• Fiona Devaux Shirt made with Liberty Tana Lawn <https://www.cordings.co.uk/fiona-devaux-shirt-made-with-tana-lawntm.html>

• Lotus Love Silk Shirt made with Liberty Fabric <https://www.cordings.co.uk/lotus-love-silk-shirt-made-with-liberty-fabric.html>

• Endless Shirt made with Liberty Tana Lawn <https://www.cordings.co.uk/endless-shirt-made-with-tana-lawntm.html>

• Beige Cotton Stretch Lily Jeans <https://www.cordings.co.uk/beige-cotton-stretch-lily-jeans.html>

• Blue Cotton Stretch Lily Jeans <https://www.cordings.co.uk/blue-cotton-stretch-lily-jeans.html>

• Mariner Shackle Pendant Sterling Silver <https://www.patsykane.com/product-page/mariner-shackle-pendant>

And a few links for the Gents:

• Classic Linen Suits <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/linen-suits>

• Country Trousers <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/trousers>

• Linen Trousers <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/trousers/linen-trousers>

• Bright Chinos <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/trousers/bright-chinos>

• Gabardine Trousers <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/trousers/summer-gabardine-trousers>

• Linen Jackets <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/jackets/linen-jackets>

• Classic Linen Shirts <https://www.cordings.co.uk/menswear/shirts/linen-shirts>

And for those who have asked about my nail polish:

• <https://amzn.to/3UaBf6o>

Lotus Love Silk Shirt made with Liberty Fabric

Boat Shoes

Photos by Salt Water New England

Watches and Watch Straps

Photo by My Father

Favorite watches and straps?

Photo by Salt Water New England

 

Early April Along the Coast

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

Bosie's Limited Edition Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Sweater - Honey

Photo by Salt Water New England

Bosie has introduced her utterly charming, (very) Limited Edition Strawberry Patch Fair Isles, made of supersoft Geelong, and of course, Made in Scotland.

This is her own design from ten years ago, which she did for Harley of Scotland, her family's company.  Shown here in Honey, she also offers one in Duck Egg Blue, as well as a cardigan in Honey.  And three different Strawberry Patch colors for the children at Little Bosie!

Shown:

• Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Sweater - Honey <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/modern-heritage-collection/strawberry-patch-fair-isle-geelong-womens-sweater-honey>

Also:

• Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Sweater - Duck Egg <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/modern-heritage-collection/strawberry-patch-fair-isle-geelong-womens-sweater-duck-egg>

• Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Cardigan - Honey <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/modern-heritage-collection/strawberry-patch-fair-isle-geelong-womens-cardigan-honey>

 And Little Bosie!!

• <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/little-bosie-childrens-knitwear>

New Accessories from Lotuff

Photo by Salt Water New England

Lotuff has not only added two new sophisticated colors to their collection, but new accessories as well.  As always, they are made from their sumptuous and hand selected tumbled vegetable tanned leather.  And just in time for Mother's Day.

•  The Leather Valet Tray <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories/products/leather-valet-tray-1>

• The Classic Journal Cover <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories/products/basic-journal-cover>

• Eyeglass Case <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories/products/sunglasses-sleeve>

• Leather Wristlet Wallet <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories/products/wristlet-wallet>

While these are shown in more feminine hues, they are also offered more masculine colors as well, including their very handsome Chocolate and Chestnut.

Which items haven't been ruined over time?

 A reader question:

Dear Editor,

I was looking at an old copy of M: The Civilized Man from December 1988. The cover story was 100 Things they haven’t ruined yet.  It list a gauntlet of  things. Some on your list have posted about how todays items are not the same as old days. Such as LL Bean and Brooks.  I was wondering what item holds up with time?  They have not ruined them?

A Few Nautical Things

Photos by Salt Water New England

Shown:

• Arthur Beale Zip Neck Jumper <https://arthurbeale.co.uk/products/arthur-beale-zip-neck-jumper>

• Patsy Kane Earrings <https://www.patsykane.com/yachting-collection-earrings>

• Nautical Woven Eyeglass Lanyard <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/nautical-woven-eyeglass-lanyard>

• Monkey Fist Key Chain <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/monkey-fist-key-chains-traditional-choose-from-18-colors>

• Monkey Fist Key Chain (Short) <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/monkey-fist-key-chains-modern-choose-from-18-colors>

• Monkey Fist Key Chain (Floating) <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/monkey-fist-key-chains-floating>

• Handmade Woven Bowls <https://mysticknotwork.com/collections/woven-bowls>

• Sailor Knot Coasters <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/sailor-knot-coaster-set-of-4-in-18-colors>

• Nautical Sailor Knot Bracelet <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/striped-sailor-bracelet-custom-colors-choose-your-own>

• Custom Nautical Chart Ceramic Mug <https://www.themuddydog.com/products/custom-nautical-chart-ceramic-mug>

Freeport Watch: Sea Bags

Photos by Salt Water New England

Sea Bags have exploded in popularity recently, with stores in Portland, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockland, Bar Harbor;  the North Shore and South Shore of Boston, the Cape, the Vineyard; Watch Hill, Newport; Florida; California; the mid-Atlantic; Burlington, Vermont for sailing on Lake Champlain; and along the Great Lakes in Michigan.  But they are still all cut, assembled, and hand-stitched in Maine.

While there are a great number of new designs they have added, I prefer their original approach  – what is now called "vintage" – which are bags made from recycled sails.  (Bring in your old sails, where they'll be weighed and you'll be paid.  And you'll get a bag made out of your sails.)

• <https://seabags.com/>

They're solidly made and have natural colored hand-spliced rope handles which wrap around the entire bag for durability.  The Freeport, Maine store, shown here, is a pleasure to visit and the people exceptionally nice.

  

March on the Shore - The Teasiest of Months

Photos by Salt Water New England

 

Pink and Green - Mother's Day Edition

Photo by Salt Water New England

Shown:

• Small Tote in Fern <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/leather-small-tote?variant=47531476582704>

• New J0urnal in Raspberry <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/womens-leather-accessories/products/basic-journal-cover?variant=47514361168176>

•  Beige Classic Belted Trench Coat <https://www.cordings.co.uk/beige-classic-belted-trench-coat.html>

Wellies / Rain Boots

Le Chameau - Photos by Salt Water New England