Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Friday, January 26, 2024

On Instagram Today...

I took this photo over ten years ago of Knight, sailor/celestial navigator extraordinaire, at a tiny diner on the Maine coast.   He was a devotee of Mercer oxford button downs, white only.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Reader Question: Distinctive Attributes of Women's Trad/Ivy Business Attire

A reader asked the following question:

To my fellow SWNE readers,

Could we have a parallel conversation to the men's trad/ivy conversation, but for women?  If so:

  • What are the traditional elements of Women's Ivy business attire?
  • Do those elements still make sense today?

Thank you, kind readers! 

Monday, January 22, 2024

Distinctive Attributes of Men's Trad/Ivy Business Attire

A reader asked the following questions. I have paraphrased the first half, and left the second half, which I put in quotes, in the reader's words:

There are distinctive attributes of trad/ivy business attire, which include:

  • The sack, 
  • The hook vent, 
  • The billowing shirt,
  • No break 1¾" cuff, 
  • The rolling button down collar, and
  • The classic pairing of navy blazer and grey trousers.
"I really have two questions for your kind readership.  Are there other distinctive aspects worth mentioning, and which, if any, still make sense today and are worthy of preservation and emulation?  

I shall begin by stating my own opinion that billowy shirts and sack suits make sense for all sorts and conditions, being both comfortable and flattering.  I further posit that the no break cuff is more practical than the potentially too long style associated with too many folk.  The hook vent, or even a center vent, is more comfortable and attractive than the debonair mud flap created by side vents.  

What say the readers?"

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Taking Out Arthur Beale's New Fisherman Jumper, Made in Great Britain

Photos by Salt Water New England
With a "feels like" temperature of 11 degrees F along the ocean's edge, my new Arthur Beale Fisherman Jumper and my older (but still available) Firley Tweed Field Coat from Cordings kept me surprisingly warm.   It feels slightly lighter weight than their Erebus,   As with Arthur Beale's other wool pullovers, of which I am a great fan, it is made in Britain of British oiled wool.  

Shown:

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Abercrombie & Fitch (original form, pre-mall)

Many of the great preppy stores are no longer recognizable, and the number of people who knew them in their original incarnation are shrinking.  If you did shop at the original Abercrombie & Fitch during its pre-mall golden era, do you have any memories of what made it great?

J. Press and Barries

Many of the great preppy stores have fallen a bit, and the number of people who knew them at their peak are shrinking.  If you did shop at J. Press during its Barries (we never called it Barrie Ltd) Era, do you have any memories of what made it, and Barries, great?

L.L. Bean (Gorman Era)

Many of the great preppy stores have fallen a bit, and the number of people who knew them at their peak are shrinking.  If you did shop at Beans during the Gorman Era (1967-2001), do you have any memories of what made it great?

Brooks Brothers (pre-mall)

 Many of the great preppy stores are no longer recognizable, and the number of people who knew them in their original form are shrinking.  If you did shop at the original Brooks Brothers during its pre-mall golden era, do you have any memories of what made it great?

Country Store of Concord

Many of the great preppy stores are no longer around, and the number of people who knew them are shrinking. If you did shop at The Country Store of Concord, do you have any memories of what made it great?