Image via Complex Original
Trends come and go, but time moves a little slower in New England. The residents talk a little strange, work hard, and make no excuses for their shortcomings. As folks in major cities grew out their beards and oiled their leather boots, New Englanders welcomed the newfound patronage in their "heritage" brands and continued to make clothes the way they had for decades.
New England isn't home to the fashion industry—it's a place for craftsmen who make products as sturdy as their character. You'll find brands who make the finest footwear, leather goods, shirts, sneakers, suits, and more. Hidden within the old world benches and innovators of the modern mail order are also streetwear and skate brands making a name for themselves. So whether you're a born Yankee or you're "from away," we've compiled for you the best brands to ever come out of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. From Alden andNew Balance to Converse and Raw, here are The 25 Best New England Brands of All Time.
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Related: The 50 Greatest Streetwear Brands of All Time
From: Hudson, Mass.
Founded: 1951
Arrow Moccasin Company is about as New England as it gets. Owned and operated by Ron Ouellete since 1951, the Hudson, Mass. company produces handmade footwear inspired by New England's Native American heritage: O-ring boots, leather-sole canoe mocs, chukkas, and even options complete with crepe soles. The brand's website hasn't been updated since 1997, in true dedicated craftsmanship fashion, but Oulette is still making each pair of footwear one by one, ensuring that the customer is left with a truly custom product.
24. Bodega
From: Boston
Founded: 2006
Have you ever taken a trip behind the magic Snapple door? If so, you wound up in Bodega, one of Boston's best streetwear boutiques. The shop started off as a secret retailer of the most sought-after sneakers and apparel, but now offers its own private label which improves with each season. The gear consists of stuff you'd actually wear: camo-print shirts, bucket hats, baseball jerseys, and shirts in awesome prints. Bodega also keeps the footwear collaborations coming, too. This season saw collaborative footwear with none other than Mark McNairy.
23. Sterlingwear
From: East Boston, Mass.
Founded: 1965
A wardrobe without a pea coat is severely lacking, to say the least. The sea-bearing outerwear didn't get its roots from its versatility as a wardrobe staple, but as protection from the elements for men who made their livings as sailors. When it comes to American pea coats, there's nothing more official than Sterlingwear. The brand, formed in 1965, has been the official pea coat supplier for the U.S. Navy for over 40 years. And they're made right in Boston: the heart of New England. To meet the challenges a 9 to 5 on the water presents, the brand's Navigator jacket, the official pea coat of the navy, weighs eight pounds. Good luck trying to outlast that coat.
22. Leather Man Ltd.
From: Essex, Conn.
Founded: 1967
Nautical belts are a must for anyone who wants prep style. Leather Man Ltd. has been making the critter-covered belts in Essex, Conn. since 1967, becoming a staple for Ivy Leaguers everywhere. But the best thing about the brand is its price points. The belts run under $50. You can have a closet full of lobsters, school logos, frogs, whatever, and you won't break the bank. And if you're into something a little more #menswear, there have been collaborations with The Hill-Side in recent years.
From: Northern Mass.
Founded: 2012
Newcomers to the New England scene, The New England Outerwear Co. has studied what makes the region so great to improve on the designs that any true Yankee wore throughout the years. The Massachusetts-based brand makes all products out of the best materials the U.S. has to offer: Horween leather and Vibram soles. Each pair of footwear is made in Maine—America's footwear hub. The shoes are built to be permanent parts of your wardrobe; pairs that grow with you as time moves on. The brand also offers great takes on crepe-soled boat shoes and has started offer belts and wallets. Expect a full range of outerwear to be available by fall/winter 2013.
From: Johnson, Vt.
Founded: 1842
What does "heritage" really mean? Some brands recreate their designs from the late '70s, and try to capture a piece of their early beginnings. Johnson Woolen Mills has been around since 1842—that's 171 years in the game. The company has produced clothes that Paul Bunyan could have worn. The brand's selection of mackinaw jackets and other woolen products look great on any guy, rural or urban, but if yours smells like sugar shack, it might be be a little more authentic.
19. Penfield
From: Hudson, Mass.
Founded: 1975
It doesn't take a meteorology degree to tell you New England gets pretty cold in the winter. Anyone who grew up in one of the six states knows that owning a proper winter jacket is paramount for making it through the hellish tundra we call Old Man Winter. Penfield was founded in 1975 in Hudson, Mass. and made its name by making down-filled jackets, fleece garments, and other much-needed outerwear. Recent years have seen Penfield become the go-to brand for streetwear enthusiasts to survive a December campout, or just look adequate enough for three months out of the year. But function will always remain superior to design, and even though Penfield's newest collections look awesome, we keep checking for the brand because we hate being cold.
From: Fall River, Mass.
Founded: 1970
Fall River, Mass. is a mill town that has fallen upon hard times, but brands like Frank Clegg Leatherworks prove that the area contains the heart and work ethic of New England. The brand, which has been around since 1970, crafts handmade leather goods that borderline luxury products. But unlike other leather goods brands, it doesn't only stick to vegetable-tanned leather, but also experiments with animal skins as well. The line of briefcases, totes, duffle bags, wallets, and more displays the integrity of a hard-working man who is not familiar with the word "compromise."
17. Rancourt & Co.
From: Lewiston, Maine
Founded: 2008
It's really nothing remarkable that Rancourt & Co. makes each pair of its footwear by hand in Lewiston, Maine—if you're from New England, that is. To outsiders, Rancourt might seem like another heritage brand, but a quick look into the brand's history will show that Rancourt is a third-generation family that survives by making the best quality shoes and boots the only way it knows how: with every intended stitch and welt. Sure, the brand has branched out and is now offered at Club Monaco (and every other upstanding menswear retailer), but a quick contact to the shoemakers and you'll have your own custom pair of footwear. There's not many other manufacturers who can boast this speciality.
16. H.W. Carter & Sons
From: Lebanon, N.H.
Founded: 1859
Lebanon, N.H. is a stone's throw from the New Hampshire-Vermont border; it's not a place for frail clothing. In 1859, Henry W. Carter started to produce some of the finest and soon-to-be-replicated workwear in the scenic New Hampshire town. Carter's brand, H.W. Carter & Sons, would become known for its 'Watch the Wear" slogan. It's been over 150 years, and H.W. Carter and Sons is still relevant, and still makes the best workwear—not just inspired-by collections. Heavyweight denim, pullover shirt-jackets, and duck canvas chore jackets not only let the brand retain its legacy, but stay ahead of others, too.
From: Randolph, Mass.
Founded: 1972
If sunglasses are good enough for Don Draper, Michael Bastian, and Army and Navy pilots, they are probably made in New England. Randolph Engineering has been making eyewear in the Massachusetts town that it gets its name from since 1972. The brand isn't just the eyewear of choice for the military, it was actually contracted to be the official supplier for the U.S. Department of Defense in the early '80s. It doesn't get much more face-fitting than aviator sunglasses, and it looks great on everyone. These pilot-ready sunglasses are Randolph Engineering's signature style, and has surmounted the brand as New England's top eyewear maker.
14. Eastland Shoe
From: Freeport, Maine
Founded: 1955
Downeast Maine is one of the moodiest yet most beautiful places in New England America. The area's rocky beaches, frequent storms, and hyper-local accent require footwear that doesn't fall apart and gains respectable nods from Mainers. Eastland Shoe resides in Freeport, Maine. While the brand could easily have been overshadowed by its big brother in L.L. Bean, it has set its own path and established itself as one of America's most sought after shoemakers. In business since 1955, the brand's Made in Maine collection and subsequent collaborations with Mark McNairy have not only cemented its currency with #menswear crowds, but anyone who needs a good pair of bluchers, deck-soled footwear, or something that's dressy, yet rugged enough to clang against an April drizzle.
13. Raw
From: Somerville, Mass.
Founded: 2006
East Coast skateboarding is one of the most influential forces in streetwear, or men's style for that matter. Most people might focus on the styles that disseminated out of New York City, but Boston also has an imppressive legacy of a strong skate culture. Founded in Somerville, Mass. in 2006, Raw's designs embody both the simplicity of New England and skate culture. Still, the brand's logo, skateboard-centered graphics, and selection of some of the best 5-panel caps anywhere resonate as an organic extension of the cobblestone sidewalks, rough cement ledges, and forever-present cracked pavement that skateboarding in New England presents.
12. G.H. Bass & Co.
From: Wilton, Maine
Founded: 1876
Besides lobsters and a wicked horrible accent, Maine is known for handmade shoes. G.H. Bass & Co. first set up shop in the the most northeast state in 1876, and lays claim to one of New England's prep staples: the Weejun. Founded by George Henry Bass in 1936, the brand noticed how Norwegian farmers would wear a slip-on loafer, and so the "Weejun" was born. 20 years later, WASPy Ivy League students would wear Bass' laceless footwear—sockless, to boot—and forge a legacy for Bass. To this day, you can still purchase the Weejun along with a handful of other New Englander essentials like bucks, deck shoes, and saddles shoes from the Maine brand.
11. Sperry Top-Sider
From: Lexington, Mass.
Founded: 1935
If you live in New England, there's a strong chance that you spent most of your life by the water. A boat shoe is imperative not only to wear to any sort of get together, but as an affirmation that you're from this part of the country. And there might not be a more iconic boat shoe brand than Sperry Top-Sider. Founded in 1935, the sea-experienced brand originally formed its deck sole concept from the New England winter; creating a shoe bottom that mimicked a dog's traction on an icy surface. The shoe would become so popular that the U.S. Navy would make a similar model for its sailors. It's been over 80 years and Sperry has become synonymous with summer, the ocean, and all things prep.
10. New England Shirt Co.
From: Fall River, Mass.
Founded: 1938
If you call yourself the New England Shirt Company, you better be the shirtmaker in the region. For over 75 years, the brand has manufactured its shirts in the same factory in Fall River, Mass. While a lot of local craftsmen proudly emblazon their clothes with a "Made in USA" tag, the folks at New England Shirt Co. have a different method: each shirt bares a "Made in New England" tag. However, the brand isn't just a local legend for people who want a well-fitting shirt, it has also expressly made shirts for the likes of Unionmade and nanamica to name a few. Producing a range of classic shirting options to lively prints and mash-up "fun" shirts, New England Shirt Co. satisfies all tastes.
9. Quoddy
From: Perry, Maine
Founded: 1909
It's tough to find a company that makes each product specifically for the customer, and at the same time, be well-known in today's climate of replaceable fast fashion. Quoddy has been crafting handmade moccasins in Perry, Maine since 1909, and to this day, each pair still features the attention to detail that it did over a 100 years ago. The boom in menswear has seen a heralding of Quoddy, especially the brand's customizable options—you can pick out the width and sole for every pair you order. Although folks in the city have grown savvy to the Downeast Maine brand, it still offers shoes and boots that are made to survive in Maine, and are still made by the same craftspeople who have continued to do this work generation after generation. Most impressively, the brand offers footwear for all elements of New England life: hunting, working on the docks, or just something that will keep your feet dry.
From: Andover, Mass.
Founded: 1953
Mention the names Andover or Exeter and people think of kids who are fed into Ivy League schools, but also a slice of New England prep style. The Andover Shop, first opened by Charlie Davidson as a haberdasher to America's future one percent, has established itself as one the nation's premier made-to-measure menswear retailers. The shop and its two locations (there's one in Cambridge, too) carry a full range of expressly made garments—mostly crafted from the finest British fabrics. But preppy Northeast white kids aren't the only ones who got their hands on Davidson's wears. Miles Davis was also a regular at the Massachusetts-based shop, frequently buying bespoke suits and even forging a personal relationship with Davidson. To this day, you can still purchase the best tweeds, ties, suits, shirts, and outerwear from The Andover Shop—the same as when the shop opened in 1953.
7. Southwick
From: Haverhill, Mass.
Founded: 1929
You may assume that menswear brand Southwick is located in Southwick, Mass., but it's actually located an hour or so north in the old mill town of Haverhill. Geography aside, Southwick has been making some of the finest suits since 1929 in northern Massachusetts. The brand offers off-the-rack and made-to-measure services with a dedication to retaining an undeniably American aesthetic. In recent years, Southwick has seen Mark McNairy have a short dossier as creative director and collaborations with Todd Snyder. Reinvigorated, Southwick still remains one of the best places anywhere to get a suit from.
6. New Balance
From: Boston, MA
Founded: 1906
How were you introduced to New Balance? Through sneaker websites, two for $89 deals, or A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics? Long before Phife Dawg was shouting out the Boston-based athletic footwear company, New Balance originated as an arch support company in 1906. 50 years later, the brand would design its first pair of running sneakers, setting forth on a path that would establish it as not only one of the industry's premier brands, but as the only current manufacturer of athletic footwear in the U.S.A. New Balance is great because it offers a viable alternative to to overly-technical footwear. The brand's grey suede uppers and sturdy midsoles give you a sneaker that doesn't crease up or fall apart after four wears.
5. J.Press
From: New Haven, Conn.
Founded: 1902
J.Press was founded in 1902 in New Haven, Conn. by a Latvian immigrant named Jacobi Press. Since then, not much has changed with the brand, and that's a good thing. J.Press has come to epitomize the style found on Ivy League campuses and through out New England: navy blazers, flat-front trousers, oxford cloth shirts, Shaggy Dog sweaters, and club ties. Most importantly, the brand is known for its takes on tweeds—it often weaves the most eccentric patterns. Recently, J.Press has launched a line, York Street, which caters to #menswear fans and is designed by Ovadia & Sons, but the brand is forever a source for folks young and old who like to dress in a traditional manner.
4. Timberland
From: Stratham, N.H.
Founded: 1973
Long before it was solidified as hip-hop's official boot, Nathan Swartz was crafting Timberland into a company that followed the tradition of New England shoemakers. Swartz cut his teeth in Abington, Mass. being co-owner of The Abington Shoe Company. But Swartz's interest in footwear was different than other Yankees—instead of making handstitched dress shoes, Swartz was more concerned with footwear for the outdoors. In 1973, he founded the Timberland Boot Company in Newmarket, NH, which would later go on to develop the boot worn by everyone the world over: the 10061. More readily known as the 6-inch workboot, "constructs," wheats, or simply just "Timbs," the boot gave the company life in hip-hop, credibility with manual laborers, or anyone who wanted to keep their feet warm in the winter. But more importantly, it solidified Timberland as one of the greatest American brands.
3. Alden
From: Middleborough, Mass.
Founded: 1884
Alden is America's oldest remaining shoemaker—hand-making shoes in Middleborough, Mass. since 1884. The brand has continued to make shoes and boots from the same high-cost leathers and materials for almost 130 years, despite the world's appetite for cheaper and cheaper goods. Sure, you got hip to the brand from flipping through your favorite men's publication of J.Crew catalog, but Alden's usage of cordovan, chromexcel, and other long-lasting leathers has differentiated it from from the handful of other brands who try to sell their "heritage." And besides being the choice shoemaker for street style cool guys, the brand's Indy Boot was worn by actual cool guys, like Harrison Ford in his portrayal of Indiana Jones.
2. Converse
From: Malden, Mass.
Founded: 1908
Converse's Chuck Taylor All-Star is the number one selling sneaker of all time. The famed brand set up shop on the outskirts of Boston in Malden, Mass. in 1908. Nine years later, the brand would introduce the recognizable All-Star, and forever change the sneaker game. It's difficult to find someone who hasn't sported the canvas-and-rubber kicks, but Converse also gained cred within the basketball world, sponsoring Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Dwyane Wade, Larry Johnson, and more. But it's the simple Chuck Taylor—much like the life that exists in New England—that has established Converse as a cultural touching point for people from various backgrounds and upbringings.
1. L.L. Bean
From: Freeport, Maine
Founded: 1912
There's nothing more characteristically New England than L.L. Bean. In 1911, Leon Leonwood Bean came back from a hunting trip with soggy, uncomfortable feet. In a moment of genius, Bean came up with the concept of slapping a rubber sole on a pair of leather boots, creating the Maine Hunting Shoe in the process. He sold 100 initial pairs of his soon-to-be-famed shoes, and 90 were returned due to faulty stitching. Bean made good on every returned pair by fully refunding each customer their $3.50. From that day on, L.L. Bean would stand behind each product, 100 percent. The boots would get better, and the brand would soon envelop into a full line of clothing, outdoors gear, homegoods, and everything in between.
