anthony left a comment on 7/3/2010 at 8:19 AM:

whether the look is preppy or not, i think it’s insanely boring and doesn’t warrant being featured on a blog like this (despite the fact that i’m a self-avowed RL junkie and saw this on rugby a few weeks ago). i agree that the kicks are the FARTHEST thing from preppy and are more skater/hipster.

i was disappointed that rugby chose to feature this “beach” look as opposed to 9,000 other ensembles that would be infinitely more interesting and authentic.

Astrild left a comment on 7/2/2010 at 3:11 PM:

@keepingitreal: It’s very hard to see the advantages of being a “true prep” when one encounters attitudes such as yours, which is as condescending as you accuse F.E.C. of being.

Is this outfit traditionally preppy? Probably not, and skateboarding isn’t something many “old school” preps tended to engage in, from what I understand. But this is a blog about fashion, not lives. Perhaps I’m not reading far back enough in the entries, but nowhere do I see the author trying to tell people what schools, careers, sports, peer groups, politics or values they should pursue. Yes, this aesthetic is associated with certain social expectations, but in the end…it’s a blog about clothes. And the behavior of some people here proves that clothes do not, apparently, make the man.

keepingitreal left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 2:48 PM:

Here’s the problem, folks. We have someone who admires the preppy lifestyle but is not a true prep attempting to serve as the ultimate authority of all things preppy.  I have no problem with someone admiring preppy fashion and lifestyle, but the verdicts handed down about what is and is not preppy delivered with a condescending and combative attitude is troublesome.

Couple that with his affiliation with RL and Rugby and it is clear why a vile hat such as this would be passed off as preppy.  To me, this is the same as someone going into Pottery Barn, buying everything and claiming to be a decorator. Preppy can’t be bought. Preppy is born.

robdarko left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 10:45 AM:

Point taken, M.  I knew a bunch of idiots growing up in Coral Gables, FL.  Maybe it’s a southern-prep-thing?

M left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 10:18 AM:

Longboards and skateboards were de rigueur at my boarding school as was the mashup of the makings of our jacket and tie dress code with more eclectic styles. Granted its not exactly a unique get-up, but frankly he’s more authentic looking than those who pile on the prep staples as costume, rather than for functional non-aesthetic purposes. He would look like a complete idiot if he was wearing boat shoes while skateboarding.

quithating left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 8:40 AM:

I-lie-to-girls….and tell them I live in a 2000 sq ft loft in Williamsburg, or maybe a true one bedroom in the West Village…..I make up all these lies while I wait patiently for the PATH….Jersey City!!!!BTW, have u ever overdrawn your checking acct to pay for breakfast??? I have…I miss CHAPS, that line was sick!!!

quithating left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 7:28 AM:

Its amazing how many haters comment on these pics…I’ve been keeping up with this blog for quite some time and there are some pics I really like and some I’m not crazy about, but there is one thing they all have in common….they all “work”....this isn’t supposed to be a “preppy” dick measuring contest…...BTW, that hat is RL Rugby, so if you guys don’t like it there’s a man at 650 Madison Ave that you should talk to…just sayin’

D.E.S. left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 12:23 AM:

Ha. He and I were in Montauk two weeks ago. It’s fifteen minutes away. Perchance justifies the reference? Rather close to Hamptons Prep as I’ve seen - merely missing a Rolex and friendship bracelet.

Genevieve left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 11:38 PM:

I’m not normally one to criticize, but this looks more Urban Outfitters than authentic prep to me.

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 11:27 PM:

All I see is a skate rat with a good haircut. At least it’s not a Von Dutch trucker hat.

Glenn Elliott left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 8:01 PM:

Uninspiring to say the least.

K. Nights left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 4:10 PM:

I can’t get down with the hat or skateboard but otherwise I think this is a nice, clean look.

bunny left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 3:22 PM:

the rebellious phase (wink). i love how unrumpled he is…even after skateboarding to starbucks. that’s true preppiness.

spoozy left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 2:48 PM:

Well, this outfit is just fine, plain simple and, i hate to say it, boring…you see this kind of guy every day on the streets, milliions of ´em. And i gotta admit, that this is not what i would say is “preppy” (missing striped tie, missing jacket, missing boat shoes).

Still, well done, but not unique.

Connetiquette left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 12:45 PM:

This look is quintessentially Hamptons summer. The Hamptons during the summer are exactly this vibe- a mash up of the preps from the city and the beachy surfer. His style is a perfect combination of both of these lifestyles.

Emmy left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 12:24 PM:

I think we can all agree that if more truckers dressed like this, the world would be a very different place. I’m just glad to see a men’s outfit on here that doesn’t look like, I hate to say it, a costume. This is a real summertime look. I love it.

:) left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 11:43 AM:

I like this look. Good post F.E.C.

@robdarko I believe F.E.C. means the text on the hat is more fisherman than trucker, it is undeniably a trucker hat and not a fisherman’s hat.

robdarko left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 11:02 AM:

Fishing, F.E.C.?  Really?

Nice try.  We normally wear bucket hats during fishing to keep the sun off our necks.  Actually, my cousin wears this cadet hat with these long flaps and looks like something out of the French Foreign Legion.

robdarko left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:56 AM:

I thought we agreed that faux items are not prep/trad.  So a faux trucker hat is like a double whammy because:

A)  It’s Faux
B)  Trucking (don’t see many preppy truckers)

As for the rest of Coffee Break’s ensemble:  The banality of, with the exception of the Vans, the pants and beautiful aqua shirt are on point.  If this guy had been caught skating in Weejuns (ratty, scuffed, mangled) then he would be an archetype.

IMHO

P.S.  Oh, and argyle socks.

AEV left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:42 AM:

ha ha - yes - the hat is equal parts faux commercial fisherman and long haul trucker. agreed.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:38 AM:

I believe the hat is more fisherman inspired than it is truck driver inspired. Fishing existed before trucking

AEV left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:35 AM:

“InModWeTrust” - thanks for the concern, but no one defecated on my breakfast. I’m glad we agree that the hat’s brutal, but that you also think the look is “great”. Makes sense to me - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this look on a “mod” blog or on an Urban Outfitters mannequin…

InModWeTrust left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:30 AM:

dude, who shit in your cornflakes this morning, AEV?

Fake vintage hats might be a little lame, but it’s a great casual look.  Very preppy and very cool for a summer day. 

We don’t need the skateboard to know he’s legit.

AEV left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:20 AM:

Wow. Now trucker hats (with faux references to “preppy places”) and modern, re-issue Vans are prep? C’mon. This outfit looks fine - and perhaps I’d wear it if I skateboarded to Starbucks - but I don’t get what it’s doing on a prep clothing blog…

RomanPrep left a comment on 7/8/2010 at 12:57 PM:

Who the hell cares if its exactly to prep code?!  The fact of the matter is that he is atleast trying to differentiate himself from the flip-flop wearing and t-shirt wearing mass that our culture has allowed over the years.  I applaud his effort, everyone can use a bit of fine tuning, but he isn’t far off.  I think some of the people commenting have forgotten that the “prep” look has expanded from just Ivy Leaguers.  I think this blog is great for getting ideas on how to integrate prep style into one’s own personal style.

Rachel left a comment on 7/6/2010 at 2:03 PM:

LA ESQUINA!!!!!

Don Richman left a comment on 7/4/2010 at 6:12 PM:

@TJ - I’m about 99% sure it’s a bag from Ernest Alexander - http://www.ernestalexander.com/categories.php?category=Utility-Bags

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 7/3/2010 at 9:07 AM:

@Laguna Beach Trad & JMW—The shoes are Common Projects.

@M—The tie is a designer club tie I believe.

anthony left a comment on 7/3/2010 at 8:24 AM:

whether or not he “cares” about his appearance, i think there are some objective strengths and weaknesses of this ensemble.

the bag, belt, tie, pocket square and blazer are all great, but the dress shirt, ultra-casual chinos and tennis sneakers absolutely do not work. the shirt is way too formal to be paired with those types of chinos and shoes. if he swapped the dress shirt for an oxford, it would look much more put together. furthermore he could simply put on dress slacks and brogues and keep everything else.

i’m also not wild about light khaki chinos and a white shirt, its just too boring for my tastes. i think a blue or green shirt would have been much more appealing here.

M left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 12:52 PM:

Any word on the club tie? Is it the genuine article or a RL racquet club imposter?

MGT left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 10:58 AM:

Paul Smith musa’s would’ve been just the sneakers for this.

JMW left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 10:23 AM:

Are his shoes Tretorn or K-Swiss? Anyone know?

naked left a comment on 7/1/2010 at 7:23 AM:

I like the idea of clashing with the styles. But in my opinion his clothes are too formal from the belt up and too casual from the belt down.
He should get rid of the pocket square and he should change his formal collar shirt for a button down one.

Greetings from Germany

Ramy Gaultier left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 9:53 PM:

This guy knows how to dress!! love the shoes, love the look, love him! The shoes are so fun, I want to get a pair! It’s nice to know that the geniuses behind prepidemic.com also know how to dress!

Peace be with everyone

KP left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 6:04 PM:

Is no one going to comment on the specific importance of the flags in the background?? They were mentioned briefly, but they form the most important accessory of the whole outfit. The flags hanging outside the cafe are those of the nations playing in this year’s FIFA World Cup! Standing as he does outside a European-style cafe (in America!) where he has presumably just watched a hotly contested match, this man represents more than your average preppie - he represents the globalization of American culture, away from the provincialism we’ve clung to for so long, and embracing a global identity while retaining the best of American style. Finally!
That said, throw on a pair of loafers or something. Even if you try to recast the sneakers as ‘tennis shoes’, they make him look like a teenager being forced to dress up for school.

Michael left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 5:38 PM:

My favorite post on this entire blog. Sloane and co have captured the look and disected it to the personas squash days at Deerfield.

Can anyone direct me to the store that sells the repp belt? I am fixated upon this one and must have it. Thanks

gld left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 3:48 PM:

This look is adorable. Why is everyone going on and on and ON about his shoes?! I agree that he looks like he just left work. I take public trans to/from work and change into flip-flops, sneakers, or boots depending on the time of year. I can’t go around in my dress shoes all the time. He looks so put-together, and the tie and the belt are definitely ace.

ATL left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 1:52 PM:

WH, you make some good points.  Not sure why we’re even debating it at all.  The tennis shoe thing is just one of those finger nails on a chalkboard things for me, regardless of it being prep, trad or whatever else.  Here’s something for us all to consider - people that are actually summering in the Hamptons are there b/c they have the money to do so, but there was a day when most people could be there because of their *professional* success, a component - albeit a very minor one - of which meant knowing how to look professional.  Guess it’s different now where “style” for many of today’s successful entrepreneurs/businessmen means custom made hoodies.  Guess we should think about how we can come together to ensure those people don’t raid our summer homes.  There’s something to be said for the Cloister still requiring dress shoes and a blazer (they gave up the tie requirement a few years back) for dinner AND lunch!

WH left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 1:28 PM:

**To clarify, I call it a “semantic debate” because I think we’re just debating nomenclature—as in, what can we call a prep and what can’t we call a prep. To me, that’s an interesting issue unto itself, but it shouldn’t matter when we discuss whether or not this guy looks good—given that we know very little about his background as a prep or a non-prep.

WH left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 1:25 PM:

Jeez guys, I think we’re assuming a little too much about this guy. For one, the motif on his tie isn’t that of any club or school—perhaps you guys can’t see it on your monitors—it’s just tennis rackets. (They actually featured it on Prepidemic in their guide to ties).

Second, I don’t know much, but I suspect he is just a preppy kid who goes to Princeton and nothing more. In my experience on that campus, it is true that kids there don’t really wear sport jackets, but that shouldn’t stop a kid from experimenting in the summer. Maybe he just got off work and he has to dress up a tad. Maybe he works in a fashionable place and being stylish is just part of the gig.

The point is, you can’t assume much about this guy. I personally wouldn’t wear sneakers with khakis and a jacket. I’d do the same outfit but with jeans instead. But that’s just me. This kid’s just playing around with some elements that he likes and making it into a unique outfit that suits him.

Also, I think a lot of you are falling for a petty semantic debate. Many seem to figure that if he goes to Princeton he’s trying to be preppy. But because he departs from some of the traditions, many of you seem to assume he’s a faux-prep, a mistaken imitator, someone trying to hard. Well, first of all, I think he is being preppy—he’s just giving his own take on it. Second of all, maybe he’s not being preppy. If he’s not a prep, who cares? It still looks good. It is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

Style is individual. That’s what’s great about this guy.

Andy left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 1:24 PM:

While I share AEV’s sentiment that it’s hard to find a place to pull off this look that doesn’t make it any less appealing to me.  In my industry it’s hard to get away with ANY tie and fabric belts are only for days when I won’t be seeing clients.  Let’s not hate this guy for having a job where he actually can wear this. 

Also, I for one don’t mind the shoes.  Sure brown leather would have a place here but I have to believe he’s wearing these for a reason.

ATL left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 12:54 PM:

Just wanted to add on the tie comment ... I went to school in London and not New England, so maybe I’m speaking a little out of turn here, but there we never wore any other tie that might have looked like another school or regiment.  Perhaps it’s like wearing a “Princeton Lacrosse” t-shirt when you’re clearly not on the team.  I realize I’m getting a little critical here, but it’s just to reiterate the previous points that this is definitely trying too hard.

AEV left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:46 AM:

“Freddy Fratter” - I agree, “epidemic” indeed.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 10:11 AM:

I would have chosen a pair of brown loafers instead but, I’ll be devis’s advocate and if I had to choose any pair of sneakers for that outfit I think I would choose a pair of Stan Smith tennis shoes from Adidas with the little discreet green stripes or just a simple pair of converse sneakers. Again I would wear a pair of brown loafers or any other classic shoe for this outfit.

AEV left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 9:57 AM:

Sloane, et al - I suppose there’s a chance your take on this is correct. That said, this hardly strikes me an outfit being worn by someone who “doesn’t care”. That’s the issue. Instead, this outfit is terribly deliberate and manufactured and is being worn by someone who cares so much about the “look” being “accurate” that he writes a more than casual blog about the very subject. No one I work with - or went to school with (at a New England school with plenty of trad/prep dressers, history, and tradition…) - would wear anything like this. Wrinkled, rolled up chinos don’t work at my office (nor do sneakers or surcingle belts), and a blazer, formal-ish dress shirt, tie and pocket square didn’t work on campus or in class….frankly, I would have been stared at for clearly trying too hard. What this represents is modern fashion trying to make traditional clothing it’s own - e.g., slim fit, rolled chinos, white “vintage inspired” sneakers, a repp tie which may or may not be from an actual school or club, and so on. This current take on prep is fine for what it is; I get it and in many ways this outfit looks fine for what it is - but we shouldn’t confuse it with traditional preppy clothing or pretend that it isn’t deliberately blending new fashion cues with traditional preppy ones. My issue is that this “blending” and hyperbolic take on prep is in many ways the opposite of the prep/trad tradition: natural, traditional, unforced and understated style that never goes “in or out” of fashion and works in almost any formal or informal setting…this outfit, to me, doesn’t meet that definition/standard.

Straw Boater left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 9:28 AM:

@Sloane Raver - Maybe.  He could be all of those things.  But couldn’t he also just be some guy who went to Princeton and looks nice except for a terrible choice in shoes?

Dave left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 8:59 AM:

I think the sneakers are great.  It’s summer time.

Freddy Fratter left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 6:44 AM:

As a fellow fratter, this man is the epidemic of the college age prep. His outfit screams Ivy League with a classy top half, yet doesn’t make you feel inferior because of how casual the bottom of the outfit looks. Love it.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 11:44 PM:

Sloane “gets it”.

Callis4Life left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 10:12 PM:

This kid is the fresh.  Shoes rock.  Blazer looks great.  The overall elegant nonchalance is captured and perfected.  Callis = the tits.

Sloane Raver left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 9:52 PM:

He looks like he just left work, his shoes most likely are in his bag. It looks thrown together, and that he just picked up what was lying around. This does not looked forced, he went to Princeton, he should know something. He could be the type of guy that actually was brought up on LLBean rubber mocs, and did not discover them when he was twenty-two, or who wore his older brothers hand me down duffle coat when he went to Salisbury. He wouldnt care for slim cut shirts or revivals of dusty brands from fashion designers who dressed in Galliano and Commes des Garcons 15 years ago. His family might have shuddered at the thought of Ralph Lauren when it first came out. Dressing like a prep is one thing but to critique an actuall prep that his outfit does not look right, is another. An actuall prep doesn’t care, he just wears a “uniform” that is picked out by his social class, education and leisure activities.

MatWoodruff left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:54 PM:

I think if he replaced his shirt with a more casual BD shirt it would look much better, but the shoes don’t kill me.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:34 PM:

I also noticed the belt, looks awesome.

tie one on left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:18 PM:

The shoes were the first thing I noticed as well.  However, surprised to see zero comments about the tie and belt combo.  That’s a lot of repp my friend.
cute sneakers!

MPM left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:11 PM:

Princeton’s mascot is the tiger…come on now people.  You can’t walk around campus everyday in weejuns sometimes sneakers are necessary.

Baby Bootlegger left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 7:36 PM:

Definitely dig this photo.  The bag and umbrella mixed with the flags over his head really do say “Easy Tiger” to this yuppie.  Dope look, but like the rest I could use some enlightenment in regards to shoe choice.  Thanks

Justin left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 5:09 PM:

To say something thoroughly original, love the look, hate the shoes.

Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 3:59 PM:

What an amazing look!! Is good for almost any ocassion. GREAT!!

bunny left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 2:08 PM:

sneakers, chinos, blazer. he looks cute. like the prep school student in oph but a little older.

TJ left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 1:42 PM:

@F.E.Castleberry: who makes the bag? Thanks!

M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 1:31 PM:

I love when people criticize outfits on here as too costumey. Anyone that subscribs to a specific style is costumey to some extent. Obviously this guy wears what’s comfortable and what he likes anchored in preppy/trad style. For you to criticize him on some “rule” seems far more costumey then wearing what one feels comfortable in.

Rick Ross left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 12:31 PM:

Favorite post on this entire blog. Well done.

ATL left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 10:50 AM:

I cannot wait for the day when GQ and Esquire (and all of the fashion writers that follow everything those publications write) get over this whole tennis shoes with suit thing.  This to me is the equivalent of the parachute pants or baggy/no vent DB suit from the early 90’s.  Tennis shoes are for working out.  Period.  Nothing else.  Not casual wear.  Not even loafing around at the beach or a weekend stroll in the city.  Wear them at the gym and nowhere else.  That’s how they were meant to be worn and anything else doesn’t look preppy, trad or stylish in any way whatsoever.  Move on.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 10:10 AM:

Wow, everything’s so perfect exept for the shoes. Imagine a pair of tassel loafers instead or simply a pair of brown boat shoes. I liked absolutely everything exept the shoes.

Straw Boater left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 9:39 AM:

Nice effort, but agree with everyone else that the shoes kill it.

CLG23 left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 9:27 AM:

The sneakers dont bother me at all. Just makes me think of an “inner city teacher”

http://athensstyle.tumblr.com/ left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 9:19 AM:

Overall its good! But how many times have we see something like this before? Quite a few, I think it should have something extra that would make the look unique, like a colorfull pair of shocks or sunglasses, or even a distinct pochette. Non the less its good.

JMW left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 9:19 AM:

I like the fact that he is wearing great classic attire, but chooses more comfortable, summer-like shoes.

robdarko left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:57 AM:

Excellent!  I appreciate his “high/low” approach to dressing.  Everything fits well for his frame and the colors are seasonally appropriate (light pants/white shoes).

AEV, he may find it necessary to roll up the pants to avoid suffering a mega break due to the shoe’s silhouette.

Laguna/MC, he may be carting leather loafers in his tote.

H left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:56 AM:

Nice man-purse. Also, time for a shave.

KFad left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:43 AM:

Yup. I recognize that tie from Prepidemic’s neckwear guide.

AEV left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:32 AM:

I agree - the rolled up (too long), non-ironed chinos with white sneakers are very odd - esp when paired with a blazer, pocket square, tie, and rather formal, non-button down collar shirt. Where would one wear this get-up, exactly? This, like other outfits posted recently, skews towards “costume” as opposed to a practical, effortlessly stylish outfit.

mc left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 8:01 AM:

i dont like the shoes.
its color just doesnt match overall.

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 7:17 AM:

Great effort! What’s with the trainers/sneakers though?

RomanPrep left a comment on 7/8/2010 at 11:19 AM:

I love this look.  Effortless, comfortable, spot on!  The best part is the hair.

anthony left a comment on 7/3/2010 at 8:26 AM:

this guy takes a very simple setup and makes it very interesting with his color choice. a leather bag of some sorts would make this look even better, but there’s not much to be improved upon.

S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 6/30/2010 at 11:39 AM:

The sun-drenched colors work beautifully with the lighting in the shot. Looks like he’s on his way to the beach—and makes me wish I was too.

naked left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 2:44 AM:

I really like the length of the shorts. I think it goes especially well with the chucks. But I’m not sure about the polo, it looks like Boris Becker in the 80s and I really don’t know, whether that’s a good thing or not.

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:23 PM:

Awesome! Not a fan of the dirty trainers and sunglasses, but everything else is well done. Love the haircut and beard. Nice tote.

Connetiquette left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 5:40 PM:

Love this polo..looks so soft. And I think the proportions of the whole outfit are perfect.

bunny left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 4:42 PM:

pretty polo. i like the colors.

fsp left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 3:47 PM:

No, not this shirt. Look’s like 80’s Tennis …

mjl left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 1:49 PM:

where are the shorts from?  i like the shorter and not super baggy cut.

Genevieve left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 12:23 PM:

Beautiful. Though I can see this was taken in New York, this is just like the kind of West Coast summertime prep I’ve been seeing so much of. I love the simple laidback elegance.

CLG23 left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 11:58 AM:

When I think of vintage Polo I think of the “Lo-Lifes” gang,P wings and Indian collections and cookie patch.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:59 AM:

@robdarko—I do condone shorter shorts with vintage polos that tend to be longer.

@EnzoAGC—I feel these are some of the best polos Rugby has made as of late.  So soft.

mariel left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:50 AM:

I’m impressed you made it out to Long Island City - my home turf! Glad to see someone recognizing the fashionable people out in Queens.

robdarko left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:46 AM:

In the past I have given F.E.C. a hard time about his propensity for “showing leg” but this is a question of aesthetics.  The polo’s fit is perfect, so are the Chucks (sans socks), and sunglasses.  The shorts look good but fail the rest of the outfit due to length, IMHO.

Please do not be upset with me for contradicting myself but Vintage Polo’s look would benefit from a shorter inseam.  In any event, I agree with JRenee, this is simply classic.

S left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:46 AM:

great. now you have me on the hunt for something else! love this polo.

EnzoAGC left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 9:45 AM:

The rugby interlock polo you’re talking about is my favorite polo series I ever worked on.  The funky stripe layouts were all polo vintage that fisky dug up, the fit is totally different than any polo we’d ever done. Much longer and skinner.  Such great colors.

JRenee left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 8:52 AM:

I LOVE it! Simple yet so classic.
http://afternoonteacomesearly.blogspot.com

toni left a comment on 7/16/2010 at 11:28 PM:

I just bought this pair of shoes at the Nordstrom Rack in NYC for $99! Unbelievable! They look great!

The Boss left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 12:07 PM:

It takes a true gentleman (and woman) to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of a double monk.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/27/2010 at 10:10 AM:

These particular double monks were made in Italy.

AlanC left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 11:04 AM:

PoloRL has shoes made in both Italy and England. Traditionally, they have used Crockett & Jones for their English shoes (RLPL using Edward Green, but also have some made in Italy).

ATL left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 8:05 AM:

I’m actually not the biggest fan of the monk (double or single) and I’ve gone through a few pair, including Sid’s own double monk with one unbuckled strap and no socks that he has made popular.  I just refuse to do anything but traditional brogues and loafers, so the monks are simply not my style.  And now that they are starting to catch on, their appeal is somewhat fading.  That said, I was able to sell those shoes at only a slight discount to what I originally paid ($600) a year after putting significant wear into them, so that says a little about the popularity and quality of his shoes and how they hold their value.  Btw, his shoes are made by Alfred Sargent, the eponymous English shoemaker in Northamptonshire that long ago surpassed Peal & Co.  Sid’s wingtips are by far the best shoes I have ever owned and I plan to keep the rest of my life.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 8:01 AM:

@James—I am happy to report the coloring on the toe cap is an inherent quality of the shoes.

ATL left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 7:56 AM:

@robdarko—according to the guys at Sid’s shop (he used to work at RL), Ralph Lauren makes their shoes in an Italian factory that is across the street from the original Gucci factory.  Apparently they are pretty much the exact same.

Connetiquette left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 10:02 PM:

That is some delicious leather right there.

Richard Ross left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:11 PM:

A perfect, beautiful shoe. It seems you took your latest quote to another level by keeping a tidy “sole” as well.

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:42 PM:

Superb. I’m not a big fan of double monks, but I’m starting to warm to them. I have my eye on a pair at my local John Lobb shop.

http://admiralcod.blogspot.com/

James left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:41 PM:

FEC,
Great shoes!  Very nice.  The coloring on the toe cap is exceptional (please tell me that this is not a shadow from the photograph). 
Wear them in good health.
JB

Wisco left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:40 PM:

@Sean.  I’m 6 foot 230lbs, ex-American football player, so a little chunk on the shoe looks proportional to my frame.

Parley left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 1:40 PM:

I know monk-straps are the darlings of the trad blogosphere, and I wish I could better explain my visceral hatred of them, but I just think they’re ugly, ugly shoes.  To each his own!

robdarko left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 1:00 PM:

My Ralph Lauren wingtips are the most comfortable shoes I own.  Who manufactures shoes for Ralph Lauren, F.E.C.?

Sean left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 12:41 PM:

I picked up the same pair (waitlisted as well)... Wearing them today. Great shoes.

@Wisco… I bought some the suede wingtip McNairy’s. Tried them on today for the first time. They’re really bulky.

Tony left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:53 AM:

Those shoes are damn hot.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:13 AM:

Great shoes!

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:07 AM:

@Jon—The Gilt sale probably flew under your radar because I was on the wait list.  The sale actually took place months prior…then made available again in my size.

S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:06 AM:

Just beautiful.

Wisco left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 10:02 AM:

I almost jumped on these, but alas waited too long.  That’s the rub with Gilt sales.  Another option is the Mark McNary’s found at the new Run of the Mill on-line store. Pebble grain and with a dainite sole, but also gorgeous.

http://athensstyle.tumblr.com/ left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 9:25 AM:

So sorry that Gilt doesnt deliver in Greece….Although they approved my application to be a member…I wonder why. Defenitelly LOVE this shoes!!

M.D Cooley left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:29 AM:

Definitly need to get some of these eventually. Gilt hasnt had anything for me since I joined a couple weeks ago but we’ll see!

http://westcapeprep.blogspot.com/

Jon left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:12 AM:

Man, that sale flew under my radar.  I need to pay more attention.  I would have jumped on those, too.

uristocrat left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:18 AM:

those certainly do look intriguing…

JRS left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 6:26 AM:

Very nice.

caroline left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 12:13 PM:

lose the bracelets and the scowl and I love it, esp. the jacket!

Emily left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 3:07 PM:

@Karoline—The madras jacket is actually Rugby women’s.

K. Nights left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:39 PM:

She is way cute.

Genevieve left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:22 PM:

Great outfit! It manages to be functional and fun at the same time. If you’re not really into the green shorts I would say it would look great with khaki shorts as well. What a beautiful scene, I just wish the girl’s expression wasn’t so unhappy.

F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:05 PM:

For all those wondering, it is indeed raining outside (look at the car’s windshield wipers on the side of the street).  Function first, then fashion.

Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:02 PM:

She’s beautiful and she got a great outfit. About the boots, I really hope that if you are going to wear them it’s only because it’s raining, that way it’s ok.

lancedo left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 12:35 PM:

I love the jacket.

Andy left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:58 AM:

Those boots are great given that it’s actually raining.  Her colors are fun and she has great hair.  I like the whole look.

robdarko left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:49 AM:

This… I do not understand.  What am I missing?

Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:28 AM:

Very, very cute. Love those shorts. Nice to see a pic of New Canaan again.

Karoline left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 6:26 AM:

I’m in LOVE with this jacket…where can I find it?  Tried asking when this was featured on the Rugby blog, but didn’t get a response.