Ten Highlights from Favorite British Dramas

I use British dramas the way some people use wine - to nicely finish off a day. Here are some of my highlights worth finding, even if the genre broadly holds no appeal. They show just how much New England prep is (and should be) influenced by our friends across the pond.

10. Inspector Lewis: Oxford in High-Def; Hathaway's expressions in High-Def.

9. Midsomer Murders: Where not only the murderers and the murderees, but also the owners of the sporting dogs who find the bodies, are wearing Barbours and wellies.

8. The Queen: Two commentary tracks - Director Stephen Frears and Writer Peter Morgan, and British Historian Robert Lacey.

7. Prime Suspect: Helen Mirren.

6. Miss Marple (Joan Hickson period): Women’s wardrobes - Gwenda from Sleeping Murder, and Miss Blacklock from A Murder is Announced; Men’s wardrobes - Giles from Sleeping Murder and Squadron Leader from The Moving Finger; Mr. Pye’s diatribe on people and taste from The Moving Finger.

5. Inspector Lynley: Lynley’s 1968 Bristol 410; his dressage acumen.

4. MI - 5 (aka Spooks): The doorway to Harry’s flat.

3. Monarch of the Glen: Molly's and Hector’s wardrobe; Golly’s (the ghillie) pipes; Duncan’s kilts; Big Eric.

2. Inspector Morse: Even more than his 1960 Jaguar Mark 2 and his exquisite taste in music, Morse’s flat.

1. Gosford Park: Commentary track - screenwriter Julian Fellows (who also played Kilwillie in Monarch of the Glen).

(Almost) Morse's 1960 Jaguar Mark 2

20 things that can throw an otherwise classic New England male ensemble

I am often asked for my thoughts on a variety of sartorial items and combinations for males. (At least some of the time they do not really want my opinion, just the amusement that comes from watching the intensity with which I answer - i.e. "Look Muffy, I got new black socks. What do you think?"

As always, I am not speaking for women in general, only myself. And if you milk cows, haul lobster traps, lead month-long hiking trips or simply don't care, this list does not apply to you. This is aimed at males who do care and are looking for one more female opinion.

Given that, here are some (admittedly random) examples of responses that I have given over the last couple of months on things for men to consider avoiding:

1. Being a walking advertisement for any one company: (i.e. L.L. Bean Field Coat; Norwegian Sweater; Bean Boots. Two at most).
2. Having every item be brand new. Too shiny looks desperate. Something needs to be scratched up or frayed.
3. Evidence of "product" in the hair.
4. Jewelry (with the obvious exceptions of watch or wedding band).
5. Casual wearing of white socks. Off-white cotton or wool tennis socks work. Tube socks, anklets or quarter socks don't.
6. Leather jackets. Stick to waxed cotton or wool.
7. Knock-offs. 
8. Over "high-teching" the gear. It can very quickly look like a costume.
9. Polo collars worn up.
10. Polo shirts that are not mesh. (And no tipping on the collars.)
11. A cuff measurement that is off. (Stick with 1¾").
12. Leaving more than one button on an oxford shirt open.
13. A crewneck t-shirt visible either under an oxford shirt, or worse, a polo shirt.
14. Motif pants or shorts worn with a motif belt.
15. With the exception of Gucci loafers, black anything (this also excludes business accessories).
16. A summery, light hued ensemble, then combined with a dark, leather braided belt.
17. A crewneck sweater paired with a collarless shirt.
18. Pleats. No.
19. Fragrance. No.
20. Denim. No

And then there are "goes without saying": No cargo pants or shorts; short sleeve shirts with ties; dark socks and boat shoes; no mock-neck anything; synthetic athletic wear if you are not working out at that very moment; blended khakis or blended oxfords.

Preppy Wardrobe Essential: The Navy Cotton Crewneck Sweater

This sweater is nearly twenty years old.

An essential classic wardrobe item for both men and women is the Navy cotton crewneck sweater. Whether plain or cable knit, with set-in sleeves, saddle shoulders, or raglan sleeves, it is timeless, ageless, seasonless and androgynous.

Paired with khakis and a white shirt (polo or oxford), it creates a quintessential classic outfit.
The plain version of the sweater is a somewhat more difficult item for women than men to procure, and may require turning to a school uniform catalog, or the Men’s department.

For women, it provides a base for accessories.

Peach Pie Recipe

I use local and organic ingredients when available.

Here is a straightforward recipe that I have been using since I was twelve years old. This was handed down to me by my New England Grandmother, and has never failed. It is best however, to use fresh, local and ripe peaches if possible.

Ingredients for Filling

4 Cups of peeled and sliced peaches
⅞ cup sugar
4 Tbsp flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1⅓ Tbsp butter

Peel and cut up peaches
Mix in sugar, flour and cinnamon


Ingredients for Crust
This is an incredibly simple and reliable crust

1 cup white flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour (If whole wheat flour is anathema, use all white instead. Whole wheat gives it better flavor.)
1 teaspoon salt (don't leave out)
½ cup canola oil
¼ cup whole milk

Mix together, divide in half
Roll each half flat between two pieces of waxed paper


Combine
Put bottom crust in pie pan (I use 9 inch Pyrex pans)
Pour in filling
Cut up butter into four or five pieces and place evenly on top of filling
Put on top crust
With a knife, place five or so slits in top crust

Bake in pre-heated oven at 425 degrees

Bake for around 40 minutes and check. I usually bake it for an additional 10 minutes, or until crust is darkened enough

I make at least two at a time; sometimes four.

A First Take Review: L.L. Bean Signature Fall 2010

L.L. Bean released its Signature Fall 2010 collection today. This is a first take review. (And look for yourself here.)

Women's Items

The Suede Bloucher and Leather Bloucher Mocs, Downeaster Sport Wool Plaid Bag, and the Saltwash Canvas Backpack look solid, and The Wool Trench, 1958 Chamois Shirt and the Glen Plain Bucket Hat might be good. Beyond that, the Women's items are mostly an ugly, dry-clean only mess. (I ran out of synonyms for hideous as I was going through this section).

Overall, there are way too many synthetics. Who needs a dress made of seven different materials? They also have an annoying habit of taking the name of a lovely Maine town and naming a not-so-lovely item after it (Castine Cord Jacket comes to mind). Expect to see deep discounts once again in a few months.

Men's Items

The Men's items are much more interesting.

L.L. Bean has hit several home runs by simply reaching into their archives. But the Signature team could not resist meddling, and made so many items "slim fit" (which combines impractical fit with a style destined to be as dated as wide ties in just a few years). They also seemed to have outsourced all of their production to China and other offshore locations, which in the past may have accounted for some quality issues.

Given these, some caution might be advised in buying otherwise obvious great looking items like the 1947 Field Coat with its marvelous button out liner vest, the Bean's Plaid Stag Jacket, the Maine Guide Shirt, or the Blanket Lined Corduroy Coat with the spectacular lining. (The sweater shown under the Ink Black Stag Jacket looks the most intriguing of all.)

Some seemingly unaltered items that look wonderful are the Bean's Vacation Bag, Bean's Zipper Duffle, Saddle Shoes and the Signature Ties, Tartan.

Overall in the Men's section, they came so close. But there are many men who either do not have model figures, or are not interested in trying to look like one, or who worry about a soon-to-be-dated look, who would flock to more authentic items if they were not slim-fitted. At the very least, there should be a regular fit option.