Eleven years ago, in the middle of August 2008, I had just published the “Miles Davis goes to The Andover Shop” piece for Ralph Lauren Magazine, and was so fascinated by this little-known anecdote of Americana that I was working hard at launching a daunting new web project called Ivy-Style.com. From Los Angeles, of all …
Ivy style has had something of a moment lately, and no Ivy moment could be complete without yet another online brand vying to recreate the OCBDs of old. On July 28th a new venture calling itself Wythe New York launched a Kickstarter campaign titled “The ‘Perfect’ Oxford Shirt,” hoping to raise $10,000 by August 25th. By …
Given all the preppy ’80s talk lately, we revisit this 2010 interview with Lisa Birnbach, which was done about six months before the release of True Prep. The interview was subsequently used as part of the book’s press kit. — CC * * * IS: How did the new book come about? LB: It came …
I was going to say that Americans today are obsessed with authenticity. It’s probably more accurate to say “people” in place of “Americans,” our global network of friends growing so wide, and so homogenous along the way, that the cultural differences that separate our nation from the broader global economy seem ever smaller. For all …
Our run of ’80s-themed posts continues thanks to the New York Times, which ran an essay on the OPH yesterday. Writer James Poniewozik links the book to a brief moment of transition in American history out of the dark ’70s and into the era of Reagan, “Dynasty,” Alex P. Keaton and popped polo collars. Writes …
On Saturday we took a look at a Sperry ad from 1985, and now here we are a couple days later and still preoccupied with Sperry — and 1985. Don’t get what I’m referring to? Here you go. Upon seeing Saturday’s post, contributor BC sent in this shot of him in ’85 wearing a Sperry …
Today we revisit this post from 2010 on the rise and fall of WASPdom. * * * Very belatedly I’m finally getting around to a post on Tad Friend’s “Cheerful Money: Me, My Family, and the Last Days of WASP Splendor,” which was released last year. Like the tribe of WASPs itself, Friend and his …
According to Esquire, there’s a boat shoe trend going on. Of course, they’re not your father’s boat shoes. That’s probably because not much that was once your father’s is your father’s anymore. From Esky: Though a staid classic of maritime casual wear, and a favorite among style icons like JFK and Paul Newman, they have, …
Today we revisit this 2010 post by Tokyo-based W. David Marx, who went on to write the book “Ametora.” * * * Compared to Western fashion magazines, Japanese magazines often get very specific about how to achieve a certain look. Editors and stylists do not just play with themes, as with most fashion editorial, but …
We’ve got a handful of news items to get through. Where to start? How about with the 30th anniversary of “Dead Poets Society.” The Guardian has a tribute, writing: Like Weir’s other film based in and around an exclusive private school, the more enigmatic Picnic at Hanging Rock, education is viewed as a pivotal but …
Nomenclature in Tradsville is a tricky thing, and depends largely on your point of view. Those who like hair-splitting will tell you that a short-sleeved gingham shirt is Trad but not Preppy. Likewise, bit loafers are WASPy but not Ivy. Fair points to an extent, though it gets tedious pretty fast, and bloggers and forum posters …
This distinguished gentleman was discovered and shared on our Facebook page, where he was much admired save for the few members who work in law, accounting, or other corporate environments, and resent men who have beards, and say that a gentleman must be clean-shaven. This, as Ibsen would put it, is the noble lie they …
AldenPyle of Andy’s Trad Forum, one of the most diligent ransackers of the LIFE archives, recently dug up some photos of the 1936 National Amateur Golf Championship at the Garden City Golf Club. The winner was John W. Fischer, who took the cup not only for his fine form on the fairway, but for being …
Earlier this week the Wall Street Journal ran a piece that cause quite a bit of discussion in our Facebook group. For starters, there’s the headline: “Why admiring Cary Grant’s style ages you.” Apparently the concept of timeless style has turned out to be a false one. Alan Flusser coined the term “permanent fashion” to …
Back in 2010 we compiled these words of wisdom from Ivy Style readers. They’re aimed at the college men of today and are as timeless as ever. Feel free to leave a comment and add to the wisdom. * * * Wake up every morning thinking the day has the potential to be the best …
When I first moved to New York in late 2009 the Hartmarx Corporation gave me a couple of private views of their advertising archives. These are the last images I was able to grab. They date from the 1950s and document the trend in menswear to the natural-shouldered look. The final document has a nice breakdown …
The Mr. Rogers film trailer has “dropped,” as the kids say. “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, is scheduled for a Thanksgiving release. Expect a fall fashion trend of collar pins, bow ties, penny loafers and blue canvas sneakers, and cardigans (alas zippered).
This past week has been the Hall of Fame Open, a professional men’s tennis tournament at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Being a 250-level stop on the ATP tour, the event boasts being the only professional tournament played on grass outside of Europe. Along with the tennis, there are other events and …
The above headline is our comment of the week courtesy of “Old School Tie.” This is the energy that should course through us every time we get dressed! Let me tell you a little story. Two summers ago the small remains of my family vacationed together in Newport. I’d been there before, to attend the …