Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Layering


Alex Grant in Layers

I never tried the polo under the Oxford look so I decided to use my son as a guinea pig. I got the idea from the TOPH Prep Persona No. 3 and I must say that it totally works. I love the fact that if it gets too hot with the Oxford shirt, i can easily take it off and still have an acceptable undershirt to sport.

From The Official Preppy Handbook

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Books: The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger's book, The Catcher in the Rye, was the first book that I had to read at The Tatnall School and I've been reading it ever since. The story of Holden Caulfield being kicked out of prep school and wandering around New York was my first real introduction to the preppy life and style. I love reading it over and over again every summer and I always keep a copy in my briefcase just in case I have some downtime. It is my favorite book of all time and it also doesn't hurt that it may have been based on Salinger's time at Ursinus College (my alma mater).

Monday, October 26, 2009

Pumpkin Picking

From Pumpkin Picking

The family and I took part today in the great American tradition of picking pumpkins. Coleman's Farm in Middletown, Delaware has been family owned and operated since 1932. They are also enrolled in the Farmland Preservation, which ensures that the land will always be used for farming. We are already looking forward to Christmas Tree hunting at Coleman's.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Eddie Bauer Heritage Collection

Eddie Bauer Heritage Collection

Last night one of my favorite bloggers, A Restless Transplant, tweeted about an Eddie Bauer jacket that he found at a thrift shop. I replied how much I used to love EB during prep school and he responded "Why would you stop loving eb?" Good question. Before I had a credit card to buy anything from the LL Bean catalog, Eddie Bauer was the closest things to the outdoor/causal apparel that I wanted to wear and drive (Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition). I still have some EB shorts and sweatpants that are at least 10 years old. However, for some reason or another, I stopped shopping at EB. I just couldn't get excited about their selections. Shame on me. The Official Preppy Handbook states,
From sleeping bags to a combination stove/survival kit, and down clothing from head to toe, the Eddie Bauer catalog is the source. pg. 155
Like LL Bean and J. Press, Eddie Bauer do not follow trends but set traditions; and their new Heritage Collection is a celebration of their steadfastness. Since the first store opening in 1920, EB guaranteed all of his products and that guaranteed of "Complete Satisfaction" holds true today. And although I never took advantage of the guaranteed, "complete satisfaction" was exactly what I used to feel whenever I walked out of the store with a new item. I have now come to realize that it was not Eddie Bauer that changed but it was my personal style changed with the trends. Maybe I should also return to my heritage.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Princeton Photos

From Princeton University

A quick stop to Princeton on the road to finding a '99 Land Rover.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

LL Bean Non-Iron Oxford

LL Bean Non-Iron Oxford

Now that I have two children under the age of 2 and I still can't iron my own shirts to save my life; I have to fend for myself in the mornings. Thank God for LL Bean's Non-Iron Shirts ($29.50).

The Banker Bag

Lehman Brothers
Great find by the Disaffected Prep. I didn't know about the cool factor of these gym bags until I read the Vitals article on the new preppy guidebook. Then I saw A Continuous Lean's post on the banker bag and  was sold. I love the colors of this bag and if a collection of Lehman Brothers gear is good enough for Andy Spade then it is good enough for me.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Brooks Brothers Suit: Mad Men Edition

Brooks Brothers
Although we do not have cable, my wife and I still managed to watch the first two seasons of Mad Men online and we are hooked. Riding the wave of the show, Brooks Brothers designed a Mad Men suit that will make anyone look right at home at Sterling Cooper.

Eyewear

Ben Silver

I've been searching for some turtle shell frames for sometime now and thanks to a stylish co-worker, I finally found them. Ben Silver has a great line of classic eyewear as well as other preppy staples.


From The Official Preppy Handbook

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

LL Bean Signature


Click here for a first look at LL Bean Signature.

LL Bean had a launch party for their signature line and invited many style bloggers. Click here for Secret Forts' pictures of the party

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Princeton University Hat


Princeton U store

Although I'm a Harvard Man (M'Div 05), I always loved the Preppiness of Princeton University. I can still remember watching Princeton football games in the 90s on the New Jersey public access channel.

I picked this hat up on the way to Boonton New Jersey to look at a used Land Rover.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Preppy Music: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

I love this band of four Ivy Leaguers from Columbia.




Click for the story behind the new cd cover.