Here’s what to expect this week. Today, I admit I was wrong and send you shopping. Tomorrow, St Johns Bay Rum Co’s twist on their story and the best deodorant. Weds = Sarah. Thursday. Remember Bill’s Khakis? I met Bill. And his new khakis. And holy mother of —. Friday, I am reviewing new pair of shoes from Jay Butler and if you don’t buy them, just stop reading the site.
But first. I got down on the Sperry x Brooks collaboration. I saw the pictures, and I thought that for our crowd, the design had leaned too far towards nouveau prep.
A word in my defense. Ivy is probably older money, prep is new money. But prep has been around long enough now that the lines between them and us are starting to blur. In fact, prep has been around so long that there exists now nouveau-prep, a line (you know it when you see it) of aesthetic that Jackson-Pollocks (Dean I SO KNOW that isn’t right) color all over everything thinking that a tie die polo shirt is still a polo shirt. It ain’t. And I saw color in this collab and got a little crazy.
Until I wore one. This is the pair I have –
Let’s go down the checklist. First, quality. I have worn these things pretty much every other day (My Jay Butler’s needed a breath) for a month. They are aging REALLY WELL, and they are wearing even better. They were comfortable from the first slip on. They are Sperry – I should have know. Second, utility. I am a boat guy. So, I went to the boat and yep. EVERY bit as good as my 2,712 other pair of Sperry. Third, fabric. That’s Seersucker folks. Fourth, palate. This is where I thought we were really gonna go off the rails. But… WRONG. The colors are quiet and dignified, and friggin GO WITH EVERYTHING.
I’m not saying you have to buy the whole line, BUT. Ivy can get staid. If you are looking for a way to add, enhance, and expand while staying true to two brands we embrace, this line, which you can find here, is a very very safe bet. You know when you get that, “Honey I love your clothes but what about trying…” note from your partner?
THIS is the answer. Apologies to Sperry and Brooks, I was wrong, and I bet there is something in this collection for you.
I’m thinking they’d make terrific bedroom slippers. BB still make nice men’s pajamas?
It’s hard to admit when we’re wrong. Still, I’m not sure those shoes are for me.
However, I did pick up a pair of Jay Butler penny loafers during their recent sale and can confirm that I, too, was wrong: The thin soles aren’t a pain — in fact, they’re bizarrely comfortable. The low/short vamp and the almond toe shape look continental, not dainty. They are some great shoes!
Right??? They are moccasins disguised as loafers. So glad you went in for them.
Kinda wish some people read the site, remembered the hints and out right statements about what your life may be about right now, before commenting. For real –
Thanks man. I deleted them not because I can’t take the heat – it is just that life is hard enough without that noise. He is right, I haven’t been 100%. It is coming back around. And I am grateful for your positivity.
I actually undeleted this one because it is me and not someone who didn’t sign up for being criticized. BTW I tried to reach out directly and you will never guess what, the email provided was fake. Imagine.
I’m shocked! A mean-spirited troll with a fake email address?
My wife is a breast cancer survivor. My daughter is getting her port removed this Wednesday after a year of chemo and radiation beating bone cancer. You have been 100%, it’s just been focused on something more important than this site. I’m pulling for you and your family, we can do this!
Nice shoes…for women.
They are actually for both – and like Seinfeld says, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
Ivy and Prep were both old money, the latter a spin that a younger generation of Old Money generated during an era with more mass-marketing, and of course expanded the tent.
Hoping for good news on the Bill’s front. Our independent mens shop in Maine resorted to Duck Head due to the decline in Bill’s quality, though they would remove the little duck on the back of the shorts for free. Quality also hit and miss. Guessing Bill’s may be back in time for the season.
Jay Butler is producing shows now? Nice! 🙂
Dammit. Good catch. Am fixing it now.
Bills is still going strong, though the M1 can be difficult to find. John is, I believe, referring to PennBilt khakis. The most traditional of PennBilt’s three models is The Authentic, which fits somewhat like Bills M2.
Maybe – I assumed the re-brand of Bill’s, as it was purchased several years ago and is back to made in america. M1 available on their website. Interested to see PennBilt, hopefully Bill has gotten whatever Duck Head was/ is out of his system, and will make field pants again.
Andrew, very few people who run sites like this are independently wealthy, and many have families to support. Why complain when you’re getting Ivy Style’s excellent postings for free?
Hope you and your family are headed closer to 100%.
I appreciate this site and your effort.
I appreciate YOU and am grateful for your kind words.
Glad to hear everything is okay with your wife which I don’t recall hearing about. Don’t recall seeing anything here about it at least.
Sorry …. These are just wrong!!! BB should stick to what they do best and unfortunately isn’t much lately. The only things left at BB that are worth buying are Oxford boxers and silk ties. When they started selling “ hoodies” I gave up all hope..
Sperry makes two product!!! The the age old and “ prep tested “ topsider and blue canvas lace ups. As a rebellious teen, I would wear my topsiders with my tux. They are an all around footwear.
The picture of the shoe you write about speaks for itself.. another ridiculous collaboration by two companies that should stay on their own side of the street. There is ABSOLUTELY no place for that absurd piece of footwear in any self respecting “Old prep or new prep” closet. They should stop production immediately and give the remaining stock away to people wearing BB hoodies!!!!