Alexandra S.
Yelp
We really like stopping in Murray's when we're on Nantucket.
First of all, who can resist a clothing store that refers itself as a "toggery"?
It reminds me of a UK friend who occasionally (and without kidding around) refers to her clothing as her "togs".
Stepping into Murray's is kind of like returning to a more genteel era when there were loads of these kind of small, local department stores in which the shopping experience is completely manageable and has plenty of helpful sales assistance.
Murray's deal is that it specializes in classic clothing of the East Coast preppy variety.
It is also from whence the widely (and wildly) copied Nantucket Reds come from.
"Nantucket Reds" refers to the very specific color that a canvas-like cotton fabric is dyed. It is most common to see the fabric turned into pants or shorts, which have become, for better or worse, the "de rigueur" clothing item to wear here on the island.
Of course now you can find everything dyed this color including shirts, blazers and hats.
The fabric is "100% cotton and guaranteed to fade." And as they fade and become more worn they look even better. And please, be able to distinguish between pink and Nantucket Red! ;-)
I know, I know, it can all get to be ridiculous and it's true that some people just try way, way too hard sporting this look but I'll admit I do love the Nantucket red color.
We did see a number of over the top Nantucket Red preppy types and took to calling them T.T.H. (Trying too hard).
You must have a sense of humor about all this if in fact you are actually going to wear them.
There are lots of of other classic clothing options to be found here for men, women and children. Don't bother stopping if you're looking to buy a piece of clothing which is an "up to the minute" off the runway hot fashion trend.
This is the stuff that will stay in style (preppy style anyway) for the next 100 years.
Think khaki, madras, blue blazers, button down shirts and striped boating sweaters.
Things have always been pricey here but the quality has always been good. I am sad to report that the Nantucket Reds are now imported from China and no longer made in the US.
I am therefore not sure about the quality anymore. They lose a star from me on that account.
On this visit, the only thing I bought was a baseball hat. We shall see how that holds up.
But it's still worth a stop in if you're strolling down pretty cobblestoned Main Street.