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Benefit Concert in Downtown Salisbury (April 1st)
I am proud to say I was a part of the team that helped organize the Everything Beautiful Benefit Concert, which raised funds for a scholarship in memory of our beloved classmate Natalie Insley, who was tragically lost in an automobile accident over the past summer. Our team used all of our connections to local music groups, businesses, and media outlets to put on a successful show at Headquarters Live (a firehouse renovated into a concert venue and bar) in downtown Salisbury. While it was chillier than we had hoped, this did not stop the crowds from coming and enjoying a day of music, remembrance, and fun!
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| Needlepoint Lobster Baseball Cap (Harding Lane) Monogrammed OCBD (L.L. Bean) Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (Brooks Brothers) Scotland Bedale Waxed Jacket (Barbour) England Slim Fit Club Pants (Vineyard Vines) Vintage Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland Stripe Watchband (Brooks Brothers) *Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA *unpictured |
- Harding Lane Needlepoint Lobster Hat- Bought from Amazon with gift card. While one should initially take caution with green on green combinations, I found this hat did not clash with my Barbour (which is more of an olive anyways). Maryland does not really put embrace lobster culture (instead the blue crab), but that has not stopped me from wearing it proudly around town. It has also gained attention from being worn by Kiel James Patrick (who has admitted to having one lost at sea). Harding Lane offers a variety of designs on their hats, and while still importing them, the hats are ensured to be made in Fair Labor certified settings, as well with eco-friendly materials.
- L.L. Bean Monogrammed OCBD- See Christmas 2017.
- Brooks Brothers Cashmere Crewneck Sweater- See It's Academic.
- Barbour Bedale Waxed Jacket- See Christmas 2016.
- Vineyard Vines Slim Fit Club Pants- See Winter 2017
- Watch + Band- See Ringing in the New Year
- Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- See Winter 2017
- I also decided to show off my state pride (and stay true to my blog name) with a Maryland flag koozie Morgan gave me as a gift.
80 Degrees and Sweet Tea (4/11)
Skies out thighs out. These words sum up this week perfectly. I have worn shorts every day, and so has every other guy in Salisbury. 80 degrees has also shifted my beverage of choice from lattes to sweet tea, which I indulged in with my friend Nick at our local coffee roastery and espresso bar chain, Rise Up.
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| Me (Right): Cotton Button Down (Vineyard Vines) Patchwork Shorts (Lands End Canvas) Boat Shoes (Sperry Topsider) Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA Stripe Watch Band (Brooks Brothers) Accutron Watch (Bulova) *Clubmaster Sunglasses (Rayban) Italy *unpictued Nick (Left) Madras Short Sleeve Button Down (Nautica) Chino Shorts (Tommy Hilfiger) Boat Shoes (Sperry Topsider) |
- Vineyard Vines Cotton Button Down- Bought from Rehoboth Beach, DE outlet store. This was formerly my go to shirt for dressy summer events, but it now is restricted to casual occasions due to wear. Vineyard Vines now sells an oxford cloth version, which I recommend instead of my version.
- Lands End Canvas Patchwork Shorts- Bought from local thrift store. Short? Yes. Loud? Yes. Preppy? Yes. GTH? Most definitely. Canvas is Lands End's fashion forward line, much like L.L. Bean's signature collection and Brooks Brothers' Red Fleece. In other words, it is Land's End's attempt to appeal to a younger audience (to break away from the old man reputation it has gained with L. L. Bean). However, I could see these shorts being marketed by Lands End's flagship collection as well. GTH is a timeless style for the young and old. However, older customers may not appreciate the short length.
- Sperry Original Topsider Boat Shoes- See Springtime Hike.
Spring Play (4/13)
Went to see the production of "Crumpled Classics", in which Morgan had a starring role. I decided to take a break from shorts for the occasion and switch back to my chinos while still keeping the springtime color scheme.
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| Cotton Button Down (Vineyard Vines) Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA Slim Fit Club Pants (Vineyard Vines) Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA Mechanical Watch (Benrus) Japan |
- Vineyard Vines Cotton Button Down- Bought from Rehoboth outlet. This is probably my oldest shirt from VV. Its collar has already begun to discolor from its hours of being worn in the sun. While it is not of US making, I still consider it to be my go-to shirt for spring and summer days due to its light green and blue checker pattern. In fact, I recall wearing it to Morgan's play last year.
- J. Crew Leather Belt- I had a scare with this belt two weeks ago, as I had left it by accident at another school after an orchestra concert. However, it made its way back to me this past Monday through our school's chorus leader. For more, see Winter 2017.
- Vineyard Vines Slim Fit Club Pants- See Winter 2017
- Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Today, I received the comment that these loafers were "hobo shoes" from a friend of mine (due to their wear from the previous owner). As I have said before, not everyone has an appreciation for Trad style, so I will let my friend think he is the stuff with his imported Sperry Billfish that he bought for $100 while I proudly wear my USA made Aldens that I bought for much less. As Tony of College Trad would say, it is a case of the Southern Good Ol' Boy versus the Neo-Prep/aspiring GMP. For more, see Winter 2017.
- Benrus Mechanical Watch- A gift from my great uncle. Benrus is one of many forgotten American watch companies, but continues to make quality timepieces. While not American or Swiss made, Japanese manufacturing still holds a high place on the totem pole of quality watchmaking countries. While my Bulova has become my go-to for nearly all occasions, the Benrus' glow in the dark face matched with my button down, so I decided the blend looked much more coordinated than the burgundy and navy watchband on the Bulova. As said before, the Benrus glows in the dark, is 100ft water resistant, and can tell the date. In all, not a bad watch! Made in Japan.
Church Ushering (4/23)
I usher for my church during the months of December and June, leaving me with Christmas and summer color schemes respectively. However, I was called in to substitute this Sunday, so I was granted slightly more leeway on a cool day of 55. When ushering, I typically abandon my blazer and chinos for a suit, which I did today a la Mad Men. Secretary and liquor cabinet, not included.
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| Peak Lapel Flannel Suit (Joseph Abboud) Point Collar Dress Shirt (Van Heusen) Skinny Repp Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA |
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| Captoe Dress Shoes (Bostonian/Clarks) |
- Joseph Abboud Peak Lapel Flannel Suit- While no 1960s ad man would have worn this suit due to the brand not surfacing until the 80s, I feel it still does justice to the classic look of the gray flannel suit. I hope to eventually upgrade to Brooks (which outfitted the male cast of Mad Men). For more, see It's Academic.
- Van Heusen Point Collar Dress Shirt- Another quick save on the 60s look. For more, also see It's Academic.
- Vintage Brooks Brothers Skinny Repp Tie- Bought from Goodwill in Easton, MD. The one article of clothing actually true to the era. Don Draper would likely have had one in his wardrobe. Can also be paired with a navy blazer and chinos for a more youthful (yet classic) look.
- Bostonian Captoe Dress Shoes- Bought from Boscov's Department Store. I have owned this pair of shoes for 4 years, and they still could pass for fresh out of the box. Tony from College Trad also has a pair, which he hopes to upgrade to the domestically made Allen Edmonds Park Avenues. I will follow suit when I pass the bar exam, but until then, my Bostonians will continue to serve me well. The brand has been around for long enough, and that still gains my respect.
- I further accessorized with a pocket square and tie pin. While Don only wore the pocket square, I felt the tie clip still stayed true to the early 60s look.
Honor Society Dinner (4/26)
As an officer of my Spanish Honor Society, the other officers and I hosted a dinner at our local upscale Mexican restaurant Agave Azul. Having come from an interview, Nick came donning dress clothes, leaving me in my polo and chinos. However, the two of us still could have come from 1965.
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| Me: Pique Polo Shirt (Lacoste) Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland Striped Watchband (Brooks Brothers) Khaki Chinos (Tommy Hilfiger) Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA *Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA |
- Lacoste Pique Polo Shirt- Bought from Rehoboth outlet store. Lacoste is more Preppy than Trad, as it was originally sold exclusively for tennis (a prep sport nonetheless). While reaching its heyday in the 1980s (popped collar and all), Lacoste has made the shirts since the 30s, being popular sportswear and casual wear alike. Going for a 60s look? Mad Men approves (and pairs with GTH pants and a sweater around the neck for Pete Campbell. A Deerfield alum, Dartmouth man, and quintessential Preppie.), and so does jazz icon Mel Torme, who wore the very same polo on one of his album covers.
- Vintage Bulova Accutron Watch and Brooks Brothers Band - Band colors go with the navy polo. Another 1960s hallmark (mine being made in '61 based on its date code). The accutron itself is one of the many products to be advertised by Sterling Cooper. For more, see Ringing in the New Year
- Tommy Hilfiger Khakis- Not around until the 80s, but still keeps a timeless look together. For more, see Christmas 2016.
- Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- With its store on Madison Avenue, I'd be surprised if any of the male Mad Men characters didn't own at least one pair. The likelihood of using Alden for the costumes is already high, as the company makes shoes for Brooks Brothers which was already contracted for costume design. For more, see Winter 2017.
Graduation Pool Party (5/27)
A month later, and I'm back! A lot of my May outfits have been covered in other posts, but I couldn't leave this Spring post hanging without at least one May event (itself being a sneak peak of summer). Today was my friend Mason's graduation party, and I couldn't think of a better time than to go full out TFM. Nick had the same idea as well. *Warning: What you are about to see is a total departure from the previous two outfits, and not necessarily Trad. Viewer discretion is advised.
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| Me: Skipjack Hat (Southern Tide) Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA Clubmaster Shades (Rayban) Italy Longsleeve T-Shirt (Vineyard Vines) 5" Swim trunks (Ralph Lauren) Original Topsiders (Sperry) Nick: Madras Shirt (Nautica) Frat Hat (Southern Proper) Original Topsiders (Sperry) |
- Southern Tide Skipjack Hat- Bought from The Cotton Gin boutique in Nags Head, NC. Worn backwards in typical fratty fashion. Did this on my last day of class as well, and repeated referred to as "Frat Tom" or "Lax Tom" (even though I have never picked up a lacrosse stick or even rushed a fraternity). You got it, brah. Saw several of these hats during my classes at William & Mary. Tony from College Trad wasn't wrong when referring to Southern Tide as collegiate.
- Vineyard Vines Croakies- Another frat/lax staple. Pair with Costas or Oakleys for an even frattier look. Raybans keep things classic. For more, see Springtime Hike.
- Vineyard Vines Longsleeve Tee- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. One of the first VV items I bought. Always a good start for those wanting to dress "preppy", and invites the question about if you have been to Martha's Vineyard, being a "no" for most in Salisbury (myself sadly included). I typically save mine for the beach or poolside now.
- Rayban Clubmaster Shades- See Winter 2017.
- Ralph Lauren 5" Swim Trunks- Bought from outlet store in Nags Head, NC. Skies out, thighs out. These babies are short enough to be in the same vein as Chubbies. While College Trad discourages them due to Ralph's mainstream popularity (which I do acknowledge), I still endorse these trunks as my swimsuit of choice for hitting the beach or the swimming pool. Mason (who regarded my Aldens as "hobo shoes" earlier in this post) even mistook them for regular shorts. Wear them with an untucked shirt, and nobody will be the wiser (unless you've read this blog).
- Nick outdressed me today, coming to the party in his madras shirt from Nautica, chino shorts, Sperrys, and Gatsby style sunglasses from J. Crew. However, he soon came down to the TFM level too, breaking out his Southern Proper (aka SoPro) Frat Hat, ditching the chinos for board shorts, while keeping the madras and boat shoes. Business on top, party down below.
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