JFK’s Favorite Pants - The Fascinating History & Style of Nantucket Reds! 

In all of those black and white pictures of JFK on the boat or on the beach, I thought he was wearing khakis (I love khakis). Just yesterday, I watched a video on JFK's style, and it featured color film of him golfing, and wearing pink pants (and a navy Polo). I was stunned. So today, I wore my Nantuckets (and a navy Polo) to the doctor's office. I come home, dial up the RU-vids, and there you were. Is somebody is trying to tell me something?

The Internet needed this video. Well done.

Being from London, England, I will match the Nantucket with a Green Plaid Tweed Sportscoat and a pair of Burgundy Cordovan Loafers.

You’re just as engaging discussing slacks as pens 😃

My brother-in-law lives in Rhode Island and from time to time I would see him wearing pink pants. Now I know they are not pink, but Nantucket Reds. Thank you for a very interesting episode.

I'm here for all the JFK mentions. Quick and to the point. Good video HJ

All of my life I have called this favorite color of mine “washed red“. I visited Hyannis and ran out of time and missed the ferry to Nantucket-had I known about this shop I would have stayed over just to go. My favorite of your “other topic“ videos!

Hi HJ, a bit of historical relevance: the blue coat and the red trousers (les pantaloons rouge) was the pre-WWI uniform of the French infantry. You're entirely correct, it's a great combination.

Great video! Thank you.

How about a Noodler's Nantucket Red ink? Nathan are you watching?

I very much enjoyed learning, All of this was new information, and I appreciate you showing maps and footage of President Kennedy.

Wonderful video of Nantucket fashion. When visiting, see the Antheneum, Herman Meliville gave dissertations there!

Most excellent! 👌 I've seen men of various ages easily pull this look off here in southwest France, and it's quite dashing even on this side of the Atlantic.

Thanks for this video! I have a pair, which I bought second hand in Germany. Now I know it's even some sort of classic. Very nice in summer. I like to combine them with a beige linen sportscoat, loafers and a straw Trilby or Fedora.

Fascinating. In my teens I used to sail on traditional Dutch fishing vessels called "Botters". One of the popular garments for this were Breton smocks in exactly this color (by Saint James). Especially after a few washings. It was probably made from the same canvas material.

Never been to the island or cared much for these pants, but it’s good for men to also feel free with wearing colors and go for something different. JFK and Jackie certainly had style (even though b4 my time). Cheers.

I'm loving your videos. Entertaining, educating, relaxing and cool. Perfect for lazy afternoon watching. Today I learnt about Nuntucket Reds and now desperately need a pair 🙂

Love the history of fashion!

Ok, so I am a week late responding to this video because I have been busy watching it this week. -4 or 5 times I believe, including once with my wife. What an excellent and beautifully done video right up there with my other two favs of yours: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Ferris Wheel Press Frontenac Blue ink review. Enjoyed the history of the pants, I’m sure I must have been aware of them a some point, spending most of the 1960s in undergrad and grad school. I think I finally need a pair, I do have a blue blazer not in much use now. Reds and Blue Blazer an ideal combo for this octogenarian couch potato! I think I will call my brother and ask him to pick me up a pair the next time he is on the island. He used to live on Nantucket some years ago and his cell phone is still a Nantucket number. He is a Steinway technician and also restores and maintains old clocks. He lives about 80 miles up river from where you grew up and from there ranges New England several times a month tuning pianos and maintaining mechanical clocks. Thanks for another great video HJ. As always, looking forward to Tuesday night.

I loved this video so much! New England and the Maritimes is a bucket list family vacation. I’ve been, but it was in 1987 when I was a young teen. I love the preppy aesthetic and have since the early 1980s (late grade school). I still do even if I’m a public school Midwesterner living in the Southwest. I play tennis, love fountain pens, and wearing pink and green.

Sprezzatura 'light'... Love it !

Opps I also meant to mention in my comment that I enjoyed the brief glances of your family and especially some of your B roll of the Mt. Washington Hotel. Hope to see more of both, whenever in the future.

Love it! I remember JFK wearing these pants.

“Sartorial Splendor!” Nicely done. My life as a musician relegated me to myriad formal attire (tails, tuxedos, white dinner jackets, black suits, black shirts and trousers) and mostly jeans. Sort of a binary fashion (non)sense. I enjoy seeing and hearing your taste and value in men’s wear. A new dimension for me. More new things to see and look for. Thanks. And arrived at through fountain pens, inks, and the miracle of writing! Great channel.

Love this. I had also heard them called Boston Reds, so this was very educational!

What an enjoyable video! I really had no idea of the history of these. Thank you!

Well that was a treat! You look very dashing in your Nantucket Reds. I would like to visit the island and the shop!

I always feel a bit garish wearing my red, fuchsia, or pink Talbots pants. But I love them nonetheless. Nothing like a soft canvas in a spring color!

I enjoy the vast majority of your videos.. the pen/author series in particular, and now onto clothing!!! - oh my, wonderful research and personal opinion! I currently I live in the southwest after relocating from the midwest… will see if my wife fancies a trip to Nantucket! Thanks so much for your work/contributions for your channel!! To me, so enjoyable!!!

Great video. I have the shorts but after watching the video I bought a pair of reds from Brooks Bros. I am a NE preppie. To really finish off the outfit add a pair of white bucks! 👍

Hadn't know anything about them. Very interesting. Yeah, I didn't think they looked red. I think I might like an ink in that color. Thanks.

Great video. I nevet heard of Nantucket Reds, and I lived in Madsachusetts for about a year. They are very nice pants!

Interesting history and they look good on you! I'm not not sure I would look good in these but maybe corduroy Nantucket Reds are in my future, if there is such a thing. Thank you HJ, this was well done and very entertaining!

I loved watching this! Definitely more on the curiosities...but please do keep up the fountain pen vids, too!

Hello HJ! Thanks for the interesting history of the Nantucket red pants! I had not remembered the JFK connection, even though I know I have seen that golf footage before. JFK was the king of cool when he was President. Don't think I, myself could pull them off as I am quite stout. Perhaps the short version might work for me, as it is tropical in color and it is very warm here most of the time. I agree they make a wonderful match with navy blue!

Thanks for another interesting video! I’ve had a pair of these for a long time (my girlfriend bought them for me) but I didn’t know they were a “thing”. Nantucket is one of many on my list of places to visit, but I didn’t know the story behind the pants. Now I will have to visit Murray’s Toggery when I visit! Thanks for the human interest stories.

Love Nantucket red! I never knew it was called that and knew nothing about the history - I just have always been drawn to that faded pink red vibe - now I know I have good taste 😁 Hmmmm… think I need to hunt for a fountain pen ink that would remind me of that color

I always see these pants on clearance at Marshall’s in California. I didn’t know they were associated with Nantucket.

Another great video, interested about Nantucket, this old done some homes there,frank in Oswego,ill

Yours fit perfectly! You reminded me I’ve been to that store. Completely forgot! It was 1979 😅

This was a really interesting departure from your usual fountain pen content (though I liked that you matched a pen to the pants). I had no idea that Nantucket Reds were even a thing, so this was a lot of fun to learn about. If and when I find myself back in Massachusetts , I’ll have to make a trip to Murray’s!

Thank you. Very cool to learn about other things than pens and paper. I think these pants really fit to your style. 👍

That was fun!

Interesting history. Nantucket would be a great place to see!

That's really interesting sartorial history. I do enjoy my red moleskin trousers in the cooler months, to the dismay of some of my co-workers.

Another great video. Well Done! This was so interesting and it wasn't a topic that I even gave a thought to but truly fascinating.

Thanks, HJ. I enjoy all of your videos. Videos like these are a nice change of pace! Yeah, Nantucket Red looks pink to me. I barely made it out of the ocean one time, so I'm not going to push my luck and try it again. No boats for me! I was only three years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, and I can still see my mother crying in front of the TV. It was a very sad day.

Nice one 👍

Another special video, HJ. The depth of research, the commanding presence of your presentation style, and practical advise is unique and valuable. Well done, kind sir.

Fun video. Thanks

Well HJ, I expect to see you very soon on the cover of GQ !!

Thank you, HJ - great video! Love the fountain pen content, but this detour is excellent. Keep it coming. Would love to see something on shoes and boots, especially brogues. Also pen knives - you mentioned in several videos that you have a small collection of knives.

I love them. Red as a pigment is not stable in hair, fabric, dyeing beads. Maybe that's how the color pink came into existence... just my guess

Thanks for the potted history of Nantucket, now it's more than just a place name to this European. Hearing the Suk again lifted my mood and has me smiling, ty 😊

Absolutely loved this video. JFK footage (and information) was [insert chef’s kiss emoji]. Well done!

Surprisingly this was not an ink color video. I think these trousers might work in autumn in Nashville TN.

I loved this video! And I’ve been wanting to go to Nantucket-what is that beautiful building you were strolling the porch of?

Fascinating! I'd never heard of Nantucket Reds before. My autistic teen son loves red and has several pants this color. Thanks for sharing!!!

Navy blue crew necked cotton sweater is the perfect pairing. Sperry boat shoes and Clambakes on the beach in May.

I’ve seen them but never knew what they were called or the history. Like I’ve mentioned on one of your videos somewhere, after my post divorce move from Florida to Hawaii, I completely reinvented myself from a guy with dreadlocks and piercings who played in metal bands and was also a professional tattooer and DJ to a strait yuppie type character cruising around Oahu in Waikiki. I assure you, it was most certainly cosplay but I did not do it ironically. I did it well, hitting all the marks, Porsche targa, Persols,, Rolex.. all Gucci and Bally accessories.. I was truest playing a roll, experimenting, trying out a life I was definitely not born into. It was fun to reinvent myself. I also experimented with all the fashion of that class and style. I went from all black baggy everything, Vans and a chain wallet to white linen pants and polo style shirts by all the usual suspects. THESE red pants would have been HIGH on my list at that time, had they been there for sale. I love them. They’re not really pink but in my past life, I loved wearing pink. I’d tell people that pink was masculine because it is the most gangster color to wear. Anyway, thanks for the video. I may order some of these. I’d like to see more of this type of content.

I bought a pair of Dockers the exact color a couple of years ago because I have always liked pinks and corals. I had never heard of Nantucket Reds until I saw you wearing them in a video a few months, and you mentioned them. I have been telling my wife we should spend a couple of days on Nantucket; now I may have to redouble my efforts and visit Murray's!

I like the pants and no this is the first time I heard of Nantucket pants. Great history and a wonderful video. Thanks

Fantastic! Your editing truly keeps getting better with each video you make - you definitely ought to be proud of these latest ones. You wear those Reds well! The combination of the light red and navy blue works so well together.

Wow another great video,thank you.

So, you are a man with video fire. First, Pens in Films; second, Hemingway’s Pens; now, the sartorial splendor of the Red Pants. I am watching all of them more than once. Outstanding. Btw, the pink pen you used among the pink tulips was a great touch.

Enjoyed the video! Really like the color and material of these pants;the story behind them is interesting. They look great. I would want to buy the unfaded Nantucket Reds and let them patina from washing. Throwback fashions I find interesting are Alpaca cardigans,pin-stripe trousers,Madras shirts, wing-tips,Corduroy!,and obnoxious colognes.

Excellent and informative video. Great scenery!

Great video. I loved the history of the Nantucket Reds.

Nice presentation. Some portions of the video look like they were taken in what is now called the Omni in New Hampshire, Mount Washington. We were there several times when our kids were younger. I would recommend Mohonk Mountain House if you are ever near or passing through New York, and/or Sagamore on Lake George.

I love my 'Reds' in slacks and shorts. I pair the slacks with a pair of Gucci loafers and a polo to round out the look. I identify as a Nantucket Kennedy.😁

Some would say this color is more of a pink than a red but I guess people have very strong opinions about the labeling of colors. My mother would definitely call it “crushed strawberry.” She’s always forcing me to wear crushed strawberry dungarees even though my friend Tofu teases me for it. She also painted my bedroom walls this color. I’m not sure why she’s so obsessed with this color but I suspect it has something to do with Melanie Klein.

Well done my friend. Nantucket is well worth the trip. Entertaining information regarding the trousers. Material a bit heavy for Florida but is perfect for New England. I was surprised and happy about your interests in clothing. Yet, my bad - you are a most interesting man. Good show!

Hello HJ. What a wonderful video. It brings me back to my youth when I had my first and only pair of Nantucket Reds. These were robust and wore well. It nice to show New England fair in your videos. It is such a lovely and historical place to be. Went there last fall and am driving there once again this fall. Brilliant video. Nice to mix them up. Keep them coming my friend.

I have a pair in cotton linen. Love them! Lisa

Oh, my... I have been wearing the Reds for decades without knowing their origin. I just love the colour - fits with my darker complexion...

Thank you for this very nice video. I know the colour but I didn't know it was called Nantucket Red. So I have a good day today because I learned something new. Thank you for that. Greetings from the Netherlands.

A very enjoyable diversion from, and complement to, the beloved fountain pen videos HJ. Being Australian, I have never heard of this particular product. Thank you for the trouble you go to with these videos.

Ahora que he visto tu vídeo, creo que el color de un pantalón que tengo de la marca GANT es un color muy , muy parecido. Saludos

Ive always wanted to sew myself up a pair of jeans. Wonder if I can find the right weight of canvas in this WONDERFUL COLOUR. AHOY MATE!

Given your accent and your wife's Britishness, I'm somewhat surprised -- and amused -- to hear you call them 'pants' ;P

What fountain Pens and journals go with that outfit?

Hi, I believe next you should try the Michael Portillo look, yellow jacket and red trousers, or how about the Nantucket trousers with a bright green jacket, haha. I love a bit of fun fashion. ps, we need to have Mrs Hemingway Jones on the channel talking about her fashion :) Chelsea

Cool. So I actually don't care much about fashion. I give very little dam about how I look, ...so I assume I could actually wear these pants 😃 (I shopped shorts the other day, they actually had red ones and if I had watched this video beforehand, I'd probably have bought...). Anyway, no criticism, on the contrary, values in life like style and fashion are some of the things that makes life more enjoyable, and are thus essential - It's just that I, personally, don't care much... Anyway, I did some background research. The sails were colored by an impregnation containing tar and iron oxide. While sail impregnation could be other things, it seems this was most effective against deterioration and rot. Tar protecting the sail and iron oxide protecting both the sail and the tar. The red color would actually not fade due to sun. The dark tar staining would otoh, and I suppose the entire thing would eventually be worn and washed out with worn sails? Modern clothes are of course colored with normal organic textile dyes, not tar and iron oxide. To me, the supposed original recipe makes a lot of sense, since I immediately thought of a pink mixed from Venetian Red (which is an Iron oxide pigment).

Diamine Celebration would be a perfect pairing for these pants.

Can women wear this color as well?

"Nantucket is an island ..." where billionaires live.