Going Full Autumn

Photos of/by Muffy Aldrich

Wearing:

• Lotuff's Leather Small Tote, Made in New England <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/totes/products/leather-small-tote>

• Mercer's Kent Plum Brushed Cotton Flannel Tattersall, Made in the USA <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/larger-checks-plaids/products/kent-plum-brushed-cotton-flannel-tattersall>

• Cordings' Green Red Exmoor Doeskin Gilet, Made in England <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/green-red-exmoor-doeskin-gilet.html>

• Dubarry's Roscommon Ladies' Short Rain Boot, Made in Portugal - Navy/Brown <https://us.dubarry.com/collections/womens-short-boots/products/ladies-country-boot-navy-brown-roscommon>

 

Mercer Shirt Arrival - Crisp Stripes and Checks

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Mercer shirt arrival!

• 3MM Nile Blue Bengal Stripe <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/stripes/products/3mm-nile-blue-bengal-stripe>

• Blue Bold Check <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/larger-checks-plaids/products/blue-bold-check>

 

The Daily Prep

All Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich

Some items shown:

• Mystic Knotworks Nautical Shackle Bracelet in Navy <https://mysticknotwork.com/collections/shackle-bracelets>

• Mystic Knotworks Design your own Nautical Sailor Knot Bracelet, Lime and Royal Blue <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/striped-sailor-bracelet-custom-colors-choose-your-own>

• Lotuff Triumph Briefcases, Indigo and Chocolate <https://lotuffleather.com/collections/briefcases>

• Jack Donnelly Original Twill - 02 Straight <https://jackdonnelly.com/collections/twill-chino/products/twill-chino-m2-straight>

• Mercer & Sons 3MM Nile Blue Bengal Stripe <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/stripes/products/3mm-nile-blue-bengal-stripe>

• Mercer & Sons Buzzard's Bay Blue & White Cotton Seersucker Stripe <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/stripes/products/buzzards-bay-blue-and-white-cotton-seersucker-stripe>

 

I don't drink, I don't smoke, but...

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

My Spring Fair Isles, All Made in Scotland, from Bosie Knitwear and Harley of Scotland.

• https://bosie.co/collections/womens-fair-isle-heritage-scottish-knitwear

• https://www.harleyofscotland.com/

The Daily Prep

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

 Today's Pairing - New Harley, Old Ralph.

Casual Friday

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

• Made in the USA Corn Hole Boards from The Muddy Dog <https://www.themuddydog.com/>

• Made in Scotland Lambswool Crew Neck (Past Season Color) from Cordings of Piccadilly <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/lambswool-crew-neck-navy.html>

• Made in the USA Bengals from Mercer (Past Season) <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/stripes>

• Made in the USA Khakis from Jack Donnelly <https://jackdonnelly.com/collections/twill-chino/products/twill-chino-m2-straight>

• Made in the USA D-Ring Motif Belt from Leather Man <https://www.elizab.com/d-ring-motif-belt.html>

• Made Who Knows Where Boat Shoes - Sperry Originals <https://www.sperry.com/>

The Stapliest of Staples

Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich

Made in the USA Resupplies:

• Mercer Broadcloth Stripes <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/stripes/products/3mm-nile-blue-bengal-stripe>

• Jack Donnelly Khakis 02s <https://jackdonnelly.com/collections/twill-chino>

• Mystic Knotwork Woven Baskets <https://mysticknotwork.com/collections/woven-bowls>

• Mystic Knotwork Sailor Bracelets <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/striped-sailor-bracelet-custom-colors-choose-your-own>

• Mystic Knotwork Original Sailor Bracelets <https://mysticknotwork.com/products/original-sailor-bracelet-18-color-custom-nautical-bracelets>

The Most Charming Easter Baskets (And throw in a bracelet or two!)

 

Today’s Decision…

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Who says I don’t wear a variety of clothes in this weather? Sometimes I wear a white turtleneck with a navy and natural striped sweater, and other times I wear navy and white striped turtleneck with a natural sweater.

• Le Tricoteur Cream & Navy Striped Traditional Guernsey Jumper <https://letricoteur.co/en-us/collections/striped-guernsey-jumpers/products/striped-cream-navy-traditional-fishermans-guernsey-jumper-sweater>

• Arthur Beale Women's Oiled Wool Pelmo Jumper <https://arthurbeale.co.uk/products/arthur-beale-womens-oiled-wool-pelmo%C2%AE-jumper>

• Arthur Beale Men's Oiled Wool Pelmo Jumper <https://arthurbeale.co.uk/products/arthur-beale-oiled-wool-pelmo-jumper>

Cordings Shirts

All Photos by/of Muffy Aldrich

The Cordings shirts, for those wanting more classic Sloane in their wardrobe.

Ladies'

• Liberty Mono Muse <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/mono-muse-poplin-liberty-shirt.html>

• Astrid Niva <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/astrid-niva-poplin-liberty-shirt.html>

• Lemon Blossom Silk <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/lemon-blossom-crepe-silk-liberty-shirt.html> 

• Emma Victoria Shirt Made With Tana Lawn <https://www.cordings.co.uk/emma-victoria-shirt-made-with-tana-lawntm.html>

• Meadowland Shirt Made with Tana Lawn <https://www.cordings.co.uk/meadowland-shirt-made-with-tana-lawntm.html>

• Lotus Love Silk Shirt made with Liberty Fabric <https://www.cordings.co.uk/lotus-love-silk-shirt-made-with-liberty-fabric.html>

Men's

• Pink Antrim Linen Gingham <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/pink-antrim-linen-gingham-shirt.html>

• Pink Kinbane Linen <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/pink-kinbane-linen-stripe-shirt.html>

• Lilac Antrim Linen <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/lilac-antrim-linen-gingham-shirt.html> 

• Green Purple Medium Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/green-purple-medium-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Leaf Wine Small Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/leaf-wine-small-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Brown Green Small Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/brown-green-small-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Sky Blue Holt Gingham Poplin Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/sky-blue-holt-gingham-poplin-shirt.html>

• Blue Yellow Check Oxford Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/blue-yellow-medium-check-brushed-oxford-shirt.html>

• Red Blue Fine Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/red-blue-fine-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Navy Green Fine Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/navy-green-fine-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Green Purple Fine Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/green-purple-fine-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Blue Brown Fine Tattersall Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/blue-brown-fine-tattersall-shirt.html>

• Kent Plum Brushed Cotton Flannel Tattersall <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/larger-checks-plaids/products/kent-plum-brushed-cotton-flannel-tattersall>

•  Sky Blue Holt Gingham Poplin Shirt <https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/sky-blue-holt-gingham-poplin-shirt.html>

A few snowflakes and out come the...

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

• Women's Fair Isle Heritage Scottish Knitwear <https://bosie.co/collections/womens-fair-isle-heritage-scottish-knitwear>

• Kintyre Funnel Neck Glenugie Nep Womens Jumper - Raasay Green <https://bosie.co/products/funnel-neck-glenugie-nep-womens-jumper-raasay-green>

Sunday Morning - Spring Ahead Edition for the Gents

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

• Mercer Pink Pima Oxford <https://mercerandsons.com/collections/oxfords/products/pink-two-ply-100-classic-pima-cotton-oxford>

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

• L.L. Bean Casco Bay Cushion <https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/66574?page=casco-bay-cushion-for-all-weather-armless-folding-chair-stripe>

80s Preppy Winter Weekend Wear

 

Four Favorite Mercer Shirts...

Along with Mercer's spiffy new site comes a rapid-fire turn around time for shirt orders.  So I double checked with David today, and if you place your order by this Friday, the 13th, and are sure to designate "Christmas," then you will probably be okay!  If not, there is always a Gift Certificate.

Here are some of our favorites.

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

All khakis from Jack Donnelly: 

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

A Little Stack of Mercers - Made in the U.S.A.

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Some favorite Mercer shirts, top to bottom:

• Bay Blue Check #835 Broadcloth <https://mercerandsons.com/products/bay-blue-check-broadcloth-835>

• Pink Two-Ply 100% Classic Pima Cotton Oxford <https://mercerandsons.com/products/pink-two-ply-100-classic-pima-cotton-oxford>

• Blue & White University Stripe Two-Ply 100% Pima Cotton Oxford <https://mercerandsons.com/products/blue-and-white-university-stripe-two-ply-100-pima-cotton-oxford>

• James Bond Tattersall Brushed Cotton Flannel <https://mercerandsons.com/products/james-bond-tattersall-brushed-cotton-flannel>

• Pink & White University Stripe Two-Ply 100% Pima Cotton Oxford <https://mercerandsons.com/products/pink-and-white-university-stripe-two-ply-100-pima-cotton-oxford>

• 3MM Nile Blue Bengal Stripe <https://mercerandsons.com/products/3mm-nile-blue-bengal-stripe>

Warp and Weft

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Some of our tweeds (and a bit of quilted Loden cloth), at the ready...

A Flotilla of Sperrys

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

What a D-Ring Belt Resupply Looks Like

Photo by Muffy Aldrich

 

Ask Muffy: What do you look for in a paddock/quilted jacket? (r)

Made in England, John Partridge for Ladies - Kept.  Photos by Salt Water New England

A paddock jacket is a smart, versatile item, perfect for Autumn.  Medium-weight, quilted, and designed for riding, it should maintain a sturdy, functional design. 

What I look for in a paddock jacket first is fit.  It needs to allow for freedom of movement, which means enough room through the shoulders and arms.  (Many paddock jackets now on the market are fitted.)  And as I no longer ride, I don’t mind my paddock jacket being a bit longer.  

Inherently a paddock jacket is not a big, heavy cold-weather garment so I don’t want it weighted down with heft.  

I also look for breathability, which is why I don’t like synthetic paddock jackets (or any synthetic quilted jacket), despite their light weight, low manufacturing cost, and the immense popularity of them originating with the made-in-England Husky jackets.  

Synthetics fail the snag-test, and the rain-test.  Synthetics are not repairable and don’t get better with age and use. I have owned and worn many of these synthetic paddock jackets but have since given all but one away.  

I look for paddock jackets made of pure wool, whether tweed or Loden cloth.  These breathe, are tougher and can take the errant branch or pricker, and they have a better drape. They will get better with age.  Wool is also quiet. The slight added weight over synthetics is a price I am happy to pay.

A Guide to the Irish Fisherman Knit Sweater – Good, Better, Best

Hand-knit in Ireland by Ladies with Knitting Needles -Photos by Salt Water New England

It used to be that if you travelled to Ireland and brought back an Irish/Aran Fisherman sweater (or likely more than one) they would have been hand-knit.  And by that, I mean made by Irish ladies with knitting needles.  And I am talking about pure wool, often Merino wool.  Not wool blends and certainly not cotton.

While it was once the case that virtually all Aran Sweaters, or Irish Fisherman Knit sweaters,  were hand-knit in Ireland, there are now three basic categories, which can easily confuse consumers.  By design. These are hand-knit, hand-loomed, and machine made.

I have had them all.  Irish knitwear companies have sent many to me and we have also had our own,  bought at source, i.e., in Ireland.  And it should say something that I currently only have the true hand-knits left, five of them to be exact, and one hand-loomed cardigan.   The rest I have given away.  

Beyond how they are made, I look at where they are made,  and of what are they made.  

Arthur Beale's Oiled Wool Pelmo Jumpers, Made in the UK

The Pelmo in Oatmeal - Photos by Muffy Aldrich

Arthur Beale has not only added some new colors to their Pelmo line-up, but also tweaked a couple of design details as well.   The result is an outstanding garment, ideal for those who want a somewhat lighter weight Arthur Beale pullover.  I say 'somewhat', because by all other standards, it is still a substantial garment.  

• The Pelmo Jumper <https://arthurbeale.co.uk/products/arthur-beale-oiled-wool-pelmo-jumper>