Here’s a patch of prose from Esquire: Imagine a world in which the style of John F. Kennedy’s America never ended. It’s a world where clothes are unapologetically preppy, and where dressing for occasion is still a primary element of social life. Suits and blazers would be of the classic Brooks Brothers variety (perfectly tailored, …
A reader recently pointed out to me this photo taken in Newport in 1962. You’ve probably seen images of John F. Kennedy on this day before, but this shot includes another man whose initials are also JFK. What’s more, there’s a nice polo coat in the middle of the frame. You’re probably eager to break …
Ah, the halcyon days at an all-male prep school, mid-century. Here we have two future lawyers shining their shoes while debating the merits of the various Ivies. The Hill School in Pottstown, PA, 1942. Argyle socks and cuffed flannels: Pants so short they go up to your knees when you cross your legs. The Hotchkiss …
We take a break from the run of news items with a fresh installment in the new Level Up category, in which I share my articles on becoming not just better dressed, but a better man. This piece just came out in the latest issue of Forum, a privately circulated men’s lifestyle magazine produced by …
There are signs that neo-prep is witnessing a global revival, as Drake’s fall collection was shot at Oxford and invokes the sacred term “collegiate.” Of course, it also invokes “irreverent.” …a collection which approaches the tenets of classic menswear in irreverent fashion; doffing its knitted watch cap to collegiate apparel while remaining distinctly unstuffy. Check …
Our last post starred Scot Meacham Wood and his rakish mustache. By wayt of follow-up, here’s Ivy Style’s first-ever mustache gallery, featuring many military men from America and England, including my dad! — CC Like this post and want more like it, more often? Help keep Ivy Style going for another decade.
I’ve been working on that Hollywood magazine I’ve mentioned before, and recently interviewed the actress Hannah John-Kamen. She’s had roles in a number of franchise fantasy worlds (Star Wars, Tomb Raider, Game Of Thrones, the Marvel Universe), so I asked her where she’d like to go if she had a time machine. Backwards or forwards? She …
Architects are generally an international type, the sort who work in minimalist offices with Scandinavian furniture. But during Ivy’s heyday, many of them wore soft-spoken and soft-shouldered suits, even while radically remaking urban skylines. Above, at the 1957 International Building Exhibition in Berlin, Hugh A. Stubbins relaxes while articulating his vision, the epitome of nerd-chic. Below, Architect …
Last week I reported on LL Bean discontinuing its iconic camp moccasin. Soon after LL Bean sent me another message on Twitter saying that items often go in and out of the catalog, suggesting that the move may be temporary and that the shoe could be brought back with presumed fanfare. Isn’t that what happened …
Like this post and want more like it, more often? Help keep Ivy Style going for another decade. * * * There’s much brand news to catch up on over the next couple of weeks. We start with Ralph Lauren, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last night with a fashion show in Central Park, complete …
If there’s a Neo-Prep revival afoot, don’t expect J. Crew to be part of it. Unless of course the trend gets really big. After all, they’re in the fashion business. Recently new CEO James Brett, formerly of West Elm, told the Wall Street Journal, “We can’t be all New England preppy. Not everyone wants to look …
Don’t unpack your sweaters just yet (what’s known as premature unpackulation), as there’s still plenty of heat in the forecast, at least here on the East Coast. But it’ll be time soon enough. And remember, there’s more to the Ivy sweater genre than just Shaggy Dogs. Take playwright Neil Simon, for example, who’s pictured above …
Taking the madras out for the last weekend of summer in Copenhagen, Denmark. From Ivy Style’s Facebook group. Like this post and want more like it, more often? Help keep Ivy Style going for another decade.
In case you missed it, yesterday was National Bow Tie Day. No worries: you can still wear one today. And if you don’t have one, visit the father-son duo at R. Hanauer, which operates BowTies.com and is one of Ivy Style’s most loyal sponsors. And to inspire you, here are some outfits from Ivy Style …
“Preppies no longer exist,” declare Matt Walker and Marissa Walsh in their book Tipsy in Madras, A Complete Guide to ‘80s Preppy Drinking. Although a book about cocktails, the introduction of the text actually provides insights which might be most interesting to the readers of this site. The authors take one through a succinct timeline of …
First-time contributor EAE has composed this paean to Brooks Brothers’ Beverly Hills store, which closes Monday, August 27. Like this post and want more like it, more often? Help keep Ivy Style going for another decade. * * * Brooks Brothers’ location at the corner of 468 Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard has been …
Over the past several decades, G. Bruce Boyer has distinguished himself as one of the most erudite writers ever to tackle the subject of menswear. Born in 1941, he came of age at the Ivy League Look’s height in popularity. A graduate of Moravian, the fifth-oldest college in the US, Boyer went on to do graduate …
According to GQ, a preppy style comeback has begun. Apparently fashionistos have gotten tired of workwear and streetwear. In a post from earlier this week, the mag writes: Brendon Babenzien’s Noah—the New York brand that unites streetwear heads, skate rats, and glossy prepsters under one roof—just unveiled its latest seasonal collection. While the brand has …
Like this post and want more like it, more often? Help keep Ivy Style going for another decade. * * * Since the publication of “Take Ivy” and the MFIT’s “Ivy Style” exhibit five-plus years ago, there hasn’t been much to add to Ivy Trendwatch. That’s our very narrow category used only for cultural happenings …