Scenes Of Christmas Past
Merry Christmas everyone! Special thanks to the many supporters and contributors, and God bless one and all. — CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
In The Clearing Stands A Boxer
Here’s an update on a post from four years back, in light of a loyal reader who recently emailed asking where to get boxer shorts with numerically sized waists. Can’t say I’d ever heard of that, but I checked in with Mercer & Sons. Sure enough, David Mercer assured me that with stretch in the waistband, …
Performance Anxiety
As we’ve repeatedly been told, WASP nonchalance is merely an affectation, a performance that renders its mannered marionettes ever anxious about committing some cred-crushing gaucherie. And if it’s like that for members of the tribe, just imagine what it’s like for Jews. Tobias Wolff’s 2003 novel “Old School” belongs to the prep-school-coming-of-age genre, while its central …
The Lost-Money Look
Eminently suited menswear author G. Bruce Boyer has opined eloquently about the Old Money Look. But now with the economy completely FUBAR, both old and new money can finally schlep around together in the Lost-Money Look. To get the look, simply stop buying new clothes for the next five years. Wear your shirts until they’re …
The Modernist: An Interview With John Simons
Going into London’s J. Simons store is like stepping into a time machine. You’re immediately transported into an era of jazz, of illustrated advertisements, and good clothes. But for those that can’t make it into the brick and mortar store, the 2018 film John Simons – A Modernist, is your next best hope at getting the …
Gloria In Excelsis: Duck Head’s Gold Glory Chino
Astute readers will recall the Ivy Style high-rise/tapered leg project we had in development several years back. It was with Bill Thomas, founder of Bills Khakis, and right before the first sample was to be cut, things went a little haywire internally. Bill ended up at Duck Head, after the previous team, shall we say, fowled …
Arts of Asia: A Japanese Ivy Illustration Gallery
In addition to meticulously researched vintage reproductions, plus the regular dispatching of photographers and reporters to capture American collegiate style in its native habitat, the Japanese have long used illustration as a way of expressing their fervent admiration of Ivy style. From stark line drawings to realistic paintings and silly cartoons, the Japanese continue to …
Better Than The Real Thing?
Our last post, on the topic of Ivy in Japan, had a touch of defensive jingoism, to be sure. But it also left open the question of whether or not the Japanese do take American inventions and make them better. To wit, this tweed jacket found by Ivy Style correspondent Trevor Jones at J. Simons in …
Ivy Trendwatch: The Japanese Are Coming
During my first two of years of college, I worked part-time as an English as a Second Language tutor to immigrants and exchange students. One guy on my roster was a slightly cocky fellow from Japan who preferred we conduct our lessons in the student union over the billiard table, which I was more than …
Penny For Your Thoughts
Ivy Style’s Facebook group hit a milestone last weekend, surpassing 5,000 members, half of which want to strangle the other half by their necktie. And I don’t mean for not having a dimple. Or rather for having one. You get my point. Anyway, the imperturbable souls able to brave social media in 2018 (too strong …
Upcycling, From Tie To Vest
Many of the storied New England boarding schools were founded during a particularly tumultuous period after the Civil War, when the established order of older money families was threatened by the growing prominence and wealth of war profiteers and fortunes made during the Industrial Revolution. All the boarding schools embodied New England’s Anglophilia, and it …
The Greatest Album Covers Of Jazz
Here’s a cool short video on the iconic Blue Note jazz album covers, which overlapped with the Ivy heyday. Cats abroad learned about Ivy clothes this way, and even some right here in the States. More on that when I get a big interview posted, hopefully by the end of the month. By the way, …
Writers Block
In 1962 Life ran a group of photos of American authors. Pictured above is James Baldwin, while below is Philip Roth. John O’Hara: Herman Wouk: Peter De Vries: Harrison Salisbury:
At Least We Get To Keep The Clothes
Today a conservative New York Times columnist waxed poetic about the virtues of the former WASP establishment. You can imagine how well that went over. Looks like their most lasting contribution to American culture will be their clothing. — CC
The Prep Revival Is Just Getting Started: RB x JP, Party Pix, And GQ Feature
Last Friday Richard Press, the team from J. Squeeze, DCG aka The Millennial Fogey, and myself gathered at the Rowing Blazers shop in downtown NYC for a shindig celebrating the latest RB collaboration. It’s with none other than J. Press, and consists of what you might call a postmodern branding of the iconic Shaggy Dog. …
GHWB, WASPER
A friend forwarded the following from Greenwich County Day School, regarding President Bush: Honoring President George H.W. Bush GCDS Class of 1937 From Adam Rohdie, Headmaster On November 30, America and the global community lost a leader and statesman whose life is a testament to the power of service and an enduring commitment to …
By George He’s Got It: Is Bush 41 Our Preppiest Prez?
Another look back at our previous posts about President Bush. * * * On Wednesday George HW Bush celebrated his 89th birthday, and well-wishers were encouraged to honor the occasion by donning whimsical socks. Go-to-hell hosiery has become Bush’s trademark now that he’s at that age when dressing becomes something of a challenge. Although JFK …
Solid Tie, Striped Watchband: GHWB & The Preppy Wrist
In remembrance of George HW Bush, we revisit this post from 2013. * * * Last month we paid a style tribute to George HW Bush. But since then the preppiest prez has made news a couple more times, so we’ll give him an encore with a focus on one of his trademark style quirks. …
Golden Years: Read My Lips
“Destiny and Power,” Jon Meacham’s surprisingly vivid biography of former President George HW Bush, is Shakespearean in its depiction of family, power and public service. It also briefly described an incident from one of the great days in the life of 10-year-old Richard Press. My beloved uncle, State Senator and New Haven City Court Judge …