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

Monday, March 18, 2024

Wellies / Rain Boots (r)

Le Chameau - Photos by Salt Water New England

Thursday, March 14, 2024

How to pack lightly for a trip to Cape Code in early June?

 A reader question:

Good afternoon Muffy,

I hope you are doing well. I have a question for the community. I'm excited to be going on a bus trip to Cape Cod Jun3rd- Jun8th.  I'll start off on a plane, then go to a touring bus. I like traveling light as I usually do not check my bags when I fly. And I live in the Midwest, so I have a capsule wardrobe for all 4 seasons. I've never been to this area before and would love suggestions on what to pack. Thank you and take care!

New England Ski Mountains, Resorts, and Traditions

 A reader question:

Which ski traditions, mountains/resorts/areas has the community traditionally cherished in New England? I grew up skiing at Stowe and I understand it has suffered much development in recent years. Thankfully, Mount Mansfield and the physical runs remain much the same. Yes, I’ve been out west, but Eastern skiing remains grittier and more authentic . I’m sure this community will agree.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

New Lotuff Colors!

Photos by Salt Water New England
Here is a first look at Lotuff's brilliant new colors for spring, Fern and Raspberry.

Small Tote in Fern:

New Eyeglass Case in Raspberry:


 

Monday, March 11, 2024

The Cordings Men's Spring Shirt Promotion!

Photos by Salt Water New England
Cordings of Piccadilly has some lovely new shirts this season, and their Shirt Promotion has begun!  Buy two and get the third free!

Here are my top 5 picks (from top to bottom):



 

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

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Coats and Raincoats to Wear Over Suits?

 A reader question:

Dear Editor,

May I pose a question to the community? Recent rainy weather (and a back to office mandate) have made me realize I need a new coat to wear to work. Something long enough to cover a suit coat and a little dressier than my Barbour which is starting to show its age. 

Was thinking some sort of trench coat might do the trick but open to other ideas too. Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

Sunday, March 3, 2024

A Charming Easter Basket

Photos by Salt Water New England
Handmade Baskets, Ideal for Easter, Made in Mystic, Connecticut:

 

What hats do you wear?

 A reader question:

Dear Editor,

I was reading Country Life and saw the article: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/luxury/curious-questions-when-and-why-did-we-stop-wearing-hats-and-is-it-time-to-start-again-266025.  

I was wondering if anyone on the list wears a hat?  I do not.   I think it has to do with growing up and always wearing a baseball hat and my parents telling me if I continue to do that my hair will fall out.  When you are young you believe anything your parents tell you.

Polo Shirt Recommendations

 A reader question:

Dear Muffy,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to share my appreciation for the LL Bean polo shirts, particularly their stand-up collars that provide excellent protection from the sun on the boat and keep me cozy when stepping out for firewood.

As someone who has cherished LL Bean polo shirts for many years, I've noticed a slight change in the navy color recently, which has prompted me to explore other options. Could you kindly recommend other manufacturers whose polo shirt collars stand up and offer similar durability and quality to LL Bean?

Thank you very much in advance for your assistance with this matter. Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

Warm regards

Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor

Photos by Salt Water New England
When talking to people over the years about Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, I don't think I have ever come across anyone who did not have a strong opinion, which usually fell into two camps, they love it or they hate it.  Nothing in between.

Thoughts?


 

Freeport Watch: Entire block of downtown Freeport to be auctioned after developer breaches mortgage.

 This article was sent to me:

Entire block of downtown Freeport to be auctioned after developer breaches mortgage. The Freeport Village Station retail center, which is valued at $32.5 million and includes an L.L.Bean outlet, is scheduled to be auctioned Wednesday as part of a foreclosure.

<https://www.pressherald.com/2024/03/01/entire-block-of-downtown-freeport-to-be-auctioned-after-developer-breaches-mortgage/>

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Classic Prep Movies

 A reader question

Hello,

As a follow up to your recent re-post of “Classic Prep School Books,” I wonder if you and the community have a list of “Classic Prep Movies”? I’m not intending to limit this solely to movies about prep schools, but to the movies that preps have always considers “in canon” or otherwise accurately depict elements of prep life.

Thanks

Where in the U.K.? And why?

A reader question:

Hi Muffy,

May I ask the readers a question. If they were offered a free all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the U.K. where would they choose? 

Kind regards

Pisgah Range Ltd. Boot Laces: A Reader Comment

A reader kindly sent this comment:

For what it’s worth, I hike and walk a lot and am hard on boot laces. Some of my boots still have metal eyelets, hooks, and hardware. Do laces deserve attention? They do, for me, when the plastic end pieces shred and make them hard to re-lace, or when boot hardware tears them and they fail on a trip far from civilization. 

These are from Pisgah Range Ltd., a North Carolina company that makes paracord boot laces. They’re $10 per pair, sold in a broad range of colors and patterns, extremely durable, and the ends are finished in brass or silver metal. They’re made by hand, in standard lengths or custom. My homework suggests they supply some manufacturers with laces, including Red Wing. 

I have no affiliation with the company; I’m in the process of writing a review of their laces for an outdoors website - I’m on the gear review team for the site. I bought a few pair for my primary hiking boots and just purchased new pair for the Bean boots and another pair of hiking boots. Thought you would be interested. (These hiking boots are from Limmer, a New Hampshire boot maker. I’ve been hiking in them since 2007 with a resole along the way).

Cheers

Links:

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Arthur Beale Fisherman Jumper, Made in Britain

Photo by Salt Water New England
Arthur Beale Fisherman Jumper, Made in Britain:

Shown with:
 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Rugby Shirts?

 A reader question:

Dear Editor,

A question for the community:

I have worn rugby shirts since I was a boy and currently own two of the J. Press version, which are excellent quality. However, I have recently begun to think that such a garment is a little too youthful for a 61 year old gentleman. Do the followers of this blog have any thoughts? Thank you all!

Today...

Photos by Salt Water New England
Shown:

How Do You Clean Your Car?

 A reader question:

I, too had the golden, the Volvo and the sweater. Sadly I have lost all. The lovely dog has a “new brother”, a beagle named “Rugby”. 
My question for the community. How do you clean your car, and how often?

 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

New England Camps and Lake Resorts?

A reader question: 

Hi Muffy,

Now that March is around the corner, we can start to think about starting to think about the summer. I have always been enchanted with the New England lake resorts (for the families) and camps (for the children). Do you or your readers have pictures and memories of camps and camps from long ago or recommendations for resorts and camps for the current day?

Many thanks and I very much appreciate your blog.