Hello readers! It's been much longer than intended since my last post. My summer job has seen me traveling quite a bit over the past month. Locations include Saint Michaels, MD, Assateague Island, as well as Washington, DC. Now, you might be thinking that each of those trips should be getting its own post with all of the pictures I probably took. Unfortunately, my old phone got fried by torrential rain while I was in DC, resulting in me losing years worth of pictures and contacts. So alas, there will be no Saint Michaels or DC post as initially planned. However, I was able to replace my phone the very first day of our annual Outer Banks trip, so I am thankfully able to bring you yet another post from the great state of North Carolina.
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Our Outer Banks trip is a tradition, and like most traditions, it is seldom to change. So if you want info on where I ate, shopped, and lived, check out last year's OBX post. However, we received several surprises during this year's trip. The majority of the sand dune that separated the Blanchard from the beach had vanished, giving us more beach than dune in all.
Our new view from the "crow's nest" of the Blanchard. No longer adorned with sea oats.
Another change was the heavy rain that lasted the first two and a half days of our stay. While it usually rains at least one day during our trip, that day is typically the last or close to the last day of the week. Still paranoid from losing my phone in DC the day before leaving for Nags Head, I carried my new phone in a plastic bag whenever there was even the slightest chance of rain. However, we still got a few good beach days in, even on days it did rain.
Unflattering candids come with the territory.
Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban)
Aloha Shirt (Pacific Legend Apparel) USA
* Baggies Shorts (Patagonia)
Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- See other posts.
Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses- See other posts.
Pacific Legend Aloha Shirt- There is no way around it. The Aloha/Camp/Floral shirt is a summer staple. While some might avoid them for being too loud, ugly, or dad-like, that's kinda the point. Its all about relaxation and having a little fun, so why not do it while dressed for the islands? But don't blow your money on one from Tommy Bahama or some other premium maker. Go with Pacific Legend, which actually makes its shirts in Hawaii. I got mine from Ben Franklin, a beach store in Nags Head, for under $30 about six years ago when tropic shirts were the only item in my summer wardrobe (PacSun unfortunately). While I have put most of my other aloha shirts out to pasture, I have kept this one due to its domestic manufacture. If you want one too, just google the brand and you'll likely find a shirt you like on Amazon for no more than $40. Just try to keep the shirt in beachy settings. Not everywhere can be Margaritaville.
*drapes sweat shirt over shoulders after he gets too hot --> almost immediately gets called "Brad" by waiter*
J. Crew Crewneck Sweatshirt- With the breeze coming off the ocean accompanied by the already cooler temperatures, this sweatshirt came to use several times during the week. The caption is a true story, so be warned. #DontBeABrad
Vineyard Vines Whale Shirt- See other posts.
Leatherman Ltd. Crab Motif Belt- Freshly bought from The Cotton Gin boutique in Nags Head. As a Marylander, I am way overdue for this belt.
L.L. Bean Chino Shorts- Photo was taken just before a wave kissed their tips. Another case for Chubbies. See other posts for more.
Fossil Chronograph Watch- My main summer watch for everyday wear. The Bulova is only broken out with dress clothes or Ivy inspired outfits. For more, see other posts.
Aside from the beach, I also spent quite a bit of time in the town of Manteo. While I briefly touched a bit on Manteo in my previous OBX, I will be going into more depth today. Manteo is located on Roanoke Island, about ten miles from Nags Head via causeway and bridge. The island was home to the first English colony, which vanished without a trace during the late 16th century. Manteo is now a popular tourist town full of bed and breakfasts and shopping opportunities. It also was the home of the late entertainment legend and Chapel Hill grad Andy Griffith, who got his acting career started acting in Manteo's long running outdoor play The Lost Colony.
One of Manteo's many BnBs, the Roanoke Island Inn.
The Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe sits in the center of the downtown.
Manteo is also home to the Roanoke Maritime Museum, which hosts weekly Saturday regattas on the nearby Roanoke Sound.
One of the Maritime Museum's exhibits. While much smaller than the ones in Saint Michaels and Newport News, one can still appreciate what the Manteo museum has to offer.
The aftermath of this past Saturday's regatta.
Across from downtown Manteo is the Roanoke Island Festival Park, which features a reconstructed Indian village and Elizabethan era ship for ticket-holders to tour.
In addition to a marketplace in the park and regatta on the sound, Manteo hosts bluegrass performances on Saturdays at its bandstand.
One of the most famous sites in downtown Manteo is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.
J. Crew Chino Shorts- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Probably my most frequently wore pair of shorts this summer. Yellow can be paired with more than one might think.
Sperry Topsider Boat Shoes- Go-to shoe for the week. As I discovered in DC, Alden loafers don't hold up in the rain, but Sperrys do. See other posts for more.
Senior year is almost over, and the festivities have begun! Today would be my last taping of It's Academic, as well as my two other teammates. Going up to Baltimore accompanied by our former captain (who had just finished his first year at UVA), we played our last match.
The Bennett team mid-conference. Alas, we did not proceed to finals, but came in second.
Post match debriefing with host and D.C. forecaster Dave Zahren, who is pulling off the Wall Street look with his two-tone shirt and matching tie and pocket-square.
Me:
Vintage Silk Blazer (Evan Picone) USA
Blue Crab Bowtie (Vineyard Vines) USA
Cotton Button Down (J. Crew)
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Dress Watch (Rumours) USA
Slim Fit Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Vintage Evan Picone Silk Blazer- Passed on from father. This blazer was once sold at Macy's (judging by the patch inside). This was the first time I had paired this blazer with a bowtie (usually I wear a navy knit tie with it for a more conservative Ivy look). Overall, the jacket is versatile year round and I received many compliments for it. Made in USA.
Vineyard Vines Blue Crab Bowtie- The only bow-tie I hadn't worn on the show yet. For more, see Winter 2017.
J. Crew Cotton Button Down- See It's Academic.
J. Crew Leather Belt- See Winter 2017.
Rumours Dress Watch- When wearing this blazer with a the knit tie, I usually pair my Bulova with it to keep the 1960s vibe true. However, the bowtie did not allow this, so my Rumours watch had to do. For more, see Winter 2017.
Vineyard Vines Slim Fit Club Pants- See Winter 2017.
Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Worn with socks. See Winter 2017.
*As it was raining and rather chilly for May, I paired my ensemble with a trench-coat that had been cut shorter than most models. This addition gave my Trad based outfit a fashion-forward flair in the vein of J. Press York Street or even Chuck Bass.
While we did not win, our spirits were not broken. We will still be competing at the national competition in Alexandria in three weeks. We also would now be able to make the Junior Senior Banquet being held that evening back home, and stopped at an Annapolis diner for lunch.
The Double T Diner: A historic chain of Maryland restaurants. From its jukeboxes at its tables to the cocktail bar in the middle of the establishment, it was clear that this place hadn't changed since the 1960s. (I do not claim ownership of this photo)
Getting home in time for the banquet, I picked up my date Morgan and we drove to school, where our cafeteria had been turned into an elegant dining hall for a Beauty and the Beast theme. While this was a departure from the typical preppy themes of Kentucky Derby or Martha's Vineyard our school had seen before, I must say it was the most grand of them all.
While I stayed in my outfit from Baltimore, Morgan came out with her Lilly Pulitzer for the event. The two of us could have walked into a country club dinner with no questions asked.
The evening was quite spectacular, with a live orchestra, Italian catering, and underclassmen as servers. When it was time for superlatives to be announced, the Best Dressed award was presented to yours truly.
Me with my friend Katie, who won the award for the girls. My award gift consisted of a strap-on bowtie (which I did not put on as I would have to re-tie my crab one), while her gift was the tiara she is wearing in the photo.
After the banquet, Morgan and I headed to a friend's house for an after-party of sorts. While I took several pictures at the party, I felt only this one summed it all up. TFM brah.
Nick also wore his outfit from Baltimore to the banquet, but you may notice a few minor changes here. Party on Nick! Party on Tom!
Senior Skip Day (5/15)
While Prom is this upcoming Saturday, one might think that skip day would be the Monday afterwards. However, the school planned the senior award ceremony for that evening, and requires students to attend school that day to attend the ceremony. So what happens to skip day? You make it a week earlier. Morgan and I decided to go to Ocean City for the day (like the majority of my school's seniors). For readers who aren't east coasters like myself, Ocean City is a resort town in Maryland that is famous for its beaches, boardwalk, and amusement parks. It also is a very popular destination for the week after graduating high school not only for Salisbury residents, but seniors from the Baltimore-DC area and NoVA. Hence the infamous name, senior week.
Morgan on the Boardwalk in her gingham shorts and Topsiders.
Baseball Cap (Brooks Brothers)
University Stripe OCBD (Ralph Lauren)
GTH Whale Shorts (Ralph Lauren)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Clubmaster Shades (Rayban) Italy
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
Brooks Brothers Baseball Cap- Bought from Rehoboth Beach, DE outlet store. The Golden Fleece is a step above the Ralph Lauren pony counterpart.
Ralph Lauren University Stripe OCBD- First time I've posted a pic of me wearing an OCBD untucked. Since its the beach, why not? #TFM For more, see Winter 2017.
Ralph Lauren Whale Shorts- Bought from outlet store in Nags Head, NC. Whale motif? Check. Pink and green? Check. GTH? Check. The Official Preppy Handbook would approve of this combination. While not Vineyard Vines, these whales still hold true to their classic look of GTH. For an even more GTH or fratty look, add a navy blazer.
Rayban Clubmaster Shades- See Winter 2017.
Vineyard Vines Croakies- See Springtime Hike.
KJP Anchor Bracelet- See Ringing in the New Year.
Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- See It's Academic.
The day wouldn't be complete without food from two of OC's most famous businesses:
Thrasher's Fries: An OCMD tradition since 1929
Ice Cream from Dumser's Dairyland (I do not claim
ownership of this photograph)
Ocean City is also home to Quietstorm Surf Shop. Now, one may wonder why a blog about Trad is featuring a surf shop. Quietstorm in fact one of the Eastern Shore of Maryland's few Vineyard Vines retailers, and also sells other preppy brands including Patagonia, Southern Tide, Leatherman Limited Belts, and various brands of premium sunglasses. Merry Fratmas, bros!
Quietstorm Surfshop's Vineyard Vines and Southern Tide Display (ft. Vans)
So that pretty much sums up Senior Skip Day 2017. Its been real!
