I have a few pairs of madras shorts. Two from Polo Ralph Lauren and the other, J. Crew. The one from J.Crew is showing its age while the Polo shorts are holding up well.
Before Wes Anderson popularized this fabric, madras shorts were a common sight in New England during the Summer months. It's the perfect pair of shorts to match just about anything -- boat shoes, loafers, Birks, faded Prep School t-shirt, linen button-up, etc.
If anything, wearing madras shorts forces me to maintain a rigorous workout routine. These shorts look unflattering on certain body types.
I have a pair of madras shorts from Talbots that I wear religiously in the summer. I’d love to buy more, but where I live madras shorts are hard to find.
one pair from J Crew, who probably don’t sell them now. They’re over 30 years old, nicely worn and faded. Closest comparable I have seen is on a site called Country Club Prep.
One can't do any better than Cape Madras in Cape Elizabeth -- I wear their Cape and Westwood style Bermudas. And in the photo it looks like Muffy also has on a pair from them too.
Does anyone make the “true bleeding Madras” anymore? The kind that needed washing by itself, as the dyes would ruin any item washed at the same time. I’d welcome knowing the name of any such maker. 60s Madras took on a richness that made the garment a prized favorite shirt (or pant, if you had a pair). Suspect the real thing—from Madras, hand-dyed, as of old—is not available any more. Would welcome contradiction.
I think Cape Madras offers what you’re looking for. They advertise products that have “retro style” and “vintage appeal.”
All their madras garments are woven and sewn in India, and they do fade (I know) even after you’ve washed them in cold water. I don’t know if this qualifies as “true bleeding” or not. Please check their web site for details. Great products. https://capemadras.com/pages/about-us
Their patch madras is sweet. Alas, they don’t seem to stock the full plaid madras shirt. The full plaid is presentable for the more formal occasions. This is the look more preferred here in the Litchfield Hills. Thank you.
Every few years, Ralph Lauren will put out a bleeding madras. Not every year and hard to find in stores, I've had the best luck finding new piars on ebay.
Anonymous 2:14 p.m.: If you use a search engine and search for "bleeding madras," you'll find several sources for the fabric. Not sure about sources for finished garments; didn't take the time to check. Good luck. I fondly recall bleeding madras shirts. Non-bleeding madras is the madras equivalent of non-iron shirts. Both have their place, but they are not the same or, in my view, as pleasurable as versions they have (largely) replaced. Such is "progress"...
I do believe this is my favourite photo of Muffy. I love the open smile and the sense of fun. I also love the shorts. I have a madras shift dress and a pair of go-to-hell pants that I purchased from Orvis a couple of decades ago and that I've worn the heck out of. Unfortunately I cannot seem to find a decent pair of shorts anywhere in my size; both Cape Madras and Castaway Nantucket list many of theirs as "out of stock".
Editor, Salt Water New England - The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy, since 2010. Co-founder, Short Sims. From a 12th Generation New Englander.
Castaway Nantucket! Nice selection and fantastic quality.
ReplyDeleteI have a few pairs of madras shorts. Two from Polo Ralph Lauren and the other, J. Crew. The one from J.Crew is showing its age while the Polo shorts are holding up well.
ReplyDeleteBefore Wes Anderson popularized this fabric, madras shorts were a common sight in New England during the Summer months. It's the perfect pair of shorts to match just about anything -- boat shoes, loafers, Birks, faded Prep School t-shirt, linen button-up, etc.
If anything, wearing madras shorts forces me to maintain a rigorous workout routine. These shorts look unflattering on certain body types.
I have a pair of madras shorts from Talbots that I wear religiously in the summer. I’d love to buy more, but where I live madras shorts are hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI have one really nice pair. I believe they are from CapeMadras in Maine.
ReplyDeleteRalph Lauren
ReplyDeleteMadras skirt, madras blazer, madras dress, madras tie... madras shorts are the only thing I don't have. 😄
ReplyDeleteone pair from J Crew, who probably don’t sell them now. They’re over 30 years old, nicely worn and faded. Closest comparable I have seen is on a site called Country Club Prep.
ReplyDeleteOne can't do any better than Cape Madras in Cape Elizabeth -- I wear their Cape and Westwood style Bermudas. And in the photo it looks like Muffy also has on a pair from them too.
ReplyDeleteHere they are: https://capemadras.com/
DeleteO'Connell's.
ReplyDeletehttps://berle.com/collections/patch-madras-shorts
ReplyDelete...for men's
+1
DeleteWhere are Berle products made?
DeleteJRC
Does anyone make the “true bleeding Madras” anymore? The kind that needed washing by itself, as the dyes would ruin any item washed at the same time. I’d welcome knowing the name of any such maker. 60s Madras took on a richness that made the garment a prized favorite shirt (or pant, if you had a pair). Suspect the real thing—from Madras, hand-dyed, as of old—is not available any more. Would welcome contradiction.
ReplyDeleteI think Cape Madras offers what you’re looking for. They advertise products that have “retro style” and “vintage appeal.”
DeleteAll their madras garments are woven and sewn in India, and they do fade (I know) even after you’ve washed them in cold water. I don’t know if this qualifies as “true bleeding” or not. Please check their web site for details. Great products. https://capemadras.com/pages/about-us
Their patch madras is sweet. Alas, they don’t seem to stock the full plaid madras shirt. The full plaid is presentable for the more formal occasions. This is the look more preferred here in the Litchfield Hills. Thank you.
DeleteEvery few years, Ralph Lauren will put out a bleeding madras. Not every year and hard to find in stores, I've had the best luck finding new piars on ebay.
DeleteAnonymous 2:14 p.m.: If you use a search engine and search for "bleeding madras," you'll find several sources for the fabric. Not sure about sources for finished garments; didn't take the time to check. Good luck. I fondly recall bleeding madras shirts. Non-bleeding madras is the madras equivalent of non-iron shirts. Both have their place, but they are not the same or, in my view, as pleasurable as versions they have (largely) replaced. Such is "progress"...
ReplyDeleteI have a great pair from J. Press.
ReplyDeleteLove Cape Madras and Castaway, and LL Bean as well.
ReplyDeleteCape Madras. Excellent shorts.
ReplyDeleteCape Madras! Superb shorts!
ReplyDeleteHands down, Cape Madras.
ReplyDeleteI do believe this is my favourite photo of Muffy. I love the open smile and the sense of fun. I also love the shorts. I have a madras shift dress and a pair of go-to-hell pants that I purchased from Orvis a couple of decades ago and that I've worn the heck out of. Unfortunately I cannot seem to find a decent pair of shorts anywhere in my size; both Cape Madras and Castaway Nantucket list many of theirs as "out of stock".
ReplyDeleteMy one pair came from LLBean.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 pairs from LL Bean
ReplyDelete