West Chop.

I was 14, visiting my cousins on Martha's Vineyard.

They had and still have a 22-room house with sweeping ocean views that they called a “cottage” on West Chop. ("Chop" is an old word for jaws. East Chop and West Chop are two jutting landforms that create a natural harbor.)

I remember my uncle confidently leading a bunch of us on a trek to the lighthouse, matter-of-factly naming every plant and tree, genus and species.

He was the perfect model of the unpretentious man.

The cotton herringbone shirt he lived in had that same quality.

In the evenings we'd gather around the kitchen table, where my uncle just as matter-of-factly taught us boating knots.

The sleeves of this shirt rolled up, his hands deftly weaving sheep bends, reef knots, and rolling hitches.

Talking to us about art, literature, politics, economics, morals, and reminding us of the "ancient laws" – like the one that says, if you need a gas station it's always very far away.

Yarn-dyed Herringbone Work Shirt (No. 2586). The American work shirt, rugged and comfortable as an old shoe. 100% cotton, two flapped chest pockets with buttons, adjustable button cuff, eight-button front closure. Great company for playing Chinese checkers, solving a jigsaw puzzle, or simply lying in the hammock on the porch listening to the rain.

Men's sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Imported.

Colors: Blue Herringbone or Khaki Herringbone.