Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Showing posts with label Muffipedia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muffipedia. Show all posts

Monday, February 19, 2024

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bags - The Complete Guide (2024 Edition)

Photos by Salt Water New England
I have received quite a few questions about L.L. Bean Boat and Tote bags.  Here are the top ten, and my answers (and some answers from the community).  

1. What is an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag?

Monday, December 4, 2023

Christmas Decorations (r)

The essence is restraint.

Classic New England preppy Christmas decorations have two flavors.

The first is very simple and elegant, erring on solemn.  One wreath on the front door, with just a red bow.  A few white candle lights in the lower windows, and perhaps the same on the second story.   A tree with lights and ornaments.  

The second is a variation of the first, but with a bit of wit or whimsy.  In my house growing up, all of the stuffed owls and water fowl (given to us by a Yale taxidermist) and decoys (carved by my grandfather) got little Christmas hats.  

The essence is restraint.  Basically, decorations are done right when they are easy to miss.   

Dressing one's house, or heaven forbid one's pets, in such a way that competes with the local shopping mall is as unthinkable as smothering oneself in perfume or cologne and then stepping into a crowded elevator. 

A bit of wit.  A bit of ingenuity. 

Go-to-Hell Pants, A Preppy Christmas Staple

Broadway Legend Lee Roy Reams (Center) 
Go-to-Hell pants, or GTH pants, are motif embroidered trousers, typically corduroy around Christmas and in lighter fabrics in other seasons.  When the motifs are animals, these are also called critter pants.   In the wild (below), they are often seen alongside equally festive tartan trousers, always wool.

GTH pants are a great way for naturally low key, more serious people to temporarily embrace bright festive colors, and a way for loud people to pass themselves off as low key, serious people temporarily embracing bright colors.  

Thursday, August 10, 2023

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

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.

Friday, May 12, 2023

Reader Question: Besides coastal New England, what are other preppy places in the world?

 A reader question:

Dear Editor,

When I sit on the lawn of my rowing club (est. 1880) on Lake Starnberg, Bavaria (Germany), I feel reminded of New England. When I roam the streets of my town (Starnberg, Germany), I see people in classic attire driving their German-made station wagons, Land/Range Rovers, MINIs and Porsches to the sailing club, hauling boats, or going to the stables (the county of Starnberg has more horses than cows, and we are a rural milk-spilling cow-county). People spend money on organic food, culture and education. They appreciate nature and are mostly kind and friendly to each other. They live and let live.

I wonder: Besides coastal New England, what are other preppy places in the world?

Kind regards,

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Lobster Rolls

At Red's Eats, which has often been credited with popularizing of lobster rolls in the 1970s.  

Lobster rollslobster meat served in a hot dog style bun are close to perfection for some.  

Deciding to have one for lunch is easy.  Finding the best source, however, is a bit more difficult.   Different venues vary greatly.  Some are generous with the lobster, and others skint.  Freshness matters.  Expensive restaurants do not have an advantage over local "no frills" establishments.  

There are also two approaches to lobster rolls, which each originated in different parts of New England. The classic warm lobster roll, with just lobster meat and melted butter in a toasted bun, originated in Milford, Connecticut in 1927 at a diner named Perry's.  The cold lobster salad approach, with mayonnaise, celery, lemon, lettuce, salt, pepper, and various other ingredients, first appeared in the late 1920s at Moody's Diner in Waldoboro, Maine.   Today, variations abound. 

Best of all, even an average lobster roll is still pretty great, and often the easiest thing to order, especially on the go.

Photo credits:  Salt Water New England 

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Nantucket Reds

Photos by Salt Water New England

Reds

Reds, such as Nantucket Reds, are an iconic style and color of trousers (and now, shorts).  

The original Reds came from Brittany, France in the 1800s.  The sails of fishing boats were treated with reddish tannins from tree barks for mildew protection.  Remaining material was cut and sewn into work trousers for the fisherman, which became know as Breton Reds.  
Long before Murray's Nantucket Reds were invented, the red pants of choice of yachtsmen and crew, were of course the 'real' Breton Reds. Long ago I picked up a pair of these classic yachting pants while sailing the Channel Races. The pants, after a while, turned a fabulous washed out red that could only be achieved by being on the ocean (not counting the Nantucket fast ferry). They were soft, the right degree of "baggy" and worn by just about every blue water sailor. (Comment, skiwithapro)

Monday, March 27, 2023

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)  

Composting

Photos by Salt Water New England

Every day, food scraps that can't be saved, fed to the dog, or given to the chickens end up in the composter.  And about twice a year, the compost piles is harvested and the rich, intense matter is added to the garden beds or other places of need.

Sunday, March 19, 2023

The Lifecycle of Clothing Companies (including those referred to as "Preppy" or "Trad/Ivy")

Chart and Definitions Originally Shown on my Blog 'The Daily Prep' Over a Decade Ago

The clothes I like stay the same.  The places I get them change all the time.  

This sentiment is why, fairly consistently, readers send 'Questions for the Community' that are variations of: 
  • "What are the new companies providing classic clothes?" 
  • "What are the great go-to clothing companies today?"  
  • "On what companies have you given up?" and 
  • "What brands that used to be great are now totally inert?"

Thursday, March 16, 2023

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.     

Sunday, March 12, 2023

The New England WASP Ethos of Fierce Independence

One of the strongest attributes to the Salt Water New England culture is independence.  Fierce independence.  

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Why People Love Preppy Clothes. Why People Hate Preppy Clothes.

There is a group of clothes that I find perfect.  These include pure cotton khakis and baggy oxford shirts in a handful of colors, Scottish Fair Isles, British rain coats, tweed coats, D-ring motif belts, Maine made bluchers and boat shoes, toggle coats, tartan cashmere scarves made in Scotland and Aran sweaters made in Ireland.

These clothes blend into the New England coast.  They are ideal for getting in and out of boats, for students throwing on as they run across the quad with wet hair on the way to class, for casual business meetings that turn into hikes across Cambridge to find some obscure used bookstores. The pink and green match the beach roses along the New England coast, the blues feel like the ocean, and the Donegal sweater I am wearing right now has the rugged complexion of the rocky Maine coast.   

These clothes also fit my highest compliment, which is 'class-feral'.  They are the Herreshoff yachts or Sarouk rugs of clothes; they wear well.  They also, rather than highlight the wearer, improve the scene.  

Many would describe these as 'preppy' clothes.  I think of them slightly differently, as "the thing before preppy."  My parents wore such clothes as early as the '50s and '60s.  I “never didn't” have these clothes.  (For context, I grew up around New Haven, where my family has roots that go back to its founding in the 1630s.  One of my great grandfathers, Deacon Samuel Heminway,  paid the first Yale tuition in 1702, and another, John Brockett, laid out the Nine Squares of New Haven in 1638.) But we never referred to them as preppy.

Saturday, February 25, 2023

The Importance of the Right Smells

The right smells and the wrong smells are critical.  Smells are just as important as visuals in making a place feel comfortable.

Some smells are just wrong.  And I will get a lot of pushback here, but perfumes and colognes are a no.  When getting my car emissions checked recently, it took several days for the cologne of the car mechanic doing the testing to go away, during which time,  I went through several wool sweaters that picked up his scent that had lingered in the car, even with leather seats.  Days of airing out.

There is an amalgam smell that I just shorthand as smelling like "away."  Time spent in airports, commercial airplanes, and other venues leaves garments similarly in need of immediate washing or airing out.

Anything artificially scented, especially when used to (try to) cover up another smell, is problematic.  Dry cleaning comes to mind.   For one reason, masking smells make it harder to monitor our environment.   If I am shopping for fresh produce, I want to be able to smell the produce,  not the person who walked by five minutes ago.  

Smells that are designed to fool us, like air fresheners, seldom do.   Scented candles and potpourri are designed for someone else.  The only thing worse than how hair product looks is how it smells. 

When shopping, unscented products are the only choice.  I will switch brands if the unscented version is not in stock.  

And nothing beats hot soapy water.  I love doing laundry.  

There are other smells that are glorious, of course:

  • Wood Smoke
  • Good Leather
  • Fresh Sheets
  • Tack Rooms
  • Pipe Tobacco (I know, I know)
  • Apple Pie
  • Wool
  • Salt Air
  • Low Tide (I know, I know)
  • Mulled Cider
  • Golden Retrievers  (pre-rolling)
  • Clean Cars
  • Beach Roses
  • Air from the North

While walking down the road, smelling someone's wood smoke is as enjoyed as much as another's perfumed laundry fabric softener is not.  

Every few years there are new studies on the toxicity of artificial scents.    These just confirm our instincts that smells should be treated as authentically as everything else.


Thursday, February 2, 2023

Tweed Shooting Coats

 All Photos by Salt Water New England

Tweed shooting coats are classic country outerwear.

Also sometimes called field coats, they are designed for shooting, but also for long walks in the woods and fields.  They are also great for watching sporting events, for around town or the office, and doing chores outside.

Comfortable in temperatures in the 20s to 40s, Tweed shooting coats are not sufficiently warm alone for a cold New England winter day.  However, those in larger sizes that can fit over a heavier sweater, making them useful down to the 10s.

In quite a few ways, tweed shooting coats represent clothing perfection. They are handsome, durable, and practical.  They are warm and windproof.  They allow for full movement.  They are (best) made of natural materials, to wit, tweed.  They assume thorns and dogs.   They even blend into beautiful places.  And they are quiet.  There is no synthetic rustling.  Even the snap closures should be almost silent when unfastened.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

The Darien Sport Shop, Darien, Connecticut

Photos by Salt Water New England

The seeming eclecticism of the preppy culture throws a lot of people.  Preppy includes young and old, pretty and substantial, sporting and evening events, town and country.

When I was growing up, one store that encompassed more of this than most was the Darien Sport Shop.

The suits and more formal wear were downstairs, with skis and lacrosse sticks on the third floor.  I remember one visit where I bought a Thule and had it installed on my wagon while trying on a little black dress.

The store offered many interesting brands before they were available locally anywhere else.  The children's section (second floor) took youngsters seriously before other stores, with miniature versions of classics.

And of course, Mr. Z. reigned over all.

I still have and wear quite a few garments purchased there a few decades ago.  It is no longer THAT store, but for its golden era, The Darien Sport Shop belongs in the Prep Pantheon. 

 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Checkbook Friends

The invitations always follow the same format.  "Let's meet at [some expensive restaurant/resort] at 7:15 pm on Friday night.  I will make reservations.  [Some person you want to see] is coming as well, and I will see if [other person] and [other person] can make it."

Or join me at The University Club or some opening night performance, try out the new guest wing, see my new house on the island, have lunch at the yacht club, or take the new (old) 380SL for a spin.

And, it does not need to be said, that friend will insist on picking up the tab.

These are checkbook friends.  They are generous to a fault.  Some even pick up air fare and book blocks of hotel rooms.  They have vast social networks.  But every event, and in fact every conversation, is on their terms.   

These checkbook friends are always charming (often self-deprecating, describing themselves as "cranky" or "bossy").  They are genuinely valued friends.  And tremendous fun.  

And these relationships have their golden time, even if they eventually wind down.  

Offering to go Dutch seems like a solution, but trying to pull it off gets resentful glances.  Suggesting gatherings that don't involve bills also seems like a good idea but does not alter the trajectory of the more sponsored events.  

For many young people, having an older check-book friend (or relative) can be highly influential.

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Apple Pie For Breakfast

Photos by Salt Water New England.
To foreigners, a Yankee is an American.
To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner.
To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner.
To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander.
To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter.
And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast. 
- Attributed to E.B. White

Friday, November 4, 2022

Loden


 Loden is a thick wool fabric originated in Tyrol, Austria centuries ago, and popular in Europe's Alpine region.  It is traditionally fabricated in blends of natural olive green, greys, and browns.  

"Loden is to the Bavarian what tweed is to the Scot—a fabric so long indigenous to its land, of such peasant origins that it has become almost a folk cloth." (Sports Illustrated, October 01, 1956)

As with all wool, loden has the wonderful properties of warmth and breathability.  

But loden is dense and does not stretch.  Because the wool yarn is first woven—not knitted—it is able to better maintain a specific shape (thus the iconic stiff, standup Bavarian collar).  

It is also know for being water repellant, as well as wind repellant and even dirt-repellent.

While it served for generations as workwear keeping Alpine shepherds and woodcutters both warm and dry, the softer loden cloth today is made from merino wool and mixed with mohair, cashmere, alpaca, angora, or silk.

Photo credit:  Muffy Aldrich