Photos by Salt Water New England |
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
This Week in Clothes
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>
- Mystic Knotwork Striped Sailor Bracelet <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/striped-sailor-bracelet-custom-colors-choose-your-own>
- Dubarry Sailing Boots <https://www.dubarry.com/us/sailing/aquatech/sailing-boots/?productListFilters=>
- Bosie Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Sweater - Honey <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/modern-heritage-collection/strawberry-patch-fair-isle-geelong-womens-sweater-honey>
- Mercer Pink Sands 1/8" Bengal Broadcloth Stripe <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-stripes.htm>
- Lotuff Leather Small Tote <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/leather-small-tote>
- Jack Donnelly Twill Chino - 03 Tapered <https://jackdonnelly.com/collections/twill-chino/products/twill-chino-m3-tapered>
- Mercer Bay Blue Check #835 Broadcloth <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-smaller-checks.htm>
- Cordings Grenfell Shooting Jacket <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/grenfell-shooting-jacket.html>
- Lotuff Leather Small Tote <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/leather-small-tote>
- Cordings Liberty Fiona Devaux Shirt made with Tana Lawn <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/fiona-devaux-shirt-made-with-tana-lawntm.html>
- Cordings Green Red Exmoor Doeskin Gilet <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/green-red-exmoor-doeskin-gilet.html>
- Dubarry Galway Country Boot - Ivy <https://www.dubarry.com/us/women/footwear/country-boots/full-length-boots/galway-country-boot-ivy>
- Cordings Brown Blue Spalding Check Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/brown-blue-spalding-check-shirt.html>
- Bosie Islander Fair Isle (No Longer Available) <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/modern-heritage-collection>
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>
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Boat Shoes
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Bosie's Limited Edition Strawberry Patch Fair Isle Geelong Women's Sweater - Honey
Photo by Salt Water New England |
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>
- 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>
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
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?
Monday, March 25, 2024
A Few Nautical Things
Photos by Salt Water New England |
- 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 |
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.)