New York City Vol. II: Midtown Manhattan + Upper West Side

Hello readers! My blog has recently turned one year old. Thank you for your support over these past 12 months! And now for the long awaited second NYC post. Flashback to November 18th of 2017.

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Our bus arrived in Times Square around 10 in the morning and would be leaving the city at 6 in the evening. After a five hour bus ride of sleep, naturally our first stop was the closest Starbucks. 'Twas the season for PSLs and Peppermint Mochas. Pumped on a caffeine and ready to go, we decided our first stop would be Central Park. Before this trip, I had been to New York four times, and had not had the chance to visit Central Park.

Rowboats were up for rent for $35 a person. Like the carriages of Williamsburg, they are better to observe than actually partake in riding. 

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain overlooking The Lake. Over on the right is the dock for the rowboats, as well as a lakeside bistro that was a tempting lunch option (for me anyways).

After exiting the park, our group was spat out into the Upper West Side. While in my last New York post, I mentioned going to the Upper East Side on my next trip, we did not get to. However, the Upper West Side has become nearly as nice (according to my cousin, who goes to school in the city). It was a contrast to lower Manhattan, as it was much more upscale residential. 

On our last trip, my friend Megan had been wanting to eat at a Shake Shack, but we had run out of time. Luckily, we found one on the Upper West Side, complete with apartments above it.

After lunch, our group then made its way back to Times Square, as two of my friends wanted to break off and see a Broadway play. The remaining members of my group and I then made our way over to Rockefeller Center, and checked out the stores. While at Rock Center, Allen Edmonds was at the top of my list. For those who don't know, Allen Edmonds is an upscale shoe company that continues to make the majority of their products in the US. Alden still reigns supreme as my choice shoemaker, I couldn't help venturing into AE and checking out their selection.

Of the many shelves of shoes at AE, I felt this one best summarized the Trad basics of loafers and oxfords. I will probably be upgrading my dress shoes from my Bostonian captoes to AE's Park Avenues (3rd rack down, center).

Allen Edmonds also offers a selection of clothing and accessories in addition to footwear. While normally I would be skeptical of buying clothing from a shoe company, the majority of AE's is made in countries of good reputation, so I will not advise against it in this case.

We then made our way over to Fifth Avenue, where we decided to split up to shop at our respective stores. While several of my friends were in Topshop and H&M, I made my way into Saks, which was packed with Christmas shopppers.

I had been into a Saks once before in Chicago, and was impressed. The New York flagship store was also impressive. In addition to offering a plethora of fine Italian and British lines, it also offered a wide selection of Ralph Lauren's Purple Label. I am pretty sure I didn't see a single piece of clothing that was Chinese made.

After leaving Saks, I met up with my friends and told them of my plan to let them shop on 5th for a while and meet them later at Grand Central Station. I would now be making a Trad hajj of sorts. My next stop was Madison Avenue. 346 Madison Avenue to be exact. 

Brooks Brothers had already decorated for Christmas by the time I made my visit. Unlike Rockefeller Center, its tree had already been trimmed, and with Golden Fleece ornaments at that. In a few weeks, the store would host its famous yearly Christmas party, featuring famous jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

I explored each level of the flagship store I had for years longed to visit. While my budget was constricted by upcoming Christmas shopping, I did not leave Brooks empty handed. I purchased a single pair of US made cream colored socks. My next stop was only a few blocks away, and that was J.Press's new Yale Club location.

Observe the sacred Shaggy Dog sweaters on the top shelf. They were 50% off from $245 that day. If it hadn't been Christmas, I would have likely bought one.

At J. Press, I spoke with a salesman about my Barbour jacket situation (which I was wearing that day). He, like the one at R.W. Bryant in Williamsburg, recommended I send it back to New England for a rewaxing. We continued our conversation into Maryland, where he told me he was related to the Calverts, who founded the colony during the 1600s. As we spoke, I found something familiar about him, that I couldn't put my finger on. He gave me his business card before leaving, and I was back in Salisbury before I looked at the card and discovered he was Daniel Greenwood, a blogger for Ivy Style, one of the largest and most well known Trad blogs in existence. After leaving J. Press, I made my way over to Grand Central, which was not far at all from the Yale Club. Being an hour from my set meeting time with my friends, I decided to go for an early dinner at one of the city's most iconic restaurants, and that was the station's oyster bar. There is a famous scene from Mad Men set here, with Don Draper and Roger Sterling going out for a boozy lunch of oysters and cheesecake before an unforgettable meeting with men from the 1960 Nixon campaign.

Costing $1.25 per mollusk at happy hour, I chose the option of Chesapeake oysters. As Don said, "It's like eating a mermaid".

After I finished my dinner at the bar, I regrouped with my friends and we met up with my cousin and her friend in Times Square. They both go to school in NYC at Baruch College. After a few hours of shopping of them, it was time for us to leave the city. Finally, I have fulfilled my goals of visiting the flagship Brooks Brothers store, as well as one of J. Press's locations.

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Student Research Conference + New York City Vol. 1: Lower Manhattan

After a one month hiatus, I am back! College has been a busy time, and I have not had many chances to take pictures. While there have been many other events I wished to blog about (ranging from weddings to Halloween parties), I simply have not had the time. However, as the fall semester slows down, I have had more time to take pictures and return to my blog.

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Student Research Conference (11/2)

One of the reasons for my month long absence is a research project I have been working on for Salisbury University's Honors College. This research conference would allow us to present our findings in the form of a poster before compiling them into an argumentative paper. Dress code: "business casual" = Ivy.

Post conference pic with my friend Devan.
Herringbone Blazer (Harris Tweed) USA
OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Knit Tie (Banana Republic)
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Harris Tweed Herringbone Blazer- Inherited from family friend. A staple with the Ivy League and English gentleman looks, every Trad should own a tweed blazer for the Autumn and Winter months. Like corduroy, it can be worn casually with jeans or more formally with chinos. Made in USA. *When buying tweed, be wary of moths having an appetite for it. My jacket has fallen victim to them, and has tiny holes on its sleeves. To prevent this from happening, be sure to store your tweed jacket with moth balls when stored away.
• L.L. Bean OCBD- See earlier posts.
• Banana Republic Knit Tie- Dustin Hoffman wore a similar combination in The Graduate (which was released 50 years ago this past Thursday). However, he didn't get his tie from here. For more, see Twilight of Summer 2017.
• Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- See earlier posts.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- See earlier posts.

New York City (11/3)

The day after my research conference, I took a trip with the Honors College to NYC, which is only a five hour bus trip from Salisbury. While the first few hours of the day consisted of a cultural food tour of the Lower East Side, the remainder was open ended. My friends and I ended up visiting the World Trade Center Memorial and the Seaport area near the Brooklyn Bridge.

Wayfarer Sunglasses (RayBan) Italy
Herringbone Blazer (Harris Tweed) USA
Original Polo Shirt (Brooks Brothers) USA
Casual Chinos (Brooks Brothers)

• Rayban Wayfarers- See earlier posts.
• Harris Tweed Herringbone Blazer- Inherited from family friend. Not the same as the one worn at the conference. A fuller fit and of a darker variety. Gives more of a 1960s Greenwich Village vibe than a college campus one in my opinion. Made in USA.
• Brooks Brothers Original Polo Shirt- Probably one of my greatest finds at Uptown Cheapskate. The name may be misleading to some, as it is essentially an OCBD. However, it was originally designed by Brooks to be worn by polo players. Made in USA.
• Brooks Brothers Casual Chinos- See earlier posts.

We then took the subway to Midtown where we visited the MoMA before finishing the day at Rockefeller Center, where our bus picked us up. It was also here where I randomly encountered a fellow fashion blogger from Instagram.

@thepreppymarylander meets @rudytheprep. 

Before leaving, I was able to visit the Rockefeller J. Crew. Their prices were surprisingly reasonable for a non-factory store (even though their Chinese made attempt of a Bean-esque Norwegian sweater was a little unnerving). I will be returning to NYC on the 18th of November, so stay tuned for my upcoming adventures on the Upper East Side!

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Spring 2017

Happy Memorial Day, readers! Today marks the beginning of summer in the Trad world. Break out your linens, seersuckers, and white pants/shorts (still need to take mine to the tailor, but oh well)! But before we enter into this wonderful world of mainly GTH clothing I want to give a nod to some spring outfits that I felt were worth posting.

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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!

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.

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. 

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. 

Peak Lapel Flannel Suit (Joseph Abboud)
Point Collar Dress Shirt (Van Heusen)
Skinny Repp Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA

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. 

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.

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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Winter 2017

Its March 19th, and spring is tomorrow. Well, it will still feel like winter for the next few weeks in Salisbury, but that's no surprise. Then again, it has felt like spring several days in winter already this year, but for the sake of the season, here are a few of my notable winter outfits from this year.

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New Year's Day Hike at Pemberton Park
Hiking in my local historic park.

Vintage Chamois Shirt (L.L. Bean) USA
Khaki Chinos (Tommy Hilfiger)
*8" Bean Boots (L.L. Bean) USA
*Stria Crew Socks (Smartwool) USA
*unpictured

•  L.L. Bean Vintage Chamois Shirt- Passed off from grandfather. These cotton flannel shirts can be worn in a variety of ways, including as a jacket over an OCBD. As my grandfather has always been (and continues to be) an avid L.L. Bean customer, I was fortunate enough to be passed a vintage one. They were domestically made until the 1990s, and today Bean's chamois shirts are made elsewhere. If you wish to pursue the original US made shirts, I recommend Ebay, where you can find them for less than $30.
• Tommy Hilfiger Khaki Chinos- See Christmas 2016
• Smartwool Stria Crew Socks (Gift)- See Snowbound
• I completed the look with my Barbour Bedale, Bean Boots, and Ray Ban Aviators. In the final product, I looked more like a New England outdoorsman than a Maryland one. 

Church Service (1/15) 

Church is a time and place for a Trad to put his best foot forward. As I had missed church last week due to a blizzard (see Snowbound), I made use of the opportunity to dress well.

Vintage Navy Wool Blazer (Palm Beach) USA
White OCBD (Stafford/J.C. Penny)
Blue Repp Tie (J. Crew) Italy
Clubmaster Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Grey Chinos (Lands End)
Vintage Accutron (Bulova) Switzerland*
Woven Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA*
*unpictured

Weejun Penny Loafers (G.H. Bass)
Cotton Anchor Socks (J. Crew)

• Vintage Palm Beach Wool Blazer- Passed off from father. A winter counterpart to my other navy blazer. In the case that you are building your own Trad wardrobe, I recommend first buying a navy blazer that can be worn year round, and then work your way up to a wool one. Palm Beach is a brand of unsung quality. While now catering to department stores such as Belk, the manufacture of their products has been globalized. However, they once were made domestically and are treasured by Trads like myself who take quality over brand names any day. This jacket was made specially for Phillips Men's Shop, a local menswear store that has long since been closed, which makes it even more endearing. Made in USA.
• Stafford Oxford Cloth Button Down- Inherited from family friend. These shirts stand the test of time, and are not overly baggy or tight on the wearer. If one looks hard enough at used clothing stores and websites, one may even find a Stafford shirt that is made in the USA (which I too, have found). 
• J. Crew Repp Tie- Bought for $3 at a thrift store. From prep school students to U.S. presidents, the repp stripe tie will always have a place in the sartorial world. I came across this one as a last minute addition to my JFK costume for a Halloween party I was hosting. While I couldn't find the authentic to the era Brooks Brothers tie, I settled for this one of better quality but by the younger brand of J. Crew. While J. Crew outlets mostly import their ties from elsewhere, I am guessing the one I came across is either vintage or sold at their flagship stores. Made in Italy
• Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses- Bought at Uptown Cheapskate for $30. As a pair goes for $150 online or at retailers, I scored big on these used Ray Bans. As I had sold a Burberry blazer to Uptown as I was making my visit, I was able to use the in-store credit I gained from the sale to buy the glasses for much less than the price Uptown was selling them for. While I still am on the hunt for a pair of wayfarers, the clubmasters serve me well when paired with the right outfit. Best worn with blazers, not with Barbours. Made in Italy. *Warning: Do not wear the sunglasses as I am wearing them in the picture. This is only for blog purposes. Sunglasses are properly stored in the inner breast pockets of the jacket, or the breast pocket of the shirt.
• Lands End Chinos- Finally took these to my tailor and had them cuffed. In the case of cuffs, always 1.25 inches. No more, no less. For more, see Ringing in the New Year.
• Bass Weejun Penny Loafers- Bought at outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. A staple with Preppies and Trads alike, these are considered by many to be the signature penny loafer. Only hardcore Trads dare put pennies in the slots. When the soles of the shoe gets worn out, Bass (like Barbour and L.L. Bean) will repair the shoes if you send them to their headquarters. Can be worn with socks in chillier weather, but to be worn barefoot at all times during the summer. Can be paired with pants and shorts alike. While the best deals for these shoes are found at outlet malls (especially in Rehoboth due to the lack of sales tax), Bass also offers Weejuns that are made in the USA on their website. However, they are of a much greater price.  
• J. Crew Anchor Socks- Bought at Michigan Avenue store in Chicago. These socks are best paired with loafers or oxfords. I have gotten many compliments on these socks from fellow students, as the anchor is the official logo of our school. 
• Also seen in the picture are a white pocket square and tie clip. Pocket squares are relatively inexpensive and can typically be purchased in the men's section of department stores. White is guaranteed to go with just about any other color, but other pocket square colors can be coordinated with the shirt or tie color as well. For premium made pocket squares, check out Arnold Steiner, a fellow Trad whose brand specializes in U.S. made clothing. Tie clips are also relatively inexpensive, and can be bought at J. Crew outlet stores for little cost. The one I am wearing was given to me years ago by my grandfather, and is made by Hickok USA, a domestic manufacturer that can be found on Ebay and Etsy alike.

An Unseasonably Warm Day (1/12)

Four days ago, it was 23 degrees with snow on the ground. Now, its 62 and sunny! Typical Delmarva weather. No jacket or sweater needed.

Monogrammed OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Clubmaster Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Woven Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
GTH Crest Khakis (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Double Diamond Socks (J. Crew)
Horsebit Loafers (Cole Haan)
Blazer iPhone Case (Brooks Brothers)
Kennedy Sail Anchor Bracelet (Kiel James Patrick) USA
Vintage 14k Gold Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Stripe Watchband (Brooks Brothers)

• Monogrammed L.L. Bean Oxford Cloth Button Down- See Christmas 2017. As this was the first time I have worn this shirt without a sweater or jacket over it, I received several compliments on it due to the monogram. There's nothing else like your very own logo.
• Clubmaster Ray Ban Sunglasses- Stored in the proper way.
• J. Crew Woven Leather Belt- See Ringing in the New Year. This belt seems to have a vendetta against these pants. Its end continues to fall out of the loop. I managed to temporarily solve the problem with tape, but am still looking for other solutions.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Crested GTH Khakis- Bought at an outlet store in Nags Head, NC for the grand total of.... wait for it..... $15!!! As of October (or even earlier), Polo no longer sells them online or at their stores, and can now only be found on Ebay for $50+. These are probably the slimmest pair of pants in my wardrobe, and their high break makes them ideal for sock-less wear with loafers in the summer. Their khaki color and neutrally colored embroidery make them easy to wear with nearly any combination, and can also be paired with a navy blazer. One of the few examples of subtle GTH style.
• J. Crew Double Diamond Socks- Bought at an outlet store in Queenstown, MD. I pair these typically with loafers, but have also done so with Bean Boots. 
• Cole Haan Horsebit Loafers- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. While I could have gotten a much better deal from the website (the salesman refused to price match, but there was still a store sale), I am actually glad to have bought these shoes in store, as their shoe sizes run larger than other brands. They are identical to their Gucci counterparts (which I hope one day to be able to afford), and I have had many people mistake them for that brand. While my pair is imported from elsewhere, Haan also puts out an Italian made version that can be purchased for a somewhat reasonable price on Ebay. Can be worn sock-less and with shorts during warmer months.
• Brooks Brothers Blazer iPhone Case- Bought at outlet store in Queenstown, MD. Yet another compliment magnet. I alternate it with another Brooks case with foxhounds on the basis of occasion. Both have done me justice in protecting my phone from drops (while my old Otterbox cracked after its first plunge), and serve as a stylish alternative to clunky protective cases. The only drawback to Brooks Brothers phone cases are that you must remove them to charge your iPhone if you have a 3rd party charge cable (which I do), causing the paint to peel. 
• KJP Kennedy Sail Anchor Bracelet- See Ringing in the New Year.
• Vintage 14k Gold Bulova Accutron- See Ringing in the New Year.
• Brooks Brothers Striped Watchband- See Ringing in the New Year.

Class (1/19)

January showers bring February flowers? Nah, just Bean Boots (still in January)! While Sperry's duck boot is becoming popular with students in my town, at least there are three students that know Bean is the true maker.

-My friend Nick (Left):
Down Jacket (Patagonia)
Nautical Striped Sweater (J. Crew)
-My girlfriend Morgan (center)
-Yours Truly (Right):
Monogrammed OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Corduroy 3 Button Blazer (J. Crew)
V- Neck Merino Sweater (Brooks Brothers)
Khaki Chinos (Tommy Hilfiger)
-All of Us:
8" Bean Boots (L.L. Bean) USA

• J. Crew 3-Button Corduroy Blazer- I have owned this jacket for many years now, and cannot recall from where I got it. Serves as a warm winter and fall coat due to its flannel lining designed for warmth. With its three buttons and elbow patches, one can fancy themselves as a country gentleman when wearing this. In the case of its buttons, one must follow the "sometimes-always-never" rule (being to sometimes button the top, always the middle, but never the bottom button) or button none at all like I did for a much more casual look. For an even more casual look, pair with a slim pair of blue jeans and oxford shoes or chukka boots. Dustin Hoffman knows.
• Brooks Brothers V-neck Merino Wool Sweater- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate for $15 in contrast to its high prices online and in stores. This sweater is probably the best fitting out of my entire collection, which is bizarre considering it is a Brooks Brothers large (while I usually take small or medium from them). 
• L.L. Bean 8" Bean Boots- See Christmas 2016. All three of us received our pairs as Christmas gifts. As Morgan and I had ours ordered in September, we has use of our boots on Christmas day. However, it was Nick who fell victim to the Christmastime Bean Boot shortage, and didn't have his until the first Friday of January, which thankfully happened to be the day before the blizzard. Timing has never been better!
• As you know from my earlier post, Nick is a student of mine in the area of Trad. In addition to the Bean Boots, he is wearing his Patagonia down jacket and a J. Crew nautical sweater (which he purchased from Uptown Cheapskate). 

Valentine's Day
As I didn't own any bright pink or red sweaters, I decided upon compromising with a pink shirt (but no green, sorry Official Preppy Handbook).

V-Neck Cotton Sweater (Vineyard Vines)
University Stripe OCBD (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Stone Chinos (Vineyard Vines)
Argyle Socks (Polo Ralph Lauren) Korea
Weejun Penny Loafers (G.H. Bass)
Kennedy Sail Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Quartz Watch (Rumours) USA

• Vineyard Vines V-Neck Cotton Sweater- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth, DE. The VV whale can be seen on at least five t-shirts at any given high school or college in the East (while not exclusive to that region). The sweaters tend to be more of a rarity, as they are much higher in price. However, you can find them for a bargain at outlet stores. While cashmere and lambswool are preferred, the perk of a cotton sweater is the fact that you can have it machine washed rather than dry cleaned or hand-washed.
• Ralph Lauren University Stripe Oxford Cloth Button Down- Bought from outlet store in Nags Head, NC. Can be worn in all four seasons casually and for more formal occasions. Paired well with green.
• Vineyard Vines Stone Chinos- Bought from Rehoboth outlet. VV outlets also provide a good deal on their pants. Be wary of stone, however. It stains easily.
• Ralph Lauren Argyle Socks- Bought from my local Marshall's. This outlet chain offers good deals on RL socks (compared to nearly $20 from Macy's). These also happen to be made in Korea, which is a step up from other countries of East Asian manufacturing. 
• Rumours Quartz Watch- Passed off from father. Rumours is a relatively unknown brand, as it was exclusively sold by J.C. Penny. However, their watches feature Japanese and American movement, which is a bonus in my book. Mine happens to have been made domestically! My only complaint about the watch is its elastic metal band, which is too loose and has the potential to pinch the skin. Those looking for a Rumours watch may find one on Ebay or Etsy, but are not guaranteed to find a US made one.

Delmarva Life (3/7)

Went on local TV program Delmarva Life to help promote the Everything Beautiful Benefit Concert. Two of our friends were interviewed to share details about the upcoming show. Come out April 1st to Headquarters Live in Salisbury, MD for a day of music and remembrance!

Me: Clubmaster Sunglasses (Rayban) Italy

Blue Crab Bowtie (Vineyard Vines) USA

University Stripe OCBD (Vineyard Vines)

Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA

Stone Chinos (Vineyard Vines)

Anchor Socks (J. Crew)

Horsebit Loafers (Cole Haan)

Nick: Aviator Sunglasses (Rayban) Italy

Red Bowtie (Tommy Hilfiger)

Gingham Button Down (J. Crew)

Gray Chinos (J. Crew)

Striped Socks (J. Crew)

• Vineyard Vines Blue Crab Bowtie- Bought at Rehoboth outlet store. You can't claim to be preppy and live in Maryland without at least one crab tie. Best paired with blue color schemes (as seen here with university stripe, and also with seersucker during the summer). Never with red or pink. Made in USA.
• Vineyard Vines University Stripe Oxford Cloth Button Down- Bought at Rehoboth. A universal shirt. Can be worn untucked with shorts or with a navy blazer and tie. It is also one of the few VV shirts I own to be oxford cloth. 
• J. Crew Leather Belt- Bought at Rehoboth outlets. A huge improvement to its woven counterpart. It fits perfectly within the loops and can be worn with virtually all color of pants (save black). Made in USA.
• Nick decided to go nearly full out J. Crew in his outfit, save only his tie (Tommy Hilfiger), shoes (Nunn Bush tassel loafers), and MY Rayban sunglasses. 

Promposal (3/10)

After coming in second place at a local academic invitational, I made the move of asking my significant other to prom. My outfit thankfully was appropriate for both occasions. 

Repp Striped Bowtie (Brooks Brothers) USA
White Button Down (J. Crew)
Vintage Herringbone Tweed Blazer (Harris Tweed) USA
Embroidered GTH Pants (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Cape Cod Collection Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Brooks Brothers Repp Striped Bowtie- See It's Academic.
• J. Crew White Button Down- See It's Academic.
• Vintage Harris Tweed Herringbone Blazer- Inherited from family friend. A staple with the Ivy League and English gentleman looks, every Trad should own a tweed blazer for the Autumn and Winter months. Like corduroy, it can be worn casually with jeans or more formally with chinos. Here however, I decided to experiment with GTH corduroys. Made in USA. *When buying tweed, be wary of moths having an appetite for it. My jacket has fallen victim to them, and has tiny holes on its sleeves. To prevent this from happening, be sure to store your tweed jacket with moth balls when stored away. 
• Polo Ralph Lauren Embroidered GTH Corduroy Pants- This choice gained me a questioning look from my father, but countless compliments from others (most notably Morgan). The GTH look couldn't be summed up any better than that! With these pants and the rest of my outfit, I could have passed as an observer from Yale at the competition instead of a contestant. For more, see Ringing in the New Year. 
• Alden Cape Cod Collection Penny Loafers- With G.H. Bass, creator of the Weejun, now importing the majority of its shoes, as well as countless other companies following suit, Alden is one of the few remaining makers to keep all of its production domestic. With its factory in Middleborough, MA, Alden continues to be family owned and caters toward what fellow blogger College Trad refers to as GMPs (or God Mode Preps). According to Tony (CT), a GMP is rare outside of the upper crust, and transcends all other levels of Prep through a wardrobe including Alden loafers, Barbour Waxed Jackets, and a J. Press Shaggy Dog Sweaters. It is a holy trinity, so to speak, that I have not reached yet due to my lack of the sweater, but I am in no hurry. Being a Trad should never be rushed and should always be accommodating of your budget and things of greater importance. These loafers can be worn or without socks, and should be kept shined. For the sake of your budget, I recommend buying used on Ebay.  Also, Alden itself does not sell shoes on its own website, and relies instead upon brick and mortar establishments (typically quite literally) for the majority of its sales. If that doesn't spell Trad, I don't know what does. Made in USA.

St. Patrick's Day

For class, I chose the Handbook pairing of a pink OCBD and green camel hair blazer. However, I decided to tone things more casual for the evening's St. Patrick's Day party and movie with Morgan, but still kept to the color scheme of pink and green.

University Stripe OCBD (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Merino 1/4 Zip Sweater (Brooks Brothers)
Stone Chinos (Vineyard Vines)
*Cape Cod Collection Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
*Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
*unpictured

• Brooks Brothers Merino Quarter-Zip Sweater- Bought from Rehoboth outlet. This sweater was marked down 80% from its original price, and cost only $25, which is next to nothing when shopping at Brooks. As I did with my green jacket, I paired it with a pink OCBD. For chillier days, pair with a down vest and Bean Boots.
• Fossil Grant Chronograph- When I wear a quarter zip, this is my go to watch. As the sweater itself is more casual, so is the watch, and it presents a more relaxed and younger look compared to my other dressier time pieces. For more, see It's Academic.

*****