Comment-leaver “Chewco” spotted the news today that Ralph Lauren is closing the Fifth Avenue Polo store here in New York. While it was never anywhere close to the majestic Rhinelander Mansion uptown (it wasn’t trying to be), it was a nice place to stop by (my church is across the street). I got to know …
Ivy Style contributing writer James Kraus has organized a meetup for fellows trads in the Los Angeles area for next Wednesday, April 12, at 7 PM. The plan is to pick a nightspot in Beverly Hills with some midcentury heritage, to be decided based on the number of RSVPs. Working behind the scenes and with …
Many remember Polo Ralph Lauren for its reverie-inducing advertisements of the 1980s, a period referred to as the brand’s golden age. The ads had a dreamlike quality, and Lauren often said that he had always wanted to be an actor, and the ads were his way of making movies. They were photographed by Bruce Weber, …
Longtime J. Press New York employee David Wilder alerted me to the story of Detective Rick Lee, a plainclothes NYPD officer who retired this week at the age of 51. Lee became a minor Internet sensation because of his stylish clothes, earning the nickname “hipster cop” because “trad” is not part of the contemporary lexicon. …
As a follow-up to yesterday’s post on the University Of The South in 1969, here’s a revisit of one of Ivy Style’s most popular posts, which offers a glimpse at how the school’s students look today. * * * Yesterday The College Fix — a site located on the conservative side of the political circus …
Whether you’re out playing golf today, or dressed up in a bespoke jacket… …. with a collar pin … have faith in our great nation, which was founded on freedom. And as the ancient Greeks taught, pursue everything in life with a touch of moderation. Happy Presidents’ Day. — CC
Unless you’re one of those blessed souls who can tune out the contemporary world and live for higher things like the contemplation of the universe and the late quartets of Beethoven, you probably noticed that our colorful new president has taken office amid a cacophony of cheers and jeers. It made for a lively weekend …
Yesterday we posted about a Harvard Gazette piece that included an interview with J. Press Cambridge store owner Denis Black. Black was the subject of one of Ivy Style’s early Q&As, which we’ll take the opportunity to revisit. * * * Depending on your point of view, J. Press isn’t what it used to be …
The Harvard Gazette recently published a piece on the Ivy League Look and J. Press. It includes quotes from Ivy Style’s Richard Press and myself, and also features a video clip consisting of an audio interview with J. Press Cambridge store manager Denis Black over a slideshow of images. Check it out here. — CC
This morning I received a lovely note in my inbox, which read, in part, “You do fine work. I check in almost every day and peruse your archives a lot. I am touched by your frequent tributes to the Jewish storeowners who helped establish the Ivy look. Philosemitism is very rare these days; love your …
Ancient madder ties, a fall/winter classic, are extra prevalent this year. Brooks Brothers has introduced them in its narrow width, and Ralph Lauren’s collections, especially Purple Label, are full of them. But what exactly is ancient madder? We asked menswear sage G. Bruce Boyer to give us the scoop. * * * Authentic ancient English …
We’re certainly living in a golden age of oxford-cloth buttondowns, with a dizzying array of choices. But there’s also something of a rennaissance when it comes to made-in-USA footwear, as Cole Haan has just unveiled a limited collection of shoes made in Maine. The downside to the renaissance is that there are only a couple …
How to let your fellow students know you’re already eyeing a corner office and you haven’t even graduated yet. Ivy Style Facebook group member Def George on the first day of his senior year, dressed up and already hitting the library! — CC
While other indendent menswear stores are shuttering their doors, O’Connell’s is seeking to expand. Fueled by ecommerce from guys like you, the business has submitted plans to the city to construct a two-story addition to its Main Street, Buffalo location. The Buffalo News (from where the above image is taken) has the full story here. …
And you thought you’d look trendy wearing a foulard buttondown! Alas according to a new Wall Street Journal feature, one of those moments of trads becoming accidentally trendy is falling fast upon us. The paper wastes no time getting to the punch. “The loafer, that 1980s preppy staple, has stepped back into the spotlight,” reads …
Back in the spring J. Press’ managing director told me that this fall the company would be unveiling live models on its website and in its promotional material. That day came yesterday when J. Press sent out an email blast showing new fall items worn by real live human beings. The collection of images are …
When it comes to choosing a fragrance, I steer clear of anything citrusy. Sorry, but I have no intention of smelling like a fruit salad. I like heavy fragrances exuding leather, wood and tobacco. Or rum and spice. That I like them is the most important thing, but I think women find them compelling as …
The popular fashion website Racked has a lengthy feature on the future of the Ralph Lauren brand. The reporter interviewed me extensively, and I must admit my pessimism shows. Here’s an excerpt: Ralph Lauren is going through operational struggles during not only a tumultuous period in the retail industry, but also a time that’s seeing …
Various bits and pieces of sartorial and cultural trivia for you today. First off, a reader alerted me to the rather too clever “Jaws” collection by Sperry. I tweeted it out yesterday and it proved to be vastly more popular that my usual attempts at one-liner wisecracks. In fact, the best wisecrack was delivered on …