Murray’s Toggery Shop

Finally got hooked up with some Nantucket Reds from Murray’s. The staff was friendly and helpful!

Awesome place. Very preppy, old school and tons of different preppy brands. Every style, color, kind of Nantucket Red Apparel and Accessory you can imagine! Love it.

When I walked in to Murrays yesterday, several things caught my attention. One, the interesting diversity of clothing. Two, the slightly standoffish feel of the folks working the front if the store and Three the absolutely WONDERFUL customer service I received from the lady working the shoe department and Eve, the lady with the measuring tape.
Eve did an amazing job of asking me what I was looking for and taking me to it. I was looking for skull and crossbones stuff and she cheerily helped me. Unfortunately the collared shirt in the front was only offered in yellow. I require a way more ominous color in my skull and crossbones wear!
I had a great experience at Murrays. Eve and the lady in the shoe department made it so.

I was shocked by the poor customer service of this store. This is going to sound snobby but dear sales professionals, you are WORKING in a store in Nantucket, not shopping in it so please recognize that your very livelihood depends on people like me coming in and having a pleasant shopping experience. I don’t ask for much, a pleasant smile, answering questions without condescension.
I wandered about this store and none of the sales people even looked up to acknowledge me. I went to the shoe department, tried on a few pairs of shoes and bought nothing. The sales staff acted like they were doing me a favor by getting the shoes in my size. When I asked a question about fit, I was treated like a nuisance.
My hubby was in the Vineyard Vines section and no one asked him if he needed help or offered any assistance. We left this store and went to Vineyard Vines by the ships (yes, I know it is owned by Murray’s) and made our purchases there.
For the record the hubby and I were very well dressed. We didn’t look like vagrants who were going to waste the staff’s time.
Needless to say, we won’t be coming back.

Yes yes, I know, the bastion of all things preppy. .. well perhaps, but their reliance on a single trick (the Nantucket Red fabric) has rendered Murray’s almost in the category of tourist/​kitsch. While the original Nantucket Red trousers are classics, not only have they been copied and improved upon by dozens of other companies, but the last pair I ordered was cheaply made (China or some such), the pockets were mistakenly sewn shut and attached to the pant, and had a bizarre fit pattern (too small waist, enormous seat and rise). When I complained to Murray’s, they did nothing. .. no surprise.

We really like stopping in Murray’s when we’re on Nantucket.
First of all, who can resist a clothing store that refers itself as a «toggery»?
It reminds me of a UK friend who occasionally (and without kidding around) refers to her clothing as her «togs».
Stepping into Murray’s is kind of like returning to a more genteel era when there were loads of these kind of small, local department stores in which the shopping experience is completely manageable and has plenty of helpful sales assistance.
Murray’s deal is that it specializes in classic clothing of the East Coast preppy variety.
It is also from whence the widely (and wildly) copied Nantucket Reds come from.
«Nantucket Reds» refers to the very specific color that a canvas-​like cotton fabric is dyed. It is most common to see the fabric turned into pants or shorts, which have become, for better or worse, the «de rigueur» clothing item to wear here on the island.
Of course now you can find everything dyed this color including shirts, blazers and hats.
The fabric is «100% cotton and guaranteed to fade.» And as they fade and become more worn they look even better. And please, be able to distinguish between pink and Nantucket Red! ;-)
I know, I know, it can all get to be ridiculous and it’s true that some people just try way, way too hard sporting this look but I’ll admit I do love the Nantucket red color.
We did see a number of over the top Nantucket Red preppy types and took to calling them T.T.H. (Trying too hard).
You must have a sense of humor about all this if in fact you are actually going to wear them.
There are lots of of other classic clothing options to be found here for men, women and children. Don’t bother stopping if you’re looking to buy a piece of clothing which is an «up to the minute» off the runway hot fashion trend.
This is the stuff that will stay in style (preppy style anyway) for the next 100 years.
Think khaki, madras, blue blazers, button down shirts and striped boating sweaters.
Things have always been pricey here but the quality has always been good. I am sad to report that the Nantucket Reds are now imported from China and no longer made in the US.
I am therefore not sure about the quality anymore. They lose a star from me on that account.
On this visit, the only thing I bought was a baseball hat. We shall see how that holds up.
But it’s still worth a stop in if you’re strolling down pretty cobblestoned Main Street.

What a summer clearance sale! My teen bought some very chic Calvin Klein jeans for a super price. I bought a pretty long black and grey skirt and a short fun Nantucket Red skirt. Mom bought Nantucket Red T shirts for Xmas. Love the clerks, the attendants, the designer clothing and the summer sale!

This is a «must shop» store that exhibits the true styles of Nantucket. Think Nantucket Red! Service is excellent and the styles are classic and preppy.

Fun, authentic Nantucket shop! Carries Vera Bradley, Vineyard Vines, etc. Has a huge selection of Nantucket red clothing, hats, aprons, etc.

Renowned shop for TRUE home of Nantucket Reds and a wide assortment of ultra-​prep garb.

Your headquarters for Nantucket reds! (And all things East-​coast preppy.)
Also — they Murray’s has just opened a warehouse store stocked with seconds and last year’s fashions at 7 New Street (a 10 — 15 minute walk away. Closed Sundays).

I’ll just put out there that Murray’s is not my type of store at all. It is preppy beyond belief and definitely geared toward an older [money?] crowd. The clothing and accessories are definitely all very expensive, too.
However, the staff is very friendly, and they are everywhere. Plus, I do kind of like the old-​school department store feel of the store. It kind of feels like a time machine!

The best way to describe Murray’s is upscale yet local.
I bought my very own pair of «Nantucket Reds» and a Nantucket hoodie by Tidal Rock. (
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People were friendly, prices were lower then what I expected. Definitely worth a visit.