Damien left a comment on 5/4/2010 at 4:31 PM:

I’ve become a big fan of the no break trouser even though it doesn’t work for all looks. Sid’s got it right as far as his interpretation of modern American men’s style with a dash of Neapolitan flair.

James left a comment on 5/1/2010 at 7:05 AM:

Thanks FEC.  By the way….I love the flood pant look.  Just can’t do it myself.  Keep it going.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 8:50 PM:

@James—Rarely is anything cool if everyone is doing it. I think there is a principle misunderstanding here. I am not encouraging every guy to knot his tie in this fashion but rather to be slightly askew in one element of his style. But all of this is according to your own personality. I would never expect an accountant to do this. They are typically of the straight laced variety.

The reality here is that I am celebrating the individual (Sid Mashburn through the student (pictured here)). In time, I imagine he will tweak what he’s learned from Sid and make it his own.

I believe it’s about expressing your personality within the confines of the uniform. If the majority of men started twisting their ties in the fashion of Agnelli, Elkan and Mashburn then I would knot mine up differently…for the sake of pushing against the majority and vice-versa. I think we could both agree for now though, it is a minority who twists their ties, wear it longer in the back, sport flood pants or natural shoulder clothing. So I’ll carry on in the meantime. Thank you for your insight James and consistent individuality.

James left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 7:33 PM:

FEC - Is it cool if everyone does it? 
“It humanizes and individualizes you.”
Does it really?  No.  It says…Hi, I work for Sid Mashburn.  I mean, I get it.  We all do it, whether we work for Sid or another top American designer.  We all have things that we do because it’s part of “the look”.  But to preach that everyone should do it, actually takes away the cool factor.  What’s wrong with being polished and tying one’s tie properly?  Not to say that these guys should stop doing it, because, come on…I get it.  Just not sure all guys should think that this is the thing to do.  Keep shooting them though!
JB

Robdarko left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 12:45 PM:

Andy, they shrink three inches after the first wear?  WTH?  I would be livid!

/kidding

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 10:05 AM:

Andy—It’s inspiring to read someone actually paying attention and learning. The tie is the perfect example of the disheveled non-chalance that I preach at Unabashedly Prep. The knot is completely intentional yet fools some into thinking it was not.  You want to exhibit a slight imperfection in your style. It humanizes and individualizes you.

Andy left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 9:50 AM:

CapitolA, I’ll bet you the tie style is on purpose.  Most of the guys at Sid Mashburn have a distinctive way of wearing their ties so that both ends are visible.  I got my 501s there and am wearing them much the same way today, (along with a pink shirt, no less.)  They shrink by three inches after the first wear, so I rolled them at first and now have no break just like what’s shown here.  I don’t wear them with everything, but on the right outfit I really love this look.  It shows off my normal ankle style; either extremely obnoxious socks or no socks at all.

bunny left a comment on 4/30/2010 at 12:24 AM:

good old 501’s…in a take ivy fit. the pink shirt & ivory boatshoes are so cute and spring-y

Christian Arthur Bourasseau left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 10:28 PM:

The Jeans fits him perfectly.

knitxcore left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 8:04 PM:

i am “no break’s” biggest fan!  those 501’s are perfect.

CapitolA left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 4:37 PM:

The back of the tie is just showing. Even though it wasn’t on purpose, it’s a nice touch in the photo…Shows everything is not perfect.
I should have said earlier that everything else looks great. Just not a fan of the short denim.

M left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 3:04 PM:

I can’t tell what’s going on with his tie.  It looks like he’s wearing 2 ties at once.

CapitolA left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 2:52 PM:

I’m not as much of a fan of “no break” when it comes to denim. For me, the best way to acheive this look with jeans is by rolling them, not by buying a little shorter (like I do with chinos).

Rashidi left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 2:26 PM:

@Carpeaux - Yes, as in womenswear.

S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 2:01 PM:

Love a guy who can wear pink.
Rashidi…did you say Ann Mashburn? As in, womenswear??

Robdarko left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 1:19 PM:

Very sharp!

Rashidi left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 11:01 AM:

Dope, looks like this was from your visit at Sid Mashburn. Did you see that he’s opening Ann Mashburn around the corner?

honorthytailor.com

Justin FitzPatrick left a comment on 5/4/2010 at 6:13 PM:

Love it when women actually put a clever outfit together to create something sexy instead of just trying to wear as little as possible to accentuate their assets. This girl looks great!! Well done to her!

http://the-shoe-snob.blogspot.com/

ian left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 5:17 PM:

I think a similar khaki skirt woulda been better, but regardless she is killin the bowtie!
I dont think too many females could pull it off, but she did

bunny left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 2:21 AM:

the old fashioned skirt and sporty cardi are cute together in a modern Daisy Buchanan way but the juxtaposition shoulda ended there. the shoes and belt clash. am patiently awaiting end of bowtie on woman trend.

Jay left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 7:27 PM:

Very Cute.

andrew left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 5:37 PM:

pure class.

John left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 4:58 PM:

I hate to be a hater, but this women-in-bowties thing Rugby keeps trying to sell has gotten way out of hand, and is about as preppy as a Playboy bunny. Stick with neckties, ladies! Long live Annie Hall!

anthony left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 4:41 PM:

the comment below is hilarious. she does look fearsome, but her attire is impeccable. it’s rare that you see women pulling off bow ties in a feminine manner, but she definitely succeeds.

furthermore, the pink cardigan is the perfect way to stay warm (especially since it’s been cold in the NE lately) while delving into spring color palettes. great shot fred and awesome ensemble.

C left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 3:07 PM:

I doub’t one would get away with much around this specimen.

Richard Ross left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 2:10 PM:

Again, I instantly fall in love with a woman in a bow tie. This is beautiful.

abc left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 11:59 AM:

She’s great…so is her outfit

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 10:22 AM:

Great picture. I really like everything, her tie, her cardigan, her belt and of course the girl! Good Job F.E.

Caroline Fontenot left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 10:11 AM:

I wish I could pull this look off…incredible

Robdarko left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:51 AM:

Oh, I do want to like this ensemble because the girl is really cute but there is too much dissonance.  The OCBD/bow tie and frilly skirt do not work.  Fail.

IMHO

The Boss left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:35 AM:

As I previously mentioned over at Rugby’s HQ, Randi is killin’ it with this look. There is something endearing about a gal who knows how to show just the right amount of skin without looking trashy. Most importantly, I’m drawn to the color contrast between her hair and cardigan. Well played, dear.

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:30 AM:

Good grief, what an adorable young filly!! Love it.

Straw Boater left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 8:59 AM:

A definite 10.

Probably my favorite picture I’ve seen here and on the Rugby site.

Bert left a comment on 5/13/2010 at 9:29 PM:

American Optical is the exact same (I have a few pairs of each) for half the price. No brainer.

For the record, American Optical invented the sunglasses in ‘58, and they went to the moon in ‘69. Randolph was started by an employee of AO in ‘82 because he thought he could manufacture the glasses cheaper and get the military contract. He succeeded and RE holds the contract to this day, however in the last couple years they’ve been trying to market them to civies and jacked the price up to $100 (they were $40 when I got my last pair in 2004). It also appears they got Don Draper to wear them.

H. left a comment on 5/4/2010 at 10:04 AM:

RE’s are nice, but i prefer american optical for best value.

The Sporting Life left a comment on 5/3/2010 at 11:29 AM:

I have smashed them flat w/o breaking the lenses, and bent them back into shape.  The best made sunglasses I have ever owned.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 11:33 PM:

Those are really nice sunglasses and the girls is really beautiful. I like her ripped sweater.

S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 11:16 PM:

Fantastic. Adding them to the list this summer.

Chris left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 10:18 PM:

Extremely comfortable, stylish and very well made. I have Raybans, Persols, Costas and others but all I wear is RE. I do suggest the Aviator with the bayonet temples.

homewrecker left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 10:04 PM:

Where is this Bastian Summer Essentials list?

Rhonda left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 6:40 PM:

So glad that you posted this!  I have wanted aviators for the longest time, but they never seem to fit my face.  I am hoping this will solve that issue.

constantstateofgrace left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 5:21 PM:

Someone once gifted me a pair ... long story short: I lost them and you helped me solve a mystery!

http://www.constantstateofgrace.blogspot.com/

KFad left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 4:56 PM:

The original pilots’ version are my go-to shades.

Knot Clothing left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 4:47 PM:

My friend who is in Naval OTS picked me up a pair of these from his base in Quantico, VA.  I highly recommend them for an alternative to Ray Bans!

David Lee Saurer left a comment on 5/13/2010 at 4:29 AM:

Does anyone recall the Blue Room Association of 1927? The Blue Room was a large otherwise unused space in the building where non-rowing Yale student volunteers stayed during the Y-H Regatta on the Thames. We all painted our names in that room in blue, of course.

Although I rowed lightweight freshman year, I was asked to become Varsity Manager of Crew. My chief job was to drive Coach Jim Rasmussen’s launch during our practice rows up and down the Housatonic from the old boathouse at Derby.

I can still fit into my letter sweater featuring a large Y with crossed oars.

I was class of 1970, so this was all long ago.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/2/2010 at 3:24 PM:

@Jim—It just didn’t work out for me. Life had other plans.

jim beam left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 11:51 AM:

Forgive me if I’m misinterpreting your reply, but what happened with Dartmouth?

Robdarko left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 8:35 AM:

KFad, thank you very much because I did not want to be first.  It’s a tad vulgar.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:19 PM:

Jim Beam—Neither. I had my sights set on Dartmouth.

jim beam left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:11 PM:

F.E. which ivy league did you attend? Yale or Harvard?

Heavy Tweed Jacket left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:07 PM:

Great image. Classic sport.

KFad left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 11:24 AM:

I really didn’t need to see which side each oarsmen dresses on.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 10:24 AM:

What a great picture. It is full of history and tradition.

JHM left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 9:34 AM:

As a former Crimson oarsman, I feel obligated to share my biased opinion.  Harvard’s superiority on the water aside, the crimson jersey, similar to that pictured but white with a red, has continued to be our racing shirt, while Yale has switched to a simple tank top with a large Y, which is far less attractive.

Dillon left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 9:16 AM:

great picture, might have to make a trip from providence soon.

The Boss left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 8:11 AM:

A&F has tried to replicate this image (lifestyle) time and time again—always resulting in a massive failure.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 7:49 AM:

James—I drove by the Harvard boat house while in Cambridge last week…the water was glass. So serene.

James left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 7:43 AM:

I am making a point to watch them this year.  In the winter I was driving through the back roads of CT and got lost.  But happened upon the Yale boat house.  The water and house looked magical. I can’t wait…