On the 60th anniversary of “Take Ivy”

This article is reprinted from the Yale Daily News. By Zachary Clifton, Staff Reporter On Sept. 30, 1965, a Tokyo magazine publisher released a book about the fashion at eight American college campuses. The book is “Take Ivy.” The photos were taken by photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida. The text was entirely Japanese, and the campuses he shot


The Inalienable Right to Wear Khaki

By Matthew Longcore “It is the inalienable right of every man, woman and child to wear khaki.” This is the memorable first line of The Official Preppy Handbook. It is certainly a true statement. Khaki pants are neither exclusive nor elusive. They are a wardrobe staple for all sorts of people from all walks of


Ivy Style Europe: Part 2

By Matthew Longcore If the Ivy League look is distinctly American, its British counterpart would be Savile Row. The former is characterized by traditional understated collegiate looks such as the soft shouldered sack jacket, the Oxford cloth button down shirt, chinos, and loafers. The latter represents bespoke tailored suiting, focused on structured garments such as


Ivy Style Interview: American Designer Steven Stolman

Matthew: Today Ivy Style is talking with American designer and author, Steven Stolman, a contributor to such labels as Lilly Pulitzer, Jack Rogers, and J. McLaughlin. Steven also served as president of the American textiles house, Scalamandré. Welcome, Steven. You have been described as the “Prince of Preppy” – a lofty title, indeed! What is


J. Pressing Onward

By Matthew Longcore Corduroy and Press – my goals for New York Fashion Week – turned unexpectedly into Covid and Paxlovid, causing me to miss the much anticipated J. Press Fall/Winter Runway Show on Thursday, September 11. The show took place at the Explorers Club on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. As an architectural historian, I


The 6:09 to New Canaan

By Dan Covell In 2016, my spouse and I moved to New Canaan in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and we lived there until 2022. During that time, I reconnected with some friends living in and around New York City, and some or all of the group would convene regularly for amiable “gentlemen’s lunches” in Manhattan. It



The Harriman Cup, A Stylish Event

The Harriman Cup is one of the most stylish events on the social calendar. This year J. Press is the Title Sponsor of the 41st Annual Harriman Cup — the oldest alumni polo match in the U.S., where Yale University takes on the University of Virginia in a timeless battle of sport and school spirit.


Brooks Brothers Blazers At Tennis Hall Of Fame

By Matthew Longcore Each summer Brooks Brothers has the honor of presenting custom designed blazers to the inductees at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. My wife and I were invited by our friends from Brooks Brothers to attend this event last year and we were delighted to attend again this



Ivy Style Reader Interview: Ryan Kirk

By Matthew Longcore In May of 2024, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful campus of St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island for a tour of the historic chapel designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram. The event took place over Alumni Weekend and was scheduled in celebration of 100 years of the chapel.


Ivy Style in Europe

By Matthew Longcore I am very much enjoying a three-week stay in Poland, the country where my wife grew up. We visit her family here every two years. So much of this place inspires me – the architecture, the food, the music, the history. I consider myself fortunate to have married a European woman who


Nelson W. Aldrich Jr. on Preppies

Mentioned recently in the post “Searching For The P In WASP,” this 1979 cover story on preppies is one of the most important historical documents on Ivy Style. It’s situated between the end of the heyday of the Ivy League Look and the preppy trend of the 1980s. It was first posted here in 2009


J. Press and The Harriman Cup

J. Press will be the official sponsor of The Harriman Cup — the annual polo match between Yale and the University of Virginia. This year’s match will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Bethpage Polo at the Park. For four decades, The Harriman Cup has commemorated the life of diplomat, polo player, former


On Horse-Bit Loafers

By James H. Grant Horse-bit loafers, also known as brass-bit or snaffle loafers, have been around for many years. Not being a horseman myself, I had no clue what a “snaffle” was, so I had to look it up. The original shoe was introduced by Gucci of Florence, Italy, in 1953. Consequently, the style is


This Week in Connecticut: Preppy Handbook turns 45

The Official Preppy Handbook was first published in 1980. It defined fashion at the time and still impacts style today. Dennis House, Chief Political Anchor and Host of “This Week In Connecticut” on WTNH News 8, an ABC affiliate, chatted with Matthew Longcore, the founder of the Preppy Handbook Fan Club and the publisher and


Bespoke Needlepoint From Fish Creek

By Matthew Longcore Last summer I had the opportunity to attend the Newport International Boat Show. For those unfamiliar, this is an annual event in the coastal city of Newport, Rhode Island. It is one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the United States. In addition to showcasing sailboats and motor yachts


The Andover Shop and Constantine Valhouli: Interview Part 2

Interview Part 2 with Constantine Valhouli, author of Miles, Chet, Ralph & Charlie: An oral history of The Andover Shop Back in February, Ivy Style editor Matthew Longcore had the opportunity to interview Constantine Valhouli, author of a book about The Andover Shop. Here is Part 1. We reconnected recently to continue our conversation. This


Sartorial Splendor at Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta was established on March 26, 1839. The international rowing event is held annually on the River Thames in the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The regatta lasts for six days, beginning on a Tuesday and ending on a Sunday in the first weekend of July. Henley regularly attracts some of the finest crews