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

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).

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.

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.

Princeton Photos

From Princeton University

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Land Rover Discovery

1999 Land Rover Discovery

The Preppy Journal called it the preppy SUV.

Sailing

From Sailing

LL Bean Deluxe Book Pack

Deluxe Book Pack

I always wanted a LL Bean Bookbag. I can still remember the first time I saw one in 6th grade. I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

Jack Spade Lookbook

Click above to view the Lookbook

LL Bean Storm Chaser 3-in-1 Jacket

LL Bean Storm Chaser

Since my abercrombie skiing jacket was lost during the trip from Medford Mass, I'm currently on the look out for a new jacket. I may go with the LL Bean Storm Chaser but I can't decide on the color.

Duffle Coat

National Anthem Duffle

Great find from H(y)R. National Anthem rocks!

BBC + Blueprint 3

Billionaire Boys Club

"Me and the boy, Pharrell, make beautiful music" raps Jay Z on "Changes Clothes" and apparently beautiful T-shirts too!

Watch band

J.Press

I currently have a green j.crew watch band but I would rather rep one from my graduate school.

Timex Military Watch from J.Crew

Timex Miltary Watch

Classic, militant and reasonable priced at $150 from J.Crew.
A Trip Down South has a great article on military watches.

Nantucket Knot

Nantucket Knotworks

I purchased this knot bracelet from J.Crew a few years ago and now I see it on Secret Fort blog.
Coolness.

Take Ivy

 Courtesy of The Trad

The book that started it all!

Take Ivy Chapter 1

Take Ivy Chapter 2
Take Ivy Chapter 3

Update: Thanks to the great guys at Powerhouse, Take Ivy is now available in English. Pre-order your copy here.

The Trad Talks Take Ivy Reissued

Spade Alert

Click for GQ article.

Jack Spade apparel collection is on display at Apartment Number 9 in LA.
The LA Times also wrote a little piece on the display.

Bamford & Sons for Colette

Hypebeast

The Devil is in the details of this Rolex.

Movies: Where The Wild Things Are

Click for more artwork.

I'm very exciting about the upcoming movie "Where the Wild Things Are." I loved the book as a child and I love it even more as an adult because the main character Max, reminds me of my son, Alex. I can easily close my eyes and see Alex running around the house in a wolf costume chasing our dog. It's so Alex!!! Click here for Spike Jones' Blog "We Love You So," fan blog, and USA Today article.

Click for Adult Ready Made Costume, Wolf ears and New Yorker article. Also click here for cool cutout toy of Max.

Maybe I'll take the family to the Rosenbach Muesum in Philly to see the exhibit.

L.L. Bean Norwegian Sweater

Iconic Sweater

Straight from the Official Preppy Handbook, L.L. Bean is bringing back the Norwegian Sweater in November. Click here / here for a sneak peaks at A Restless Transplant and here for the Valet article. All Plaid Out also has some good pictures of the sweater.

From The Official Preppy Handbook

* Update- Sweater will be available 10/23/09 at $129. Bean Staples.
**Updated - Sweater will be available 11/1/09 at $129 Ivy Style
***Final Update- Sweater is now available. LL Bean

House For Sale

Click for more pictures

JFK's Georgetown house for sale! Also, click here for Rugby's tour of Georgetown.

Style Icon: JFK

Sailing. Oxford Shirt. Rolled Up Sleeves. Shorts. Beautiful Bride. Perfect Style.

Jack Spade Comic Book

Breaking & Entering

Funny concept based on a true story. The video can be seen here as well.