The Lightship Baskets were originally strong, sturdy baskets which used to be made by those who spent endless hours patrolling the seas in the beacon lightships – floating lighthouses effectively. Cut off from land, and sailing in the water never going anywhere this was a fairly boring and tedious task – and so lightship baskets were woven to occupy the time. These have become traditional creations in Nantucket – so much so that there is a museum dedicated to their history and development. Today you can still buy authentic lightship baskets, although these have now taken all manner of forms, from the large, strong baskets of old, to smaller versions which function very well as handbags. Often these baskets are decorated, and are certainly distinctive.

The other traditional item is known as the Reds. Originally these were trousers cut short, and made in a very distinctive red material. This red material faded over time to a more rugged pink, and it was deemed that those who wore these Nantucket Reds were the well to do and seen as most likely to be wealthy. However, today the red material is used in a wide range of items, from sweatshirts to bags, and you’ll find more red fabric items in Nantucket than anywhere else! It is certainly colourful and appealing.