Given that twilight is falling on trad — and has been since the fall of the heyday in ’67 — it’s always good to have as many options as possible, however much they may deviate from the archetype. This weekend our millennial fogey DCG informed me that he’d spied a swath of tweedy fabric amid …
And don’t fence me out, for that matter. Pictured above is Fence Club, one of Yale’s most exclusive, here in all its Old Boys’ Club glory/infamy in 1960. When the club closed in 1973, the Palm Beach Daily News wrote the following, highlighting one of the eternal truths when it comes to exclusivity. Still going …
The fall isssue of Lapham’s Quarterly features an excerpt from W. David Marx’s upcoming book “Ametora” on American style in Japan. Marx first wrote for Ivy Style in 2009 with the hugely popular article “The Miyuki-zoku: Japan’s First Ivy Rebels.” Pictured above is VAN JACKET founder Kensuke Ishizu, the man who brought Ivy to Japan. …
Yesterday on Twitter was #NationalOffendACollegeStudentDay. In its honor, we submit this photo.
This story was filed to the New York Observer for its website but was inexplicably “killed,” as they say in the newspaper business. My editor liked it, but apparently someone upstairs didn’t find it very compelling. There’s not much of a trad angle for you guys, save for the inclusion of G. Bruce Boyer and …
Today saw the US opening of the new James Bond film “Spectre.” If you think you don’t have anything in common sartorially with the Savile Row-dressed spy, think again. Bond is known for enjoying both knit and grenadine ties, just like you probably do. Chris Sharp muses further. * * * There is something quaint …
Yesterday an exhibit opened at the Northampton Unversity Gallery devoted to the Ivy League Look in the UK. Entitled “Craft To America, Style To Britain.” It was organized by Tim Walker and Tom Shaw (FNB Talk Ivy forum members) and is presented in partnership with the British Footwear Association. The exhibit features the usual English …
The other day I was browsing at Brooks and went to try on a brown herringbone vest. I needed to see how it would look when paired with a patterned tweed jacket, like one I have at home, so I went to the sportcoat rack and grabbed something at random. What it was I had …
You probably heard the news last night that actor and politician Fred Thompson has died. I went searching for photos, and while he wasn’t the tradliest of guys, I found this great one with buttondown and pipe. While most men cut their teeth on acting before turning to the role of politican, Thompson did the …
As I planned to spend this lazy Sunday strolling Fifth Avenue, I found myself feeling George Frazier-ish. That’s what I call it when I feel like wearing Ivy with a touch of elegant bon vivantism. I envisoned that well-known photo of Frazier with boutonniere, small-dot necktie, and arched fingers holding a cigarette. In case the name is unfamiliar, …
The Fogey’s Halloween Nightmare (With apologies to WS Gilbert) by Daniel C. Greenwood When you’re lying awake With a fogey’s headache And a glass of scotch whisky to comfort you, If you’re like me you’ll scream For it is Halloween, With scanty and horrid costumes in full view. My mind dwells on the fact That …
If you’ve been roped in to going to a Halloween party on Saturday and just can’t stand the thought of putting on a silly costume (especially if you don’t have an administrative body and telephone hotline to advise on whether your get-up may offend someone), then Ivy Style has got you covered with a costume …
In 2011 we showed you how to build a last-minute Halloween costume with items that might be right in your closet. The costume, called “Old Money WASP,” consisted of saddle shoes, crested blazer, ascot, pink sweater, striped watchband, and patchwork tartan trousers. This year we show you how to go to your Halloween party dressed …
Last week we ran a post with material from a 1936 issue of Esquire, when the Bass Weejun was in its first year of existence. Subsequent Esquire articles — which are now available from the new online Esquire archives for just $4.99 per month — touted the shoe as ideal for resorts, beaches, and other …
Tonight is the first game of the 2015 World Series, so I jumped into my Internet-enabled time machine to see what I could find. The shot above is considered one of the best World Series photos of all time, and centers on University of Pittsburgh students watching the Pirates take on the Yankees from the …
Recently dispatched to my inbox is a 2011 article called “Forever Prep” that ran in the magazine Virginia Living. Pegged on the release of Lisa Birnbach’s “True Prep,” it’s a lengthy piece that examines the Virginian branch of the WASPy, preppy tree. Author Caroline Kettlewell opines on how it was, how it is, and even throws …
It’s already time to dip into the Esquire archives again. This one was spotted by Marc Chevalier, walking menswear encyclopedia and member of Ivy Style’s Facebook group. The ad above dates to August 1936, less than one year after Esquire had helped introduce the Bass Weejun to the nation. Two months later, there was this …
I can’t remember exactly what J. Press’ Shaggy Dog sweaters cost when this site was founded in 2008, but it was a lot less than the $245 they’re charging today: Even pricier, Ralph Lauren has some brushed lambswool and cashmere crewnecks this season at $265. At least there’s a bubble-gum pink option: At those prices, …
Brooks Brothers’ media relations department has confirmed a rumor posted by a commenter here that the company plans to discontinue the Own Make collection. A spokesperson issued the following statement to Ivy Style: Own Make was a small range and an even smaller part of the business sold in a handful of retail stores. We …