Trunk shows are a charming vestige of the past that have thankfully continued into the digital age, at least for a select group of clothiers. They originated in the United States during the late 19th century when manufacturers began to showcase their latest clothing collections directly to customers through a traveling suitcase or “trunk.” Since most retail stores did not have enough space to carry the complete collections, this approach allowed manufacturers to introduce their new lines in a more intimate setting.
The Andover Shop Trunk Show is an annual tradition that takes place is a suite at the Lombardy Hotel in New York City. My wife and I had the opportunity to attend this year’s show on October 27th. The event showcased select off-the-rack items from the new Fall 2026 collection. I tried on several of these pieces and now have my eye on a few items that would make great Christmas gifts (hint, hint to my family members and friends reading this).
The Andover Shop is unabashedly traditionalist, and this is something that the clothier’s loyal customer base appreciates. They do not play to fads or trends, and there is nothing gimmicky about them. The aesthetic is pure Ivy League with a heavy dose of Anglophilia. It is hard to imagine a shop which better epitomizes the understated ethos of the Boston Brahmin.
Among the makers, the Fall 2026 collection includes items from Chyrsalis and Alan Paine of England, Inis Meáin of Ireland, and of course Fair Isle, Shetland, and cashmere sweaters from Scotland.
There are Tattersall and checks shirts in a variety of patterns, corduroy pants in a wonderful array of autumn colors, and a handsome assortment of silk neckties.
One of the items from the collection that struck my fancy is this Chrysalis tweed field coat in an autumnal burnt orange color. This coat is really sharp looking and had wonderful details, from the buttons to the lining.
This herringbone tweed sport coat is another favorite. It looked just perfect with my blue OCBD and Argyll & Sutherland repp tie.
Lastly, I will be ready for a winter weekend in New Hampshire or Vermont with a Dale of Norway sweater and hat.
Jake Shields and Larry Mahoney from the Cambridge store in Harvard Square came down to New York for the two-day event and provided guests with the sort of excellent customer service that The Andover Shop is known for. Jack mentioned that probably 70% of the visitors to the trunk show were Harvard alumni, which makes perfect sense given the shop’s historic relationship with the university. The Harvard Club of New York City is just a few blocks from Grand Central and provides a home away from home for alumni, many of whom with gather next month to watch the 142nd edition of The Game televised from Fenway Park.
One of the highlights of the trunk show was meeting a very nice gentleman who is an attorney and happens to be an Ivy Style reader. I gave him my business card and he followed up with the very nice message, which I will share a portion of:
“I am a big fan of the Ivy Style website and find your posts to be educational, well-written, fun and historically informed, all at the same time! Please keep up the great work.”
These kind words are greatly appreciated and make my role as the editor and publisher of Ivy Style a true labor of love.
The Andover Shop – the great standard bearer for tradition – held a traditional trunk show event featuring traditional Ivy Style clothes. And the event brought together like-minded traditionalists to meet the old fashioned way: in person.
Chrysalis is one of my favourite manufacturers. It makes field clothing for top London retailers such as Cording’s and Farlow’s (own brand). The quality is unbeatable at the price.
Alan Paine’s shirts’ sizing is perfect for me. However, at the price, I doubt that they are actually made in England. I particularly love their cricket sweaters – cotton for summer, wool for winter.
Matthew
Great column on the Andover Shop. I have been a customer since 1959 when my parents shipped me off boarding in MA and Charlie took me under his wing. Larry and I still talk every month and at 82 I am still very loyal. The Andover Shop is a culture that knows their customers and buys from quality manufactures and would not sell you anything that wasn’t right for you and didn’t fit. The shop in Cambridge is a museum just like Fenway Park.
Trivia: Charlie invented (designed) at least two patterns that became Southwick models: Warwick & Andover. The latter remains alive and well — appears to be the current house styling at J. Press: low button stance (three), plenty of structure, and a squared off front. ELJO’s, Bill King, Langrock & Adler were champions of the Warwick.
SE
Charlie’s go to models at the Andover Shop from Southwick were the Bristol 2 button double vent undated or the Dorset which was 2 button and darted and 2 vents. He also liked the Douglas 3 button single vent from Southwick. Boy do I miss Southwick!!!
Great article on an absolute American Institution. One correction: Inis Meain are based in Ireland as you correctly stated, but this means that they are not a UK maker, they are an Irish maker. Ireland is not part of the UK. Thank you.
Chrysalis is one of my favourite manufacturers. It makes field clothing for top London retailers such as Cording’s and Farlow’s (own brand). The quality is unbeatable at the price.
Alan Paine’s shirts’ sizing is perfect for me. However, at the price, I doubt that they are actually made in England. I particularly love their cricket sweaters – cotton for summer, wool for winter.
Matthew
Great column on the Andover Shop. I have been a customer since 1959 when my parents shipped me off boarding in MA and Charlie took me under his wing. Larry and I still talk every month and at 82 I am still very loyal. The Andover Shop is a culture that knows their customers and buys from quality manufactures and would not sell you anything that wasn’t right for you and didn’t fit. The shop in Cambridge is a museum just like Fenway Park.
The Chrysalis tweed coat is great looking for sure.
Even looks warm.
that long coat you’re wearing in the 4th photo is exquisite!
Some lovely items there! And you just cannot beat Dale sweaters.
Kind Saturday Regards,
H-U
Trivia: Charlie invented (designed) at least two patterns that became Southwick models: Warwick & Andover. The latter remains alive and well — appears to be the current house styling at J. Press: low button stance (three), plenty of structure, and a squared off front. ELJO’s, Bill King, Langrock & Adler were champions of the Warwick.
SE
Charlie’s go to models at the Andover Shop from Southwick were the Bristol 2 button double vent undated or the Dorset which was 2 button and darted and 2 vents. He also liked the Douglas 3 button single vent from Southwick. Boy do I miss Southwick!!!
Great article on an absolute American Institution. One correction: Inis Meain are based in Ireland as you correctly stated, but this means that they are not a UK maker, they are an Irish maker. Ireland is not part of the UK. Thank you.
Thank you for the correction. The reference to the UK has been removed.