A commenter question:
Hi, I stumbled across your blog while researching an upcoming trip to Boston. Enjoyed it so much, I went back and read all the posts. I’m not actually a “Preppy”, I always heard it called: “Ivy League”, but I do rock the whole Blue Blazer, OCBD, Khakis, Loafer thing. My mother was enamored of the whole Camelot-JFK-Touch Football look in the 60’s, and dressed me like a little Kennedy child. But to get to the point, could you or any of your readers advise me on a place to get a good bowl of Clam Chowder in Boston? Also, any retail stores where I might find the kind of clothing representative of this “Preppy” style? (I never even heard the word: “Preppy”, until that handbook thing came out in the 80’s, but young and old Virginia Gentlemen of a certain WASPish class tend to emulate some of the clothing styles and certainly the ethos expressed by the New England Culture). Thank you in advance for any help you can give…
The Union Oyster House's chowder is pretty damn good. JFK used to have some while reading the Sunday papers up on the 2nd floor. You can sit in his booth.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks!
DeleteIs it true that JFK preferred Manhattan-style clam chowder, but insisted that his staff keep it a secret?
DeleteThe Andover Shopin Cambridge is your perfect port of call.
ReplyDeleteI will take a look, thanks
DeleteUnion Oyster House is a must, as well as the Andover Shop!
DeleteFor “Preppy” clothing today I recommend the traditional British Firm Cordings which advertises here.
ReplyDeleteOf course, as you know, the roots of what became known as the New England “Preppy” style had its origin across the ocean. Tweed Trousers/Jackets/Suits/Coats/Waistcoats, Corduroys, Irish Fisherman Knit Sweaters, Khakis, Oxford Cloth shirts, the Blazer, Norwegian Sweaters (and Loafers), Rugby Shirts, Trench Coats, Fair Isle and Shetland Sweaters, Repp Stripe Ties, Breton/Nantucket Reds Pants, Tartans, Tennis/Cricket Knitwear, Madras (picked up by the Brits in India), among other things – so we Americans borrowed just about everything – thus it makes sense to purchase your “Preppy” clothing from a fine overseas company such as Cordings. Hope this helps.
https://www.cordings.co.uk/
Yes, I was aware, Virginians are just as bad as New Englanders for being Anglophiles. Jamestown Colony, 1607, first successful English Colony in the New World, and all that. Actually, we are worse, we literally lifted the whole English Country House and Country Squire concept and transplanted it over here. You should see these things, they line both sides of the river, and you would expect to hear Edmund Burke opining at any minute. We just omitted the Prep School component for the most part. The more wealthy early Virginia Planters would build a school house on the Plantation, import a Teacher from Princeton, in most cases, and invite all the lesser Planters to send their children as well. Not withstanding, St Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s Day Schools in Richmond VA are probably the closest you will come to actual New England or British Prep Schools in Virginia, few Prep Schools, fewer Preps, but we still wear the clothes and follow a similar Code, we are NOT Puritans, however, we are Cavaliers. That means we drink, gamble, drink some more, engage in duels, drink even more, and engage in ill-advised Liaisons with dubious females, then attend church on Sunday as the pious gentlemen and low churchmen we are. lol
DeleteYes, indeed. This Southern Cavalier culture is covered very well and at length in David Hackett Fischer's superb book, ALBION'S SEED: FOUR BRITISH FOLKWAYS IN AMERICA.
DeleteEpiscopal and Woodberry Forest
DeleteWhatever Mr Reichardt says, just do it. He's always right.
DeleteThank you for this well-thought-out kind post. Your check is in the mail.
DeleteIf you've gone back and read all the posts, you would have seen several hundred about different preppy brands, purveyors, and so on. Or you could get crazy and look at the links and sponsors on the right hand side of the page.
ReplyDeleteI was specifically looking for stores in Boston, because that is the only place I am going on this trip. I have only been to Boston once before, and that was in transit to somewhere else, many years before.
DeleteHi Saretsky, there really is no need to be this rude and snippy towards a gentleman who asked a genuine question about shops in Boston. Anon 1:56PM, at this point, in 2024, the shops you're looking for are mostly nonexistent, alas. 30 years ago, I could have recommended half a dozen, but your best bet (really your only bet) is the Andover Shop in Cambridge. Good luck, and enjoy that beautiful city!
DeleteAs others have said , The Andover Shop is probably the best example not only in Boston (across the river where that school is) but in the entire country of a purveyor of the style. I have not set foot therein since 2018, and it has since undergone an ownership change. That said, I am not sure what, if any, changes have come to the shop (perhaps other readers can opine). Also, St, Catherine’s of Richmond is indeed a fine school- I married a graduate!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the great Commonwealth as well and you do not need to go to Boston to find great preppy clothes. If you drive up to God's Country, I mean Charlottesville you will find a great shop called Eljo's. It has been outfitting distinguished Cavaliers for decades. There are also a few solid shops in Richmond that cater to the Preppy lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteBoth of my children graduated from Mr. Jefferson’s University, I am familiar with Eljo’s, I was looking for something in Boston, since I had occasion to be there
DeleteEljo’s. Yes! Wahoowa!
ReplyDeleteIf you choose the Union Oyster House, ask to be seated in the old section of the building. The Oyster bar is the best seat in the house, but it's first come first served. You could arrive early during the week and score a seat. The Sail Loft over on the waterfront adjacent to the North End has excellent chowder and less of a tourist vibe.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of shopping in Boston, Charles Street has J. McLaughlin. If you're headed to Cambridge for the Andover Shop, you can grab the Red Line at the end of Charles and get right out in Harvard Square.
To paraphrase Yogi Berra, the Union Oyster House is so crowded that nobody goes there anymore. In my judgement, the quality of the chowder is not high enough to justify the inconvenience and occasional kitsch. You might try The Banks restaurant on Stuart Street. It's lovely. Ned Devine's in Faneuil Hall often wins the prize for best chowder in the city, but I've never happened to try it.
ReplyDeleteSince the closing of J. Press, The Andover Shop is your only source for absolutely traditional men's clothing in Boston (actually, Cambridge). But it's a gem. Let me also recommend Drinkwater's (also in Cambridge). Gary Drinkwater was an utterly masterful menswear salesman at the much-missed Louis of Boston. After Louis closed, he started his own shop. It's slightly more "modern" than The Andover Shop. But the style and quality are top-notch.
Born in Boston but raised the world over, whenever I am in Boston I am struck how decidedly unpreppy it is. While I still buy some of my clothes from The Andover Shop, I find that it is lovely but largely outside the Ivy Canon. It features lots of lovely two button jackets and suits, many with dual flap vents, loads of shirts and pants from Europe, and a good selection of modern but tasteful ties. Of course it also has many of the old favorites or can provide them readily. Their service is impeccable.
ReplyDeleteFolks, I wanted to thank you for your advice and recommendations regarding my trip to Boston. I ate at Union Oyster House, and I thought the food was excellent, they had the best Clam Chowder I sampled. The Chowder at Ned Devine’s was very good also. I did go to the Andover Shop and almost bought a very Nice Silk/Cashmere blend Navy V-Neck Sweater before reason asserted itself and I realized I am addicted to sweaters and am taking on Hoarder-like tendencies. Thanks again, it was a very enjoyable trip, despite the fact that Amtrak is definitely NOT The Orient Express.
ReplyDelete