Retrospective: 2018

Hello readers. 2018 was a crazy year. As you may have noticed, I have not been able to post much during the summer and autumn/winter months. Because of this, I have decided to compile any pictures that were not featured in earlier into one mega post for the later months of the year.

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As mentioned earlier, I took a job this past summer with SU's English Language Institute. The job consisted of driving vans for the summer international students and providing them with a link into American life. The students came from all over, including Korea, China, Japan, and Spain. While I made an effort to get to know all of the students, the group I connected with the most was the Spanish students. It was a group of roughly 50 from the city of Malaga, who were all rising sophomores like myself. While I took many pictures at the planned activities, my phone's untimely demise prevents me from sharing them with you. However, I did manage to take some photos with my new phone, so I bring you them today.

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World Cup Party (July)

Two days after the arrival of the Spanish was the final match of the World Cup. With soccer being a pretty big deal in Spain, my boss decided to host a viewing party at his house. While many photos were taken that day and uploaded to WhatsApp, the destruction of my phone prevents me from sharing them. However, one picture did resurface in a "Miss You" post on Instagram. While I don't usually favor selfies on the blog, I'll make an exception here.

Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Athletic Fit Polo Shirt (Brooks Brothers)

• Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses- Genetically attached during the summer, I know. For more, see other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Athletic Fit Polo Shirt- Not from my preferred Golden Fleece Line, but I'll still take it. The fit is much more streamlined and looks good tucked or untucked. Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Looks good with yellow or khaki shorts

Assateague Island (July)
The waters of the Mid-Atlantic are much rougher than those of the Mediterranean, on which Malaga is situated. We chose the perfect day to bring the students to the beach, and it didn't rain until the very second we got on the bus to return to Salisbury. While we made the promise of seeing the wild horses on the island, they ultimately refused to show.

El Americano

Chappy Flag Trunks (Vineyard Vines)

• Vineyard Vines Chappy Flag Trunks- As I was told several times that day, these trunks make me look "very American". See other posts for more.

Farewell Banquet (August)
When the Summer ELI program started years ago, the goodbye was a simple pool party and potluck at the director's house. Now, it is a catered event held in Salisbury University's fine dining hall. While I normally would don a blazer in such situations, my coworker Matt suggested all of the male employees wear suits. Typically, I opt for a seersucker or tan poplin suit during the summertime. However, given the international nature of the event, I decided to opt for a continental 1960s look rather than that of a Southern lawyer. Goodbye Atticus Finch. Hello Mr. Bond/Draper.

One of many goodbye photos taken that day.

Gray Flannel Suit (Joseph Abboud)
Point Collar Dress Shirt (Van Heusen)
 Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
Captoe Dress Shoes (Bostonian)

• Joseph Abboud Gray Flannel Suit- Had the peak lapels altered to regular for cosmetic reasons. Still need to have the pants cuffed, but other than that, Joe Abboud is holding up for me until I decide to up my game to Brooks Brothers.
• Van Heusen Dress Shirt- Yes, its a brand that can be bought at regional department stores such as Boscov's and Belk, but its been around for decades! While they are nowhere near the quality of Brooks Brothers, they are a cheap fix for the man on the hunt for a dress shirt.
• Brooks Brothers Tie- Bought at Rehoboth Beach outlet store. Made for Brooks' infamous Black Fleece collection, this tie was originally set at a price of $125 until I bought it for only 1/5th of that price. While most stuff from Black Fleece I wouldn't be caught dead in, this tie's slim cut is a throwback to the company's mid-century heyday. Made in USA.
• Bostonian Captoe Dress Shoes- Five years old and still kickin', literally. For more, see other posts.

Bonfire at Assateague Island (October)

Lets skip to Autumn now. The two months that followed August were rough, as they saw the final days of my grandfather, to whom I was very close.  Needless to say, I didn't much think to keep the blog or Instagram updated, as I was not out doing anything for the most part. In the end, we must focus on the things that really matter. However, I did manage to make it out to a beach bonfire in mid October.

"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a true story involving a bonfire.

Bedale Waxed Jacket (Barbour) England
Fisherman Sweater (L.L. Bean) Ireland
Tattersall Shirt (Orvis)
Driggs Chinos (J. Crew)
*Duck Boots (L.L. Bean) USA

• Barbour Bedale Waxed Jacket- First time used this season. A cold front hit the Peninsula the day before, dropping the lows to the 40s. I planned on sending it for waxing over the summer, but time got away from me. So in November, I decided to undertake the task of waxing it on my own. It was a process that took about an hour and a half. The wax kept having to be remelted. In the end, I don't think I did that bad of a job. If you make time for it, I highly recommend waxing your jacket itself rather than sending it away (at least once)!
• L.L. Bean Fisherman Sweater- Ordered on eBay for $60, compared to $169 from Bean itself. Along with duck boots, tote bags, and Norwegian sweaters, it is one of the few items left made by L.L. Bean in quality countries. Many brands try to replicate these sweaters, and many will fail with their Chinese made alternatives. The only thing ranking higher L.L. Bean's sweater would be one from an Irish brand.
• Orvis Tattersall Shirt- Brought it out of storage the day before. See other posts for more.
• J. Crew Driggs Chinos- In a shade of deep dark khaki. Probably my most versatile pair of pants during Fall/Winter. They are a bit too dark for Spring/Summer, but by then, we are all eager to be wearing pastel shorts again.
• L.L. Bean Duck Boots- Broken out in early September during a 70 degree rainy day, but returned to storage again until October. Those things are like foot saunas! For more, see other posts.

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Happy 2019! 

Holiday Season 2018

Friendsgiving Party 
Hosted by Salisbury University's Christian student organization the weekend before Thanksgiving Break.

Tattersall Shirt (Orvis)
Lambswool Sweater (J. Crew)
Quilted Vest (Ralph Lauren)
Flex Fit Chinos (J. Crew)
Duck Boots (L.L. Bean) USA

• Orvis Tattersall Shirt- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach. Tattersall is to the UK as flannel is to the USA for outdoors wear. While you can find tattersall shirts pretty much anywhere, Orvis and Viyella are the gold standard for fall/winter colors. L.L. Bean, Brooks Brothers, and even Eddie Bauer are also acceptable. For spring/summer, Vineyard Vines offers the best variety of colors.
• J. Crew Lambswool Crewneck Sweater- Bought from outlet in Rehoboth Beach. I must say I was impressed by J. Crew's attempt at the classic Shetland sweater. While not as heavy or expensive as J. Press's Shaggy Dog sweater, it comes in the same variety of colors and is pretty much identical.
• Ralph Lauren Quilted Vest- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate several years ago. With its corduroy lapels, this vest is much more hunt/riding club than 1980s Prep or Finance Bro. I sized up twice in order to fit heavy sweaters under it, but it still fits perfectly with just a shirt. (I am a size M, while the vest is XL)
• J. Crew Flex Fit Chinos- An upgrade from my straight fit Suttons. J. Crew's slim fit is definitely worth buying
• L.L. Bean Duck Boots- About to enter their 2nd year of wear. See other posts for more.
• Note: Mason is sporting a deviation of Southern Prep that is common on the Delmarva Peninsula. During the spring/summer, it consists of khaki shorts and a neutral polo or tee shirt. A flannel and jeans during winter/fall. Present at all times are a pair of Billfish Sperrys, and optional are a ball cap, fishing shades, and anything made by Under Armour. 

HSA Christmas Party

While the party had an ugly sweater theme, I had to deliver a speech, which made me decide upon a classier combo.  I feel Mr. Kennedy would approve.

 Vintage Camel Hair Sport Coat (Stafford)
Button Down (J. Crew)
Christmas Bow Tie (Beau Ties LTD) USA
Merino Sweater (Brooks Brothers)

• Vintage Stafford Camel Hair Sportcoat- Passed down from father. In a shade of dark green. I try to break the jacket out for Christmas and St. Patty's, and always end up getting asked if I won the Masters. Not quite a GTH item, but still wear with the rest of your outfit in mind.
• J. Crew Button Down- See other posts.
• Beau Ties Christmas Bow Tie- Inherited from family friend. This bow tie is decorated with mistletoe and holly. Made in Vermont, USA.
• Brooks Brothers Merino Sweater- A Christmas staple. Pair with Harris Tweed or camel hair for best results. For more, see other posts.

Christmas Day

This Christmas was a tough one for my family, as it was the first one spent without my grandfather. However, it was also a joyful Christmas, as it was our first one spent with Hattie, our new Catahoula Leopard Hound. We were sure to bring her on our annual post-brunch hike at Pemberton Hall.

Having recently lost our 16 year old dog Jude, my family decided to adopt a younger dog from a local shelter in Cambridge, MD. It was there where we fell in love with Hattie (formerly Maggie) and took her home that day.

Nano-puff Jacket (Patagonia)
Better Sweater Vest (Patagonia)
Dress Gordon Scotch Flannel Shirt (L.L. Bean)

• Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket- Bought new off eBay for much less than the retail price. Next semester, I will be studying abroad in a country of colder climate (not gonna say yet), so I needed an outer layer that would block the wind and keep the heat in. The Nano Puff can do both, and can be worn stylishly in town and country alike with a 1980s ski-prep vibe. *
• Patagonia Better Sweater Vest- Bought from Vernon Powell Shoes, our local Patagonia and Vineyard Vines retailer. The opposite of its above mentioned quilted counterpart, this vest is much more finance bro than country gentleman. Favored by investment bankers and corporate analysts, it is now typically paired with an OCBD, slacks, and dressier shoes to form the so-called Midtown Uniform. However, it is still perfectly acceptable to wear it for its intended purpose of being in the outdoors.*
• L.L. Bean Dress Gordon Scotch Flannel Shirt- Bought from L.L. Bean's website. For those looking for an inexpensive flannel that isn't used, see what L.L. Bean has to offer. While they are no longer made in the US, the shirts are still long lasting and come in a variety of Scottish tartans. I own another one in Blackwatch. 

*Both of these items run slim, so if you plan on layering heavy sweaters underneath, size up.

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

Preachin' on Beachin'

Hello readers! Just as I said in my last post, summer has indeed come to town! It has been in the upper 80s and low 90s for about a week now, and it doesn't look like it plans to leave this range. So lets get into a summer frame of mind with a beach post! Enjoy!

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(A Few) Delmarva Beaches

Salisbury is a fairly boring city, despite being the 3rd largest on the Delmarva Peninsula. While we are home to a Division III lacrosse powerhouse and the corporate headquarters of Perdue Farms, there is little else that distinguishes Salisbury as an interesting town. However, our proximity to beaches is one thing Salisburians never complain about. We are a 30 minute drive from Ocean City, MD, which I am pretty sure 99% of my Maryland readers have been to at least once. However, Ocean City is not the only beach in the area. To the north of OCMD are the Delaware Beaches of Fenwick, Bethany, Dewey, Rehoboth, and Lewes. Just south of Ocean City's inlet is Assateague Island, a state and national seashore popular for those who want to avoid the urban feel of OC (thus becoming more crowded by people who share this mindset). It is also famous for the wild horses that call the island home. Assateague extends into the Virginian part of Delmarva, then leading to Chincoteague Island, a resort town famous for its yearly Pony Penning (Misty of Chincoteague, anyone?). Also nearby is the NASA base at Wallops Island, infamous for the 2014 explosion of a rocket to be sent to the ISS. Anyways, enough with those Virginians. Back to "Muraland"! To the west of Salisbury lie more beaches within an equal distance to OC. The Nanticoke River is home to Tyaskin Park, Cove Beach, and Roaring Point Park. These beaches are popular with those wishing to avoid the crowds of the coastal ones, and thus become just as crowded.

Roaring Point (6/14)

On Thursday of last week, we made the decision to start taking advantage of the warm weather and our closeness to the water and start going to the beach. Due to the lack of time due to a meeting I had at 5:30 and the heavy volume of traffic, Mason, Chris, and I decided to hit up the Nanticoke Beaches for a few hours (Nick couldn't make it). While we initially planned to kayak, we were disappointed to find out the boats wouldn't fit in the bed of Mason's Sierra due to the extended cab. Not wanting to waste more time by retrieving his Ford Ranger from storage, we decided just to bring a football and go swimming. Not wanting to have to take a longer drive through Salisbury, we decided to take the ferry across the Wicomico River to save time.

The Upper Ferry runs from the village of Eden in Somerset County to the West Side outskirts of Salisbury, home to a large number of McMansion developments that began to appear in the 1980s. (picture property of Mapio.net)

Upper Ferry Road then leads the Nanticoke Road, which then is a 15 minute drive to a fork in the road divided by Boonies Restaurant, a childhood favorite of mine. The North road leads to Tyaskin, while the South road leads to the village of Bivalve, Cedar Hill and Nanticoke Marinas, and the Cove and Roaring Point Beaches. We took the latter of the roads and first stopped at the Cove to see how crowded it was. Sure enough, the place was packed, mostly with young families, including my History professor and his 2 year old. With not enough available shoreline for our shenanigans, we decided to leave and check out Roaring Point, which was far less crowded and had much more space to set up our stuff. 

Calmer than the waters of the Atlantic and the Chesapeake, Nanticoke River beaches are popular with families with young children, and locals wanting to avoid the out-of-towners who take over Ocean City and Assateague Island.

We stayed for about two hours, swimming and tossing the football. It was the bugs and my impending meeting that resulted in us leaving. Both flies and jellyfish are usually what cause the mass evacuation from the river beaches around 4 in the afternoon.

Football and Flag Day (ft. Brad and Chad)

College Hat (Salisbury University)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Blue OCBD (Lands End) USA
Chappy Trunks (Vineyard Vines)

• Salisbury University College Hat- Free hat given out during orientation. Just a month after I bought a near identical one from the campus bookstore, and a day after Mason bought his. I will actually be giving this hat its very own post in coming weeks (or maybe days), so stay tuned!
• Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses- See other posts.
• Lands End Blue OCBD- The most versatile shirt in the Ivy/Preppy/Trad wardrobe also serves as the perfect pre/post swim cover-up. For more, see other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Chappy Trunks- Allison's beloved gift has returned from hibernation. With this being Flag Day, they had an extra special meaning. However, I'd just as soon wear them any other day. If you love your country, why only show it on given days? For more, see my Red Roost post from last summer.

Assateague Island (6/16)

Two days later saw a return to a beachy environment, albeit without Chris, who was performing in the Salisbury Chamber Music Festival, and with Nick. We also called up our friend Matt from high school, back in Salisbury on break from Syracuse. As Ocean City would be a nightmare zone due to the airshow taking place, we decided to hit up Assateague and buy a year round beach pass for the Sierra.

Assateague National Seashore is favored for allowing trucks on the beach in one of its Southernmost sections. It also is a popular campground.

While the waves were not rough at all, sandbars prevented us from doing any body surfing. Also, the crabs were in rare form that day. However, the day was perfect for skimboarding!

Only thing missing is the Yeti.

Me: Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Croakies (Southern Tide)
Button Down (J. Crew)
Coozie (The Lucky Knot)
Boat Shoes (Sperry)
Nick: Trucker Hat (Rise Up Coffee Roasters)
Retro Frame Sunglasses (J. Crew)
Croakies (Southern Tide)
Breton Stripe Frocket (J. Crew)
Ironman Triathlon Watch (Timex)
Reversible Coozie (Southern Tide)
Z/Cloud Sandals (Chaco)

• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- Three years old and going strong. See other posts.
• Southern Tide Croakies- Mine with a nautical flag motif, and Nick's in rainbow, which I also own a pair of from the same store. See other posts for more, most notably Alexandria, VA.
• J. Crew Button Down- Typically my go-to shirt to be worn with a blazer and bow tie. Also used as a beach cover-up since my Vineyard Vines one has begun to yellow (RIP). For more, see other posts.
• Lucky Knot Coozie- Bought from the store which it bares the name of in Alexandria, VA. However, it was bought during a visit separate from the one I blogged about. Features the motto "Work like a captain, party like a pirate." When Nick and I visited the store last year however, the coozies had vanished. 
• Sperry Boat Shoes- Not truly boat shoes unless you have a little sand in them. For more, see other posts.
• Rise Up Coffee Trucker Hat- I have featured Rise Up before in other posts. In addition to amazing beverages, the ever growing coffee company now offers a line of apparel with its logo. 
• J. Crew Retro Frame Sunglasses- Basic clubmaster style of sunglasses for a bargain price! 
• J. Crew Breton Stripe Frocket Tee- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate during one of our visits. Breton striped anything is usually a hit, and is paired stylishly with red.
• Timex Ironman Triathlon Watch- A timepiece Nick has sung high praises of. For those who want a high functioning watch that you don't want to have to read Roman numerals on.
• Southern Tide Reversible Coozie- A Christmas gift I bought for Nick from RW Bryant in Williamsburg.
• Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals- Later paired with socks after a game of pool basketball at Mason's. While I know I could never pull that off, Nick, somehow, DID! See Spring 2018 for more.
• Also featured in the pic is Nick's Salisbury University Lax hat. Now, I know what you're thinking. Nick doesn't go to SU or play lacrosse. However, the hat is actually a collectors item. It is signed by the 2004 lax team, which won nationals that year (like many other years). 

It wouldn't be a beach day without some corn hole, Zac Brown Band, and Jimmy Buffett. 

Brads, Chads, or dads?

After a day of swimming, football, and corn hole, we left the island around 7 for some dinner in West Ocean City, which was packed due to the exodus from the airshow. After that, we cruised on back to Salisbury jamming to some Yacht Rock. In all, it was a good day for the beach!

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Spring 2018

Summer is finally here! Linens, whites, and seersuckers finally make a long awaited return, and so do I to the blog world! And now, here is my spring post as promised!

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City of Salisbury Easter Egg Hunt (4/30)

In October, Salisbury University's Honors College was given the opportunity to host Salisbury's annual Easter Egg hunt on SU's front lawn. Wanting to get involved in a way similar to last year's benefit concert (which fell on the same weekend), I stepped up to be the event's Head of Media, arranging TV spots, newspaper articles, etc. I was even lucky enough to get our mayor to attend with his family. Thanks to the work of everyone in the Honors College, as well as those in the community who helped us, the event was a success! I am looking forward to helping out again next year!

We were also fortunate to have our local CBS affiliate WBOC agree to cover the event.

Synchilla Snap-T (Patagonia)
Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy

• Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T- My go-to for an Easter event would typically be a pastel sweater or pair of GTH pants. However, each of the volunteers was issued an event T-shirt to wear during the hunt. Not wanting to be chilly but not wanting to pair a t-shirt with a sweater, I compromised with Patagucci. For more, see other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- VV+Patagonia = Chadagonia. For more, see other posts.

Easter Sunday

Easter at a Methodist Church has the tendency to bring most of its dormant members out of the woodwork to pack the pews. It also brings a tidal wave of whites, pastels, and other colors and fabrics that would usually be saved for the Kentucky Derby or the summer. While I usually use this as my first use of seersucker for the season, Easter was chillier than usual this year, so I vied for a dandyfied version of the basic navy blazer, repp tie, and chinos.

Happy I got to catch up with my friend Becca, who goes to Towson University across the Bay.

Straw Boater Hat (Scala)
Repp Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
White OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Navy Blazer (Belk) USA
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Buckskin Wingtips (G H Bass)

• Scala Straw Boater Hat- This will probably be its solo outing this year. See other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Repp Tie- Same as my William & Mary scarf, was likened to Harry Potter by one of the masses (not at church though). Gotta love this town. See other posts for more.
• L.L. Bean White OCBD- See other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- See other posts.
• G.H. Bass Buckskin Wingtips- To be saved for the Derby or summertime. For more, see other posts.

Memorial Day Weekend (5/26-5/28)

Spent with the boys of course. Saturday consisted of cruising around the countryside in Mason's Jeep with the doors off. Sunday saw a barbecue with fresh burgers and beer brats, that eventually got stormed out and led to me going swimming during the lightning. And Monday saw me getting thrown into the covered bed of Mason's pickup and taken to the boonies after I shut off his round of Fortnite (#FortniteChallenge). In all, it was a weekend worth remembering.

Brad and Chad Take America

Me:
Classic Fit Polo (Ralph Lauren)
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
'Merica Shorts (Chubbies) USA
Boat Shoes (Sperry Topsider)
Nick:
Seersucker Frocket Tee (Brooks Brothers)
Stand-up Shorts (Patagonia)
Sandals (Chacos)

• Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt- See other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- See other posts.
• Chubbies 'Merica Shorts- Bought from Chubbies website. With their fast, free shipping and free returns, Chubbies is a brand that values customer service and product quality. These shorts are made in the country of the flag they bare, and are the epitome of Go-To-Hell and fratty style. Don't tread lightly when wearing these shorts. They are to be worn with attitude and confidence by a man who loves his country. Skies out, thighs out!
• Sperry Boat Shoes- Had these shoes for three years this week. For more, see other posts.
• Brooks Brothers Seersucker Frocket Tee- Bought from outlet in Ocean City, MD. A hit in Nashville, according to Nick.
• Patagonia Stand-up Shorts- Need to get a pair for myself soon!
• Chacos Sandals- Sandals fratty? That's what I thought before Nick introduced me to them as a Southern college staple from Vanderbilt. They fall into a sartorial category that Tony from College Trad calls "Tech Prep". Definitely tops TEVA (Tony endorses them, but I still cringe), Keen, Birkenstock, and most definitely Crocs. Just be sure to pair them with shorts that lack cargo pockets (why am I even saying this to you?).

Fun shirt (Brooks Brothers)
Cotton Sweater (Ralph Lauren)
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
Chino Shorts (L.L. Bean)
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Brooks Brothers Fun Shirt- A gift from Allison. The 1980s OG of color blocking shirts. Coming in university stripe with a point collar and flap pockets, it serves as a two-season alternative to my summer-only linen one from Vineyard Vines.
• Ralph Lauren Cotton Sweater- Do not seriously tie it around your neck unless you actually get hot. You will look like a try-hard if you factor it into your daily outfit (been there, done that, learned my lesson). For one ironic picture (like above), go ahead. For more, see other posts.
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- See other posts.
• L.L. Bean Chino Shorts- For more, see other posts.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Not the best shoe for the back roads of Fruitland, MD, or the back of a pickup truck for that matter. See other posts.

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And now that summer is here:

Twilight of Summer 2017

There are three ends to summer: the first day of class, labor day, and finally, the first day of autumn. FDOC allows students one week to flaunt their seersucker, madras, and white on campus before they expire the day after labor day (while I still see the occasional frat bro wearing them into the month). However, the weather is still warm enough for short sleeves and shorts until the seasonal beginning of fall around the 22nd of September. After that, sweater weather has begun, unless you live in Salisbury where it will continue to be warm until mid-October. It is this period of class time in between the first day of class and the first day of fall that I like to call the the twilight of summer. It may be warm enough to wear your shorts and Sperrys, but a Patagonia may come in handy walking to an 8 am lecture.

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Shorebirds Baseball Game (9/1)

Salisbury is home to the Delmarva Shorebirds, a minor league Baltimore Orioles feeder team and Nick's former employer (as you can't be Sherman the Shorebird and go to Vanderbilt at the same time). I went with some friends to a game to celebrate one week down of classes. Even though Labor Day hadn't yet hit us, it felt like fall at Perdue Stadium.

A flock of Seagulls meet Sherman the Shorebird.
Golden Fleece Cap (Brooks Brothers)
University Stripe OCBD (Ralph Lauren)
Fleece Vest (Vineyard Vines)
Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Topsider Boat Shoes (Sperry)

• Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Cap- See Skip Day.
• Ralph Lauren University Stripe OCBD- See other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Fleece Vest- A much appreciated gift from my friend Allison. This vest is an outlet exclusive, and was found at Uptown Cheapskate. While I have another in blue (bought from Rehoboth Beach outlet store), I prefer this green version. Especially when classically paired with pink.
• Brooks Brothers Casual Chinos- Need ironing. See Early Summer 2017.
• Sperry Topsider Boat Shoes- Gonna keep wearing these until Fall officially comes. I will then switch over to my other, more moc-like pair of Sperrys. See other posts for more.

Church Service (9/3)

Change of scene: Salisbury, MD. 1967. While on the wane in the Northeast, the Ivy League look will be around here for three more years.

Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Knit Tie (Banana Republic)
Bleeding Madras Sport Coat (Frank Leonard of Baltimore) USA
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland

• Ray Ban Wayfarers- 60s brand? Check. (See other posts.)
• L.L. Bean OCBD- 60s brand? Check! (See other posts.)
• Banana Republic Knit Tie- While one of my most 60s based pieces of clothing, it is not from a brand of the decade. This slim knit tie still follows a classic style common of that time though. While I hope to find either a vintage version someday, BR will do for now.
• Frank Leonard Bleeding Madras Sport Coat- I found this blazer while browsing through Season's Best Antiques with Allison. Season's Best has always catered toward my interest through their collections of vintage ties, as well as selling me my copy of The Official Preppy Handbook. When I found the jacket, I was thrilled to find it fit perfectly! From a university shop of 1960s Baltimore, this sport coat is "guaranteed to bleed" on a label on its inside. Made in the USA of authentic Indian madras.
• Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- 60s brand? Check! (See other posts.)
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- 60s brand? Check! (See other posts.)
• Bulova Accutron- Authentic 60s timepiece? Check! (See other posts.)

Beach Bonfire (9/8)

Drove the flock to Assateague National Seashore for a late night bonfire. Then to OC when I found out my bro Ed had never been before.

Just after the water hit us.
Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Gingham Button Down (Southern Proper)
Synchilla Snap T (Patagonia)
Chino Shorts (L.L. Bean)

• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- See OBX 2017.
• Southern Proper Gingham Button Down- One of the original Southern Preppy brands. Just like Southern Tide, this company makes shirts of the same quality of any other imported brand and sells them at a mark-up. Is that logo of a dog wearing a bow-tie fratastic? Absolutely yes! Is that little dog wearing a bow-tie worth $100 a shirt? Absolutely not! That's why when I found this shirt at Uptown Cheapskate for $15, I bought it right away. *Warning: This shirt (a medium) is of a boxy cut and generous in material, but short in the sleeves. Fellow mediums, beware.
• Patagonia Synchilla Snap T- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate for around $20, while most Patagucci sells for over $100. While neither Ivy nor Traditional, the Synchilla falls into the realm of post-1980 preppy, and definitely fratty. Coming out in new designs each year, one has many options to choose from. While I typically find gray and olive to be dull, my fleece of these colors has proven to be quite versatile with my selection of shirts to wear under it.
• L. L. Bean Chino Shorts- See other posts.

Game Day (9/9)
First home game of the season, and we beat William Paterson 63-7. Go Gulls!

Sammy the Seagull and his flock.
Salisbury University Rugby Shirt (Barbarian) Canada

• Barbarian SU Rugby Shirt- Another gift from Allison. Many companies try their hand at Rugby shirts. Ralph Lauren, Lands End, L. L. Bean, and more. However, Barbarian has managed to undercut them all in price and in quality. This jersey was made in Canada and is a bargain from the SU Bookstore, while the other brands have the tendency to import from Asia and charge steep prices. Mine fits great, and gained numerous compliments from friends and strangers alike.

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Retrospective: Summer 2016

While this current summer has been a relatively laid back affair for me, last year's was quite a contrast. The excitement began less than 3 days into my summer break with a college tour. This started at Wake Forest in Winston Salem, NC. Both of my parents were enrolled here for graduate school.  I sadly did not take any pictures of the campus, but I would have definitely applied if it had not taken 10 hours to drive there.

Downtown Winston Salem
Golden Fleece Cap (Brooks Brothers)
Aviator Sunglasses (Ray-Ban) Italy
Pique Polo Shirt (Vineyard Vines)
Seersucker Shorts (Vineyard Vines)
Weejun Penny Loafers (Bass)
Grant Chronograph (Fossil)
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA

• Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Cap- See Skip Day.
• Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses- A gift from a friend. I have mainly retired these sunglasses to yardwork due to the wear on them. 
• Vineyard Vines Pique Polo- Bought from Rehoboth, DE outlet. My only VV polo shirt. A step up from the overused Ralph Lauren, but not as esteemed as Lacoste or Brooks Brothers.
• Vineyard Vines Seersucker Shorts- When in the South.... (For more, see Early Summer 2017)
• Bass Weejuns- Later on my college tour, a man in Davidson, NC introduced me to Alden. See Winter 2017.
• Fossil Chronograph Watch- See other posts.
• KJP Anchor Bracelet- See other posts.

My next stop on my college tour was at Davidson College in Davidson, NC. I sadly did not take any pictures of that campus either, while I still loved the tour. A small, Southern, liberal arts, division I school where Stephen Curry once played for, what could be wrong with it? A 12 hour drive from Salisbury, MD. While in Davidson, I visited a small men's store next to the college, that sold the likes of Barbour, Alden, and Southern Tide. I bought a pair of croakies before leaving. Our next stop was not a college, but the mountain town of Linville in Western North Carolina, where we would be staying in a cabin for several days.

Pique Polo (Lacoste)
Pleated Shorts (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Topsider Boat Shoes (Sperry)

• Lacoste Pique Polo- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate in Salisbury, MD. Not as well fitting as my navy version. Its bright lavender color would make it a hit with 1980s preppies.
• Ralph Lauren Pleated Shorts- My only pair of khaki shorts at the time. Now replaced by pleat-less L. L. Beans. For more, see Springtime Hike.
• Sperry Topsider Boat Shoes- A dressier alternative to the classic brown leather body and white soles. More moccasin like than the others as well. May even be worn into colder months with socks.

Hiking on Roan Mountain TFM style.
Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Longsleeve T-Shirt (Collared Greens) USA
Running Shoes (Brooks)

• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- See Outer Banks 2017.
• Collared Greens Longsleeve Tee Shirt- See other posts.
• Brooks Running Shoes- While my go-to athletic shoes are my Under Armours, I decided to bring my rarely worn Brookses instead.

Outside of Linville Caverns
Needlepoint Lobster Hat (Harding Lane)
Cotton Button Down (Vineyard Vines)
William & Mary Shep Shirt (Vineyard Vines)

• Harding Lane Needlepoint Lobster Hat- See Spring 2017.
• Vineyard Vines Button Down- See Spring 2017.
• Vineyard Vines William & Mary Shep Shirt- Bought at the William & Mary bookstore during my summer class of 2015. Originally $130, I managed to bring my cash payment to only 15% of the cost. Using my 20% student discount, plus various Barnes and Noble (who was partnered with the college in owning the bookstore) gift cards I had accrued over the years, I ended up paying only $20 out-of-pocket. A breathable extra layer for cooler days in any season (except winter, where you might want a little more).*WARNING: Only wear college gear if either you or a family member has gone to that school (as in my case, my father went to W&M for his PhD). Otherwise, you are inviting uncomfortable questions or reactions.

After several days in Linville, I resumed my college tour in Lexington, VA at Washington and Lee University. It shares the town with Virginia Military Institute, where my father went for undergrad. However, I did not tour there (to the relief of my dad). This was probably my favorite college on the tour, but also happened to be the most expensive. After my campus tour, I managed to stop in at Alvin-Dennis, a men's store that College Trad has featured on his blog (along with the school itself). However, thinking about the price of W&L, I didn't buy anything. Funny thing is, I ended up not applying at all!

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I was home for one week before the next part of my summer began, and that was my summer class at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. It was my second summer taking a course there. Also returning from the previous summer was my friend Christian from Texas. Christian attended St. John's School in Houston, which is where the Wes Anderson film Rushmore was filmed (and also where Anderson himself attended), and is currently bound for Princeton.

The Wolf Pack of W&M: Gus, yours truly, Rahul, Christian, and Josh
Seersucker Sport Coat (Architect)
Button Down Shirt (J. Crew)
Blue Crab Bow Tie (Vineyard Vines) USA
GTH Pants (Polo Ralph Lauren)
*Two-Toned Wingtips (Bass)

• Architect Seersucker Sportcoat- See Easter 2017.
• J. Crew Button Down Shirt- See other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Blue Crab Bowtie- See other posts.
• Ralph Lauren GTH Chinos- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Made of lighter material than my Nantucket Reds and pink VV club pants, I debated between these and my blue club pants when preparing for the humidity of Tidewater Virginia. 

Going out for Fourth of July lunch at The Trellis
Linen Party Shirt (Vineyard Vines)
Woven Belt (J. Crew) USA
GTH Pants (Banana Republic)

• Vineyard Vines Linen Party Shirt- While normally I would never pair this shirt with another GTH item, the pants proved to be an exception to this rule. See Early Summer 2017.
• J. Crew Woven Belt- See other posts.
• Banana Republic GTH Chinos- Bought from Banana Republic store in Alexandria, VA. My stand-ins for authentic Nantucket Reds. I wore these pants for all three of my college tours (paired with a neutral OCBD), as well as my W&M interview.
• The umbrella was purchased that day from RW Bryant Ltd., as the holiday did not stop the rain from coming.

Reppin' Southern Tide in RVA
Skipjack Hat (Southern Tide)
Skipjack Polo (Southern Tide)
Seersucker Shorts (Rugby Ralph Lauren)

• Southern Tide Skipjack Hat- One of many at W&M. For more, see Spring 2017.
• Southern Tide Skipjack Polo- Bought from RW Bryant Ltd. one day before this photo was taken. Another harmonious pairing of pink and green. Take away the hat, and 2016 Thomas would have had the perfect outfit. If only he knew he looked like a walking Southern Tide ad. 
• Rugby Ralph Lauren Seersucker Shorts- In 2004, Ralph Lauren introduced the line Rugby, which attempted a more collegiate (some might say WASPier) style than regular Polo. The line was discontinued in 2013, but Rugby clothing can still be found in used clothing stores and on eBay. I found these bad boys at Uptown Cheapskate. They are not much different from my Vineyard Vines shorts, with the exception being a double belt loop near the front button.

On the James River Ferry.
Clubmaster Shades (PacSun)
University Stripe OCBD (Vineyard Vines)
Printed Lobster Shorts (Izod)

• PacSun Clubmaster Shades- Bought as a cheap fix for casual sunglasses (only $3) when I used to shop at PacSun as a freshman in high school. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Other than that, these were not a bad pair of sunglasses. I finally passed them along to Nick after buying a pair of Ray-Bans from Uptown Cheapskate. They were then stolen from him at a restaurant a day later.
• Vineyard Vines University Stripe OCBD- See other posts.
• Izod Printed Lobster Shorts- My first try in the area of GTH clothing. I bought these shorts on Amazon during my sophomore year of high school, a time where I was somewhat oblivious to the quality of clothing. While they have held up as a good pair of shorts, I would not have bought them now, as their inseam covers the knee. And when looking for a GTH motif, always choose embroidered over printed.

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After returning to Salisbury from William & Mary, I only had one week until my annual trip to the Outer Banks (see my last post for more details). Thankfully, that week went by quickly, and I was back at the Blanchard in no time.

Up in the crow's nest
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Banana Republic)
GTH Chino Shorts (Polo Ralph Lauren)

• Banana Republic Wayfarer Sunglasses- Bought from outlet in Nags Head. An upgrade from my PacSuns in brand, but not exactly in quality. They became looser and looser in a matter of weeks, and eventually lost a screw. While I repaired them, they will not be the same again. Since I upgraded to Ray-Bans, these shades now reside in my glove box.
• Ralph Lauren GTH Shorts- Bought from outlet. I bought these to replace my pair from Vineyard Vines, which had been bled on in the wash. 

They really loved my "fancy pants"
Pique Polo Shirt (Banana Republic)
Crested GTH Pants (Polo Ralph Lauren)

• Banana Republic Polo Shirt- Bought at retail store in Alexandria. Gives off a 60s vibe with its three buttons. BR offers other versions without the elephant logo.
• Ralph Lauren GTH Pants- "Fancy pants" are never a bad choice for the beach. For more, see Winter 2017.

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And just like that, summer was almost over.

After-church oyster lunch.
Navy Blazer (Andhurst/Belk) USA
Repp Stripe Tie (J. Crew)

• Belk Navy Blazer- See other posts.
• J. Crew Repp Stripe Tie- Bought from outlet in OBX. The skinny cut and stripes evoke a look of a 1960s prep school student. If only they were made in the USA.

When National Bow Tie Day coincides with church
Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)

• Vineyard Vines Club Pants- Bought from Rehoboth Outlet. These can also be worn casually with an OCBD or polo. 

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Outer Banks 2017

Hello readers. In my last post, I issued a PSA for frequent posting this week. Obviously, this was not the case. I was too busy for blogging this week, which is a good thing. The OBX have much to offer. Because of this, I have decided to create one mega-post for the trip that I hope you enjoy!

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The House

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have always held a place in the collective heart of my family. Having hosted the honeymoons of both my parents and grandparents, plus numerous vacations taken by them before my birth, it makes sense that I would take a love to them as well. I have been coming to the OBX since I was an infant. For the past twelve years, however, my family has been renting a house in the town of Nags Head for one week (being the last week of July). The house (The Blanchard) was built during the 1920s, and is only several buildings away from the house where FDR would stay during his visits to the Banks (The Buchanan). 

The Blanchard from the beach side.

Not originally a part of the house, The Blanchard features an extended overlook of its beach. Dubbed the "crow's nest" by my grandfather, the overlook now has an opening leading to the beach (due to the sand dune overtaking the other beach access).

The Blanchard's coveted beach as seen from the crow's nest. A sand dune has been built over time to protect the house from storm surges. During my last night, a storm brought the waves to the base of the dune.

The house came with a total of two master bedrooms, one triple bedroom, one double bedroom in the loft overlooking the family room, and one single bedroom. My bedroom however, was not located within the main house. The Blanchard also came with a guest cottage, containing two twin beds, a bathroom, and air conditioning. For the past two summers, I have used the cottage as a bachelor pad of sorts.

The Blanchard's guest cottage is located in between the road and the main house.

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The Shopping

Anyways, enough about the house. Each year, our party consists of eleven people: my paternal grandparents (who rent the house), maternal grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, my immediate family (parents and two sisters), and myself. While we stayed in the house as a family and went to meals together, we all pretty much did our own thing for most of the time. For me, a portion of this time consisted of shopping when I wasn't on the beach or spending time with family. As noted in my other posts, a good bit of my wardrobe has been purchased in Nags Head. The town hosts a set of Tanger Outlets, as well as a variety of clothing stores. The most notorious clothing store in the OBX is The Cotton Gin. While offering a wide variety of preppy/resort brands, they mostly charge full price for their clothing, making it hard for me to shop there. Nevertheless, I have bought clothes from them before (but not this year). 

The men's department of The Cotton Gin, offering brands such as Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide, and Collared Greens. Sadly, Salt Life tends to sell the fastest of any brand offered there. While the Nags Head CG's men's department only takes up several racks, its store in Jarvisburg has an entire room.

My suspicion in an earlier post was confirmed when I saw this. Vineyard Vines no longer makes their belts exclusively in the US (yet they charge the same as when they did). Buyers beware! I think I'll stick to Leatherman from now on.

Another store I visited in Nags Head I felt worth mentioning was the Kitty Hawk Surf Company. While a surf shop in name, it caught my eye through its sale of Patagonia, Southern Tide, and Leatherman Ltd. belts, much like Quietstorm in Ocean City (see Senior Skip Day).

While I can't make an association between Patagonia and OBX culture, I must give KHSC a nod for offering it. One of their synchillas would have come in handy during the final nights of my stay.

Much more understandable than Patagucci.

I visited three other stores trying to cash in on the "Southern preppy" craze, being Kitty Hawk Kites, Farmer's Daughter, and Roanoke Marshes Trading Co. , but I failed to take any pictures of them. The latter two offered Southern Marsh, a better known Southern prep brand, but the kite store sold brands that were clearly less established and probably currently pursuing ambassadors via Instagram. In other words, their selection failed to impress me.

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The Food

I began my dining experience at lunch on Sunday, stopping at Southland, a restaurant/gift shop/smoke shop/gas station/slot parlor on the VA/NC border. 

A certain Wendy's commercial comes to mind.

NC Welcome: Minced Pork Barbecue Sandwich + Curly Fries

I then went out again for breakfast Monday morning at Darrell's, a restaurant in Manteo, a town across the Roanoke Sound about 10 miles from Nags Head. I would return here again for dinner Wednesday evening and breakfast again Saturday.

The interior of Darrell's. The restaurant has been open in Manteo since 1960 and survived hurricane upon hurricane. I personally recommend their hotcakes for breakfast and NC catfish for dinner.

For dinner Monday night, my immediate family went out with my grandparents to Sam and Omie's, a seafood restaurant in Nags Head.

Open since 1937 (maybe FDR ate here), Sam and Omie's operates as both a seafood restaurant and bar, and has a mascot I fear is the illegitimate child of the Vineyard Vines whale and Ivory Ella elephant.

Tuna steak sandwich with fries for dinner. 

Tuesday's meal out was for lunch at Big Al's diner in Manteo. I ordered a crab cake sandwich and vanilla malt for lunch that were both superb (even though I usually try to avoid crab outside of MD)! The restaurant is home to one of the largest Coca Cola memorabilia collections in the world, and has the atmosphere of a 1950s diner with its decor, soda counter, jukebox, and dance floor.

The soda counter at Big Al's. Half expected to see Richie Cunningham or the Fonz walk in.

"Did you just buy a five dollar shake?"

My final times eating out on the trip included Darrell's (two more times), a cheesesteak from the beach food stand Snowbird, the Nags Head Cafe for Friday breakfast, and Southland once more on the way home. I also got to have fresh OBX shrimp at The Blanchard, which my grandmother made for us all on Thursday. By today, my Outer Banks dining experience was complete with a full cycle.

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The Outfits

Up in the Crow's Nest
Baseball Cap (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray-Ban) Italy
University Stripe OCBD (Ralph Lauren)
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Embroidered Shorts (J. Crew)
Topsiders (Sperry) 

• Vineyard Vines Baseball Cap- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. This hat has been through it all. Originally a dark navy blue, the sun and saltwater have brought my beloved hat to a gray. I typically try to avoid wearing it with other whale logos. You don't want to end up looking like a brand's billboard when it comes to logos. Try letting that whale make friends with a horse, sheep, or alligator rather than another whale. 
• Ralph Lauren University Stripe OCBD- See Senior Skip Day.
• J. Crew Leather Belt- See other posts.
• J. Crew Embroidered Shorts- Bought Monday from outlet. These shorts are embroidered with mermaids and sea shells, making them ideal for the coastal setting. I had considered buying these shorts while at the outlets with Nick about a month ago, but waited to see if their price would go down. Surely enough, it did!
• Sperry Topsiders- A good time and place for them to fill with sand! See other posts for more.

On Wednesday evening after dinner, I went with my family into Manteo to walk around for the evening. Many of the streets are named after characters in the play The Lost Colony (a drama about the English Roanoke colony that vanished without a trace from the area we know today as Manteo). It was only a matter of time before I found the street of the character I shared a name with: the drunk, Old Tom.

Finally found my street in Manteo.
Polo Shirt (Ralph Lauren)
Cotton V-Neck Sweater (Ralph Lauren)
Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)
Ascot Bit Loafers (Cole Haan)
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland

• Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt- Originally worn with khakis and bit loafers during the day a la Jordan Belfort, but the evening breeze had other ideas. For more, see Oxford, MD.
• Ralph Lauren Cotton V-Neck- Bought from outlet on Wednesday. As I didn't think to bring a sweater or even my Vineyard Vines shep shirt down for the week, I bought this sweater to stay warm during the nights. It came into great use inside Darrell's (which is feels like a refrigerator) and during chilly nights. Plus it's easy to tie around the neck when you don't need to wear it anymore.
• Vineyard Vines Club Pants- Wanted something less drab than my khaki chinos for vacation. For more, see other posts.
• Cole Haan Ascot Bit Loafers- One of three pairs of shoes brought with me (the other being flip flops for the beach and my topsiders). They send a better vacation vibe than my Aldens. For more, see other posts.
• Bulova Accutron Watch- Going with a 60s inspired look? Gotta have an actual 60s item. For more, see other posts.

Manteo's marina was also impressive. While most of the large yachts were docked at Pirate's Bay (a club), sailboats and smaller yachts made use of the downtown docks. While Oxford tries to imitate New England, Manteo sets itself aside as its own kind of maritime community.

On Manteo's Dock
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray-Ban) Italy

On Thursday, I toured the Elizabethan Gardens near The Lost Colony's outdoor theater. I had been years ago as a young child, and the place had clearly changed. However, I still enjoyed the walk and lookout onto the nearby sound.

Salisbury University Cap (Richardson)
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray-Ban) Italy
Frocket Tee (Southern Tide)
Madras Shorts (J. Crew) India
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
*Topsider Boat Shoes (Sperry)

• Richardson Salisbury University Cap- See Red Roost.
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- Same deal for croakies as for the hat. While I tend to favor my Southern Tide Croakies due to their length, I didn't want to be a walking billboard for them. One skipjack at a time, brah. For more, see other posts.
• Southern Tide Frocket Tee- Bought from R. Bryant Ltd. in Williamsburg, VA. The shirt has the store's name printed on the pocket, making it rare and probably not worn by your typical frat brother (unless he goes to William & Mary). 
• J. Crew Madras Shorts- Bought from outlet on Monday. A replacement for my Old Navy ones. These are shorter in inseam as well, and are still made in India. Plus, they only cost me $20. 
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- For more, see other posts.
• KJP Anchor Bracelet- In a maritime town, gotta wear a maritime bracelet. Surprised Mr. Patrick hasn't visited Manteo yet. He would be impressed. For more, see other posts.

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