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! 

Outer Banks 2018

Hello readers! It's been much longer than intended since my last post. My summer job has seen me traveling quite a bit over the past month. Locations include Saint Michaels, MD, Assateague Island, as well as Washington, DC. Now, you might be thinking that each of those trips should be getting its own post with all of the pictures I probably took. Unfortunately, my old phone got fried by torrential rain while I was in DC, resulting in me losing years worth of pictures and contacts. So alas, there will be no Saint Michaels or DC post as initially planned. However, I was able to replace my phone the very first day of our annual Outer Banks trip, so I am thankfully able to bring you yet another post from the great state of North Carolina.

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Our Outer Banks trip is a tradition, and like most traditions, it is seldom to change. So if you want info on where I ate, shopped, and lived, check out last year's OBX post. However, we received several surprises during this year's trip. The majority of the sand dune that separated the Blanchard from the beach had vanished, giving us more beach than dune in all.

Our new view from the "crow's nest" of the Blanchard. No longer adorned with sea oats.

Another change was the heavy rain that lasted the first two and a half days of our stay. While it usually rains at least one day during our trip, that day is typically the last or close to the last day of the week. Still paranoid from losing my phone in DC the day before leaving for Nags Head, I carried my new phone in a plastic bag whenever there was even the slightest chance of rain. However, we still got a few good beach days in, even on days it did rain.

Unflattering candids come with the territory.

Whale Hat (Vineyard Vines)
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban)
Aloha Shirt (Pacific Legend Apparel) USA
* Baggies Shorts (Patagonia)

• Vineyard Vines Whale Hat- See other posts.
• Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses- See other posts.
• Pacific Legend Aloha Shirt- There is no way around it. The Aloha/Camp/Floral shirt is a summer staple. While some might avoid them for being too loud, ugly, or dad-like, that's kinda the point. Its all about relaxation and having a little fun, so why not do it while dressed for the islands? But don't blow your money on one from Tommy Bahama or some other premium maker. Go with Pacific Legend, which actually makes its shirts in Hawaii. I got mine from Ben Franklin, a beach store in Nags Head, for under $30 about six years ago when tropic shirts were the only item in my summer wardrobe (PacSun unfortunately). While I have put most of my other aloha shirts out to pasture, I have kept this one due to its domestic manufacture. If you want one too, just google the brand and you'll likely find a shirt you like on Amazon for no more than $40. Just try to keep the shirt in beachy settings. Not everywhere can be Margaritaville.

*drapes sweat shirt over shoulders after he gets too hot --> almost immediately gets called "Brad" by waiter*

Crewneck Sweatshirt (J. Crew)
Whale Shirt (Vineyard Vines)
Crab Motif Belt (Leatherman Ltd.) USA
Chino Shorts (L.L. Bean)
Chronograph Watch (Fossil)

• J. Crew Crewneck Sweatshirt- With the breeze coming off the ocean accompanied by the already cooler temperatures, this sweatshirt came to use several times during the week. The caption is a true story, so be warned. #DontBeABrad
• Vineyard Vines Whale Shirt- See other posts.
• Leatherman Ltd. Crab Motif Belt- Freshly bought from The Cotton Gin boutique in Nags Head. As a Marylander, I am way overdue for this belt.
• L.L. Bean Chino Shorts- Photo was taken just before a wave kissed their tips. Another case for Chubbies. See other posts for more.
• Fossil Chronograph Watch- My main summer watch for everyday wear. The Bulova is only broken out with dress clothes or Ivy inspired outfits. For more, see other posts.

Aside from the beach, I also spent quite a bit of time in the town of Manteo. While I briefly touched a bit on Manteo in my previous OBX, I will be going into more depth today. Manteo is located on Roanoke Island, about ten miles from Nags Head via causeway and bridge. The island was home to the first English colony, which vanished without a trace during the late 16th century. Manteo is now a popular tourist town full of bed and breakfasts and shopping opportunities. It also was the home of the late entertainment legend and Chapel Hill grad Andy Griffith, who got his acting career started acting in Manteo's long running outdoor play The Lost Colony.

One of Manteo's many BnBs, the Roanoke Island Inn.

The Lost Colony Brewery & Cafe sits in the center of the downtown.

Manteo is also home to the Roanoke Maritime Museum, which hosts weekly Saturday regattas on the nearby Roanoke Sound.

One of the Maritime Museum's exhibits. While much smaller than the ones in Saint Michaels and Newport News, one can still appreciate what the Manteo museum has to offer.

The aftermath of this past Saturday's regatta.

Across from downtown Manteo is the Roanoke Island Festival Park, which features a reconstructed Indian village and Elizabethan era ship for ticket-holders to tour.

In addition to a marketplace in the park and regatta on the sound, Manteo hosts bluegrass performances on Saturdays at its bandstand.

One of the most famous sites in downtown Manteo is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.

Classic Polo (Ralph Lauren)
Chino Shorts (J. Crew)
Topsider Boat Shoes (Sperry)

• Ralph Lauren Classic Polo- See other posts.
• J. Crew Chino Shorts- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Probably my most frequently wore pair of shorts this summer. Yellow can be paired with more than one might think.
• Sperry Topsider Boat Shoes- Go-to shoe for the week. As I discovered in DC, Alden loafers don't hold up in the rain, but Sperrys do. See other posts for more.

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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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Lombardy Plantation

Hello readers! It hasn't been long since my last post for spring. While summer has arrived in Salisbury, it hasn't felt like it. Monday had a high of 63, and the April rains continue to fall into June. However, it looks as if the spring weather is finally coming to a close in coming weeks!

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Last Friday, we decided to visit my uncle before he leaves for the Newport Bermuda Race on the 15th. One of my earlier posts on the blog saw a visit to my uncle when he was living in Oxford, MD. However, he has since moved to the outskirts of St. Michaels, bringing him and his wife closer to their jobs in Queen Anne's County and Easton, respectively. The move provided a change of scene from village-like Oxford. My uncle was not living within St. Michaels itself, but on the grounds of a plantation on its outskirts. The plantation was established in 1679, with the property changing in hands from various owners over the course of history. Some of its most notable owners include a revolutionary war colonel and a Quaker abolitionist (who records indicate was possibly the only man to vote for Lincoln in Talbot County, and potentially an agent of the underground railroad). 

A section of the original 18th century plantation house. A part of the house burnt during the 1800s, which was then rebuilt in a mid-century wooden style. During the 1920s, the 1850s section was torn down to be replaced with a Colonial Revival mansion. 

The newest section of Lombardy, built during the 1920s by J. Kemp Bartlett.

Want more details about the house and its history? Watch this video for a house tour, and heed the killer seersucker suit and straw hat.

The property is now owned by the Walsh family, who are leasing a smaller house on the property to my uncle and his family. The Walshes live across the bay in Potomac, and are rarely at Lombardy, making my uncle and his family the main residents of the property.

A creekside view of my uncle's house, the most recently built structure on Lombardy.

Partial view of the creek from my uncle's house. If you look carefully, you can spot the small foot bridge leading to the fields of the plantation.

Across the creek from my uncle's house lies one of the plantation's fields. I am unsure whether or not crops are still planted here.

Adjacent to my uncle's house is the estate's barn and garage. Both structures were built during the 1920s with the mansion.

Coming up the estate's driveway, one passes a large field with scattered mounds. An equestrian course, you think? Guess again. Motorcycles.

No Talbot County country estate would be complete without a duck blind.

My uncle was also granted access to Lombardy's dock and boathouse, being much more convenient than the yacht club in Oxford.

My uncle's boat. While we initially planned to go out for the day, my family instead opted for a cookout.

Peninsula Prep: Not quite Northern US, Southern US, or Western Shore Maryland. Can be spotted on the Tread Avon, Miles,  Choptank Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Skipjack Hat (Southern Tide)
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Tattersall Button Down (Vineyard Vines)
Nautical Flag Motif Belt (Leatherman Ltd./Eliza B.) USA
Brick Red Shorts (Ralph Lauren)

• Southern Tide Skipjack Hat- Bought from Cotton Gin boutique in Nags Head, NC. When most people hear "skipjack", they tend to think of the fish. On the Chesapeake Bay, folks tend to think of our state boat. Originally designed for oyster dredging, the skipjack has become a regional phenomenon, with annual races taking place on Deal Island in Somerset County, just down the road from Salisbury. Because of this, anything marketed as "skipjack" from Southern Tide has taken on a liking from Maryland residents. For more, see other posts.
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- Worn for their original purpose: preventing one's sunglasses from falling into the water while on a boat. See other posts for more.
• Vineyard Vines Tattersall Button Down- While the shirt's colors are season neutral, I tend to wear it more during the summer and spring months due to its light weight. Another perk of its neutral coloring is its ability to be paired with nearly anything! See other posts for more.
• Leatherman LTD. Nautical Flag Motif Belt- Pairs well with Nantucket and Brick Reds. For more, see Alexandra, VA post from last year.
• Ralph Lauren Brick Red Shorts- A gift from Allison. A breed apart from Nantucket Reds, which are frequently mistaken for pink or actually turn a shade of it. For my readers who may be triggered by wearing "pink" pants or shorts, go with a pair of brick reds! Voila, your fragile masculinity is preserved brah. But all joking aside, they are some pretty sick shorts! I wear 'em at least once a week.

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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.

******

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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