This week Vineyard Vines announced in conjunction with The Head Of The Charles that they will return as The Official Style Of The Head Of Charles.
If you don’t know what I am talking about (and no points off if that is so, I think we have seen enough negativity this week), let’s start with what The Head Of Charles is.
Vineyard Vines has created a whole line for this collaboration, which you can see here. Now, I grant you, there is a TON of not-so-Ivy in there. But here are a few pieces that you could consider…
A few other points to consider. The Ivy League has entered into licensing with VV for ties – some of us have them.
And there is their work with The Kentucky Derby and America’s Cup. Of course, these are commercial partnerships, but they are also brand endorsements from the Ivy League itself as well as some pretty close relatives.
Have a good weekend. Especially you, Craig. Sigh.
JB
VV has been very supportive of IVY sports, Crew and and Lacrosse. She and Ian have come a long way since the owner of the Darien Sport Shop in Ct gave them a break and started selling their ties in a small corner of the Shop . They also are the go to manufacture for NE Prep School ties. I am glad to see the crew support of the Head of the Charles.
They do great prints but I have always found the weight disappointing compared to Ben Silver.
I have to agree on the sweatshirt. I am seeing sweatshirts, hoodies and t-shirts all selling for over $100 a piece. I had rather spend money on a good quality OCBD or well made pair of shoes and pick my t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts up at Target.
John,
I too have trouble with knot. I have one VV tie (my fraternity, Delta Phi). I can’t seem to get the knot symmetrical.
Agree with Future Fogey. I have never owned any of their ties, but have tied one for my middle school great nephew. VV does make some good sports fan ties, but yes light.
I think the Head Of The Charles® Striped Oars Printed Tie in Moonshine might look nice from a distance, but as a rule I shy away from novelty items. If I had any connections to Boston, maybe.
I can find no trace of Ivy League merchandise on VV’s web site as purportedly demonstrated by “Exhibit A” — presumedly a Columbia tie with the crown icon. Explain, please. Thank you.
That is a picture of a Columbia Tie, made by Vineyard Vines. Here’s The Columbia Business School selling ties made by Vineyard Vines. https://gear.gsb.columbia.edu/index.php/store/viewItem/36649/0/
It seems that items made for the Ivy League by Vineyard Vines are available only from Ivy college bookstores, not from VV’s site.
VV makes most of the ties sold by the private clubs in Philadelphia; Raquet Club, Merion Golf Club, etc.
Agreed they are light. Best for summer.
JB,
Forgive me, but what would be lost if we said “prices” instead of “price points”?
Price points refers to the strategy of pricing. My objection to their price points is that they seem to always seek a place amongst the Polo’s of the world and are doing so by simply adding a fixed percentage point to their pricing. I should have elaborated on that – good catch.
That Columbia tie is gorgeous though I suppose it would be gauche to wear a tie for a school that’s not my alma mater.
Wear it if you want but be prepared to answer the question ‘Did you go to Columbia?’
“I’m wearing the tie, aren’t I?”
Hard and firm “Uh, Hell-No.” to VV.
With 2021 revenues around $495M, I am sure Shep and Ian are devastated. But fear not, as of this morning you can procure a Shaggy Dog hoodie.
VV is a “mall brand”, and the bulk of their merchandise reflects it: I was gifted one of their ties and the color & pattern are beautiful, but as others have commented the material itself is wicked flimsy.
On the other hand, I have two of their belts (including one with an NFL-licensed logo), and they’re among the sturdier in my entire closet.
If you can get your hands on an all-cotton Vineyard Vines polo, they are well worth the effort. I own 6 or so, without the logo- and they are very hardy. I don’t believe they are made anymore, but there are plenty on EBay (if you look hard there are some without a logo). They now make the same shirt but with some dreadful stretch material incorporated.