New England was once a hotbed of textile manufacturing and, in turn, clothing production. Here are some of the best of today’s Northeastern clothing brands.
New England is home to all sorts of recreational attractions. You could spend months exploring the museums, historic sites, and natural wonders of the Northeast.
As someone who visits this area frequently, I know firsthand that the seasonal shifts tend to be drastic. Choosing your clothing carefully matters!
Whether you’re hiking the Appalachian trail, enjoying the foliage, or exploring narrow cobblestone streets, a versatile wardrobe is essential for locals and visitors alike.
Below are some of the best local clothing brands that New England has to offer.
Tracksmith
Tracksmith is a running apparel brand based out of Boston, Massachusetts. They offer a wide variety of running gear, all labeled with a sleek, classic collegiate style. They provide functional, high-quality, and stylish clothing.
Running is a pretty simple sport, at least from the outside looking in. As a competitive distance runner, I look for any edge I can get. Quality clothing for training and racing certainly helps.
However, good clothing is rarely cheap, but the cost-per-wear benefits come with time. Tracksmith offers a durable selection that will last a while — at some point, spending $80 item once truly is the better option than buying a $20 item five times.
Tracksmith’s footwear options are understandably slim, given that running shoes are already such a competitive market. I personally didn’t love how their Elliot shoes performed. However, where they exceed expectations is their range of quality running clothes and accessories.
Although they offer high-quality clothing, their prices make them out of reach of some. Also, I personally enjoy their style, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Overall, Tracksmith is an excellent brand. I would recommend this brand to any active person looking to spruce up their athletic-wear locker with clothes that don’t make you look like a highlighter.
Eventually, doing laps around your neighborhood looking like Adam Sandler can get tiring, and that’s where high-end brands like Tracksmith step in.
A few months back, I reviewed a wide range of Tracksmith’s offerings. Check out my in-depth review here.
L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean is a renowned American brand based out of Freeport, Maine. They specialize in outdoor wear and gear but also provide everyday casualwear.
Out of all the New England brands I cover in this article, L.L. Bean might just be the most reliable for all you outdoorsy, adventurous souls.
This one-of-a-kind brand has unquestionable product quality. Not only that, craftsmanship is prioritized along with the design. The accessories they offer are seemingly endless.
This brand is for anyone who likes to go outside. L.L. Bean’s prices are mid-range, and their quality-to-price ratio is high due to their products’ longevity and durability.
Overall, their conservative style matched with high-quality products makes L.L. Bean a well-trusted brand by outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re looking for things to do outside in New England, make sure you have some L.L. Bean on you.
Be sure to check out their famous duck boots (which made it on our list of the best rain boots).
This is a brand that has many alternatives, but there’s something special about the real McCoy.
Timberland
Timberland is an outdoor footwear and clothing brand based out of Stratham, New Hampshire. This brand is unique in its commitment to sustainability and excellent quality. They are best known for their yellow-toned work boots.
The Timberland brand is both practical and stylish, owing to its unique outdoorsman style. The brand is tailored to those looking to find comfort and functionality in something practical, and also for those searching for an authentic statement.
I like that they don’t create ostentatious clothing, but nearly everything they make is stylish with a rugged twist.
Again, this style might not suit everyone, but I would highly recommend this brand due to its high-end materials and craftsmanship.
The price range is on the higher end, however. While their prices do speak to quality and reputation, plan on setting aside some dough for your Timberland duds. I still find the value-to-price proportion commendable.
Converse
Converse is an iconic American brand, best known for its
Converse follows the fashion trends more drastically than other brands and tailors their clothing options to young adults looking for style rather than practicality.
In my opinion, too much of their prestige as a clothing brand comes from their admittedly sizeable legacy. To me, they seem to be more fashion-focused and less utilitarian than other brands on the list.
Although Converse isn’t particularly versatile their offerings are comfortable, affordable, and customizable.
Orvis
Appreciate timeless styles, earthy tones, and subtle branding?
Orvis, founded in Manchester, Vermont, is a travel and outdoor brand that makes clothing, fishing rods, dog products, and lifestyle products. This brand is definitely one to check out if you enjoy rugged, outdoor travel. (It’s one to consider even if you just have a dog.)
Orvis’ unique selection of items offers high-end craftsmanship, made with environmentally conscious materials, that are built to last. This brand invests in comfort and adds practical features to enhance the wearing experience.
Orvis’ rugged aesthetic appeals to many outdoor enthusiasts.
While this brand might not be the cheapest option, this is durable stuff, made to travel rough. The performance of this brand makes it an excellent choice. And, if you don’t think Orvis is a great brand, your dog probably will.
Vineyard Vines
Vineyard Vines is a clothing retailer based in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. This high-end, nautical-inspired brand is definitely something to keep on the radar as you dress up your wardrobe.
From hoodies to dress shirts, Vineyard Vines has plenty of clothes and accessories you’d need.
I’ve always loved the Smiling Whale logo, and it matches how I look when I think about this brand. The pricing is lavish (notice a pattern?), but it speaks to their brand and the quality of what they produce.
The style Vineyard Vines invents is classic, often featuring bold and bright coloring and patterns. Truly, there is something to be said about brands that sell clothes made with honest attention to detail.
The materials this brand uses are made with easy-care properties that are soft and breathable. While primarily a fashion brand, their technical fabrics are designed to take a beating.
Ultimately, this brand’s aesthetic appeal is admirable. Their preppy style might not appeal to everyone, and the price point isn’t something to be ignored. Yet, it remains a very trusted brand with lots to offer to anyone looking for high-end casual clothing.
Darn Tough Socks
With everything New England has to offer, you’d benefit from a pair of Darn Tough socks. Darn Tough is a family-owned company based out of Northfield, Vermont, and is famous for the quality of its merino wool socks.
Comparatively, Merino wool is “moisture buffering”, a.k.a breathable. It’s also a renewable fabric that is extremely durable and much less likely to lose its shape than regular wool. Wool socks can be machine-washed without any problems but might require a little extra care.
Darn Tough Socks’ seamless construction prevents blisters while simultaneously being stylish.
Darn Tough’s value for money is definitely nothing short of praiseworthy being in the mid-to-high price range, and not only because of their lifetime guarantee. Yes, you read that right — socks with a lifetime guarantee!
These socks are suitable for practically anything that comes their way and are comfortable and functional at the same time.
Saucony
Saucony is an athletic clothing and footwear brand located in Waltham, Massachusetts. While primarily recognized for its footwear, don’t overlook the brand’s athletic clothing.
Saucony products focus on two things: comfort and style. With meticulous craftsmanship, they excel at incorporating both of these crucial attributes into everything they create. Their clothing is modern and fashionable, catering to both performance-oriented athletes and fashion-conscious consumers alike.
While this is a clothing article I would be remiss if I didn’t mention their ergonomic, state-of-the-art footwear made with cutting-edge technology, catered to different running styles. So if you have a moment, go check it out.
Anyways, with all this praise the cons have to be mentioned, of course. This is an expensive brand (shocking, I know…). The price-to-quality ratio is good, but the style provides limited options to casual buyers and the price point is competitive.
Ultimately, with all the brands that I’ve already discussed, don’t take Saucony off the menu. They are an excellent athletic brand with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and functionality.
Though I switch brands for running
Burton
If you’re headed to New England in the wintertime, strap up with Burton. This brand is known for its snowboards and winter accessories. It also provides a wide selection of winter clothes.
Burton is based out of Burlington, Vermont, and caters to high-end skiers and snowboarders.
Though I’m no skier, from what I understand, the quality, function, and comfort of what Burton has to offer are truly incredible.
The pricing is expensive, and that should tell you one thing — the Burton brand is very good at what it does.
Burton ensures durability, comfort, and performance with its high-end, waterproof clothing. Each innovative design is crafted with precision to enhance your winter experience.
I would recommend Burton to anyone looking to enjoy the rigors of winter weather with high-performance, durable, stylish gear.
Johnson Woolen Mills
Johnson Woolen Mills is a company in Johnson, Vermont that uses wool to create a wide variety of outdoor clothing items.
I’ve always wanted to look the part whenever I go on an adventure in nature, and with Johnson Woolen Mills, I might as well be called Paul Bunyan. This brand’s distinctive style offers a functional and timeless design with practical features such as reinforced stitching, lots of pockets, and heavy zippers.
These garments can withstand rough conditions because they’re made with high-quality wool and excellent craftsmanship. Their durable construction enhances performance as well as the price.
While Johnson Woolen Mills is more expensive than some mass-produced alternatives, the durability and performance justify the cost.
Overall, Johnson Woolen Mills is one of the “Best New England Clothing Brands”. It would be hard to go wrong purchasing clothes from them. I would recommend this brand to anyone who likes to stay warm while enjoying the outdoors!
Conclusion
The tone of this article might be noticeably positive; but after all, I am recommending the best brands New England has to offer. So prepare to embrace the New England lifestyle with confidence and flair as you explore these long-lasting and timeless brands.
There are quite a few to choose from, and it would be hard to go wrong with any of them.
These brands are known for their quality, durability, and style, so they are worthy investments for anyone living in or visiting this diverse region. Hopefully, this article has helped you find at least a couple that suit your sense of style.
In a nutshell, here’s what I can leave you with regarding these New English brands: buy and you won’t regret it, but start saving your pennies.
Leave your comments and questions down below!
