Few brands are able to instantly create a market space that seems to have always been there for them. Although new, these objects feel well worn and established. Daniel Wellington is one such brand; it’s a relatively new preppy inspired watch company that feels as though it’s been around forever. We all know the look;…
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Go West Coast Prep With Johnnie-O
There is little argument that the preppy ethos is grounded in East Coast, Ivy League culture. Khakis, polos, boat shoes, tote bags, and nautical gear are all foundational elements of this most American of fashions. “Classic” preppy, as it were, has spawned a variety of equally impactful offshoots. Southern preppy, for example, is a robustly…
The Full Circle of Preppy
As with much of life, the modern aesthetic we refer to as “preppy” bears only a thin resemblance to the historical roots upon which it rests. Often, the substance of a philosophy or belief is obscured over time as the surface decoration which was initially its outgrowth comes to define the entire idea. The same…
Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style
When first reading my copy of Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style, I was reminded of how omnipresent the whole preppy thing has become. OTC hit the internet back in 2005. Back then, there were very few men’s fashion blogs out there. And there were even fewer sites dedicated to the preppy/Ivy League/East Coast style so familiar…
The Roots of American Preppy – Redux
I originally penned this column several years ago as a meditation on the real roots of American preppy and what it means today. Well, just this week the iconic cult classic “Take Ivy” and long anticipated Preppy Handbook follow-up, “True Prep” were published and I thought now was a good time take a fresh look…
Signs of Spring: Preppy Handbook & Lumina Bow Ties
Well, without a doubt a Spring here in the nation’s capitol. The cherry trees, a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, are blooming across the city and tourists from around the world are flooding in. Though a little frustrating – please, please stand to the right on escalators…
Personal Style Is The Truest Style
Maximilian Sinsteden is going places. The 21-year-old college student isn’t just a budding interior designer and bon vivant. Nope, he’s already opened his own firm and recently completed his first commission; a 78-foot motor yacht. Max has already worked for classical designer David Easton and design powerhouse Charlotte Moss. This kid is already on his…
The Roots of American Preppy
This column grew out of a recent discussion on this blog about the relationship between classic and preppy styles. The subject quickly became an effort to identify the real roots of American preppy and what it means today. New England preparatory schools, conservative protestant values and social stratification together created an environment that produced the…
The Case of Classic v. Preppy
I want to broach an interesting subject – at least interesting to me. Some while back I ran across the following question: what is the difference between classic style and preppy style? At first I thought, “Well, that’s pretty easy…” However, when I tried to actually talk it out, I realized that actually the line…