Whenever I make my annual pilgrimage to the Bluegrass state I play “My Old Kentucky Home” as I cross the bridge over the Ohio River from Indiana. The racialized original version, not the sanitized one played for the world to hear at Derby (locals never refer to it as “The Derby,” or even “The Kentucky …
This photo of a young Mike Nichols is a fine illustration of bold simplicity. Although it’s the height of GTH season, and you’re likely reading this while wearing patch madras, do take note of the discreet combination of striped buttondown, solid tie (presumably in black or navy), and tank-style watch. Three classic, simple pieces that add …
Update 8/18: Orders have been sent out from the third production run of the Ivy Style Club Tie. There are about 20 leftovers, so grab yours fast (click the Buy It Now button at the bottom of this post). Other products are being developed, so there are no plans to do another club tie run. …
My time at J.Press in New York began in 1960 at the sliver of a store that occupied the second floor on the northeast corner of Madison Avenue and 44th Street. It was indeed a tight squeeze at J.Squeeze. The unforgiving 1,200-foot space stuffed 2,500 garments on double hangers in mobile Garcy racks. Customers were …
Last week saw the passing of Julius Hertling at the age of 92. His eponymous menswear manufacturing firm made clothing for J. Press for decades. Richard Press invited me to join him at the memorial service for his longtime friend and colleague, where he had this to say about the man he affectionately called “Julie”: …
Today we lost legendary comedian Jerry Lewis at the age of 91. But the world still swings, thanks to the filmography he left behind, including this swanky number from 1963’s “The Nutty Professor.” — CC
Keeping the Virginia theme going, a sharp-eyed reader sent a link to this photo of House Of Delegates Clerk G. Paul Nardo, who gave the press a tour of the new Pocahontas Building in Richmond wearing a patch-madras sportcoat. Now that’s Southern Business Casual. — CC
In Charlottesville, VA, resides the legendary menswear shop Eljo’s, whose wares are succintly described on the store’s front sign: “traditional clothes.” Founded by brothers Elliot and Joseph Hyman in 1950, the shop has changed locations twice and is currently located just off the bustling Barracks Road shopping district. Eljo’s features an assortment of Ivy and …
“Charlottesville” is a long-time and much-respected commenter here at Ivy Style. He is a true Southern Gentleman, a lawyer who married his high school sweetheart, and a devout Episcopalian. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing drinks with him on one of his regular visits to New York, as well as many correpondences. He left the …
Following the Boston Magazine Vineyard Vines profile and Garden & Gun OPH interview, we’ve one more batch of media pieces to catch up on. They concern Japanese Ivy, and are excellent, lengthy pieces well worth your time. First off, Lapham’s Quarterly has a piece by “Ametora” author W. David Marx called “The Climb Of Ivy,” which …
Want to take a unique motoring vacation through the Northeast next month? There’s still a chance to register for the Rally Around The Ivy League tour. “The window of opportunity is still open a crack,” says organizer Timothy Cataldo. “Call immediately on 203.451.5127 or email johnnymustard@oldscooltour.com to reserve your spot now!” Below is Cataldo’s description of …
Several Facebook group members have alerted me to a story on Lisa Birnbach and “The Official Preppy Handbook” in Garden & Gun magazine. I assumed it was a new story, but in fact it dates to 2015. Perhaps it was from the print edition and was just recently archived online. Quotes Birnbach in the piece: …
The first stages of construction have begun that will return J. Press to its rightful place on 44th Street.
In light of the recent Boston Magazine article on Vineyard Vines, we revisit DCG’s first Millennial Fogey column, from November 2013. * * * To speak of preppy-with-a-twist among trad purists is to garner reactions ranging from “What does this have to do with Ivy style?” to “Stop wasting my Internet, I want to look …
Boston Magazine has a lengthy profile on Vineyard Vines that includes a number of quotes from Richard Press and myself regarding VV’s particular branch — or vine — on the Ivy/prep/trad tree. By way of snippet: That’s where Vineyard Vines came in. What they were doing when they started wasn’t particularly revolutionary—we’re still talking about …
Here’s a sneak peek at what J. Press has cooked up for this fall, as recently unveiled on its Instagram account.
Well that’s a coincidence. No sooner had I posted on the completely made-up concept of “beatnik prep” than a reader informs me that that is the very theme of an upcoming collection. Beams Plus, the Japanese brand known for its Ivy and vintage Americana, has developed a collection entitled “The Subterraneans” for this fall/winter. The …
Back in the chilly days of March I amused myself by playing with style juxtapositions. The concept of “beatnik prep” was pretty simple. Start with a beard or goatee (check), take your corduroy or tweed cap and wear it backwards at an angle, so it resembles a beret. Then add natural-shouldered sportcoat and maybe even …
Meet Ivy Style reader and Facebook group member TJ Aguilar, and have a look at his outfit. The first thing you’ll notice is the strong sense of whimsy: lobster-emblazoned sneakers, madras belt, collegiate crest tie given to him by a friend. Now for his serious side: Aguilar is a sergeant in the Tulsa County Sheriff …