J McLaughlin & Shep Miller

Norman Polonofsky outside the old Shep Miller

Fall In (did I already use that?)

Norman's Blue, White, Yellow Red, Green & Pink Collar

Bamboo Toile


Dressing Rooms

Horizontal Cords

Gray flannel

Corn Husk Khaki

Canvas Jeans
Patch Crew Neck Shetland

Canvas Jean

Shirts to try on

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Lavender Horizontal Cords

Rep Tie Dopp Kits

Inspirational Colors

Knots &...

Socks

Critters

Linen Shirts


Old timers love to tell stories of the small town haberdasher. I remember Smith's Robertsons in Lake Forest. Hardwood floors haphazardly strewn with worn runners and Kilims. Labels like Gant, Talbot, Corbin, Gitman, Ruff Hewn, and British Khaki spoke to the absensce of any name ending in a - God forbid - vowel. Air hung heavy with the scent of lime, cinnamon and clove from sample cologne bottles. And I didn't seem to exist. I could've fired off a signal flare and I still couldn't get help.

Norman Polonofsky manages the J McLaughlin Men's store in Southampton, NY. It's easy to tell when someone's happy about what they do. Loaded with knowledge, he was in the apparel business as a buyer before he retired, Norman oversees a store that in many ways represents him...much like those haberdashers of the past. Shep Miller comes to mind. J Mac Women's now occupies Shep's old space.

Shep Miller was the haberdasher of New York's '70s and '80s Hamptons jet set. The aesthetic wasn't Ivy so much as it was resort. Bright colors, tweaked classics and an ease that comes with...Well, having a lotta money I guess. That's not to say J McLaughlin is aspirational. It's hugely affordable for what it is. But the tweaks are there in horizontal cords, bright colors and a mature aesthetic. Maybe this is what Vineyard Vines will be when it grows up.

Southampton streets are empty. Parking is everywhere. The drive from midtown is two hours but 45 minutes of that is getting from 8th Avenue to 2nd. Time it right and you can sail east in the HOV lane like you were tacking in a 41' Morgan. Throw a line to Norman when you get there.

Update: Robertsons in Lake Forest, IL was the haberdasher I remembered. Closed more 20 years ago, a reader and old friend reminded me it occupied the recently closed Blockbuster Video. Two floors with boy's clothing downstairs and menswear upstairs. Smith's is still open in Lake Forest and while I have a coat hanger from Smiths, I don't remember ever being in the store.