Unabashedly Prep

  • J.G. Melon

    Culture | Prep Essentials  

    The patronage is meager by the time my friends and I duck in and grab the table in the front corner. It’s usually packed at dinner—the line running out the door. Back when Lee introduced me to J.G. Melon, we skipped the wait in favor of the bar as he nonchalantly pointed out all the somebodies everybody treated just like anybody. In fact, preps have gathered faithfully at the corner of Third and 74th since 1972. Perched on the Upper East Side, J.G. Melon regularly appears on any legitimate survey of New York City’s best burgers. Space is tight and the atmosphere, in more ways than one, resembles that of an actual melon. It is kitschy...unpresumptuous.

    As our conversation winds down, I polish off the famously thick, juicy hamburger ($8.50) dubbed the house’s signature dish—with a side of cottage fries ($3.50) and a Bloody Bull (a bloody Mary with beef broth). Although preppies are often a little short on cash, you will need it to pay your tab. Scramble for an ATM or grab an IOU from your dinner-mates—both of which are completely viable options on any given night.

    Aug 26, 2010 | Permalink | (15) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Ted Roosevelt left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 6:55 PM:

    So much for a door policy. Bobby will let anyone in it would seem.


    Bill Smith left a comment on 8/28/2010 at 4:42 PM:

    I’ll have to check this out the next time I’m in NYC.


    MG left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 6:54 PM:

    I have great memories of JG Melon.  I probably ate there once a week when I lived in New York, in fact, it was the first restaurant my wife and I visited with our infant daughter once she was six weeks old and we were comfortable taking her out in public.

    Now that I have checked your blog my plan to stop by Burger House this evening don’t seem like a good idea.


    KGS left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 1:47 PM:

    F.E., didnt mean to take the post out of context, certainly see your reasoning behind it and its relation to your site’s intent, just wanted to keep you eating good stuff! I’d say none of the others on my site fit into prep lifestyle, outside of whats been already been mentioned, PJ Clarke’s. Although, Peter Luger should get a mention as well.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 4:00 PM:

    @Pat—P.J. Clarkes absolutely meets the criteria. I really enjoy their burger too with the signature onion on the bottom bun. The atmosphere is brilliant too.


    pat left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:25 PM:

    @F.E. Castleberry: PJ Clarkes on 3rd and 55th meets your criteria


    Andrea left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:16 PM:

    Gorgeous photograph.

    I lived just a few blocks from this place when I first moved to New York.  Can’t believe I never discovered it!


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:42 AM:

    One of the best lines uttered at Melon’s in that scene is: “The acid test is whether you take any pleasure in responding to the question, ‘What do you do?’ I can’t bear it.”


    Connetiquette left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:12 AM:

    I must also recommend their grilled cheese with tomato, for those of us who prefer an alternative and have burger-loving friends


    joei left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:19 AM:

    I usually dont travel past midtown for food but for a good burger, I might have to make the exception.

    Another area where you may see preps meet up at is meatball shop in the LES. Great motivation there to change my style.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:11 AM:

    @William—I am aware. I do like to leave a little to you guys’ imaginations. Thank you for bringing that gem to the attention of everyone else.

    @KGS—Thank you for pointing me towards your site. I did not claim J.G. Melon’s burger was the best in NYC, simply one of them. And the only reason it is being featured on Unabashedly Prep is because of its relevance to the prep lifestyle…that’s the only reason anything is featured here. Are those are burger joints prep havens? If so, by all means let me know.

    @Laguna Beach Prep—There is always a better burger to be had elsewhere.


    LacrossePlayground left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:01 AM:

    Heard Shake Shack is coming to DC. Getting excited.

    http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:27 AM:

    Of course you may or may not realize that the restaurant plays an important part in one of the ultimate preppy films, i.e. Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan”...


    KGS left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:15 AM:

    Hey F.E., as an avid reader of your site, I feel its my obligation to steer you towards a better burger, seeing as I actually write a burger blog about finding the best burger in NYC. JG Melons is great, but there are a bunch that are better. Id suggest you try Lure (not on the menu), Lugers, Zaitzeff or even Spotted Pig if you havent already. Im still reviewing many more of the favorites of New Yorkers, but check it out if you’d like. www.bestburgernyc.com


    Laguna Beach Prep left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 7:35 AM:

    Nice. Wonderful burgers. But there are better ones to be had elsewhere.


  • In Fashion

    Miscellany  

    Aug 25, 2010 | Permalink | (5) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    bunny left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 2:28 PM:

    there’s a nice article about him in the september issue of bazaar.


    cyclo2000 left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:17 AM:

    it is rather libelous on the memory of this man of taste to suppose, that he at all resembled in this important matter the strutting display which we have seen in later times, and which irresistibly strikes the beholder with surprise, that any man capable of seeing himself in the glass could exhibit so strong a temptation to laughter; while to the more knowing in the affairs of costume, it betrays instantly the secret that the exhibitor is simply a walking placard for a tailor struggling for employment and supplying the performer on the occasion with a wardrobe for the purpose
    http://cyclingweakly.blogspot.com/


    TS left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 1:17 AM:

    he’s delightful!  hands down one of my favorite people.


    anthony left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 12:56 PM:

    this is another great quote of his that i think about from time to time:

    People ask, “How can a Jewish kid from the Bronx do preppy clothes? Does it have to do with class and money?” It has to do with dreams.


    anthony left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 12:54 PM:

    he’s a genius.


  • Polo Green

    Dress Code  

    Photographed in Atlanta, GA

    Noteworthy: burnished penny loafer.

    Aug 24, 2010 | Permalink | (42) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 9/1/2010 at 12:07 AM:

    @Ted Roosevelt—I’ll start that today…off to soccer practice to presumably maintain my “figure.”


    Ted Roosevelt left a comment on 8/31/2010 at 5:08 PM:

    Lay off the chow if you insist on wearing slim-fitting clothing.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/31/2010 at 12:22 PM:

    This is 100% preppy and this style is been used since at least 50 or 60 years ago.


    Mark Sinclair left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 10:35 PM:

    Love the look. The shoes are fab!


    Ted Roosevelt left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 6:20 PM:

    This is not preppy. It is contemporary - along the lines of J Crew. The look is modern/metro/homo-sexual chic. The question must always be: Can I wear this in 10, 20, 30 years? Look about the streets; one pair of Top-Siders (or fake ones) does not a preppy make. Call your blog what you will, but we’re not fooled.


    ssn left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 5:09 PM:

    FEC this is like the alter-you. you know, from the Windows 7 commercials.


    Xanax left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 1:03 AM:

    Haters gon hate but Mr. Castleberry is looking fresh! I would much rather see men looking like this than see them wearing oversized polo shirts with MC hammer fit like pleated pants or some baggy jeans falling off their ass.

    Nice arms by the way Fred!


    Christopher Tawney left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 11:01 PM:

    Jock, not prep, unabashedly. Keep up.


    Hannah left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 10:51 PM:

    Love the outfit. I tend to like your photos of guys more than your photos of girls. More classically prep.


    Omniscientcause left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 10:05 PM:

    i dress like this to work on a daily basis…but yes I work at RL

    good stuff F.E.C. I’ve been following your blog for awhile and good stuff keep it up.


    Justin left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 9:49 PM:

    @F.E. Castleberry - Front tucking rocks.  Seriously.  I practice it everywhere but work.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 2:18 PM:

    @Zack—I pick up my watch straps from J.Crew and Smart Turnout.

    @Will—These white jeans are made by Rugby by Ralph Lauren.

    @Nate—Yes, these are the new Ralph Lauren Singleton Loafers made in New England.  Next time simply click on the link I provided in the “Noteworthy” section.

    @lafreshness.tumblr.com—It’s the missing glasses. With glasses on it’s Clark Kent.

    @Joey dee—And exactly what is wrong with school uniforms? Sometimes we have to stare our fears in the face…especially when that color looks incredibly good on you.

    @robdarko—I have to call bullshit on this one. Do you know anything about prep athletes??? Lacrosse? Soccer? Crew? You think all these guys are aesthete wimps? Of course not. And for the record, I don’t work out…these forearms came out of nowhere. I would encourage you to expand your view on how belts are worn…if I would have had this belt “peeking” out I would have been crucified for front-tucking.

    @Shawn Garrett—I wear slim jeans and chinos…not skinny.  I am always comfortable when sitting, standing, running from authorities, etc.

    @Sunday—I wholeheartedly agree…not only be happy in their clothing but laughing in them.

    @JMA—I don’t ask for trouble, I make it. And the fact that you think my pants are too short lets me know they are just right.  It’s that touch of “just off” because being perfect is over rated.

    @Rashidi—These jeans are not made by Levi 501s but are made by Rugby. The only tailoring needed was taking the inseam up to 29”.  I have loved them hard this summer.

    @MJL—I’m not wearing Cole Haan Air Rivingtons, but the loafers that replaced the Rivingtons I previously wore.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/25/2010 at 12:21 AM:

    I think he said once that he gets them from Smart Turnout.


    Zack left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 11:14 PM:

    You always have the nicest grosgrain watch straps. Where do you get them?


    Laguna Beach Prep left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 8:46 PM:

    Crikey, this is an awesome photo! This young chap looks like a Polo model. Green polo, white denim trousers, ribbon belt, tan loafers, muscular forearms, side-parted hair. Classic.

    http://admiralcod.blogspot.com/


    Dane-Andrew left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 8:25 PM:

    Very intelligent !


    Justin left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 6:58 PM:

    Love the shoes.  @robdarko - I always think of preps as athletes.  Lacrosse, rugby, tennis, golf, racquetball.  Makes it tough buying clothes sometimes though - I’m a 48” chest, 36” waist, and 17x35 shirt and finding shirts and jackets to fit can be hell.

    All worth it for the athletic glory, right?


    bunny left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 6:26 PM:

    colors read gucci. equine. southern prep. reminds me of sid’s story about his sisters bf’s. it’s great.


    will left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 6:07 PM:

    are those 501s?


    Bill Smith left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 4:54 PM:

    Classic look, I got the same shirt and I love it.


    Nate left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 4:26 PM:

    Are those the new RL made in the USA loafers?


    Elmo left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 4:09 PM:

    Nice Lincoln Mark V there in the background.  Sweet ride.


    CLG23 left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 3:35 PM:

    well played sir…well played
    the pants length is a thing of personal taste which isnt that of my own, but STILL, great look. And I like how the neon lights compliment the shirt and belt.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 3:06 PM:

    The belt looks so good, and it obviously shows up because its function is to hold up the pants and it keeps the polo tucked in. Brilliant outfit!


    http://lafreshness.tumblr.com/ left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 2:48 PM:

    Why do you look like Superman?


    Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 2:33 PM:

    Looks great, I really like that everything is the right size and the right fit.


    Rhonda left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 2:11 PM:

    I absolutely love this look.


    Joey dee left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 12:46 PM:

    Great look. Your jeans are always meticulous. Not sure about the green, it always haunts me of school uniforms.


    Andy M. left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 12:26 PM:

    Rashidi, yes, Fox Brothers is the best BBQ I’ve ever had.  Right up there on mac and cheese too.

    Robdarko, I see where you’re coming from in not showing off, but I guess I look at it as varying by outfit.  If I were in chinos, a button down and a sweater, then sure, a flash of a leather belt on occasion is what I’d want.  But with an outfit like this the belt and the watch are your primary sources of color and they set off the entire outfit.  Difference of opinions I suppose but I like how this looks.


    Elizabeth left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 11:30 AM:

    Looking good. The hunter green polo is especially nice.


    robdarko left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 10:32 AM:

    There’s the rub, Andy M.  You do not “show off” the belt.  The belt should just peek every now and then as you go along.  Actually, you try not to “show off” anything. 

    F.E.C., you may look great and broad shoulders are desired male trait but I think you may be too athletic for preps.  IMHO.

    P.S.  I might be getting my preps and WASPs mixed up.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 10:08 AM:

    Great look! I specially like the loafers and the belt. The polo is great too.


    Shawn Garrett left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 10:00 AM:

    Like the outfit. Not to be crude, but you wear awfully tight pants, which, I gotta say, don’t leave much to the imagination for your readers ... Don’t they squeeze the hell out of, well, you? Especially when you sit down?


    Sunday Ibok left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:39 AM:

    Love the smile. More people should be happy in their clothing. The hunter green color is a great way to usher in fall. The white pants are great. Keep knocking ‘em dead.


    JMA left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:34 AM:

    White jeans at a BBQ place?  You’re just asking for trouble.  Though the sauce might match the shoes. I understand the look but think the pants are still a bit short, by maybe 1/2-3/4”.


    cws left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:28 AM:

    Great belt…


    Brad Corona left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:27 AM:

    The loafers are ace, and the break (or lack thereof) on the jeans is perfect.


    Mattie P left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:22 AM:

    coming from a rugby playing background I must confess how nice it is to see people athaletic builds looking good.  clothes so often seem cut for either the fat or the skiney.  please keep up the good work


    Rashidi left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:15 AM:

    I like the tucked polo looked. Digging the loafers too. Did Sid alter the 501’s for you?

    I’ve lived in Atlanta for 14 years, and I rarely go to Fat Matt’s. I normally go to Fox Bros. for BBQ. Best wings ever!


    mjl left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 9:11 AM:

    cole haan air rivingtons.  nice play.  i wear mine like they’re going out of style.


    Andy M. left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 8:41 AM:

    Not the tucked polo?  I rarely if ever go untucked in my 501s, and how else are you going to show off that belt?

    Fat Matt’s…  decent food made so much better by live blues nightly.


    Ethan Osten left a comment on 8/24/2010 at 8:30 AM:

    Not the tucked polo! Even with the white pants all I can think is “IT Paraprofessional.”


  • Ralph Lauren Singleton Loafer

    Prep Essentials  

    “In Japan, consumers want English things to be from England, French things to be from France and American things to be made in America. It’s a quality that I believe is derived from a devotion to authenticity.”      —Michael Williams

    In search of the perfect penny loafer, I found them in Ralph Lauren’s Singleton Burnished Loafer ($475). Proudly made in America by Mainer craftsmen, these embody the panache of genuine Maine hand-sewns. Previously Ansewn (until around 2003), Bangor, Maine’s Highland Shoe Co. hand-sews leather shoes for the likes of Polo, Bass (Weejuns), Paul Stuart and Sid Mashburn. The hand-stitched leather sole and outside reinforced heel feel solid on my feet. Apparently only available at RalphLauren.com, I found myself fit testing with other American made models in Ralph Lauren stores and moved a half size down. They fit brilliantly. And despite its presence in the current trend, the penny loafer is a simple, classic and understated shoe with practical, long-term fashion value.

    *The penny loafer originated in the 1930s. Somewhat unbelievably, this fashion started with the Spaulding company when they produced shoes styled after those of Norwegian dairy farmers that had appeared in an article in Esquire Magazine.

    Aug 23, 2010 | Permalink | (9) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    mark adams left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 8:28 PM:

    what color socks do you wear with these shoes and navy pants


    Joey dee left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 6:14 PM:

    Hats off to Ralph Lauren making something in USA. in these times, nothing could be more important than buying American, whether it’s shoes, local organic strawberries, ETSY. It is high time we as consumers and citizens for better dressing start supporting the artisans and producers in our back yards and neighborhoods. The shoes are fabulous, by the way.


    fsp left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 4:55 PM:

    These are really great but, believe me, the Loafers from Lottusse are greater!


    Genevieve left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 2:23 PM:

    These are great, but I would love to see some women’s shoes on here once in awhile!


    Mark Sinclair left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 12:58 PM:

    Love this loafer, great choice! The story is a nice read as well. Thanks.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 11:28 AM:

    They are a real beauty.


    Doc left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 11:10 AM:

    They are quite stunning looking shoes, though I am somewhat astonished that you did not have success with Allen Edmonds.  Their Westchester has been around for some time, is hand-made, and is beautiful in every dimension.  For only a few dollars more than the RL you feature, one can have a pair of Westchesters in cordovan in a myriad of sizes and widths (perfect for my 12B feet!). 

    I find the simple lines of both shoes attractive.  Leave the beef roll to more casual shoes.


    AEV left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 10:38 AM:

    These are really, really nice….though, in my mind, nothing beats an Alden shell cordovan penny - and, I’m guessing, they cost about the same.

    Also nice to see RL selling American made shoes…I didn’t like the Italian made models they were selling last season, and I never understood why folks paid the RL premium for UK made shoes you could always buy direct from the manufacturer for less….


    L.A.S left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 10:06 AM:

    Where’s the beef…roll?


  • Madras Four-In-Hand

    Dress Code  

    Photographed in Greenwich, CT

    Noteworthy: dirty white bucks, dressed up shorts. Previously featured on Rugby's blog, The Newsroom.

    Aug 20, 2010 | Permalink | (12) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Ellebelle left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 9:09 PM:

    THIS BOY IS HOT


    Joey Dee left a comment on 8/21/2010 at 11:26 PM:

    Max, this guy and others are always alone because, and correct me if wrong, they are rugby sales associates modeling the look of the line. They look great doing it. It is nice to see kids making an effort to to get dressed and not look like something that got kicked off a rap video set.


    Mattie P left a comment on 8/21/2010 at 6:35 AM:

    big fan of this look.  wish madras ties were easier to come by in my part of the world..


    PRL Fan left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 6:01 PM:

    A four in hand knot should never be used with a keaton style collar…otherwise the look is good for the summer.  Would have preferred the standard four in hand knot with a button down collar which is true preppy American style!!!


    bunny left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 4:43 PM:

    i love a madras tie. never see ‘em irl but i don’t exactly live in a prep haven.


    capitol a left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 4:05 PM:

    Overall look is great, but i agree about the contrast collar. Its sort of like a moc turtleneck: it will either make you look stupid or like a priest.


    Emmy left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 12:31 PM:

    I’m not really a fan of the white peter pan - looking collar, but it’s a nice look nonetheless.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 11:41 AM:

    This picture is absolutely fantastic.


    JMW left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 10:40 AM:

    Gosh! I haven’t bought any white bucks in years and this is inspiring me to do so. Nice photo!


    Laguna Beach Prep left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 9:00 AM:

    Totally epic, dude. Love those dirrrty bucks. He’s sitting on the lawn of my church.


    Max left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 8:09 AM:

    Cool look.  How come these people are always alone though?


    AndrewSo left a comment on 8/20/2010 at 7:15 AM:

    I love it; this is so me!  I have a belt that looks almost identical to his and I wear it all summer long.  I think bucks are a bit cliché (I prefer a pair of unlined, chocolate brogues or simple white canvas sneakers) but he looks absolutely charming.


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  • THIS ENTIRE SITE Ⓒ 2010 UNABASHEDLY PREP. ALL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS HEREIN (DENOTED BY "PHOTOGRAPHED IN... ") ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER. IMAGES (DENOTED BY "IMAGES VIA...") ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS PLACES ON THE INTERNET AND BELIEVED TO BE IN PUBLIC DOMAIN. IMAGES POSTED ARE BELIEVED TO BE POSTED WITHIN OUR RIGHTS ACCORDING TO THE U.S. COPYRIGHT FAIR USE ACT (TITLE 17, U.S. CODE). NO PART OF THIS SITE, OR ANY OF THE CONTENT CONTAINED HEREIN, MAY BE USED OR REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S).