Hello readers! As you probably have noticed, I failed again to deliver on one of my promised posts, being the Assateague Island bonfire. While the trip did indeed take place, it got dark and cold much too fast to take good pictures. I also wanted to let you know in advance that the Avon, NC post will also not be happening. However, a cumulative spring post will likely take its place! For now, enjoy the next promised post, Kentucky Derby!
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Formal
Each year, the Honors College of Salisbury University hosts a student planned formal to celebrate the end of the semester. When I found out the formal would fall on Derby weekend, I couldn't help but push for a KY Derby theme at the Honors Student Association meeting. My idea was embraced by the leadership, and Derby was set as the formal's theme (combined with several others, as per Honors College tradition). In addition to taking place the same weekend as the actual Derby, the theme also was a nod to our beloved Honors Dean, who would soon be leaving Salisbury to found yet another Honors College at Northern Kentucky. The event proved to be an honorable sendoff to him, as well as a warm welcome to the new Salisbury University President, who was also in attendance.
When you and your girlfriend walk off the pages of a VV catalog
Seersucker Blazer (Architect)
OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Club Tie (Vineyard Vines) USA
Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)
Horsebit Loafers (Cole Haan)
Architect Seersucker Blazer- T minus three weeks until I can wear again full-time. See other posts for more.
L.L. Bean OCBD- See other posts.
Vineyard Vines Club Tie- Bought off Amazon for much lower than the standard $85. Follows a cigar and martini motif. Won't be seeing me wear this tie in church anytime soon. Made in USA.
Vineyard Vines Club Pants- Lighter weight than my other Vineyard Vines pants. A fast-drying summer staple, especially in loud colors. For more, see other postx.
Cole Haan Horsebit Loafers- Decided against my two-tone wingtips for a less forced look. For more, see other posts.
Becky and I couldn't resist at least one with the supplied props
It was a night full of food, dancing, and fun! It also was a night for superlatives and election results for the Honors Student Association Exec Board to be announced. I had run for Vice President and won, which means I will be coordinating next year's formal as well! However, I also was the recipient of a superlative: Commuter-in-Chief.
Vice President of HSA + Commuter-in-Chief of the Honors College.
Derby Party Fundraiser
On Derby Day itself, I attended my dad's fundraiser for the Nabb Research Center, which itself was a derby/lawn party at a historic home in New Church, VA. I got to meet many of the Nabb Center's trustees and donors at the party, and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the banks of the Pocomoke River.
The part was held at Pitt's Neck, a plantation home built in the 1700s on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Its current owner's family had owned the house since 1897, and made efforts to restore (and add on to) its splendor!
The fundraiser was a catered event complete with open bar, finger sandwiches, crab balls, and of course, local oysters!
While it was Derby Day, attire for the event was rather subdued. While I did spot a few pairs of GTH pastel pants and one other bow tie, most of the men's clothes were neutral colored blazers with OCBDs and similarly neutral ties. Still, Brooks Brothers reigned.
A historic home with an upstairs lounge and bar room. What's not to be jealous of?
Pitt's Neck had been added on to in 2008 complete with a balcony. Ignore my empties.
Blue Crab Bow Tie (Vineyard Vines) USA
OCBD (J. Crew)
Navy Blazer (Belk) USA
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Vineyard Vines Blue Crab Bow Tie- While today was the Kentucky Derby, I couldn't pass up the chance of a little local flair. After all, that's what the Nabb Center is all about! The choice of bow tie received countless compliments from the donors. One even mentioned he had the same tie at home!
J. Crew OCBD- See other posts.
Belk Navy Blazer- See other posts.
Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- See other posts.
Bulova Accutron Watch- The 14k gold in the watch went to complement the golden snaffle bits in the loafers. For more, see other posts.
Another Christmas tradition for my family is our annual trip to Williamsburg, VA. Located within close proximity of Jamestown and Yorktown, Williamsburg is a town rich with history of the colonial and revolutionary periods. Williamsburg is also home to The College of William & Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country (number one being Harvard). A so-called "public ivy" and my father's alma mater, W&M was at the top of my list when applying to colleges, and I received my letter of acceptance on the glorious day of March 24th of this year. However, the impending costs of law school caused me to decide to remain in the state of Maryland for at least my first two years of college. This way, William & Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law may be less of a financial burden without the cost of a undergrad degree.
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After a 5 hour (usually 3) car ride from Salisbury to Williamsburg, the first thing my family did after dinner was head to Merchants Square, a shopping area in between the college and the colonial district itself. Conceived by the Rockefellers in 1927, Merchants Square may be the oldest planned shopping district in the country. While there are many shops and restaurants within the square, I will take time to highlight only a few of them.
Scotland House, Ltd.
I hold Williamsburg in the same vein as two other towns: Easton, MD (see my last post), and Lexington, VA. Perhaps a reason for this is the fact that all three have (or in Easton's case, had) a Celtic shop. Scotland House is Williamsburg's Celtic emporium, with 90% of its stock imported from England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Scotland House carries a wide variety of family tartan scarves, hats, and ties (being a bargain at only $30). They also carry the flags of the UK and Ireland. While I was taking classes at William & Mary two summers ago, one of my friends decided to buy a Union Jack... on Independence Day!
It wouldn't be a Anglo/Celtic store without some fine waxed cotton jackets. While not from Barbour, the jackets are of equal (if not better) quality and equal price.
Tartan? Check! Waxed jackets? Check! What could make this store even better? Harris Tweed! And Scotland House carries plenty of it!
While they didn't carry our family's tartan, they did carry our crest on a mug.
Ocean Palm
Ocean Palm is a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, with a sister location in Virginia Beach. I have bought many gifts from here, but not many items for myself. Their men's department is confined to a single shelf, consisting of needlepoint goods from Smathers & Branson and ties, shirts, and hats from Collared Greens, a Southern Prep brand I have mentioned before that manufactures exclusively in the US. However, this time, I received a pleasant surprise with the new addition of Lilly Pulitzer menswear. For a while, Lilly had stopped manufacturing menswear, turning its already sold apparel into collectors items that sell for hefty sums on eBay. I own a single blue polo shirt from Lilly which I found at Uptown Cheapskate for only $10. It is a medium, but runs much larger than that (buyers beware). While my shirt is in a subtle light blue, the rest of Lilly's menswear is very loud, even for GTH. Please tread lightly when buying and wearing.
The Ocean Palm is carrying a selection of Lilly ties and a single pair of shorts until the next collection is released in the spring. While I love the patterns of the ties, they sadly happen to be made in China (and sell for $78).
Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop
By far one of the most famous stores in Merchants Square is the Wythe Candy Shop. Its gourmet sweets are made in front of customers and placed in the store's enormous display counter. It also sells basic prepackaged candies and specialty sodas of the area.
The store is named after the same family of the Marshall-Wythe Law School of William & Mary.
The Trellis
One of the nicest restaurants in Williamsburg is The Trellis in Merchants Square. Owned by the same family as several other downtown restaurants, it specializes in upscale American fare for a price comparable to the taverns of the colonial district. I usually order the steamed mussels, which is an appetizer large enough to make a meal. Both times I have eaten here were on the Fourth of July, and with friends from my William & Mary classes.
The trellis of The Trellis. You know a place is classy when you can hear Leon Bridges playing on the inside.
R.W. Bryant Ltd.
The Trad store of Williamsburg. Owned and operated by Rusty Bryant since 1986, the store specializes in Trad style, while still carrying contemporary Preppy staples to cater towards the college population. With Gitman Brothers for the lawyer, and Southern Tide for the pre-law student, this store has lasted and will continue to last as long as Williamsburg stays the Williamsburg we know. But as Mr. Bryant told me, it's one of the few stores of its kind left.
Having one of the largest blazer and sport coat collections I have ever seen, R.W. Bryant offers a wide range in price and quality. Spanning from Afazzy to Southwick Clothiers, a customer is nearly always likely to find what he is looking for.
R.W. Bryant is also a Barbour retailer, offering the signature waxed jackets and other merchandise such as shirts and slippers. They also carried the wax I sought on my trip to Easton, but the salesman recommended sending the coat back to the company itself for its rewaxing rather than buying a can. These days, it's rare that a store will put a customer before profit like this, and I am happy to say R.W. Bryant will have me as a customer for years and years to come because of it.
In addition to offering the finest menswear in Williamsburg, R.W. Bryant also offers a humidor full of *quality made cigars.
Honorable Mentions
While I did not get to visit or mention them during this trip to Williamsburg, here are several other stores and restaurants in and near Merchants Square I felt were worth giving a shout out to.
Blue Talon Bistro- Fine French dining featuring escargot. A favorite spot of mine for breakfast and lunch.
The Cheese Shop- The name says it all. Also a popular sandwich shop for lunch. Don't forget to try the house dressing! Outdoor seating all year round due to limited indoor space.
The Craft House- Sells Christmas decorations, jewelry, pewter, etc. Need something for your wife/mother/grandmother/sister/aunt/girlfriend? Get it here.
Aroma's Cafe- Coffee shop specializing in light breakfast fare. Packed on the weekends.
Dog Street Pub- Bar setting with fun pub food. Optional outdoor seating for warm days.
Berret's Seafood- Oyster bar and upscale dining. Outside corn hole games popular during summertime.
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Colonial Williamsburg
My family and I spent the majority of our trip in the town's colonial district. Stretching from Merchant's Square to the colonial capitol building, Duke of Gloucester Street is closed off to cars, and offers an array of trade shops, taverns, and other historical sites for visitors. Some are accessible only with certain passes, which my family does not bother with purchasing. All of what we have come to love is available to the public.
Bruton Parish Church. Active since at least 1715, it is a famous landmark in Williamsburg's colonial district. I have artwork featuring the church in my room back in Salisbury.
The Governor's Palace. The building is accessible with passes purchased from the Colonial Williamsburg foundation itself. It features a large maze out back. During Christmastime, each window is adorned with a wreath.
The end of Duke of Gloucester Street is marked by the colonial capitol building. It housed the Virginia House of Burgesses and later House of Delegates until 1779 when the capital was moved to Richmond.
The colonial district also offers several historic taverns as dining options, a bake shop, outdoor markets, and several retail stores. While I didn't get pictures of them, I recommend them to anyone who decides to visit this wonderful town!
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The College of William & Mary
Located across the road from Merchants Square, the W&M bookstore is technically located in the colonial district of Williamsburg. It doubles as a fully stocked Barnes and Noble as well, and has a Starbucks cafe on its second level (Warning: Does not accept Starbucks gift cards, but does accept B&N ones). Book signings are frequent, as well are sightings of my former classmates from past summer classes. Two winters ago, I by chance ran into my friend Christian from Houston, currently a freshman at Columbia. This year, I was blessed with seeing my friend Campbell, now a sophomore at W&M, as well as my former professor Dr. Jim Whittenburg, also a professor of my father's.
A sea of green and gold apparel, the W&M bookstore offers a wide variety of college gear for a 20% discount to those with a W&M ID. Salisbury University's bookstore really needs to step up its game. Want even cheaper W&M gear? Go to the Campus Shop on Prince George Street.
Before a time of hoodies, there was this OG. The college sweater. An Ivy style hallmark, W&M comes in three forms: v-neck, crew neck, and cardigan. All three send an Animal House vibe. Very expensive though, and imported.
Across Richmond Road from Merchants square is William & Mary's "Ancient Campus".
A side view of the Wren Building, W&M's signature structure (UVA : Rotunda :: W&M : Wren Building). It is the oldest academic building in the U.S. still in use. My father defended his dissertation in this building.
A Merry Christmas from Governor Lord Botetourt and I.
Wayfarer Sunglasses (RayBan) Italy
Bedale Waxed Jacket (Barbour) England
Tattersall OCBD (L.L. Bean) USA
Cashmere Sweater (Brooks Brothers) Scotland
Rugby Scarf (William & Mary)
Casual Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
*Bean Boots (L.L. Bean) USA
RayBan Wayfarer Sunglasses- See other posts.
Barbour Bedale Jacket- A year ago, a R.W. Bryant salesman was the one who suggested I start with a Bedale vs a Beaufort. For more, see other posts.
L.L. Bean Tattersall OCBD- Inherited from family friend. It has a flap-button pocket similar to J. Press. Can be worn year round. Made in USA.
Brooks Brothers Cashmere Sweater- See other posts.
William & Mary Rugby Scarf- Borrowed from my father. The stripes and colors have caused people to compliment me on my "Harry Potter scarf". And each time, I coldly correct them that it is in fact a Public Ivy scarf. As I have said before, DON'T WEAR GEAR OF COLLEGES YOU HAVE NO FAMILY OR PERSONAL CONNECTION TO! If you do, you will be inviting a very uncomfortable conversation, or this might happen.
Brooks Brothers Casual Chinos- See other posts.
L.L. Bean Boots- See other posts.
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Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
*Smoking tobacco is shown to cause cancer. While not as addictive or as harmful as cigarette smoking, these risks should be still known when pipe or cigar smoking.
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.
While summer officially has been here for only a little over a week, Memorial Day marked its spiritual start. For future reference, I have broken down my summer posting into three sections: Early (Memorial Day to June 30), Mid (July-August), and Late (August-Labor Day). While I will still be posting separately for some occasions within each section, I would like to begin with a compilation of a few notable outfits from the first.
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Memorial Day (5/29)
While many people's ideal Memorial Day is at the beach, it being cloudy, windy, and 63 degrees are not usually a part of the picture! This was what I had going on for me when I went to Ocean City with friends for the day. While a few of us decided go into the water, I remained dry and content on the shore, wearing something I never thought I would wear to the beach: a sweater. With one of my friends bringing their portable speaker and Rolling Stones collection, I could have been sitting in OCMD 1965 with my outfit combined with the music.
Clubmaster Shades (Ray Ban) Italy
Pique Polo Shirt (Lacoste)
Cotton Sweater (L. L. Bean)
Seersucker Shorts (Vineyard Vines)
Grant Chronograph (Fossil)
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Lacoste Polo Shirt- Ties the lighter blues of the shorts and sweater together with navy. For more, see Spring 2017.
L.L. Bean Cotton Sweater- Bought from L.L. Bean store at King of Prussia Mall. My go-to lightweight sweater worn over a polo. Easy to tie around neck for WASPy country club look (tread lightly).
Vineyard Vines Seersucker Shorts- Bought from Rehoboth, DE outlet store. Had to break these boys out for Memorial Day, no matter how chilly. When wearing seersucker pants or shorts, be sure to keep to solids for the top. Clashing of patterns can make eyes bleed.
Senior Trip to Busch Gardens (5/30)
Living only three hours from Williamsburg, VA, my senior class took a trip to Busch Gardens for the day. While roller coasters have never quite been my choice of activity, I still went on the trip to be with my girlfriend and the bros. To celebrate the seasonal wardrobe change even further, I decided to go full out GTH with my linen party shirt.
Linen Party Shirt (Vineyard Vines)
Baseball Cap (Brooks Brothers)
Nautical Croakies (Southern Tide)
8" Shorts (L.L Bean)
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Grant Chronograph (Fossil)
*Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Vineyard Vines Linen Party Shirt- Bought from Rehoboth outlet during Fall sale for only $25. Once a signature of Brooks Brothers as the "Fun Shirt", VV releases a new design for this color blocked shirt each year and has made it their own as the Party Shirt. These shirts are highly sought after in the Prep clothing community, so a deal of only $25 is quite significant (as I had considered buying it full price in the Outer Banks). This shirt is not to be worn more than once every 2-3 weeks due to its boldness, and should be limited only to the spring and summer depending on the colors and material (while some are made in darker colors for F/W wear). The epitome of GTH and TFM. For a more complete guide, see Tony from College Trad's article on the Fun Shirt.
Brooks Brothers Baseball Cap- Turned forward for photo. Backwards for remainder of day for an even more pretentious and fratty look. Mad, brah? Embrace it. For more, see Skip Day.*Brooks Brothers has since released a US made version of the hat. However, it is a flat-brimmed snapback. I think I'll stick with my imported one. Birkenstocks are made in Germany, yet you don't see me buying those either.
Southern Tide Nautical Croakies- Bought from Dixieland Clothing in Davidson, NC. Decorated with signal flags. Also gained me the reputation of being the "dad" of our group. Not as good quality as VV's croakies, but longer and lacking whale logo already on my shirt.
L.L. Bean 8" Shorts- Bought from website. A much needed upgrade from my pleated Ralph Lauren khaki shorts and 10" Nautica ones. I have now retired them to grass cutting duty.
Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Nick questioned me on why I decided to wear these to the park, as well as the rest of my outfit. My answer: why not? In the world of Trad/Prep/Ivy/what-have-you, there is a time where such clothes become more comfortable than a pair of sweatpants and loose t-shirt. For more, see Winter 2017.
Paired ensemble with my beater Fossil and KJP bracelet. Probably one of my more accessorized outfits w/ hat and croakies.
Graduation (6/3)
Since our Academic Team did not make the Sunday playoffs (see Alexandria, VA), I thankfully was able to enjoy my graduation ceremony and give my speech with ease. I was also able to stay around much longer than if I had been returning to Alexandria, so I was able to take pictures with friends. While I took many, I have decided to stay true to a running theme of this blog and post a picture of me with Nick and our Academic Team coach, Mr. Bock.
Me: Cotton Button Down (J. Crew)
Repp Stripe Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
Dress Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Nick: Gingham Button Down (J. Crew)
Crest Tie (Tommy Hilfiger) USA
Dark Chinos (J. Crew)
Leather Oxfords (G.H. Bass)
J. Crew Cotton Button Down- See It's Academic.
Vintage Brooks Brothers Repp Stripe Tie- A popular trend this year was to wear a bow tie with graduation robes. While normally I would endorse such a Trad pairing, its trendiness was not appreciated, so I decided instead upon a class of '67 look in wearing my robes with a slim repp tie from Brooks. Made in USA.
Brooks Brothers Dress Chinos- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. For a while (as you readers may have noticed), I had been using my Vineyard Vines club pants as my go-to for semi-formal occasions. However, I have wanted to step my game up with a dressier pair of pants for such events, and I was prepared to spend a good deal on L.L. Bean's website for a pair of their acclaimed dress chinos. However, an impromptu trip to Uptown saved from spending such an amount of money, and provided me with a pair of quality no-break chinos that present a much more classic look than my club pants.
Nick decided against the bow tie trend as well, wearing a vintage straight Hilfiger tie we came across at a Goodwill the week before. While I have recommended against Tommy ties in past posts, I will share a rule that I follow for most brands: If its genuinely vintage, its likely quality made, no matter what status of the brand now. See what Abercrombie & Fitch used to be and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Nick's oxfords also have quite an interesting story to them. Initially ordering them for prom, the shoes had still not shipped mere days before the dance. So when Nick called to inquire, Bass apologized and gave the shoes to him for free! Alas, they still did not arrive until after the dance, leaving Nick to purchase a pair of Florsheims from Boscov's department store.
Graduation Dinner (6/13)
Celebrating my graduation with my family and Morgan at Buster's Seafood Grill (one of Salisbury's three seafood restaurants, including Red Lobster *cringe*). Being in the 90s today, I did not want to be sweating in an OCBD, but I didn't want to be too casual for dinner in shorts. So I met in the middle in yet another 1960s inspired outfit.
Mad Men Collection Ribbed Polo (Banana Republic)
Original Wayfarers (Ray Ban) Italy
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Casual Chinos (Brooks Brothers)
Stripe Watchband (Brooks Brothers)
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Banana Republic Mad Men Collection Ribbed Polo- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Starting in 2011, Banana Republic decided to cash in on a phenomena that was taking the nation by storm, and that was the TV show Mad Men. Reintroducing slick style pieces such as madras jackets and ribbed polos for men, Banana Republic made it so any man could dress like Don Draper on the weekend (while Brooks Brothers released Mad Men edition suits recreating the look of Don at Sterling Cooper). BR even got the 1960s sizing down, with me jumping from a small/medium mens to a large for this shirt. If you want to wear it like Don, pair it with pants. Leave your Ralph Lauren polos for shorts. While I appreciate that a casual Mad Men line was released, it still bothers me that it was not by a company that was active during the 60s (as Banana didn't begin as a safari gear company until the 1980s).
Ray Ban Original Wayfarers- While Don wore aviators, Wayfarers remain a trademark sunglasses design of the 1950s and 60s. Worn by JFK, Cary Grant, and even Bob Dylan (while none wore the Ray Ban models), this design was killed by the 70s but was resurrected in the 1980s and has lived on to today. Made in Italy.
J. Crew Leather Belt- See Winter 2017.
Brooks Brothers Casual Chinos- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate on in-store credit from my sales to them. Just like my dress chinos from graduation, they have no break. An upgrade from the Hilfigers that I have so prominently featured on this blog. They hold a crease much better too, and are a brand actually worn in the 60s!
Vintage Bulova Accutron- Read Ringin' in the New Year and Spring 2017.
Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Read Winter and Spring 2017.
Chester River (6/18)
As I will be staying in Salisbury for at least the first year of my college education at Salisbury University, I have decided to make it a priority this summer to explore parts of Maryland's Eastern shore that I have never been to before. As a local at a school pulling from across the nation, I guess one could say its my duty. As today my family would be taking my youngest sister up to Camp Pecometh (a United Methodist summer camp) on the Chester River, I decided to tag along and begin my heritage tour. I had never been to this part of the Delmarva peninsula before, and I must say I enjoyed it, as we were only a matter of minutes from the Chesapeake Bay at the camp. We also were close to Chestertown, one of the Eastern Shore's oldest communities. Legend has it that Chestertown was host to a Tea Party similar to Boston's on the eve of the American revolution. The town is also home to the LAC Washington College, the one of the oldest universities in the US. While I did not have the chance to visit neither Chestertown nor the college today, I enjoyed my time on the river.
Crab pots and pontoon boat, not included.
Pique Polo Shirt (Lacoste)
Tortoise Wayfarer Sunglasses (Ray Ban) Italy
Canvas Club Belt (Vineyard Vines) USA
Seersucker Shorts (Vineyard Vines)
Original Topsiders (Sperry)
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Striped Watchband (Brooks Brothers)
Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Vineyard Vines Canvas Club Belt- Bought from Rehoboth outlet. While originally one of the few "Made in USA" items from VV, details in their product page on the Vineyard Vines website shows that this may not be the case anymore. While I am going to wait and see to believe, I am ready to abandon Vines for Leatherman if it is true. It'll be hard giving up all of the wonderful designs though. My belt is printed with lighthouses on a red background. Made in USA (hopefully still is too).
Sperry Topsiders- When by the water, wear Topsiders. It's just what you do in the world of Prep. For more, see Springtime Hike.
With classes finished, there was one thing left for me to do before graduating, and that was the National Academic Championship. Our team consisted of the same players as it did for the TV show It's Academic (see my earlier posts), with three additional players to fill a fourth spot. The competition was held at the Mark Center Hilton in Alexandria, VA, by Chip Beall, a former game show host. While most of the other teams competing faced a long flight or car trip, our trip to Alexandria was less than three hours. As we were staying at the hotel where the competition was taking place, this put us in walking distance of a Chesapeake Bay tradition: Clyde's restaurant.
Originally a bar in Georgetown opened in '63, Clyde's has since expanded to a chain of upscale restaurants in the DC area (and even gets a shoutout in The Official Preppy Handbook).
The room our team was sat in was themed as a Chesapeake Bay hunt club (notice the guns and decoys). The restaurant also has an Adirondack themed dining room, as well as a nautical one which is home to the famous bar.
When you order a lobster roll and are given two of them with your order, you know you've paid your money's worth.
Dessert: Bailey's Cheesecake with Kahlua sauce.
"Let's get a picture at Clyde's" -Nick Selser
Me: University Stripe OCBD (Vineyard Vines)
Nautical Flag Belt (Leatherman Ltd.) USA
Nantucket Reds (Murray's Toggery Shop)
Horsebit Loafers (Cole Haan)
Nick: Vanderbilt Longsleeve Frocket Tee (League Outfitters)
Whale Shorts (Ralph Lauren)
Canvas Deckshoes (Sperry)
Vineyard Vines University Stripe OCBD- See Winter 2017.
Leatherman Ltd Nautical Flag Belt- Bought from the boutique/men's store Sailor in Easton, MD. Motif belts are tricky to pair with Nantucket Reds. However, the navy in the belt ribbon was able to bring both the belt and the pants together in a tasteful combination. After all, these pants were originally worn by sailors. Can be paired with khaki or stone chinos as well. Made in USA.
Genuine Nantucket Reds- Bought from Orvis outlet in Rehoboth, DE for only $35. These typically go for over $80, so I was quick to snatch these up in Delaware rather than driving up to Nantucket or getting hit hard with shipping fees and high prices. While obtaining genuine Nantucket Reds is a struggle even on Ebay, I recommend buying similar colored pants from other companies (like I did with Banana Republic before getting these) before getting lucky like myself or blowing nearly $100 on pants that are also imported. Murray's does offer US made Nantuckets online and in their flagship store, but they are sold at a much higher price.
Cole Haan Horsebit Loafers- See Winter 2017.
Nick decided upon a Vanderbilt University frocket tee, whale shorts, and deck shoes for the occasion. While he purchased the shirt during his visit to his chosen school, the whale shorts were found at Uptown Cheapskate during a post-birthday shopping spree that happened to correspond with a Memorial Day sale. Nick walked out of the store with over $1000 worth of clothes while having spent less than $100.
The following day, our team competed in the tournament but sadly did not make it to the playoffs. However, this did not bother us, as we would have had to return to Alexandria after graduating the next day, and played with minimal sleep on Sunday. So Nick and I decided to make the most of our opportunity and visit Alexandria's Old Town historic district as we had done during the competition last year. While walking around the waterfront, we both made a point to visit a preppy favorite in Alexandria, The Lucky Knot.
The Lucky Knot's Kings Street location in Alexandria. Its other location is in Annapolis, MD, which I sadly have not had the chance to visit yet.
The Lucky Knot specializes in mainly college preppy brands (Southern Tide, Vineyard Vines, Southern Proper, Etc.) that are popular in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, but also pays homage to New England through its sale of Barbour waxed jackets and Kiel James Patrick bracelets.
You know its a gentleman's store when these boys are on the wall.
After purchasing matching croakies from the store (and a bow-tie on Nick's part), the two of us hit the harbor before getting dinner and leaving the city at 9. We are already planning a return trip for this summer, so stay tuned for Alexandria, VA part II!
For the competition, our captain told us to dress overly preppy. This only made us blend in even more while in Old Town. While strange looks may have met us in Salisbury, this was not the case here.
Me: Navy Blazer (Andhurst/Belk) USA
Blue Oxford (Lands End) USA
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Whale Shorts (Ralph Lauren)
Horsebit Loafers (Cole Haan)
Clubmaster Shades (Rayban) Italy
Nick: Frat Hat (Southern Proper)
Aviator Shades (Rayban) Italy
Reversible Bowtie (The Tie Bar)
Tattersall OCBD (J. Crew)
5" Shorts (J. Crew)
Original Topsiders (Sperry)
Andhurst Navy Blazer- Worn with shorts for a WASPy look. Add a hat, and it will turn fratty. For more, see It's Academic.
Lands End Blue OCBD- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Made before LE decided to globalize their production, this shirt is probably my highest in quality and best fitting, and is coveted by my father. Made in the USA.
Ralph Lauren Whale Shorts- Not an uncommon sight in preppy towns like Alexandria. For more, see Senior Skip Day.
Nick is on the frattier end of the spectrum, wearing his Frat Hat from SoPro (which he purchased from The Lucky Knot last year), OCBD, bowtie, and Chubbie length shorts with Sperrys.
