FIELD TRIP – October 2012

By Veronique Mcaree | Photography Amanda Kowalski

Jared Paul Stern likes to drive. In fact, he blogs about cars and road trips for a men’s style website. It was on a fairly recent road trip that Stern discovered the stretch of land on the southern coast of Maine called Cape Porpoise.

Cape Porpoise is a small village in the town of Kennebunkport that’s home to restaurants like the Captain’s and the Wayfarer, along with the Wright Gallery, which features New England art, and a stellar view of Goat Island’s iconic lighthouse. There’s also a sandwich shop, a town library, and most recently, Stern’s new venture: Cape Porpoise Outfitters, an antiques-meets-menswear shop housed in a lovely turn-of-the-century livery stable.

Walking into Stern’s shop feels like stepping into a preppy man cave. Among the trappings: leather seating, an impressive vintage BMW sign, a collection of elegantly cool men’s accessories, including Rolex watches and cuff links, and stacks of books on dozens of subjects ranging from knot tying (his shop is on the coast of Maine, after all) to the histories of American clothiers like L.L.Bean and Lilly Pulitzer. There’s even a coffee-table book on how to decorate with books. It’s obvious, not only that Stern is a seasoned collector and natural design curator, but also that his eye for style is what’s attracting customers and media attention alike.

The Philadelphia native brings his love of Maine and a fascination for all things nautical to Cape Porpoise Outfitters. Among the seaside treasures waiting to be discovered: striking paintings, striped tote bags, wooden ship models, and nautical chart tables custom-made by a local craftsman. And customers won’t be able to overlook the plethora of military collectibles, including medals, patches, flags, and even a flare gun (the USS Ulysses stationery was among my favorites).

Vintage menswear is also part of the mix at Cape Porpoise Outfitters. Traditional navy blazers, silk scarves, ribbon belts, club ties, and—of course—the ubiquitous embroidered-whale pants. Plus, a selection of Helly Hansen outerwear and sneakers add wit and unexpectedness to Stern’s collections.

Store favorite? I have to say that Stern’s original designs won me over, including his silk ties with skull-and-crossbones embroidery, Cape Porpoise Outfitters logo T-shirts, and his custom-designed anchor-print fabric. Ahoy!

Field Notes:

Style Tenets?

“‘Style is a simple way of saying complicated things’—Jean Cocteau knew what he was talking about. It’s good to find a couple key items that define your signature style and then improvise from there. I might wear a frayed baseball cap with chunky tortoiseshell glasses, a bright linen scarf, and an Hermès watch. All of this also relates to the style found in my store.”

Recent road trip?

“To China Sea Marine Trading in Gray, an incredible place that’s like being in a movie by some brilliant, eccentric director. It’s marine salvage and nautical antiques in an amazing setting, complete with parrots, pirate’s swords, canons, huge brass ship’s lamps, anchors, muskets…you name it.”

You collect?

“I collect nautical and military antiques, art books, historical Maine items, watches, vintage luggage and motoring items, and almost

anything cool and old with a union jack on it.”

1. When not writing about cars and road trips, owner Jared Paul Stern curates quite a collection of motoring accessories and scaled-down versions of cool classics.

2. Owner Jared Paul Stern.

3. Cape Porpoise Outfitters offers a number of vintage signs advertising all manner of subjects, from military to nautical.

4. Stern’s mix of goods from various periods is stylishly arranged within this turn-of-the-century livery stable.

5. An old-school globe could take center stage on any occasional table or desk.

6. Nautical accessories, like this Coast Guard life ring, are tossed here and there at Cape Porpoise Outfitters.