A Flotilla of Sperrys

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

What a D-Ring Belt Resupply Looks Like

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

 

Boat Shoes vs. Camp Mocs

“Boat shoes” have been trendy this year.  On the fashion runways this season, all kinds of styles of shoes have been lumped together and called “boat shoes” - such as by British Vogue – including Camp Mocs, Driving Mocs, Blucher Mocs with their 4 eyelet tie, and the Timberland 3-eye with a lug sole moccasin type shoe that my father wore in the 80s.

But if you are shopping for shoes, “Boat Shoes” should refer to a specific type of shoe.  And if you just ask for a Boat Shoe and actually get it, one might be missing out on something better suited.

One example.  Two newer readers have recently asked me about how Boat Shoes compare to Camp Mocs,  so I thought I would compare the two across some common use cases.  

First, they do have many similarities, of course.  They both have moccasin construction.  They are made of leather uppers and rubber soles. They are both casual shoes.  They are both equally good for women and men.

But there are difference, highlighted by different uses.

Boat Shoes, 3 Eyelet.  All photos by/of Muffy Aldrich.

Camp Mocs with White Sole, 1 Eyelet

Boat Shoes

Photos by Salt Water New England

Wellies / Rain Boots

Le Chameau - Photos by Salt Water New England

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:

• Fox <https://www.foxumbrellas.com/>

• James Smith <https://www.james-smith.co.uk/>

• Ben Silver <http://www.bensilver.com/SearchResult.aspx?searchPhrase=Umbrella>

• Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella <http://unbreakableumbrella.com/>

Photo by Salt Water New England

• Bella Umbrella <http://www.bellaumbrella.com/>

• London Undercover <https://londonundercover.co.uk/>

• GustBuster Golf Umbrella <https://amzn.to/49MK3ox>

• The Wind Defying Packable Umbrella <https://www.hammacher.com/Product/87619>

• Cable Car Clothiers <https://cablecarclothiers.com/product-category/accessories/umbrellas/>

• Swaine Adeney Brigg <https://swaine.london/collections/brigg-umbrellas-all>

• The Davek Traveler Compact Umbrella <https://davekny.com/products/the-davek-traveler>

Photo by My Father

Polo Shirts, Back in the Day. Photos by My Father.

Photos by My Father.

 

Traditional Golf Jacket vs. The Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket

My Father with the New Haven Harbor Master, Early 1960s - Photos from Family Archives

My father loved outerwear and had a lot of it.  And quite a bit of it was made in England.  (Apple, tree)  And he had more than a few traditional golf jackets and G9s.

What is your favorite light jacket today, and where do you get it?

My Father in His Harrington G9 at Pemaquid Point, 1989

My Parents, Midcoast Maine, Late 1980s

 

Fair Isles

Photos by Salt Water New England

Bosie has released a handful of their new and truly lovely Fair Isle pullovers and cardigans.  Timeless and authentic, they are all made in Scotland.   Here are a few in delightful springlike colors.

• Womens Skye Yoke Fair Isle Cardigan - Mint La Green <https://www.bosie.co/modern-heritage-collection/womens-skye-yoke-fair-isle-cardigan-mint-la>

• Womens Skye Yoke Fair Isle Jumper - Strawberry Sherbet Pink <https://www.bosie.co/modern-heritage-collection/womens-skye-yoke-fair-isle-jumper-strawberry-sherbet>

• Womens Skye Yoke Fair Isle Jumper - Powder Blue <https://www.bosie.co/modern-heritage-collection/womens-skye-yoke-fair-isle-jumper-powder-blue>

There are also many new colors in the Men's Seamless Saddle Shoulder Shetlands:

• <https://bosieco.squarespace.com/shetland-shop>

A blustery east wind this morning means Barbour and Guernsey weather…

Photo by Salt Water New England

The Traditional Guernsey Jumper in Aran, Made and Hand Finished in Guersney:

• Men’s Aran Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/collections/mens-plain-guernsey-jumpers/products/letricoteur-co-plain-guernseys-mens-aran-traditional-guernsey-jumper>

• Women’s Aran Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/collections/womens-plain-guernsey-jumpers/products/letricoteur-co-plain-guernseys-womens-aran-traditional-guernsey-jumper>

• Women’s Aran off Shoulder Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/collections/womens-off-shoulder-guernsey-jumpers/products/womens-aran-off-shoulder-guernsey-jumper>

 

Today's Getup - All Made in the USA

Photo by Salt Water New England

• Mercer 3MM Nile Blue Bengal Stripe, Button Down Collars <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-stripes.htm>

• Jack Donnelly M2s <https://jackdonnelly.com/collections/twill-chino>

Some Old Durham Structures

Photos by Salt Water New England

Built 1847 - 1849

 

Lotuff's New Leather Small Tote, Now Brilliant in Orchid

Photo by Salt Water New England

Lotuff's new leather Small Tote is perfect.  I have been using my Chocolate Small Tote every day since it arrived a few months ago.  It is just the right size and just the right feel.  There is something about the continuous handle design -  meaning the handle leather wraps around the bag - that gives it a feeling of security.

• <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/leather-small-tote>

Now, Lotuff is offering their Leather Small Tote in a brilliant new color,  Orchid.  Many will love it as a Spring color, to be sure.  It is perfect for Easter, graduations, even Mother's Day, as well as all of the days in between.

But I also look forward to using it in Autumn.  The vegetable dyed Orchid is quite rich and deep, and it will bring out the Heather in so many great tweeds.  It will work very well with tattersalls.

Sharing Garden Plants

Photos by Salt Water New England

I know from where almost every plant has come in my gardens.  The vinca, snowdrops, weigela, and lilacs came from my grandmother, the ever-spreading violets came from my oldest friend, the golden glow were given to me by the owners of the Granite Hall Store on the Maine coast.  And I would regularly visit (and put the money in the box - the honor system) the corner seasonal plant stand down the road, and who in turn donated everything to a local church fund.

And early spring is when I give away quite a few as well.  Some friends pick them up when they visit, and others I transport and help settle into their new homes.  I can drive down certain roads and see the offspring of plants in which I had served as a link in their propagation.

Separating is important to keep gardens from getting overgrown and sharing helps spread plants that will thrive in our climates and microclimates.

Garden Tools

Photos by Salt Water New England

When asked about essential garden tools and the best places to get them, readers have suggested the following:

I may be frugal in a lot of ways, but I have learned that you have to invest in a good pair of loppers and shears. (Bob NOLA)

Felco pruning shears (they even have a left-handed version!). I bought mine at Amazon but that's because I live in rural NC and nobody around had them. I get my heirloom seeds a good hardware or garden store (there are 2 in the town where I work). I still have some garden tools from my husband's grandfather (including a lovely hoe, which I admit I use more to poke a bonfire than I use in my raised bed vegetable gardens). Ergonomic trowel (from a box store) probably one of my favorites but sadly it doesn't last very long. If I could find the new design in high quality construction, I'd be thrilled! (Hoya)

A good pair of gloves with a nice gauntlet is helpful. Saves arm and hand scratches. good pruning shears are a must. (mary anne)

My favorite tools are my Felco 2 pruners, a Smith Hawken telescoping ratchet lopper, and a circle hoe.  (Joyce North)

I ran a small field-grown, perennial nursery from our home. My customers were always asking for recommendations of tools and such. My list is surprisingly small and affordable.

• Felco Bypass Pruners
• Felco Bypass Loppers
• Small “nippers” for delicate trimming.
• Kitchen string
• Auger attachment for cordless drill which is perfect for mass planting of bulbs.
• Deluxe soil knife w/serrated edge, replaces my late father’s hunting knives. Can be found at: GardenersEdge.com
• Atlas Gloves, the best overall gloves out there. They are machine washable and inexpensive.
• Heavy duty, leather work gloves for all seasons and available in women’s sizes. Can be found at: WomansWork.com
• Muck shoes, high & low
• Hoe, edger, and pointed shovel, inherited.
• Hula Hoe, perfect to maintain inside edging.
• Spear & Jackson Spade from England. This was my splurge, and well worth it.
• Good, sturdy wheelbarrow    (Laurie Ann)  

Camp Mocs

 

Camp Mocs for Women and Men

Camp Mocs, short for Camp Moccasins, are a classic casual slip-on shoe for men and women.  Flattering and easier than boat shoes, they are perfect for business casual when new and for everyday wear when older.   They were invented by Leon L. Bean, and L.L. Bean first introduced these shoes in 1936.

With white soles, they can be worn on boat decks.   A red sole is a fine alternative for autumn.  They can be worn with or without socks.     

Spring Shirts

Photo by Salt Water New England

 

Turtlenecks

Past Season L.L. Bean Turtleneck - Photos by Salt Water New England

A reader question:

Help! Please can you or your readers tell me where I can find good turtle necks that are like the ones you wear that don't stretch? Many thanks.

Turtlenecks shown:

• Women's L.L.Bean Interlock Turtleneck, Long-Sleeve Stripe in Cream/Classic Navy <https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/121875>

•  Women's L.L.Bean Interlock Turtleneck, Long-Sleeve in White <https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/22350>

Chelsea Boots

Muffy Aldrich in her Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots are slim-fitting ankle boots with elastic side panels for easy pulling on and off instead of relying on buttons, zippers, or laces.  They often have loops of fabric on top for added convenience.  Variations can be casual or formal, for men or women, for indoor and out, and all seasons.  Many will have a few pairs for different purposes.

Lambswool Cricket Jumper

Photo by Salt Water New England

The Cricket Sweater is an iconic woolen V-necked sweater; cable-knit; and either white, ivory, cream or off-white.  The V-neck is edged with one or more colors, which are optionally repeated on the sleeves and lower waist.

The style's popularity began in the early 1920s, and the sweaters were soon worn not just by cricket players but golf and tennis players, even skiers.  They are designed for comfort and freedom of movement.  

Variations include sleeveless (slipover), and cotton or cashmere as alternatives to wool.  

Shown here, new for Cordings, is their exclusive lambswool cricket jumper.  Very soft, very comfortable, very classic, and knitted in Scotland.

• Men's Cream Cable Supersoft V-Neck <https://www.cordings.co.uk/cream-cable-supersoft-v-neck.html>