On New Englanders

(ON FASHION) RIPPED AND RICH

Dear Readers, 

Welcome back to Ripped and Rich. I’ve got a bit of a ridiculous read for you ahead. But even when things get ridiculous, there’s still something to be learned! This week it’s all about New Englanders. The good, the bad, the worn-in plaid. If you are one, enjoy. If you want to be one, well, also enjoy.

Recently I’ve heard from some of my closest friends here at WashU in St. Louis that I really do act like a New Englander. Actually, I believe what was said with true love was “snotty New Englander—but in a good way.” Incredible! She’s from Texas. Now, I love being from New England. I really was feeling particular about it when my younger sister was touring colleges on her spring break last week and she visited Williams, Wesleyan, Wellesley, and Mount Holyoke. The tours were exactly what you’d expect: Williams bragging about how it’s older than Amherst (fascinating and gauche!) and a lot of talk about how there’s really so much to do on campus (there’s not). I didn’t apply to any of these schools. I went to high school in rural western Massachusetts and don’t need a redux, and liberal arts colleges are fine, but no matter what, they aren’t art school. Maybe I only want to visit one if it can be a little like The Secret History minus the murder? And then, for only like an intense week-long immersion experience because any more time in the woods would inevitably become incredibly boring and maybe force me to stage my own Dionysian ritual. Best let that stay fiction! But T.S.H. is my favorite novel. Maybe it should be yours, too. Did I mention I have the title tattooed on my right leg? In the font and design from the original jacket designed by Chip Kidd? OK, what else is truly the epitome of NEW ENGLAND? Here is a list:

Firstly, you have to have a style point of reference. For me it's my grandmother who has been genetically blessed and was and still is gorgeous and she is a life-long New Englander. She has been incredibly influential on me, taught me manners, (important!) and always has done this while wearing a very chic uniform of a Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater in literally any color you could ever think of, and a plain trouser. Light colors for the warmer seasons, and darkier for the colder. (Take notes for when you are a fabulous grandmother.) Other style references are J. Crew from the late 80’s and early 90’s, Jackie Kennedy, and the really New England Ralph Lauren photos (not the cowboy-core ones, though you know I also love those).

(Doesn’t this model look EXACTLY like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless?)

Second, you need to understand what Preppy actually means. Polos, khakis, and really beautiful fine gauge cashmere sweaters! Merino wool is good too. A crew neck or cardigan. Striped shirts. Rugbys. Oxfords. Baggy shorts. Cotton t-shirts that aren’t tight. Tank swimsuits meant for actually swimming. Navy, faded red, any green, any yellow, pale pink. All good. Purple? Proceed with extreme caution. (there is a famous fashion book dedicated to these clothes, Take Ivy by Shosuke Ishizu and Toshiyuki Kurosu that was given to me by my truly incredible college counselor, Eric Tipler, as a graduation present.) Recently while I was listening to Fashion People, Lauren Sherman’s podcast for Puck, she mentioned how young people are wearing Isabel Marant labeled hoodies and calling that “preppy”. This obviously made me extremely sad and I immediately texted her and we discussed how this generation has completely lost the plot on something that actually was chic! There are no words to describe how upsetting it is. 

Third, it’s a little more practical than you might think! (kind of) People in New England often are doing things outdoors, for example gardening or going on a walk in the woods. But you still wear a fine gauge sweater or a lovely trouser with the caveat that the trousers are specifically for gardening. You’ve had them for 15 years, and they have beautiful wear and tear so they can get messy. Chic! 

Fourth, you are never wearing too much jewelry. This is where practicality really comes in. (kind of) If flashy jewelry is involved, it’s a family heirloom. Your new jewelry is bought from an American company, Tiffany is good, but keep it silver! (I’ll do a Tiffany guide soon if people are interested, I love them and their blue boxes!) Or it’s made custom for you. There is no VCA! The only time where it’s acceptable to go outside America for jewelry is a very understated piece of French jewelry that is made impeccably and has not even the slightest hit of a logo. 

Fifth, your attitude is everything! If you have one take-away no matter what you wear or how you act, it won’t matter in New England if you aren’t kind and unfailingly polite no matter what. Real New Englanders have fantastic manners. Being polite, generous, and kind is incredibly important. And it actually makes life easier. You know what to do in any situation. To say something my grandmother wouldn’t, if you really fucking hate someone, put on a smile and be polite. Because actually being snotty is not fabulous, it's just rude. 

As always, thanks for tuning into R&R! I hope you enjoyed a little more satire than usual, or is it? Feel free to DM me @Reidmcvey on Instagram or put all your fashion questions in the comments. They will be answered and maybe make an appearance on a future newsletter. Until next week, 

Reid McVey