Classic. Modern. Style. Thoughts.
KP MacLane, the eponymous clothing brand founded by husband and wife team Jared and Katherine MacLane, has threaded the design needle by creating clean, modern, and timeless menswear pieces that also stand the test of time. The overriding theme of KP MacLane’s house style is clean preppy; classic as simple. OTC reviewed the brands’ Signature…
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…
James Prosek first gained notoriety back in 1996, when, as 19 year-old student at Yale University, he published Trout: An Illustrated History. Prosek’s ability to bring vibrancy and life to his watercolors, and his obsession with contextual and anatomical accuracy, won him quick comparisons to famed naturalist John James Audubon. These accolades were no lighthearted atta-boys;…
The tiny but enchanting island of Nantucket has long been a magnet for lifestyle and aspirational brands. The handsomely rugged location and windswept geography, combined with the island’s historically East Coast patrician aesthetic, make for an irresistible backdrop. Apart from the Kennedy compound-ish positioning that often accompanies Nantucket themed marketing or product shoots, the island…
Preppy tie maker Bull + Moose has officially launched its flagship website, bringing to fruition a brand built on style, but designed to give back to those who need help. Currently offering an inaugural collection of bow ties and neckties, the B+M look can be described as classic with a modern twist. The narrow portfolio…
You know all those great socks you always see guys wearing in menswear magazines or on fashion websites? The ones in pictures of impossibly cool and sharply dressed guys at Pitti Uomo or captured on the streets of New York, Paris, or Milan? Rich solids, whimsical dots, or check-me-out stripes. We love those socks. Socks…
One of the true hallmarks of that storied East Coast Ivy League lifestyle known as “preppy” is its practitioners’ predilection for thrift. The longevity of a shirt, sweater, favorite pair of khakis, or treasured sport coat is in many ways more prized than anything else. While those committed to mere preppy fashion may stuff their…
With summer in full swing, you can never have too many shorts. Lacrosse Playground has come up wish a pretty cool pair of casual, multipurpose shorts that we simply love. Their Convertible Shorts are classic-fitting and made with a quick-dry polyester microfiber that also has a clever water-activated pattern. Once you get them wet, a…
Triple Aught Design (TAD) is a really unique brand. It’s products are grounded in a tactical, purposeful world. Function first and form second; the mantra of a company that seeks to create products and garments that last and perform. As a brand that is quality- and detail-driven, we find their products to be very much…
It should come as a surprise to no one that far too often form trumps function in the fashion world. Creating something in the “style” a timeless classic is more important than actually creating something that will last long enough to become a classic. “Inspired by” is often a phrase that makes our warning flag…