Town & Country Publishes List of Preppy Wardrobe Staples
August 25, 2024
by Matthew Longcore
Founded in 1846, Town & Country is the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States. The magazine chronicles American high society and regularly features articles on style and fashion.
Town & Country Magazine, September 1958
A newer segment called The Weekly Covet features editor-approved lists for fashion, travel, and other lifestyle topics.
This week the editors featured 13 Editor-Loved Preppy Wardrobe Staples to Shop Now with the caption “From loafers to white button down shirts to Ralph Lauren styles, these pieces are guaranteed to be in heavy rotation year round.”
Here are some items that made the list which are also editor-approved here at Ivy Style:
J. Press Shaggy Dog Sweater
The Shaggy Dog Sweater from J. Press deserves a rightful place on any list of preppy staples. I agree with Adam Rathe, Deputy Features Director, who describes the Shaggy Dog as “the ultimate in preppy knitwear.” J. Press offers the sweater in classic fit or trim fit in variety of colors. The Shaggy Dog Sweater is especially collegiate and looks great in grey as featured by Town & Country, but I am also partial to navy, charcoal, green, and pink.
Shaggy Dog Sweater in Mid Grey from J. Press
J. Press has offered the Shaggy Dog sweater for nearly 80 years. The sweaters are made in Scotland from pure Shetland wool. Similar sweaters have been worn in the films Dead Poets Society (1989) directed by Peter Weir and Metropolitan (1990) directed by Whit Stillman. In terms of preppy authenticity, nothing comes close.
Shetland sweater worn by Robert Sean Leonard in the film Dead Poets Society (1989)Shetland sweater worn by Taylor Nichols in the film Metropolitan (1990)
Striped Rugby
The striped rugby shirt is a classic evoking images of English public school students from Eton, Harrow, and Rugby (for which the shirt is named) competing at the sport. Town & Country recommends a cashmere version for nearly $500, which is certainly fancy if not traditional. For the real deal, visit a collegiate clothier like The Varsity Shop from Shepherd & Woodward on High Street in Oxford. American clothiers like Duck Head, The Andover Shop, and J. Press also offer very fine versions of the striped rugby shirt.
Phillips Academy Andover Rugby Shirt at The Andover Shop
Burberry Pleated Checked Wool Midi Wrap Skirt
Burberry has offered luxurious clothing since 1856 and is well-known for trench coats and the iconic Burberry check, in use for over a century. The pleated wool shirt is a timeless classic. For Americans, it conjures images of girls from Miss Porters School and women dressed in Seven Sisters Style. Like the Shaggy Dog sweater and the striped rugby shirt, this is a preppy clothing item steeped in Anglophilia.
Kudos to J. Press for fair pricing, for the most part. Way back in 2001, a J. Press pinpoint oxford was $60, U.K.-woven/tailored neckties were $39 each. Adjusted for inflation, still pretty good value. Plenty of natural shoulder retailers dwindled and died because, simply and truly, they priced themselves out of the Ivy market. Don’t blame the manufacturers. The store owners wanted to (try to) live as well as their customers, including surgeons and investment bankers and corporate lawyers. As unrealistic as the ever-ascending price of a Southwick-tailored flannel suit became.
I didn’t know the wool skirt from Burberry was a prep essential – but it certainly belongs, and it’s nice to see women’s+ style represented here alongside the usual menswear.
On rugby shirts, I’ve only ever owned one. I’m not much of an athlete, so I didn’t feel quite at home wearing it. But I do want to highlight an oft-overlooked maker of outstanding rugbys — and other jersey and fleece garments:
Columbiaknit has been based here in Portland for many decades and has been quietly producing top-quality knits under their own label and for other brands this whole time. Just about everything they offer is made in the USA, too. In my view, they definitely deserve a plug here on I-S. Their marketing is nonexistent and their website is a 1990s time-warp, but it’s possible some readers here know about them, or even own a vintage sweater or two made made by them.
That movie Metropolitan (1990) has some phenomenal outfits, the grey tweed jackets, especially the women’s clothing and all the nice Shetland sweaters. It inspired me to buy a pink Shetland from Jamieson’s and I’ve picked up a few more since. After maybe the seventh rewatching of Dead Poet’s Society (1989) I decided to buy a Gloverall navy duffle. Should I be ashamed about that?
No shame at all! Last year I finally purchased a Gloverall navy duffle at The Andover Shop. Dead Poets Society (1989), which I saw in the theatre when I was in high school and ranks among my favorite movies of all-time, is the inspiration for the purchase.
Bravo, ‘tis a keen assessment
Kudos to J. Press for fair pricing, for the most part. Way back in 2001, a J. Press pinpoint oxford was $60, U.K.-woven/tailored neckties were $39 each. Adjusted for inflation, still pretty good value. Plenty of natural shoulder retailers dwindled and died because, simply and truly, they priced themselves out of the Ivy market. Don’t blame the manufacturers. The store owners wanted to (try to) live as well as their customers, including surgeons and investment bankers and corporate lawyers. As unrealistic as the ever-ascending price of a Southwick-tailored flannel suit became.
I didn’t know the wool skirt from Burberry was a prep essential – but it certainly belongs, and it’s nice to see women’s+ style represented here alongside the usual menswear.
On rugby shirts, I’ve only ever owned one. I’m not much of an athlete, so I didn’t feel quite at home wearing it. But I do want to highlight an oft-overlooked maker of outstanding rugbys — and other jersey and fleece garments:
Columbiaknit has been based here in Portland for many decades and has been quietly producing top-quality knits under their own label and for other brands this whole time. Just about everything they offer is made in the USA, too. In my view, they definitely deserve a plug here on I-S. Their marketing is nonexistent and their website is a 1990s time-warp, but it’s possible some readers here know about them, or even own a vintage sweater or two made made by them.
So here’s a link to their online factory store, if it’s OK to share here:
https://usa-wear.com/ostore/
A 1990s time-warp website is a pleasure to navigate and view IMO. Like MercerAndSons.com for example.
That movie Metropolitan (1990) has some phenomenal outfits, the grey tweed jackets, especially the women’s clothing and all the nice Shetland sweaters. It inspired me to buy a pink Shetland from Jamieson’s and I’ve picked up a few more since. After maybe the seventh rewatching of Dead Poet’s Society (1989) I decided to buy a Gloverall navy duffle. Should I be ashamed about that?
Cheers.
No shame at all! Last year I finally purchased a Gloverall navy duffle at The Andover Shop. Dead Poets Society (1989), which I saw in the theatre when I was in high school and ranks among my favorite movies of all-time, is the inspiration for the purchase.