"Authenticity" is a tricky concept. Sometimes it is of the utmost importance. Take Champagne, for example. There's the real stuff, delicate, toasty, and ethereal, something truly in a class by itself. And then there's the other stuff. White wine with bubbles in it, often called champagne, but not the same thing, not even close. Nice enough in it's own right, but not even close.
And there are "Nantucket Reds", the coral pink faded cotton pants that have for many years been iconic of true east coast gentility.
I love my reds. Come Summer time, I wear them quite often, especially on hot days. Today we were pushing 90, and all it took was a navy blue tennis shirt and a madras belt and I was both comfortable and well put together. They're like wearing khakis, only better. Tennis shirt and khakis? That's alright, if you want to look like a sales rep from the local beer distributor. Tennis shirt and reds? Flashy enough to be cool without being an over-the-top pushy weirdo (at least in Boston, anyway.)
Part of the attraction of reds has always been the fade they develop when they age. A few years back when I got these pants, they were at least two shades darker, almost the color of the infamous sockeye jacket. Now they've reached a nice medium pink, and fading nicely at the edges of the pockets. Next step, a bit of fray at the hems. But...
...they're not "real". True Nantucket Reds come only from Murray's Toggery Shop on Martha's Vineyard,and are made of sailcloth, and cost a lot of money. Mine hail from Lands' End by way of the thrift store, and cost $4.99. So there not authentic, but who cares? Just tonight, a young lady referred to them as "J.F.K. pants". Good enough for me. I had a pair from Murray's once, but I actually like these better. The cloth is soft like an old pair of khakis. Sailcloth is thick, rigid and coarse, all worthy attributes in a sail, but frankly a bit uncomfortable on a hot day, if you ask me.
Don't get me wrong. Any well dressed guy ought to know the origins and evolution of the clothes he wears. It helps to have context, especially with some of the unusual items. But real authenticity can be of dubious importance. After all, how many of you brought your khakis back home after an honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, or were aboard the H.M.S. Blazer in 1837 for the visit of Queen Victoria, or actually play tennis in a Lacoste tennis shirt? The list is endless. Besides, these pants are really only "authentic" as part of the uniform of an old money New England white guy. Beats me how they wound up in the closet of a tattooed Italian-American three time college drop out who works nights in the liquor store.
Authenticity is good, just don't take it too far. It's only clothes we're talking about here, not Champagne.
p.s. The Nantucket Reds currently available from Murray's are "imported". How's that for authentic?
And there are "Nantucket Reds", the coral pink faded cotton pants that have for many years been iconic of true east coast gentility.
I love my reds. Come Summer time, I wear them quite often, especially on hot days. Today we were pushing 90, and all it took was a navy blue tennis shirt and a madras belt and I was both comfortable and well put together. They're like wearing khakis, only better. Tennis shirt and khakis? That's alright, if you want to look like a sales rep from the local beer distributor. Tennis shirt and reds? Flashy enough to be cool without being an over-the-top pushy weirdo (at least in Boston, anyway.)
Part of the attraction of reds has always been the fade they develop when they age. A few years back when I got these pants, they were at least two shades darker, almost the color of the infamous sockeye jacket. Now they've reached a nice medium pink, and fading nicely at the edges of the pockets. Next step, a bit of fray at the hems. But...
...they're not "real". True Nantucket Reds come only from Murray's Toggery Shop on Martha's Vineyard,and are made of sailcloth, and cost a lot of money. Mine hail from Lands' End by way of the thrift store, and cost $4.99. So there not authentic, but who cares? Just tonight, a young lady referred to them as "J.F.K. pants". Good enough for me. I had a pair from Murray's once, but I actually like these better. The cloth is soft like an old pair of khakis. Sailcloth is thick, rigid and coarse, all worthy attributes in a sail, but frankly a bit uncomfortable on a hot day, if you ask me.Don't get me wrong. Any well dressed guy ought to know the origins and evolution of the clothes he wears. It helps to have context, especially with some of the unusual items. But real authenticity can be of dubious importance. After all, how many of you brought your khakis back home after an honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, or were aboard the H.M.S. Blazer in 1837 for the visit of Queen Victoria, or actually play tennis in a Lacoste tennis shirt? The list is endless. Besides, these pants are really only "authentic" as part of the uniform of an old money New England white guy. Beats me how they wound up in the closet of a tattooed Italian-American three time college drop out who works nights in the liquor store.
Authenticity is good, just don't take it too far. It's only clothes we're talking about here, not Champagne.
p.s. The Nantucket Reds currently available from Murray's are "imported". How's that for authentic?
