Spooky Nook Produce and Greenhouses, an Amish farm stand
Lancaster is a beautiful place. My dad calls it “God’s country” and with good reason. The bucolic region has miles of lush farmland. The downtown area is surprisingly hip, a center for arts and culture with fine restaurants, the bustling Lancaster Central Market, and the historic Fulton Opera House.
Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in Witness (1985)
Lancaster is perhaps best known for being home to the Amish. Each year, thousands of tourists visit the area to experience Amish country. If you can’t get here physically, but want to experience the place vicariously, I highly recommend the movie Witness (1985) starring Harrison Ford. It is a movie that I show in Anthropology Through Film, a course titled that I teach at the University of Connecticut.
A lesser known aspect of Lancaster is that it has a well-established subculture of old money. When my stepmother lived in downtown Lancaster, her next door neighbors were members of the Woolworth family, whose ancestors founded the department store bearing their name.
Frank W. Woolworth built Lancaster’s tallest building and first “skyscraper“ in 1899.
Designed by architect James H. Warner, the house was built in 1891-1892 as a private residence for heiress Catherine Haldeman Long,. The Hamilton Club, named for James Hamilton, purchased the property in 1911.
They spend their summers in places like Stone Harbor and their winters in resorts like Hobe Sound. In matters of style, they favor the sort of traditional clothing that we celebrate at Ivy Style.
Yesterday my dad took me took me one of his favorite local stores. Next To New Fine Furniture in Lancaster is a consignment shop that sells antique furniture and home décor, as well as jewelry and clothing. The vast space is filled with treasures. It is evident from a walk though that the local clientele has excellent taste.
On my visit I noticed a leather chesterfield, rattan furniture, a riding saddle, a wooden duck, vintage picnic baskets, and a brass lamp with a tartan shade – all that looked very much in the WASP old money Ralph Lauren aesthetic.
The selection of vintage clothing is exceptional – classic pieces from well-known shops in gently used condition. There are racks of sport coats and dress shirts for men. Items for women abound, especially much sought after colorful prints from Lilly Pulitzer. I picked up a very nice 100% cotton summer dress for my wife in coral and white from Caribbean Joe.
The highlight of my visit to Next To New was the discovery of a vintage madras jacket from Murphy’s Menswear in Vero Beach, Florida. A label inside the jacket states that it was “Tailored in the United States by American craftsmen.” According to my research, the store operated in upscale Florida resort town of Vero Beach in the mid-twentieth century, but I cannot find a record of it today. Any additional information from Ivy Style readers would be most welcome.
In the world of vintage shopping, this sort of discovery is known by the term “grail” which refers to a highly coveted, rare, or personally significant item that a collector or enthusiast spends a long time searching for. In the context of a thrift shop, finding a grail means scoring an ultra-rare, high-value, or vintage gem hidden among everyday secondhand goods.
For a madras lover like me, this item is certainly a grail. The madras pattern, in fact, bears a striking resemblance to the cover of The Official Preppy Handbook (1980).
Thrift store shopping is more popular than ever, perhaps driven by the same sort of nostalgia that makes vintage Ivy Style items sought after at places like Alfargo’s Marketplace.
The lure of Waspy, old-money treasures has turned Nantucket’s thrifting scene into catnip for a certain subset of TikTokers and Instagrammers. The lines are longer. There are phones out. There are whispers about which racks have been refreshed and when. A worn Nantucket Lightship bag elicits more praise than a Birkin. Getting a nod of approval from one of the shop’s volunteers, some of whom have worked there for 40 years, is a badge of honor.
Clearly it was serendipitous that my dad and I visited Next To New this Father’s Day weekend.
If you find yourself in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, do yourself a favor and visit Next To New. Who knows, maybe you will find your own grail.
Matthew
I have lived in Vero Beach for 9 yrs and never heard of Murphy’s but I will do some checking around and see what I can find out. Now we have 3 mens stores on the beach side in Vero,Hanlons,Vernon Scott, Maus and Hoffman and a small men’s Dept in J McLaughlin
That old saddle reminds me of my own riding days. English-style of course. I grew up in nearby Berks County and, when we weren’t caring for our horses and a neighbor’s ponies, took riding lessons each week from Mrs. McCarty (the mother of a schoolmate) five minutes up the road. Augmented by riding lessons at summer camp each year. Happy times.
You should consider doing a profile of Crowley Vintage, a Brooklyn store that appears to be chock-full of grails. He’s a Ralph Lauren vet who has a great sense of style and history, with a dash of humor.
S.E., yes indeed. When my dad lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, we stayed at the Jersey Shore each summer, alternating between Avalon and Stone Harbor.
The madras jacket looks it was made by Corbin. I have a similar madras patch jacket but alas it is a size too large for me now. Good stuff until the company ceased manufacturing in the USA.
I snagged one almost like it on Etsy, an older BB 3/2 sack. I also found one with a largely green Madras. I detect regular Madras patterns rather than patchwork reemerging.
Corbin, a bulwark of Southern Ivy manufacturing, was superb. Their 3-button sack model, Corinthian, bore witness to remarkable value. Less handstitching than bygone Southwick and Norman Hilton (thus less expensive), but the cloth selection and attention to detail were spot on. The Corinthian served as impressive revival of the original Brooks no. 1 sack: rounded shoulders, high button stance, soft lapel roll 3 to 2.5, and lapped seams. No hook vent, but better — the back lapped seam was slanted (45 degrees) at the top of the vent and descended. There isn’t a sack coat on the market today that rivals these clubby, collegiate specs.
S.E.
The Corbin Ltd. Corinthian blazer came in both darted and non-darted models. But, yes it was a great value. Had many over the decades. In my suburban high school most everyone owned one or two. Hook vent, patch and flap pockets are about as traditional as it gets.
The Polo University blazer was also a good value and amost a copy.
Not sure if father’s day is plural, posessive, or both, so Happy Pappy Day!
Claus, definitely possessive, just like Mother’s Day. Hope you had a Happy Pappy Day!
Matthew
I have lived in Vero Beach for 9 yrs and never heard of Murphy’s but I will do some checking around and see what I can find out. Now we have 3 mens stores on the beach side in Vero,Hanlons,Vernon Scott, Maus and Hoffman and a small men’s Dept in J McLaughlin
Sandy
Sandy, thank you for looking into it. I can’t find too much about the store, but would be very interested to know more.
That old saddle reminds me of my own riding days. English-style of course. I grew up in nearby Berks County and, when we weren’t caring for our horses and a neighbor’s ponies, took riding lessons each week from Mrs. McCarty (the mother of a schoolmate) five minutes up the road. Augmented by riding lessons at summer camp each year. Happy times.
Kind Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich
Heinz-Ulrich, Lancaster County is most certainly horse country, with a polo club in Rothsville, PA.
You should consider doing a profile of Crowley Vintage, a Brooklyn store that appears to be chock-full of grails. He’s a Ralph Lauren vet who has a great sense of style and history, with a dash of humor.
Great suggestion, thank you. Please check out this article from last year:
https://www.ivy-style.com/alfargos-marketplace-and-new-yorks-menswear-revival.html
Other Southern Shore spots include Strathmere, Avalon, and, of course, Cape May (Exit O) — particularly the Point (CMP).
S.E., yes indeed. When my dad lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, we stayed at the Jersey Shore each summer, alternating between Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Did you happen to see a RN number on an inside tag? That could be used to determine the maker.
Thank you for the suggestion. I did not see a RN number but will check when I get the item back from the dry cleaner.
whiskeydent
We were at Randolph at the same time. I would have been in 7th grade at the high school in 65 or 66.
The madras jacket looks it was made by Corbin. I have a similar madras patch jacket but alas it is a size too large for me now. Good stuff until the company ceased manufacturing in the USA.
I snagged one almost like it on Etsy, an older BB 3/2 sack. I also found one with a largely green Madras. I detect regular Madras patterns rather than patchwork reemerging.
The tag referenced in the article suggests Corbin as the maker.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Corbin, a bulwark of Southern Ivy manufacturing, was superb. Their 3-button sack model, Corinthian, bore witness to remarkable value. Less handstitching than bygone Southwick and Norman Hilton (thus less expensive), but the cloth selection and attention to detail were spot on. The Corinthian served as impressive revival of the original Brooks no. 1 sack: rounded shoulders, high button stance, soft lapel roll 3 to 2.5, and lapped seams. No hook vent, but better — the back lapped seam was slanted (45 degrees) at the top of the vent and descended. There isn’t a sack coat on the market today that rivals these clubby, collegiate specs.
S.E.
The Corbin Ltd. Corinthian blazer came in both darted and non-darted models. But, yes it was a great value. Had many over the decades. In my suburban high school most everyone owned one or two. Hook vent, patch and flap pockets are about as traditional as it gets.
The Polo University blazer was also a good value and amost a copy.