Dotted along the New England Coast are a handful of cloistered waterfront enclaves of cottages. They have varying degrees of privacy ranging from “very”, such as Scarborough, Maine’s Prouts Neck (where even as an invited guest I had to get through several stop points), to Boothbay, Maine's Isle of Springs (boat only), to Old Saybrook’s Fenwick, where the roads running through it are accessible, as are the (public) golf course and clay tennis courts which are placed squarely in the center of the enclave.
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| A Public Nine-Hole Course |
Luckily, after experiencing colder than normal temperatures in New England, we then enjoyed much warmer than normal temperatures, which corresponded nicely with our trek to Fenwick.
One thing I like about Fenwick is how very little it has changed since my childhood. It sits where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, and it is known architecturally for having a large concentration of Shingle-style buildings (16) from the turn of century (and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places).
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| It was originally settled in the mid 1630s by John Winthrop the Younger, Lion Gardiner and George Fenwick. |
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| Golfers playing in front of the long-time, former home of Katharine Hepburn. |
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Inner Light (Lynde Point Light) was first built in 1803 and rebuilt in 1838.
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Outer Light (Saybrook Breakwater Light), a sparkplug lighthouse, is a quarter mile off shore, built in 1886.
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We were also able to try out our new rugby shirts by
Barbarian.
As opposed to rugby “style”shirts, these are real rugby shirts. I have never experienced a shirt with fabric this tough, and felt ready to be pummelled by a Rooster. Several other qualities stood out as well - including the perfect shade of Navy and the generous cut.
The wind picked up, so I put on my new Anorak. I have spent several years calling L.L. Bean asking them to bring back their classic Anorak. Apparently I was not the only one and this Spring they are offering it again for both
Men and
Women. This is a very generously cut garment, sized to fit over sweaters and the like. (The Women's Medium has a chest garment measurement of 49
½.)
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| L.L. Bean has finally brought back the classic Anorak. |
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| Enjoying this Unusual January |
40 comments:
Georgica in Easthampton reminds me of Fenwick, though of course in the summer there is a "guard" sitting placidly under an umbrella-very low key.
The Barbarian Rugby shirts only need mud and grit to supplement their authenticity. Muffy, please be careful during the scrum!
I adore Fenwick--it's really a magical place. I wasn't aware that it was public! (And just assumed my off-season visits were minor trespasses.)
I have to say it's a bit depressing that, like so many other wonderful hamlets on the New England shore, it's become so wildly out of reach for even very wealthy people. E.g., the old Hepburn house, on the market for $28 million. (It's my understanding that at least two of the homes are now owned by Arab sheiks.) That's not pricing for the 1%--more like the .0001%.
It remains a wonderful locale for lovers of shingle architecture, however.
You made my week with the Anorak News! I had a green one back in 1980s and I loved it and have been scouring Ebay to find another. I am thrilled!
Also love the Fenwick pics-my deareast friend is from Old Lyme and I just love the area.
To my Newport friend - I am VERY grateful! The background is most interesting. Thank you!
M. currently @ 35,000ft catching up on what I've missed whilst away. The 9th pic up from the bottom is the most superb depiction of you. Send my regards to the chap who captured this(C.)
Muffy,
Where did you buy the yellow jacket with the striped lining that you are wearing in your profile picture?
how well do you like the collars on the rugby muffy?
Ouch...you look quite the vixen in that shot with the sunglasses...!!
The homes are beautiful too...
Great post - as always...and one which stirs a memory. I remember sitting in the lecture hall of my Intro to Philosophy class in 1984 at the University of Iowa. A guy leans sideways and asks me about the jacket I was wearing, "Is that an L.L. Bean Anorak?" Why, yes it was.
Hi, Muffy! Speaking of Orvis khakis, how do you find the women's version?
Did LLBean make any changes to the classic anorak?
Thanks!
Great post and pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful photos, Muffy! I am happy to read that you enjoyed the Barbarian rugby shirts. I played rugby in college and all of our jerseys, shorts, and other gear were made by Barbarian. Incredibly tough fabric - I had one pair of Barbarian shorts that lasted through four years worth of tackles, wear, and tear before it finally ripped!
Muffy, how is the sizing of the women's Barbarian shirts? Do they run true to size or generous? It looks great on you!
@Anonymous 4:41 - I got it five or so years ago from Hanna Andersson. They haven't offered them in several years.
@Anonymous 5:47 - They are good but I prefer the slightly shorter and softer collars on the Ralph Laurens.
@Kate - I haven't tried the Women's from Orvis yet but I should. I am working off of my memory, as I don't have my past anoraks, but nothing seems to be missing at all. It has every feature that I remember, which is great!
@Anonymous 7:40 - I have a Large, which according to my own measurement after washing, has a chest measurement of 40 inches.
Those houses are so pretty! And I love your rugby shirts, too.
Muffy, thoughts:
1) those houses are just gorgeous and the last one reminds me so much of several southern plantation homes I have visited.
2) I'm definitely planning to pick up one or two Barbarian Rugby shirts.
3) I just saw LL Bean brought back the anorak, which is good, because I was thinking I wanted one.
4) I finally got my LL Bean camp mocs in today, you will find my thoughts on my blog. I know you were looking forward to hearing about them.
My gosh, L.L Bean brought back the old anoraks, the memories started flooding back..I had the green which looked nice with my Norwegian Sweater, or the Bean's Sailing sweater(thin red stripes, wool, nice, generous collar for turning up against the cold). I remember my Jeep breaking down in a rainstorm. I had the Norwegian sweater and my anorak. Well, needless to say, I was soaked to the bone. The anorak is good for wind, not so much for rain. Thankfully that thick wool sweater kept me warm as I walked to get help(no cell phones back when..). I digress...it's good to see an old favorite. I'm not going to even *look* at where it's made; it's a must have, for old time sakes.
I love, love, love those rugby shirts! When I started college last year I joined the rugby team and while I didn't exactly love the bruises and injuries I cannot get enough of the polos. The cotton is so durable and lasts forever! It's quickly become a staple in my wardrobe.
Commenter "Squeeze" has a good point. Also, your Scarborough reference is a good example... the Sp*****s keep that colony in good working order, but their parties could benefit from a bit more accessibility, not less.
What happened to the Hepburn house? Last I heard, the first floor had been gutted and reconfigured... in a modern way.
Thanks for the tip about the anorak! I will stock up.
I still have my L.L. Bean anorak from the early 90s. The only thing I don't like about this new version is the exposed black zipper. My old anorak seems to be the same color as the "French Blue" version of this one, but the horizontal zipper across the pocket is covered by a very slight flap of fabric. (I believe that is also true of the zipper at the placket, but I would have to check.)
Love the photos, as always, Muffy. The Barbarian rugbys are nice, but you should also check out Columbiaknit. They made the original Lands' End and L.L. Bean rugby shirts and are still churning them out as good as ever. They're family owned and operated and all of their shirts are made in Portland, Oregon.
It's amazing that you posted about Bean bringing back the anorak. I ordered one as soon as I saw it in their spring lineup and should be receiving it today. Ordered it in navy, or course.
Thank you, and also the previous commenter, for the tips on where to find rugby shirts! I had some as a child, but had nearly forgot they existed. I love the rubber buttons.
I was loyal to a brand of rugby shirt called McIntosh & Seymour Oregon Soccer Rugby Gear for a long time. I tried to find replacements for some of my well worn favorites and it appears that company no longer makes them. So, I have gone to Barbarian and they seem to be as close as I can find – almost as good – to the McIntosh & Seymour shirts.
For me, what designates a Southern location is very simple. If I go into a restaurant and they offer grits, I think of it as Southern. This includes Washington DC.
I love Barbarian rugby shirts. I've never had a cotton shirt so tough but so comfortable. They get MUCH better and softer with age. Enjoy!
Thank you for another wonderful post. As an architect who often uses historic detailing you've now given me another location to stalk!
Fenwick is a pretty special place , Growing up across the river in Old Lyme , was not too tough either! Nice Rugby shirt Along time ago in the 70's&80's my dad sold in the store which was on main street in Old saybrook, and later moved to Old Lyme some great rugby shirts he imported from the U.K. very heavy cotton in authentic team stripes and solids I'll ask him where they cam from.
By the way I just got in some great ribbon D ring motif belts of my own design , burgees and a tartan ribbon , saw the flag belt in the pics.... keep taking those fantastic pictures! www.tartanterrier.com
To anyone who has tried Orvis Men’s Ultimate Khakis, please give us your opinion on the fit. I have heard but not confirmed that the rise is rather low and the pant is disproportionally sized.
Muffy, thank you for offering your experiences. All the best.
Lovely, lovely photography, Muffy. They made me think of Fisher's Island (the private end). You should take a ferry out to Fisher's next time you pass through CT and drive to the outer end of the island. We spent a late October vacation there once and it was heaven. There is a rumor circulating that Obama is buying Hepburn's house. If that is true, none of us will ever get near the town again.
Muffum, I have an off-topic question for you. I don't want to use names here, so bear with me. I have noticed that the people in the pictures of a lot of other preppy blogs look like real jerks. And "jerks" was not my first choice to describe them. Now, there is one well-known in these circles photographer who has the photographic ability to make all of his subjects look like jerks, so that might not count. But still, I have to ask. Are a lot of preppy people smug SOBs who would steal money from orphans if they could get away with it, or who would sharp elbow themselves into a party without thinking twice about it, or is something else at play here? Am I missing something? Just curious, and thanks for being normal!
Muffy, those Rugby's are great. The Navy/Gold/Bottle Soho striped one is perfect. Thanks!
Chris From New Hampshire: The best comment so far in 2012! It sounds like you already know the answers to your questions.
Wish I was rich.
Chris from NH, "Emcee Tassel Ferry" would tell you to put a sock in it...if he owned any socks.
Kate (from a bunch of comments up), the current version of the anorak is almost identical to the old with a few exceptions: the shoulder/chest seams run vertically to meet the upper corners of the handwarmer pocket instead of angling in, the hood drawstrings are on the inside of the jacket and the barrel cord-lock adjusters for the hood have been replaced with leather ones which look great but are not functional. I'll be adding some cord locks shortly. There are others that aren't that important (embroidered "L.L. Bean" instead of sewn tag) and some that I honestly can't remember if they're original or not (velcro hood length adjuster). I hope that helps.
@Geo. - Yes, I have found the rise on the Orvis pants to be low.
I used to have a bunch of Canterbury of New Zealand rugby shirts when they had retail shops in the States during the 1980's. Well made and woven in great stripes, the shirts lasted for several years though with one sad result: they shrank drastically. Thanks for the heads-up on the Barbarian brand from Canada as I'll be getting some.
Hi Muffy,
May I ask what you consider to be the best color for men among the eight different color options for Orvis Ultimate Khakis?
Thanks,
JK
Barbarian, yes! Made in Canada! One of the few quality brands still made in this country, sadly; Sorel, Taiga, Arcterycx, (some of) Mountain Equipment Co-op, Tilley Endurables, Kanuk, (some of) Hills of Kerrisdale oxford shirts. About it all that comes to mind really.
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