Is the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote the Single Most Iconic New England Preppy Item?

I was quoted in The Guardian this week with ‘“[LL Bean totes] may be the single most iconic East Coast Preppy item today. And fittingly, it is almost impossible to walk through any coastal New England town without running into one.”’

Read the whole article, and more of my quotes, here: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/oct/22/how-the-canvas-tote-bag-went-from-supermarket-staple-to-status-symbol

Only in the right colors.

They are goodwill ambassadors for coastal New England. Even appearing in international television shows, such as Sweden's Sandhamn Murders (Meurtres A Sandhamn).

However, I realize there may be other valid opinions. Given that, what is your opinion for the “Single Most Iconic New England Preppy Item?”

Links:

• L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, Open-Top

• L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, Zip-Top

A Reader Question: Quoddy Head Boat shoe v. Quoddy Runabout shoe?

 A reader question:

Interested in the community's (including you) thoughts or experience with Quoddy Head Boat shoe v. their Runabout shoe.

Links:

• Quoddy Head Boat Shoe: Brown

• Quoddy Runabout Shoe: Brown

A Reader Question: Suggestions for the five year wedding anniversary gift

A reader question:

Dear Muffy, 

My wife’s and my five year wedding anniversary is coming up, and I am coming up empty on gift ideas. I know the traditional gift is wood, but so much of that seems very chintzy. Any help from you or the readers would be greatly appreciated. 

All the Best, 

A Few Scans from My Father's 1961 J. Press Catalog, My Mother's 1961 Ann Taylor Catalog, and Some Random Labels and Tags

All Photos and Scans by Muffy Aldrich

A few old labels, tags, and catalog scans (from 1961), all courtesy of my parents.

Talking Green Crabs This Morning

Photos by Muffy Aldrich

Talking Green Crabs... with a Wormer

 

A Reader Question: What state is the preppiest, and why?

 A Reader Question:

Dear Muffy,

I discovered your blog about a year ago and love it.  I have a question for your readers, if I may.

Is there an opinion about what state is considered to be the preppiest?   I don't mean just the preppiest New England, though it may well be a New England state.  I mean throughout the entire United States?   Also why?  What do they consider to be the criteria? 

With many thanks! 

 

October New Items

All Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich

October, per usual, has been busy, with more items starting to show up at the door.

• Lotuff Canvas Zip-Top Medium Tote

Zip-Top Canvas and Vegetable Tanned Leather

Made in New England

Mariner's Blue

Also using, the Lotuff Canvas Working Tote in Hunter’s Green-Chestnut (also available in Mariner’s Blue).

• Lotuff Canvas Working Tote

Their Larger Working Tote in Hunter’s Green-Chestnut

My husband’s latest book! This one is for all of us, not just those in the corporate, military, or academic landscapes like most of his previous books. I think it is especially relevant now, given the state we are in, where we all need to build communities that feed our inner heroes. (My little contribution - editor.)

• How to Matter on Amazon

And the first reviews are also coming in.  

“Short yet powerful and incredibly insightful. A fantastic, smart guide to discovering the hero with’n us. I love it! Practical and thought-provoking, the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.”

“Five stars out of five.”

“Slim but powerful... A jolting bit of reality...”

A Reader Question: Is Jaguar on the right track?

 A reader question:

Dear Muffy

I write from across the pond.  Many of us have been watching with interest the launch of the new Jaguar car in NYC this week.  Opinion here is divided on whether this an exciting new chapter for a venerable brand, or a disaster in the making.  What do your readers think?

kind regards 

Link: Car and Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a74036834/2028-jaguar-type-01-revealed/ 

A Reader Question: Preppiest Colleges? (repost)

A reader question:

Dear Muffy,

I came across this list of the 40 preppiest colleges in the U.S. and thought of your site <https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKvQsujt6SG/>.  Their top ten are:

1) Amherst College

2) Bowdoin College

3) Colby College

4) Colgate University

5) Dartmouth College

6) Duke University

7) Georgetown University

8) Middlebury College

9) Princeton University

10) Trinity College

How close do your readers think they got?

Thank you