What’s Dry Cleaning?

In Pompeii around 79 somebody urinated, somebody else took the ammonia out, and dry cleaning was born.  Why?  Because they were wearing a lot of wool (seems like a heavy fabric to me when you are beneath a volcano) and wool shrinks in water.  Imagine you take a week or whatever to weave your Pompeiian …


Oy Vea

It’s Sunday afternoon, I am at the desk, and reading this person Vea.  Who wrote some really nasty stuff.  So I emailed them, to see if there was a way to find a middle ground for productive communication.  You will never guess what I got back.   I am leaving the comments up because, well …




The First Annual White OCBD Review Is Ready

  We are ready.  But we need input on the criteria.  We have the brands, most of the samples, etc.     Here’s the list so far. Collar roll Tucked v Untucked (I know but it is a reality we must accept, and that producers have started to cater to – the emails I get …




A Comment On Comments

  I don’t know this restaurant, it is called The Commentary (great name for a restaurant) but if you go to their web site here, it looks REALLY GOOD.  Been a New Yorker my whole life  but I do notice three things: I would venture to say that 75% of the New Yorkers I talk …



The Writing On The Wall

Historic Image Lovers – here’s your wheelhouse.  Duck Head is searching for “vintage “throwback” photos with folks sporting Duck Head or even just the Duck Head look (khakis, Oxford shirt, loafers, etc.) around the time of the late 70s through the 80s.”   If Duck Head uses your picture, YOU get to be an Ivy model …


New Brooks Oxford, 10 Washes Old – A Review Revisited

Editor’s Note: Jack Lee is a frequent contributor on the Facebook Group.   I recently wrote an article reviewing the new Brooks Brothers oxford shirts, giving them an overall good rating because I liked the colors and thought the price was a good value.     I’ve changed my mind. After a routine wash, I …


Ivy Notes S1 E4 – G. Bruce Boyer Corrects Me, A Brief History Of Abercrombie & Fitch, and The Great Alpacuna Debate

  Editor’s Note:  In the Facebook Group, we are treated to fantastic articles by the only purveyor we allow to advertise to the group, James Taylor of Waterhollow Tweed. He recently gave us permission to reprint two such pieces.   Let’s have a smidge of retail history–the “Abercrombie & Fitch” that exists today is NOT …


The Ivy Barberhop In Austin

Editor’s Note:   Always hated the perception that Ivy is exclusively a northeast thing .  This article was submitted by the proprietor of Brazos Barbershop in Austin.  Click here to see the site.  If you have a small business that you feel is Ivy, by all means, let me know and let’s get you out there. …


Heavy Duty Ivy and.. well…

Here’s the article.   It is from the Robb Report, by a Mr. Eric Twardzik, who can write.  It is worth the read.  My objections to the article have nothing at all to do with Mr. Twardzic’s take, rather they have to do with Mr. Snyder’s take.   In the first paragraph, Mr. Twardzik inadvertently points out …


Good Morning Part 3 of 3

I have never been able to pick my clothes out the day before.  I mean, scheduled occasions, sure. When I am called into service as Best Man.   I can tell you I am the best Best Man. How to be the Best Best Man? Like all of life, it comes in threes. First, and this …


Ivy Notes S1E3

I am struggling with this myself.  With Gramercy.  Last night a member of the FB group posted a picture of Mr. Andre here, who has, on his 12th birthday, started experimenting.  With Ivy clothes.  As I understand it there was a journey through sweatpants here.  But now we have arrived home.  I cannot say the …


Strength To Love

Editor’s Note:  The following are quotes from Strength To Love by Martin Luther King, Jr. “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” “One day we will …


Good Morning, Part 2 of 3

Editor’s Note:  Warning.  The following post contains material that could be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences.  Editor’s Note (2):  I am referring to talking about how I shower.  Just skip over that part if it creates theater of the mind. I have two concurrent issues. First, I am fastidious about my own cleanliness. You …