Making The Case: Monogrammed Belt Buckle

The Official Preppy Handbook

For the past week now, I've been wearing my LL Bean Signature Belt nonstop and it got me thinking that maybe it's about time to start wearing my own signature on a belt; in the form of a monogram.

While often neglected on many wardrobes and by many blogs, the belt for me can be the ultimate piece that pulls everything together. The wrong belt buckle can tragically send the message that you have no idea what you're doing but the right belt buckle can confidently portray the notion that you constantly swim in the deep end of the style pool.

In the September issues of GQ in 2004, under the heading, "The only thing my father ever game me," Andy Spade answered,

He didn't give me anything, including child support. But he figured it was his job to take me to the one men's store in town, in Scottsdale Arizona, and get me a monogrammed belt. I wear a belt every day.

The reason why the silver belt buckle is marked number one in the accessory section of The Official Preppy Handbook is because it properly and literally holds the outfit together. As the belt stretches across your waist, it can simultaneously stretch across generations and traditions if done correctly. However, don't be afraid to play with these traditions.

Jack Spade

Cos: The Ultimate TV Dad

Bill Cosby

Putting It All Together - Head to Toe

Head to Toe

Orange Shoe Laces
New Balance 574 (Made in the USA)
Levi's 501
J.Crew Shirt
Land's End Sweater
Timex Classic Camper
Dark Pumpkin Watch Strap

Skip in the Scouts

Army/Navy Find: Navy Jacket

Naval Jacket $12.50

Following a great lunch with Joe Gannon a few weeks ago, we walked a few blocks to the Army/Navy Store to see if we could score some bargains.  Right away, Joe spotted a pile of jackets by the door with the killer price of $15 each. And after a little convincing and a little bargaining, I walked away with this great jacket for $12.50

Alex's Pick: Patagonia Baby Retro Vest

Patagonia Baby Retro Vest

Great vest by Patagonia for your little prep and currently on sale for $35. Sizes from 3m to 3T.

100 Years of Scouting

Feb 8 of this year marked the 100th anniversary of the Boys Scouts of America and to celebrate this amazing achievement, the BSA produced a video showcasing the history of the scouts. Enjoy!

Inspiration Can Come From Anywhere

J.Crew's MacAlister w/ Orange Laces

While cleaning out our magazine bend, I stumbled across an old J.Crew catalog that had some items from Crewcuts in it. My wife is not a fan of J.Crew's little girl clothing but she does like their boys collection. Well, as I was flipping through the pages for some inspiration on how to pull some looks together for Alex, I stumbled across a page full of their MacAlister boots with colored laces. 

Since I already own a pair of MacAlisters and a pair of orange laces, I decided to give it a go.

Sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook

Pre-order your copy of True Prep (the sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook) by Lisa Birnbach at Amazon. The release date is set for August 10, 2010. Click here to download the pdf sample of the book. True Prep along with the reissue of Take Ivy could possibly make this a very special August for all of us.

Toys Made In America

Alex received two major items for his birthday last month and both were made in America by Little Tikes. Little Tikes has been manufacturing kids toys in Hudson, Ohio since 1970.

Thomas The Train Bed

SwingAlong Castle (w/o swing and with Thomas Tent)

Some of their toys are made outside of the U.S. so click here for a full list of their American made toys.

Vampire Weekend Acoustic

GANT Rugger City Bike

Gant Rugger City Bike

Thanks to Gant's Iphone application, I spotted this Bike that will be produced with the launch of the Spring/summer 2010 Rugger line.

Super Mario 2 External Hard Drive

NES External Hard Drives on Etsy. Comes in 320 GB, 500 GB or 640 GB and USB powered. Instant Classic!

 

Kite Flying Society

 

As Spring quickly approaches, my mind not only turns to baseball but kites. I can't pin point when I fell in love with kites but I do have fond memories of flying a few with my father. I hope to take Alex out this spring and introduce him to kite flying.

 LL Bean Prism EO Atom Kite

I lost my lost my last kite on Martha's Vineyard so I have to purchase a new one. I'll give the Prism EO Atom Kite a go this Spring.

 

Or maybe I'll try and make one.

Avant Garde Preschool

by Partners & Spade 

As the father of two young ones, I can appreciate Andy Spade's commitment to exposing his daughter to the arts. However, in typical Andy fashion, he turned it up a notch by starting his own Avant Garde Preschool at Partners & Spade. Andy and his business partner, Anthony Sperduti, came up with the idea last winter while brainstorming about how to make high art accessible to kids. "We have a lot of artistic friends," explained Andy. "I wanted my daughter [4-year-old Bea] exposed to them." The first class was taught by contemporary artist Karen Kimmel and at a suggested donation of $30 per class that all goes to PS 126 on the Lower East Side, I am now truly inspired to bring out the artist that may reside in my children.

According to UO blog, the school meets every Sunday during the summer but check the website to sign up because the spots go fast.  Look for filmmaking classes in the future.

Danger Mouse x The Shins = Broken Bells

Super groups seems to be the thing these days (Monsters of Folk and Discovery) so why not have a super group with a great song writer and a great producer. Well, my wish came true when James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, The Grey Album, and Danger Doom)  got together to become Broken Bells.

2nd Birthday Fort

 

  

Decided to make a new fort/playground for Alex's 2nd birthday!

New Partners & Spade Site

Fixed gear bike by Benedict Radcliffe of Fixed Gear London.

Andy Spade's new adventure, Partners & Spade, finally upgraded their site and it is perfect. Broken up into two sections, Studio and Storefront, the new website gives you a better idea of the unique collection of items that can be purchased from the studio/store hybrid. But the true genius of the site lies in the Studio section.

 

Jack Spade Navy Waxwear

Jack Spade Navy Waxwear

Jack Spade have done it again with their new Navy Waxwear travel bags.

Details:

WATERPROOFED WOVEN COTTON SOAKED IN TURN OF THE CENTURY PARAFFIN FORMULAS FOR GREATER STRENGTH AND ABRASION RESISTANCE. WAXWEAR COMBINES THE DURABILITY OF NYLON AND THE EASE OF COTTON. WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT, THE WAXED SURFACE REFINISHES ITSELF, AND MARKS OF USE FADE. ALL STYLES DETAILED WITH CHOCOLATE BRIDLE LEATHER TRIM, CUSTOM DIE CAST JACK SPADE HARDWARE AND STRIPED SUIT LINING BACKED WITH PVC.

Team Zissou Adidas

 

After years of pleading with Adidas to make a Life Aquatic shoe to no avail, someone finally decided to do something about it. Team Zissou sneakers are now available here. USA Today even ran an article about the elusive shoe back in 2006.

Kate and Andy Spade in NY Mag

Great article on Kate and Andy Spade in New York Magazine.

Excerpt on how Branding should be done:
Engaged by J.Crew in 2008 to reimagine that company’s approach to menswear, Andy and his partner, Anthony Sperduti, suggested putting a J.Crew shop in an out-of-business Tribeca bar called the Liquor Store, which still had its vintage sign out front. They insisted that no J.Crew sign replace it and that the original bar remain, with the register behind it, and that the mantel be decorated with toy soldiers from Andy’s personal collection. Music must come from a stereo whose dials and knobs would be visible to customers, and the speakers should emit just enough crackle to remain credibly lo-fi. There should be three colors of a T-shirt, say, rather than eighteen. Inside the closet-size dressing rooms, there should be “exhibitions” by downtown artists and photographers. There should be books chosen from the Strand, and a mug full of pencils munched on by famous writers (like Max Blagg) for sale as well. The staff shouldn’t come from the world of retail, but preferably from the world of art or high design.


J.Crew did it all—a massive departure for a company whose stores are mostly in shopping malls. According to J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, the Liquor Store “far exceeded” expectations. “Far, far exceeded!” Andy Spade’s explanation, the key, he says, to his marketing success?

“The bigger you get, the smaller you act.”

First Look: Gant x Michael Bastian (update)

 

GQ

Click here for Valet's insightful Making of a Collection: Gant by Michael Bastian.  

 

  

Closer Look: Secret Fort's Timex Expedition Camper

Last month, Secret Forts (one of my favorite blogs), decided to give us a glimpse into his daily attire and asseccories. Besides the Ebbetts Field Flannel cap and Moscot glasses that I truly love, the one thing that stood out to me was his Timex Expedition Camper with Nato Band. Secret Forts links Target for the Expedition but after closer inspection, the one at Target is a little different.

 

Secret Forts

Target

Besides the date display, the hands are different on the watches. Secret Fort's hands has a more classic clean look while Target's seem a little bulky. The good news is that after a little research, I found the exact watch on Amazon and its $5 cheaper.

And since J.Crew is no longer selling their Timex online, this is a great pickup.

*Update 2/25/10 Timex Watches at J.crew are now restocked.

Inspiration: Lacrosse x Gant

One of my favorite sports (after baseball) is lacrosse and it's getting its share of press due to the fact that it inspired Michael Bastian's new Gant collection. And although some lax purist would say that this has nothing to do with lacrosse (and I would agree with that), I like the idea of starting with a concept/theme and creating a entire line around it. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes out of this collection.

Lacrosse originated with the Native American nations of the United States and Canada, mainly among the Huron and Iroquois Tribes. In many Native American societies/tribes, the ball sport was often part of religious ritual, played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, develop strong, virile men and prepare for war. Legend tells of games with more than 100 players from different tribes taking turns to play.It could be played on a field many miles in length and width; sometimes the game could last for days. Early lacrosse balls were made of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes.The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game".

Never Gets Old

Say Hey Kid

Willie Mays

GQ has a great article about the Greatest All-Around Baseball Player of All Time to celebrate his new biography.

Walking In Holden's Footsteps

 

Holden Caulfield's New York

In memory of J.D. Salinger, who died on Jan 28, 2010, The New York Times created an interactive map that traces Holden Caulfield's steps through New York. The accompanying article to the map can be found here.