Junior Senior Banquet + Skip Day

It's Academic/Junior Senior Banquet (5/13)

Senior year is almost over, and the festivities have begun! Today would be my last taping of It's Academic, as well as my two other teammates. Going up to Baltimore accompanied by our former captain (who had just finished his first year at UVA), we played our last match.

The Bennett team mid-conference. Alas, we did not proceed to finals, but came in second.

Post match debriefing with host and D.C. forecaster Dave Zahren, who is pulling off the Wall Street look with his two-tone shirt and matching tie and pocket-square.
Me:
 Vintage Silk Blazer (Evan Picone) USA
Blue Crab Bowtie (Vineyard Vines) USA
Cotton Button Down (J. Crew)
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Dress Watch (Rumours) USA
Slim Fit Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Vintage Evan Picone Silk Blazer- Passed on from father. This blazer was once sold at Macy's (judging by the patch inside). This was the first time I had paired this blazer with a bowtie (usually I wear a navy knit tie with it for a more conservative Ivy look). Overall, the jacket is versatile year round and I received many compliments for it. Made in USA.
• Vineyard Vines Blue Crab Bowtie- The only bow-tie I hadn't worn on the show yet. For more, see Winter 2017.
• J. Crew Cotton Button Down- See It's Academic.
• J. Crew Leather Belt- See Winter 2017.
• Rumours Dress Watch- When wearing this blazer with a the knit tie, I usually pair my Bulova with it to keep the 1960s vibe true. However, the bowtie did not allow this, so my Rumours watch had to do. For more, see Winter 2017.
• Vineyard Vines Slim Fit Club Pants- See Winter 2017.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Worn with socks. See Winter 2017.
• *As it was raining and rather chilly for May, I paired my ensemble with a trench-coat that had been cut shorter than most models. This addition gave my Trad based outfit a fashion-forward flair in the vein of J. Press York Street or even Chuck Bass.

While we did not win, our spirits were not broken. We will still be competing at the national competition in Alexandria in three weeks. We also would now be able to make the Junior Senior Banquet being held that evening back home, and stopped at an Annapolis diner for lunch.

The Double T Diner: A historic chain of Maryland restaurants. From its jukeboxes at its tables to the cocktail bar in the middle of the establishment, it was clear that this place hadn't changed since the 1960s. (I do not claim ownership of this photo)

Getting home in time for the banquet, I picked up my date Morgan and we drove to school, where our cafeteria had been turned into an elegant dining hall for a Beauty and the Beast theme. While this was a departure from the typical preppy themes of Kentucky Derby or Martha's Vineyard our school had seen before, I must say it was the most grand of them all.

While I stayed in my outfit from Baltimore, Morgan came out with her Lilly Pulitzer for the event. The two of us could have walked into a country club dinner with no questions asked.

The evening was quite spectacular, with a live orchestra, Italian catering, and underclassmen as servers. When it was time for superlatives to be announced, the Best Dressed award was presented to yours truly.

Me with my friend Katie, who won the award for the girls. My award gift consisted of a strap-on bowtie (which I did not put on as I would have to re-tie my crab one), while her gift was the tiara she is wearing in the photo. 

After the banquet, Morgan and I headed to a friend's house for an after-party of sorts. While I took several pictures at the party, I felt only this one summed it all up. TFM brah.

Nick also wore his outfit from Baltimore to the banquet, but you may notice a few minor changes here. Party on Nick! Party on Tom!

Senior Skip Day (5/15)

While Prom is this upcoming Saturday, one might think that skip day would be the Monday afterwards. However, the school planned the senior award ceremony for that evening, and requires students to attend school that day to attend the ceremony. So what happens to skip day? You make it a week earlier. Morgan and I decided to go to Ocean City for the day (like the majority of my school's seniors). For readers who aren't east coasters like myself, Ocean City is a resort town in Maryland that is famous for its beaches, boardwalk, and amusement parks. It also is a very popular destination for the week after graduating high school not only for Salisbury residents, but seniors from the Baltimore-DC area and NoVA. Hence the infamous name, senior week.

Morgan on the Boardwalk in her gingham shorts and Topsiders.

Baseball Cap (Brooks Brothers)
University Stripe OCBD (Ralph Lauren)
GTH Whale Shorts (Ralph Lauren)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
Clubmaster Shades (Rayban) Italy
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)

• Brooks Brothers Baseball Cap- Bought from Rehoboth Beach, DE outlet store. The Golden Fleece is a step above the Ralph Lauren pony counterpart. 
• Ralph Lauren University Stripe OCBD- First time I've posted a pic of me wearing an OCBD untucked. Since its the beach, why not? #TFM For more, see Winter 2017.
• Ralph Lauren Whale Shorts- Bought from outlet store in Nags Head, NC. Whale motif? Check. Pink and green? Check. GTH? Check. The Official Preppy Handbook would approve of this combination. While not Vineyard Vines, these whales still hold true to their classic look of GTH. For an even more GTH or fratty look, add a navy blazer. 
• Rayban Clubmaster Shades- See Winter 2017.
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- See Springtime Hike.
• KJP Anchor Bracelet- See Ringing in the New Year.
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- See It's Academic.

The day wouldn't be complete without food from two of OC's most famous businesses:

Thrasher's Fries: An OCMD tradition since 1929

Ice Cream from Dumser's Dairyland (I do not claim
ownership of this photograph)

Ocean City is also home to Quietstorm Surf Shop. Now, one may wonder why a blog about Trad is featuring a surf shop. Quietstorm in fact one of the Eastern Shore of Maryland's few Vineyard Vines retailers, and also sells other preppy brands including Patagonia, Southern Tide, Leatherman Limited Belts, and various brands of premium sunglasses. Merry Fratmas, bros!

Quietstorm Surfshop's Vineyard Vines and Southern Tide Display (ft. Vans)

So that pretty much sums up Senior Skip Day 2017. Its been real!

****

Picnic on Pemberton Pond

Today was the first 90 degree day of the year. Probably the earliest I've felt too (hello climate change). However, the breeze made the day just right for a picnic, and the right place for it was Pemberton Hall, our local park. Picnic basket in tow, I treated Morgan to lunch on Pemberton Pond.

Once home to merchant and plantation owner George Handy, Pemberton Hall is one of Salisbury's most notable historic sites. (I do not claim credit for this picture or the one that follows)

Pemberton Pond: The site of our picnic lunch.

Our lunch consisted of two Chipotle burrito bowls, chips, and Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider under the shade of a tree overlooking the pond.

Monogrammed OCBD (L.L. Bean)
Stowed Clubmaster Sunglasses (Rayban) Italy
Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Vintage Patchwork Madras Shorts (Old Navy) India
Vintage Accutron Watch (Bulova) Switzerland
Striped Watchband (Brooks Brothers)
Kennedy Sail Anchor Bracelet (KJP) USA
*Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA
*unpictured

• L.L. Bean Monogrammed OCBD- Solid OCBDs are best choice when wearing madras. For more, see Christmas 2016.
• Rayban Clubmaster Sunglasses- See Winter 2017.
• J. Crew Leather Belt- See Winter 2017.
• Old Navy Vintage Patchwork Madras Shorts- Bought from thrift store.  I can only say it once: I hate Old Navy with a passion. Its clothes are cheaply manufactured and not made to last (as I discovered with a pair of chinos last year, as well as countless other articles of clothing from my early high school days). However, I took exception to these shorts. From the 1990s judging by their logo, these madras shorts have held up well, and are a hallmark of preppy style. They also happen to be made in India. This is usually a major turnoff when buying clothes, but this is where madras comes from, keeping them authentic. While I still prefer items that are made in the USA, these shorts stay to their heritage and remain durable. 
• Vintage Bulova Accutron + Brooks Brothers Watchband- See Ringing in the New Year.
• KJP Kennedy Sail Anchor Bracelet- Going to be making more appearances now that spring is in full swing and summer is coming. For more, see Ringing in the New Year.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Just as versatile with shorts in the spring as with pants in the winter. For more see Winter 2017.

After our lunch, Morgan and I drove around the outskirts of Salisbury, and through the village of Quantico, MD.

The community is tucked between Salisbury and the town of Hebron. Its historic homes and brick sidewalks give it a charm that draw many during Christmastime to see its decorations. (I do not claim ownership of this photo or the one that follows)

A home for sale. With its real estate not overly expensive, Quantico offers historic charm, distance from the city (yet freedom from the suburbs), and a strong public school district. If I decide to open my law practice in Salisbury, this village will surely have a high spot on my list of possible places to live.

*****

Easter 2017

Much like the Fourth of July, Easter has become a prep holiday. Bright colors, madras, blazers. We might as well be dressing for the Kentucky Derby (but for the sake of Christianity and not a horse race)! While to many finding such an outfit for Easter is a chore, in the world of Trad, it is an opportunity.

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Church Service

As predicted, today's service served an opportunity for the men of my church to wear their tan sport coats and blazers of fairer color. However, I decided to take my outfit the extra step, and brought West Egg, NY to Salisbury, MD.

Straw Boater Hat (Scala)
Seersucker Blazer (Architect)
Pleated Seersucker Trousers (Ben Silver) USA
Cotton Button Down Shirt (J. Crew)
Repp Stripe Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
Two Tone Wingtips (G.H. Bass)

• Architect Seersucker Blazer- Bought from Boscov's deparment store. While it is imported and of a no name brand, I must say that I have not been disappointed with the jacket at all. Easter and Derby Day are the two exceptions to the "no seersucker before Memorial Day" rule, and I intend to make the most of them both. Two summers ago, I was taking a course at William & Mary and brought the jacket for festivities on the final day. It turned out my roommate from Chicago (who I shared countless things in common with) had brought the very same blazer (aside from the fact that his was from Sakks). Preppy minds think alike. Can be paired with a crisp pair of khakis or GTH colored pants.
• Ben Silver Pleated Seersucker Trousers- Bought from Goodwill in Easton, MD. Easton is one of the wealthiest and preppiest towns on the Eastern shore of MD (Wedding Crashers was filmed here, need I say more), so it makes sense that its Goodwill would be a Trad's playground. Ben Silver is one of the finest clothiers in the American South, and such trousers would normally sell for over $200. I only spent $5 on mine. The pattern matched perfectly with the blazer, which is always a gamble when buying seersucker. So in a matter of $5, my jacket went from blazer to suit separate. The trousers are pleated and cuffed. A Southern tradition. Made in USA.
• Vintage Brooks Brothers Repp Tie- This was another buy from the Easton Goodwill. This Brooks tie is from the 1960s (hello Mad Men) but went perfectly with the seersucker as well. A repp tie in the 1960s will look the same as it did in the 1920s, and now in the 2010s. That's the true magic of Brooks Brothers. Made in USA. 
• J. Crew Cotton Button Down- See It's Academic.
• G.H. Bass Two Tone Wingtips- Bought from third party discount site that no longer exists. Easter is typically my breakout date for these bad boys. While it is most common to wear such wingtips with a suit (a la Nucky Thompson or Jay Gatsby), I occasionally pair them with chinos and an OCBD as a GTH item. Orthodox, no. Compliment magnet, yes.
• As Easter (along Derby Day) is a day to accessorize, I completed my Fitzgeraldian look with a pocket square, tie pin, and straw hat. I bought the hat from historicalemporium.com, a site specializing in replicas of vintage clothing. Soon, I hope to invest in a set of Ray Ban Gatsbys to complete the look. Happy Easter, Old Sport!

Family Lunch

As it was predicted to be 84 degrees today, I decided to switch to a more casual option with fewer layers for my family's annual Easter lunch.

Madras Button Down Shirt (Vineyard Vines

Leather Belt (J. Crew) USA
Slim Fit Club Pants (Vineyard Vines)
Sausage Roll Penny Loafers (Alden) USA

• Vineyard Vines Madras Button Down Shirt- Bought from Rehoboth Beach, DE outlet store. Because of its bright colors, this shirt should be worn in moderation. The pairing with the pants was a GTH move, and suggested by the sales associate at the outlet (the customer service has outstanding every visit I have made). For spring and summer only. *This shirt has also taught me a lesson with VV's sizing. I typically wear a medium in shirt sizes, but VV's classic fit medium looked like a tent on me, so I purchased this as a slim fit medium. While initially still baggy, several washes brought it down to a good fit, while all of the small, initially well fitting VV shirts I bought are now short in the sleeves.
• J. Crew Leather Belt- See Winter 2017.
• Vineyard Vines Slim Fit Club Pants- Of the same structure as my khaki colored club pants, yet could not be more different in their color ("Strawberry Blonde"). These are an GTH move on their own with neutral colors, but especially when paired with an equally colorful shirt (see above). Another garment that should be confined to spring and summer.
• Alden Sausage Roll Penny Loafers- Worn sockless. Its that time of year again, gents. For more, see Winter 2017.

*****

Springtime Hike

Its finally spring in Salisbury, and it looks like its going to stay that way! I decided to take time to switch over my wardrobe from autumn-winter to spring-summer. Goodbye corduroy pants and tweed, hello shorts and madras. To make use of the beautiful day, I decided to go for a hike with my girlfriend Morgan at Pemberton Hall, our local historical/nature park.

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Katahdin Baseball Cap (L.L. Bean)
Clubmaster Sunglasses (Rayban) Italy
Croakies (Vineyard Vines) USA
Long-Sleeve T-shirt (Collared Greens) USA
Pleated Chino Shorts (Polo Ralph Lauren)
Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)
Authentic Original Boat Shoes (Sperry Topsider)

• L.L. Bean Katahdin Baseball Cap- An amazing birthday gift from my girlfriend. Being that L.L. Bean is the original Trad outdoor outfitter, I went with the cap for my hike. Has a very 1980s feel with the classic Katahdin logo and climbing rope trim. Best worn when exploring the great outdoors or fishing with a longsleeve T-shirt or Patagonia Synchilla snap T. *L.L. Bean puts out their own version of the snap T, the sweater fleece pullover. However, I do not recommend pairing it with the hat, as both have the same logo visible on them. When it comes to visible logos, it is best to mix them up in my opinion.
• Collared Greens Long Sleeve Tee- Bought from The Ocean Palm Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store in Williamsburg, VA. While Collared Greens is an example of one of the many Southern Prep brands coming to prominence on college campuses, it is unique, as all of its merchandise is made in the USA. As the company advertises, its cotton for clothes is grown in CA, spun in GA, knit in NC, dyed in SC, sewn into shirts in TN, and finally designs printed back in NC. 100% homegrown is enough to gain my seal of approval. My shirt is not overly baggy or tight, and fits well! 
• Vineyard Vines Croakies- Best worn during the spring and summer months. It looks goofy to wear them during winter. They are also best worn in company of a baseball cap, but this doesn't break the look if worn without one. If you are wearing a button down with a front pocket, do not bother. For those wishing to achieve the "fratty" look, a must have. Made in the USA.
• Rayban Clubmaster Sunglasses- See Winter 2017.
• Ralph Lauren Pleated Chino Shorts- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. Stone or khaki shorts are a must have for the spring and summer (this does not include cargo shorts). They go with basically any shirt. The ones I have from Polo are quite versatile and have served me well. My only problem with them is the pleats. As Uptown did not have any without, I had no choice but to buy these, but for those who are about to purchase a pair, try avoiding pleats. The Preppy look is described to be a mix of old man while young and young man while old. Pleats take this too far for an 18 year old man such as myself. However, this does not matter if you do not plan on tucking in your shirt to make them visible.
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- As my sports/beater watch, I decided to wear this on the hike as all of the others were too dressy. I am considering investing in a field watch or Timex Weekender for a more casual alternative for hiking. For more, see It's Academic + Winter 2017.
• Sperry Topsider Original Boat Shoes- Bought from my local Macy's. The quintessential footwear of Preppy style. While many (myself included) begin with Billfish due to their popularity and versatility as a sneaker of sorts, I recommend the originals over them. With their light bottoms from preventing leaving a mark on boat decks, these shoes should be worn without socks and only in the spring and summer. If these are your only preppy footwear for the entire year, I will cut you some slack, but generally, no boat shoes in the winter (unless you are somewhere warm). While Sperry is now mostly importing its merchandise, you can still buy pairs that are US made from select factories in New England. I found this out last summer from my friend Christian while taking classes at The College of William & Mary. *For domestic made boat shoes, look at Rancourt, Quoddy, and Kiel James Patrick. While much more expensive than Sperry (as well as younger), they are guaranteed to be U.S. made.

Morgan had on her spring colors with her Simply Southern T-Shirt.

Much needed Starbucks after the hike.

***

Spring has finally sprung!

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.

*****

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.

*****

It's Academic

What is the longest running TV quiz show in America? North America? The world?! The answer to all is It's Academic. Originating in the Baltimore and DC, the show has spawned countless variants across the nation. The Delmarva Peninsula has a total of three competing teams, and I am happy to say that I am a contestant for one of them. For years, my school's team has performed highly on the show, and its former members can now be found at schools including Princeton, Columbia, and UVA (to name only a few). We also have gained a reputation for our distinct sense of style, which holds its roots in Prep and Trad.

****

April 30th

This was my first time as a contestant on the show, as I was filling in for another who was visiting Stanford that weekend. However, it also happened to be the last show of the season, so my transition onto the TV team was a smooth one. It was also today that I was let in on a somewhat recent rule my captain had established: bow tie or no tie. (For those who do not follow my Instagram, this post will be serving as an unmasking of this blog's creator.)

(Left to right) Thomas (me), Kevon (Captain), Luke

Peaked Lapel Suit (Joseph Abboud)
Spread Collar Dress Shirt (Van Heusen)
 Grant Chronograph Watch (Fossil)

• Joseph Abboud Peaked Lapel Suit- Inherited from family friend. Joseph Abboud is now mainly sold at Men's Wearhouse, but has been sold elsewhere in the past. The company currently follows me on Instagram, and has left comments on several posts. Best worn with a long tie.  *My go-to for such an event would typically have been a navy blazer, but other reasons prevented me from doing so. Unless you want to look like Bert Cooper from Mad Men, do not pair a bow tie with a gray suit. I had no other option, and if you do too, that is understandable. If your gray suit is tweed, disregard this. Gray blazers are fine with bow ties too!
• Van Heusen Dress Shirt- Bought at Boscov's, a regional chain of department stores. A cheap, quick fix for a dress shirt. 
• Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch- Bought from Macy's. This watch is equipped with a stopwatch function that will go as far as thirty minutes. While popular with students and in department stores, I recommend Citizen or Seiko instead. Equally popular, they manufacture their watches in Japan, while my Fossil is made elsewhere. I typically try to avoid wearing it with suits, but obviously did not do so here.
• The ties we were wearing were purchased from ties.com by Kevon (at his discretion). Terrible quality, but still a wide variety. While I had planned to wear a navy blazer, the tie he had chosen for me would not look go with it, so I turned to my grey suit as an only hope. 

October 8th

While Kevon had graduated, the bow tie tradition was still in place. It was now up to us to provide our own, which I didn't mind at all. Since it was now autumn, my range of blazer choices had widened!

(Left to right) Nick, Luke (Captain), Thomas
Cotton Button Down (J. Crew)
Sailboat Bow Tie (Vineyard Vines) USA
Vintage Burgundy Blazer (Stafford) USA
Khaki Chinos (Tommy Hilfiger)

• J. Crew Cotton Button Down- Bought from Uptown Cheapskate. A white button down is my go to for blazers and the beach (see JFK). However, this one is not made from oxford cloth like my Stafford and L.L. Bean ones. NEVER to be worn with a suit.
• Vineyard Vines Sailboat Bow Tie- Bought from outlet store in Rehoboth Beach, DE. While its whale is seen on t-shirts in the hallways of many high schools and colleges, we must remember that VV started as a tie maker. While sharing similar designs with Salvatore Ferragamo and Hermes, Vineyard Vines sets itself apart with its specialty in nautical designs, and makes its ties in the USA, while most of its merchandise is imported. 
• Vintage Stafford Blazer- Passed down from grandfather. Another in-house department store brand that I make exceptions for due to its original domestic manufacturing. While now being made outside of the US, most products are imported from Latin America, which tends to be of better quality than East Asian manufacturing. I still am lamenting the closing of my local J.C. Penny from three years ago, and wear my Stafford clothes with fond remembrance. The dark color goes perfect during the fall and winter months, and contrasts perfectly to the blue bow tie. Just like seersucker, do not let this be the first blazer in your wardrobe. Work your way up from herringbone, tweed, or of course, navy. Made in USA.
• Tommy Hilfiger Khaki Chinos- See Christmas 2016. 
• Nick was also donning a US made vintage blazer for the show (which he had inherited). He even managed to find a pair of ticket stubs from a Tommy Dorsey Orchestra concert in one of the pockets. 

January 29th
With the bow tie rule still in place, I wanted to go for my Harris Tweed herringbone blazer for the taping. However, a last minute event changed this and I decided upon a Trad's best friend: the navy blazer.

(Left to Right) Thomas, Nick, Luke
Thomas:
Repp Stripe Bow Tie (Brooks Brothers) USA
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (Brooks Brothers) Scotland
Cotton Button Down (J. Crew)
Navy 2 Button Blazer (Andhurst) USA
Straight Leg Chinos (Lands End)
Nick:
University Stripe OCBD (J. Crew)
Slim Chinos (J. Crew)
Floral Pocket Square (Tommy Hilfiger)
Repp Stripe Bow Tie (The Tie Bar)
Windowpane Wool Blazer (McGregor) USA

• Brooks Brothers Repp Stripe Bowtie- Inherited from family friend. In signature Brooks burgundy, gold, and navy. Can be worn year round due to such neutrality in the colors. While over $50 in outlet and flagship stores, cheaper alternatives can be found on Ebay. Best paired with a crewneck sweater (if any sweater at all). Made in USA.
• Brooks Brothers Cashmere Crewneck Sweater- One of my proudest purchases ever made. Uptown Cheapskate had the sweater for months, and had marked it down to only $3 when I bought it. Being put out by Brooks' short lived Country Club line, I am not able to determine its official worth. However, on *Ebay it is said to have originally been sold by Brooks for $348, and sold on there for $200. As I would not encourage pursuing a similar sweater at such a price, I say to keep your eyes to used clothing stores for a chance. Made in Scotland. *For more from the Brooks Brothers Country Club collection, visit Ebay for a bargain. 
• Vintage Andhurst Navy Blazer- Passed down from grandfather. This was a former in-house brand of Belk, and was sold exclusively in their stores. However, it was discontinued, and can now only be found on Ebay. It is my slimmest fitting of blazers, and I have even gotten inquiries on whether or not I had it tailored, while the only tailoring it received was during its conception. A navy blazer is a must for any young man in the world of Trad. While Brooks Brothers is known to be the signature navy blazer maker, they have fallen victim to globalized manufacturing, and mark up their prices to great heights. For a higher quality yet inexpensive alternative, search Ebay and used clothing stores for vintage domestic or Anglo made brands. The glory of the navy blazer is that you can wear it with nearly anything in the Trad world. From oxfords to polos, and from khaki pants to bright colored GTH shorts. Made in USA.
• Lands End Chinos- See Ringing in the New Year.
• Nick made use of yet another vintage blazer he inherited from his grandfather. With it, he wore a university stripe J. Crew OCBD (Uptown Cheapskate), with J. Crew chinos, a Tommy Hilfiger pocket square, and a repp stripe bow tie from The Tie Bar (a provider of inexpensive yet durable neck wear).

****

With our win on the 29th, I am happy to say we will be returning for the semifinals on May 13th. Until then, catch us air on April 29th on WJZ-CBS Baltimore! 

Snowbound 2017

This is the sight I awoke to this morning. The first snow storm of the season was upon us. By the time this is posted, I expect at least 10 inches of that fluffy white stuff to have accumulated. I don't mind though. Being snowed in is a treat on the Delmarva peninsula, and I intend to make the most of it. 

***

Morning 

Don't be the guy lounging around in his boxers on a weekend morning. Investing in a proper robe and pajamas is what separates the men from the boys. Think Lord Grantham or any character from Mad Men. While fictional, these men could pull off this look with style. When it comes to a robe, be those guys. DO NOT, be Jeff Bridges from the Big Lebowski. 

Terry Cloth Robe (L.L. Bean)
Blackwatch Flannel Pajamas (Club Room)

Hand-sewn Flannel Lined Slippers (L.L. Bean)

*Stria Crew Socks (Smartwool) USA
*unpictured

• L.L. Bean Terry Cloth Robe- Ordered from catalog. Made of 100% Turkish terry cloth, this robe has served me well over the years, and is my second from L.L. Bean (I had to retire my chamois one years ago). As with most of their clothing, Bean offers monogramming for their robes, something I did not take them up on at the time of purchase. Another perk of the terry cloth robe is that it can be worn year-round (unlike the flannel, chamois, and rugby robes also offered by Bean). The only flaw with terry cloth is its wear and tear with age, much like a towel. Like any light robe, can be paired with a t-shirt and shorts during warmer months.
• Club Room Blackwatch Flannel Pajamas (Gift) - Bought from Macy's. Club Room is Macy's attempt at a preppy/trad clothing brand sold exclusively at their stores, as well as being imported from overseas. Normally I try to avoid in-house department store brands, but I make exceptions for this one due to its use of natural fibers (unlike its fast fashion counterpart Alfani). L.L. Bean makes an identical set but for a greater price. However, there is no difference in quality, as both are imported. Seeing that Bean did not offer monogramming on this item at the time, I decided to go with the more affordable, but equally durable, Macy's equivalent. Only to be worn during the colder months. 
• L.L. Bean Handsewn Flannel Lined Slippers- Ordered from website. Highly reminiscent of a boat shoe or moccasin, but with the padded sole of a bedroom slipper. Like the pajamas, best worn during the colder months due to their flannel lining (but I confess to wearing these year-round). My only complaint about these are their leather laces. While adding another boat shoe touch to the slippers, they come untied quite frequently and are too short to double knot. 
• Smartwool Stria Crew Socks (Gift)- Bought from my local shoe store Vernon Powell (also the only retailer of Patagonia and Vineyard Vines in my town). Provides the same extra warmth as J. Crew Camp Socks, but without the extra bulk, and can be worn with non-boots too (as seen here). These socks also happen to be offered by L.L. Bean on their website, which in turn offers free shipping at no minimum order. So rather than ordering from the Smartwool website and getting hit hard with fees, order from Bean instead. Or do as my family did and support a your local business that may sell them! Made in the USA.

Outside

When it comes to snow, the two core brands I rely upon are J. Crew and L.L. Bean. Today, both brands did me justice as I trudged through the streets of my snowbound neighborhood. 

Italian Wool Pea Coat (J. Crew)
Grey Wool Scarf (Unbranded) USA
Leather Gloves (Altare)
Driggs Khaki Chinos (J. Crew)
8" Bean Boots (L.L. Bean) USA
*Camp Socks (J. Crew) USA
*unpictured

Norwegian Sweater (L.L. Bean) Norway
Pink OCBD (unbranded) USA

• J. Crew Italian Wool Pea Coat- Bought at Uptown Cheapskate for only $11 compared to $300 from online. I favor using this coat in sub-frozen temperatures such as these. Any day over 32 degrees I leave to my Bedale. Goes best over sweaters than just an OCBD or blazer. For casual/semi-formal wear only. 
• Unbranded Wool Scarf- While normally I would say how I acquired this piece of clothing, I cannot do so in this case. All I can say is this: "Quality over name". That is my motto when it comes to clothing selection. A similar scarf from Ralph Lauren may be made in China, but while this one lacks a name, it is domestically made. When given a choice, always choose the item of better quality, even if it lacks brand recognition. This scarf has served me well over the years, and can be worn be virtually any winter combination due to its neutral coloring. Made in USA.
• Altare Leather Gloves- Gifted years ago. Bought from my local department store Boscov's. While not a recognizable or quality brand, I use these gloves due to their warm lining and fine appearance. Can be worn casually (as seen here) or with an overcoat and suit for dressier occasions.
• J. Crew Driggs Chinos- Bought at Uptown Cheapskate for $15. As I do not own any wool or snow pants, these slim cotton khaki chinos did the job in the snow. To prevent them from getting soaked, I was able to tuck them into my Bean Boots for protection. I typically wear these pants strictly with boots and in the autumn and winter seasons, and strictly casually. 
• L.L. Bean 8" Bean Boots- Finally put to full use today, but were disrespected by the 10" deep snow. For more, see Christmas 2016. 
• J. Crew Camp Socks- Did not do me full justice today in the snow. I am tempted to layer them with Smartwool in the future. For more, see Ringing in the New Year.
• L.L. Bean Norwegian Sweater- Thanks to this and the pea coat, my upper body experienced little to no discomfort in the cold. If they do the job in Lillehammer, they can do the job in Salisbury. For more, see Christmas 2016.
• Unbranded Pink Oxford Cloth Button Down- Inherited from late family friend. Another case of quality over branding. While a Brooks Brothers classic, this pink oxford carries an almost greater quality due to its domestic manufacturing (while Brooks now imports most of its clothing). While lacking a brand label, I have reason to believe that this shirt may have been made for Hutzler's, a popular Maryland chain of department stores that closed in 1990 which made most of its goods domestically. I own two other OCBDs from Hutzler's with their brand label, so the identity of this one particular shirt is still up for discussion. Made in USA.
• I finally paired my ensemble with a grey herringbone flat-cap from Stetson (also bought at Boscov's) that completed the outfit with a somewhat British vibe. I hope to one day upgrade to a Harris Tweed version of this hat (as Stetson's specialty is cowboy hats, and is no longer quality made). Until then, I will settle for the version I have.

Day Two 

The snow isn't going anywhere, so neither is my L.L. Bean.

Classic Ragg Wool Henley Sweater (L.L. Bean)
Tattersall OCBD (Polo Ralph Lauren)

Driggs Khaki Chinos (J. Crew)
Wool Socks (J. Crew) USA

• Bean's Classic Ragg Wool Henley Sweater (Gift)- Ordered from website. Provides almost the same level of warmth as my Norwegian. Preferably worn with a button down, but can also be paired with turtle necks and t-shirts. A hallmark of Bean's New England winter look.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Tattersall Oxford Cloth Button Down- Bought at an outlet store in Nags Head, NC. There are different variants of tattersall, and this one happens to be versatile year round unlike others. While one may pair a tattersall shirt with a blazer for dressier occasions, I have reserved mine for casual wear.
• J. Crew Wool Socks- Bought from J. Crew's Michigan Avenue store during my visit to Chicago. Are softer and less bulky than camp socks, and may even be attempted with loafers. They surprisingly provided me with more warmth than the camp socks did yesterday. Have gotten many compliments on the account of these socks. Made in USA. 

***

Had this come two weeks ago, we would have had a white Christmas. But hey, who am I to complain. Winter is finally here!