Photos by Salt Water New England |
Monday, May 6, 2024
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Summer Capsule Preppy Wardrobe for Women
As reader question:
Dear Editor,
First, I really enjoy your blog! As a teen and college student, the clothing you mention on your blog were fixtures of my wardrobe. I am also a native New Englander, born and raised in Connecticut.
Since my high school and college years, I moved away from the preppy clothes, but have gained renewed inspiration through your blog.
So, my question is: If one were building a summer capsule preppy wardrobe for women, what are the essential pieces to have?
Thank you for considering my question.
Kind regards,
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Photographing Early May in Coastal New England
Photos by Salt Water New England |
On campuses, there is often a bittersweet energy as well. For seniors, as exams are taken and papers turned in, they begin the shift from being students to whatever comes next. Even before graduation, many fill up the SUVs and station wagons or rented trucks, and say goodbye to that part of their lives,
In this context, summer is a perfect transition. Jobs are waiting, but so is the next launch, the next sail, and the next gathering with friends.
As I continue to try to chronicle the soul of coastal New England, May provides an embarrassment of riches and insights, a rare rawness seldom felt the rest of the year.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Linen Jackets, Shirts, Trousers?
A reader question:
May I ask a question? As we move into spring and summer (hopefully!) my tweed jackets have been moved to the back of the closet and my summer weight jackets including those made of linen, have been moved to the fore. It seems to me that people either love or hate linen. Personally I'm a fan for jackets and shirts as I think they are very comfortable in warmer weather, but not so much trousers. What are the readers thoughts on linen?
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sloane Knitted Jacket from Cordings Of Piccadilly, Made in Italy
Preppy Rule: Blend in with your environment. Photos by Salt Water New England |
- Navy Sloane Knitted Jacket <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/navy-sloane-knitted-jacket.html>
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Reader Travel Question: Massachusetts: Boston, Points West, and the Revolutionary War?
A reader question:
Dear Muffy,
While you're in NE travel mode, could I kindly squeeze in another question?
After sadly losing nearest and dearest family members, my oldest friend, one old and one young dog in the past five years, I've realized that, at the age of 56 now, perhaps I ought to start actually planning those 'someday/one day' big trips that I've been thinking about for years (you never know what's around the corner). There's Norway, Japan and the Alps further afield, but Massachusetts is also on the list. I'd really appreciate any suggestions and recommendations from your readers for places to visit, anywhere but particularly in the west of the state. We plan to do the full tourist bit in Boston. I'm a dual UK/US citizen and I've long been fascinated with the Revolutionary War period (if I'd moved here a few hundred years earlier I certainly would have been a Patriot!). I've been to Cape Cod so am familiar with that part of the state, but plan to visit again. We'd also like to do some hiking in the Berkshires and visit The Mount. Any nice hikes/towns/places we shouldn't miss out on and any particular order or direction it might be best to travel in? The west, Boston and The Cape feels awkward logistically. Having a rental car in Boston would probably be a hindrance, so best to do that first and pick up a rental car on out way out of the city? I lived in Waltham for a year when I was six but that was another lifetime!
Many thanks,
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Two Reader Questions on New England Travel
One reader question:
I am loving these pictures Muffy. I had a quick question. If you wanted to visit Maine and the town, where would you stay and what’s the closest airport. Thanks and enjoy your day.
And another:
I'm currently looking at visiting your general bit of the world and wondered if you'd have any recommendations on where to go? Probably starting and finishing in Boston but NY would also be a possibility. Would very much like to do a coastal tour of some sort, probably lasting about a week. Anything Nautical would be high on my list to visit, Mystic Seaport springs to mind (no idea where that is in relation to you to be honest), maybe some of Cape Cod, Lighthouses etc - any suggestions most welcome and nothing set in stone, I've to take in Nashville in the same trip oddly.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Alternatives to York River Traders Belts
A reader question:
One of my belts from [York River Traders] needed repair work, stitching around the buckle had come loose, and it spurred me to research whether any of their belts are still floating around. They used quality leather, and the brass buckles are unique - I’ve never found an equivalent.
I discovered two gently used belts on used/repurposing clothing websites for very reasonable prices. One made from blue webbing, the other from red rigging rope, with the red one two inches larger than my size. I just dropped the larger one off at a local cobbler who agreed to shorten it by two inches.
I would welcome suggestions for alternatives. I purchased a rigging rope belt from Montauk Outfitters a few years ago, but the quality and generic buckle don’t thrill me.
For reference, some of our own photos of York River Traders belts:
York River Traders Mariner Rope Belt in Navy. Photo by Salt Water New England |
The York River Traders Campbell Belts: Made of Climb-Spec Webbing. Here in Green and Pink - Photo by Salt Water New England. |
Nomad Motors
Photos by Salt Water New England |
- Nomad Motors <https://www.nomadmotors.com/>
- Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/nomadmotorsco/>
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Le Tricoteur Navy Blue Traditional Guernsey Jumper
Photos by Salt Water New England |
- Le Tricoteur Navy Blue Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/mens-plain-guernsey-jumpers/products/letricoteur-co-plain-guernseys-mens-navy-blue-traditional-guernsey-jumper>
- Le Tricoteur Cream & Navy Striped Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/mens-striped-guernsey-jumpers/products/letricoteur-co-striped-guernseys-mens-cream-navy-striped-traditional-guernsey-jumper>
Monday, April 15, 2024
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!
Sunday, April 14, 2024
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
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
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.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
"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>
Monday, April 8, 2024
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,
Sunday, April 7, 2024
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 |
- 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>
- 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>