April 6 is National Tartan Day. In its honor, Richard Press shares some thoughts. For more Tartan Day coverage, visit our fraternal site MasculineInteriors.com. * * * The Heyday of Ivy, the period after World War II until the civil disorder of the late 60s, regarded costume with contempt, at least at J.Press. Understatement was …
Following our April Fool’s Day diversion, we return to the topic of UVA with this wonderful find by assistant editor Christopher Sharp. Pictured are caricatures by Carlton Abbott entitled “Typical UVA Students,” which appeared in a 1962 issue of University of Virginia Magazine. Pictured above is The Ghoul, whose description reads: Amusements: Bicycling, Chess, Newcomb …
The joke is these are no joke. Note descent from campus lover to campus affair to campus doll to campus tramp. I wonder if the consumer of these had ever been to college. — CC
As a follow-up to our post on Country Club Prep, which was founded by two men who met at the University of Virginia School of Law, we’ll take a look at UVA during the heyday, a subject we haven’t looked at since last Thanksgiving. Ed Roseberry was a local photographer who chronicled life around Charlottesville, …
The PITA tree — that’s preppy-Ivy-trad-Americana (haven’t used that in a while) — is a century old. Its roots are deep, and now matter how hard the fickle winds of fashion blow, the tree stands strong. Without belaboring the metaphor, the PITA tree’s branches bend and twist with each new generation, and future historians of …
I’ve alluded a couple of times (especially if you follow me on Twitter) to a golf book I wrote, and today is the official release date, so I’m pleased to finally share what it’s all about. The book is called “The Stylish Life: Golf” and is part of a new sports series from the publisher, …
Two weeks ago, the Polo flagship on Fifth Avenue, which opened last fall, created a new section in the store called the Haberdashery. It’s where you’ll find all the ties, dress shirts and cashmere sweaters — and all in the spring colors you’re anxious to wear. There are also plenty of sportcoats in spring fabrics, …
Yesterday, while we were posting about Brooks Brothers’ home collection, another publication posted about the brand in a much more far-reaching way. Billionaire.com presented an interview with Luca Gastaldi, CEO of Brooks for Europe, The Middle East and Africa. As far as the big picture goes, this is the choice passage: “It’s a good thing …
Last night I put up a post on Masculine Interiors entitled “The Man In The Brooks Brothers Home.” It featured a selection of home items offered at Brooks, including shirting-inspired bed sheets. The post also included rep-striped pillows, and soon after I received several messages from guys who didn’t even know they existed. They do. …
We haven’t had anything to classify as Ivy Trendwatch in some time, but today the UK edition of GQ Style unveiled a video, apparently of a photo shoot entitled “Jocks & Nerds.” It features a campus setting with penny loafers and white socks, bicycles and sweaters with class year, plus the usual tedious model antics …
“Brotherly love” wouldn’t exactly be accurate. — CC
In the market for a tennis sweater, even though you don’t play tennis, or even cricket? Here’s some of what’s out there. Above, Bills Khakis cotton sweater, $325. Below, wool vest from Cable Car Clothiers, $298: Wool sweater by Smart Turnout, $280: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, on sale $49: Ralph Lauren Wimbledon umpire vest, on …
We start the week off with a rather motley miscellany. Above, a 1958 novelty tune called “Ivy League Clothes” from a little-known doo-wop group called The Gaylarks. Damned if I can tell what the hell they’re singing about, save for “why, oh why?” Something about Ivy for girls. It’s from a time when the trunk …
A reader recently left a comment saying that collar roll is a fetish of the Internet age and that didn’t exist in the analog decades. Assistant editor Chris Sharp tapped his photographic memory, rummaged through his archives, and immediately produced an article from the April, 1983 issue of Esquire in which John Berendt opined on …
While researching the Harvard dorm rooms post for Masculine Interiors last week, I came across some student shots from the late ’40s up to 1960 or so. Note filthy sneakers in top image. — CC
Last week Bass unveiled some new models of Maine-made Weejuns. Priced at $295, they are made from Horween leather and come both with and without beefroll. I’d attended a Bass spring preview back in October, but I don’t recall these shoes being ready then. But here’s what else caught my eye, which should be …
On another post discussion just broke out about quilted Barbour-style jackets. I’ll plead guilty to owning one. Others expressed strong distaste, so I say we put it to a vote. (Alas our polling software is glitching right now, so you’ll have to weigh in via the comments section). — CC
This morning at Masculine Interiors I put up a gallery of 14 Harvard student rooms circa 1899. No idea if the inhabitants were the turn-of-the-century equivalent of bros. Head over here to see the full gallery. — CC
Today Town & Country’s website posted a humorous piece aimed at female readers that dissects the no-less-than-six distinct types of preppy guy that a preppy girl is apt to date in her twenties. Apparently by 30 she’s either had enough or actually gotten hitched with one of them. You might find the piece’s sartorial and …