What Is Nantucket Red?
Gray belongs to the island of Nantucket, but Nantucket red, which fades to pink with time, is the color that represents your love for the island.
By Marli Guzzetta|Nov 02 2021|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanGray belongs to the island of Nantucket — to its Quaker-shingle houses and its fog. But Nantucket red, which fades to pink with time, is the color that represents your love for the island.
What is Nantucket Red?
In short: it’s red that had faded to a salmon-ish pink.
Philip C. Murray introduced the hue via brick-red sailcloth pants in the 1950s, when he took over The Toggery Shop (now Murray’s Toggery Shop), at the top of Nantucket’s cobblestone Main Street, from his father.
Influenced by New York Yacht Club uniforms, “Nantucket Reds” began as insider shorthand for the well-heeled, but casual, Nantucket summer life. As is its nature, the color lost its pristine luster with washing, and clothiers now make shirts, caps, sweatshirts, and any wearable thing in the worn-red hue. Much to the chagrin of stores like J.Crew, which tried to market its own line of similar clothing a few years ago, Murray’s Toggery is legally the only company that can sell official “Nantucket Reds” — which it does now in everything from skirts to shirts to pants.
Today, you’re just as likely to see a titan of industry wearing a pair of proper Nantucket Red pants in Palm Beach as you are to see a Boston-area college student sporting a faded Nantucket Red cap on campus as a souvenir of those perfect summer days on The Faraway Island.
Do you own any “Nantucket red”?
Here’s what some of our Yankee Facebook fans had to say when we asked them:
Matthew H.
No self-respecting Preppy would be without a pair of Nantucket Reds. They are acceptable in practically any gathering short of a funeral. I have worn them for 40 years. Love how they fade to like a sunset as the years go by.. burnished red to a pale pink before they become too threadbare and become relegated to boat painting days or gutter cleaning duty.
Katherine S.
Yes! I love it! Pants, skirt, Bermuda shorts. Mine are not by Murray’s, so I guess it’s Nantucket fred (faux + red = fred).
This ode to Nantucket Red originally appeared in Yankee Magazine in 2008 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
Winter Weekend on Nantucket
Why You Should Visit Nantucket in the Spring
Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses
OMG…brings back so many great memories of our three visits to Nantucket on our 54 foot motor yacht. I can almost close my eyes and be back having lunch in the Den of Thieves..!! Going to wear my Nantucket red shorts today and (day)dream of Nantucket..!!
Susan
Just put Nantucket on my must-visit list.
Very nice…awesome staff @ Murray’s!
Nantucket red is a perfect blend between “preppy” and “look at me”. It allows for some personal expression without stepping into the obnoxious category.
Understated and preppy. The perfect combination with a hint of Brahmin old world charm.
Red Auerbach, red front doors, red snapper hot dogs, Red’s Eats, The Red Lion Inn, bright red Ah-So sauce, Nantucket red clothes. Things that scream New England louder than “red tide” clams coming back up the down gullet.
Legend has it Nantucket red derived from the workers at the cranberry bogs clothing. But to me see it says, hey take a break – you’ve earned it. What better way to sit back sporting your Nantucket Red shorts, hat or whatever, and taking time to reflect on what matters god, family and friends!
Yuchhhh…no self respecting anyone not having stepped off the Mayflower would ever think of wearing such a colour. It is preppy redux and subject to the Fashion Police.
It’s the Golden Eggs my goose Obadiah gives the Murray’s every Christmas Stroll that keeps the “reds” that outstanding color. Barbara Vrooman
It’s the Golden Eggs my goose Obadiah gives the Murray’s every Christmas Stroll that keeps the “reds” that outstanding, coveted color. Barbara Vrooman
I have spent many glorious weeks on Nantucket since the 1960’s and my dad owned several pairs of “official” Murray’s Nantucket reds. I was attempting to educate some visitors to Maine last summer about Nantucket reds, they were delighted to learn about this tradition! I even shared that in my family we sometimes refer to the color as tomato -soup- red, made with milk of course.
My next visit to Nantucket will include a shopping trip to Murray’s
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Have a pair of pants from the middle 1980’s I’m trying to keep from disintegrating and a hat which sports a few layers of paint and a few pounds of salty brine from Nantucket Sound. Speaking of clothing, let’s not forget the striped bass logo on shirts from Barry Thurston’s.