I suppose after nearly three years now of a golf obsession that’s caused me to neglect career and relationships (though apparently I’m not the first the sport has had this effect on), it was inevitable that I start a golf project.

And so I’m pleased to announce the debut of Golf Style, which is accessed via the new web domain .guru. I’ve always thought the best way of launching a site is with “guru” in mind.

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My latest piece for Ralph Lauren Magazine is on the shawl-collared cardigan, which was the favored warm-up gear for baseball players from about 1900-1930. Origins of exactly how and why the shawl cardigan became associated with baseball are murky, and very few of the sweaters survive outside of photographs. I was able to talk to several baseball historians, including MLB’s official, in an effort to shed some light on the handsome sweaters, which were eventually supplanted by woolen varsity-type jackets. (Continue)

Kudos to longtime Ivy Style supporter R. Hanauer for the wonderful cover on its new spring catalog, which arrived in my mailbox today (as it should have in yours).

Hanauer paid tribute to the great tradition of apparel illustration that companies such as Brooks Brothers and LL Bean championed for so many years. A quick call to company scion Randall Jr. revealed that they indeed commissioned the illustration, and the artist’s name is David Merck.

Head over here to see the brand’s latest bow ties. — CC

In case you hadn’t heard, tomorrow is Tartan Day. To celebrate, we’re sharing a LIFE Magazine article from 1950 (scroll down to page 123) that showcased Yale students in plaid vests and Andover preps in plaid caps.

The article opens with this:

When the British caught wind of the fact that American men were developing a fancy for bright tartan dinner jackets, they were unhappy. In London, tailor and Cutter, the haberdasher’s bible called them “deplorable,” then was forced to backtrack when King George ordered a couple himself.

In this passage, Chipp (whose team is pictured above) and its role in pushing the whole concept of go-to-hell is further cemented:

Tartans have been worn for some time by a few individualists, mainly in the east and mainly customers of a New York tailor called Chipp.

Main Street, or at least urban department stores, soon took notice:

This winter the Florida resort season established them as a real fashion. Now the big department stores are about to break out with plaid dinner jackets for what is expected to be a wide market.

Below are some outtakes from the photo shoot from the LIFE archives. Have a great Tartan Day. I’ll be celebrating with Blackwatch boxers. — CC (Continue)

Today Brooks Brothers sent out an email blast with one of the coolest outfits I’ve seen from them in a while. Check out the guy on the far right.

Now the dark trousers will be too tight for many of you (they almost look like five-pockets), and the jacket won’t satisfy purists, but the outfit’s formula has a real heyday feel for me. White bucks, dark trousers (try gabardine), a light-colored sportcoat, blue buttondown and madras tie. It’s kind of the spring equivalent of this guy. — CC

We bring our double-breast-fest to a close with the all-important reader vote. Have your thoughts on them changed? And since they play such a tangential role in the trad wardrobe, how many of you even own one? Vote below.

Pictured above, incidentally, is the 1941 Yale swim team. Note DB with buttondown on the left, as well as odd jackets with striped trousers on the other fellas. — CC