Unabashedly Prep

  • Blue Devils in Madras

    Culture  

    Image via Duke University Archives

    Duke may not be the first university to come to mind when you think “prep”, but the Durham private school certainly represents a bolder southern variation. These three students usher in a 1980s spring with their light-hearted display of madras. Though you can still get your hands on plaid jackets like these, opt for the eccentric patchwork madras sport coat that works just as well with navy chinos or khakis.

    Mar 11, 2011 | Permalink (14) View/Leave Comments

    amg left a comment on 3/23/2011 at 10:25 PM:

    Interesting post!  I have followed the preppy movement since the 1980’s and its slow fade to the background in the succeeding decades.  I did go to Duke in Durham to study law in 2000.  What I did not expect was the existence of a look, noted in the post as a “southern variation” of preppy. I would not necessarily call it “bolder” and neither would I call it “ivy”, it is more like Southern Traditional Americana (brass buttoned blazers, khakis, loafers, regimental ties, etc.).  I guess it’s the Ben Silver look.  This look can likewise be found in UNC-Chapel Hill where one of the purveyors of this look, Alexander Julian, still keeps shop.


    http://nivaldodelima.com/ left a comment on 3/21/2011 at 2:59 AM:

    Love the madras!!


    GJA left a comment on 3/16/2011 at 2:51 PM:

    Reminds me of Rollins College in late winter


    john lexington left a comment on 3/16/2011 at 10:51 AM:

    southern ivy, duke, emory, , unc, vandy


    karen left a comment on 3/15/2011 at 7:17 PM:

    My grandfather went to Duke University. I was accepted to Davidson College.


    K left a comment on 3/15/2011 at 10:09 AM:

    Love the blazers and I agree with @Angel, the fit is great! A lot of people in college cannot dress themselves, nor find the right cuts.


    Andrew left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 10:34 PM:

    At first glance I thought it was a modern day photo. Shows you how little change there’s been in collegiate preppy style.


    RWF left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 8:18 PM:

    Whitney you are right UNC also has a tradition for southern prep and the gentleman in the middle is actually a UNC student while the other two are Duke students and the uncles of one of my best friends. The photo comes from my friend’s album and was first posted on http://pleasurablerevelation.tumblr.com/


    Tom left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 2:57 PM:

    I still have one of those in the back of my closet.  Sadly (but much to my wife’s delight), the college-age 36 no longer fits my fatherly 42 frame.


    preppywithatwist left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 12:55 PM:

    Glad to see my alma mater finally getting the style accolades it deserves. We’re quite the dapper bunch.


    Angel left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 12:20 PM:

    Whats impressive about this photo is that the Gents in this photo all have very well fitting clothing, hard to find student aged men who know how to buy proper fitting attire. Very cool.

    Angels Point of View - Street Style Blog


    Chenners left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 11:24 AM:

    Great find, Fred.


    Whitney left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 9:55 AM:

    I really think you should head 8 miles down the road and take a look at UNC… the less devilish (but still quite preppy) rival. Go Heels!

    http://joyisstyle.blogspot.com


    Robert left a comment on 3/14/2011 at 4:09 AM:

    Duke University, birthplace of the Campus Sartorialist.
    http://www.campussartorialist.com/


    image

  • Welcome to Alspaugh

    Culture  

    Two Duke students await moving into Alspaugh Hall during freshman week circa 1960s. Penny loafers and shift dress silhouettes have remained timeless classics among the prep set for more than five decades now.

    Image via Duke University Archives

    Mar 8, 2011 | Permalink (7) View/Leave Comments

    Elizabeth V. left a comment on 3/16/2011 at 7:28 PM:

    @Jenessa: I’ve not seen nude hose on anybody in a long time, whether on or off a college campus. It seems that sheer black hose or the dreaded leggings are all that women under 60 wear with skirts and dresses anymore.


    K left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 6:13 PM:

    Classic! The dresses still look great.


    Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 11:25 AM:

    AMAZING, The girl on the left is super preatty and the hair is amazing. Lovely lovely picture!


    Jenessa left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 9:47 AM:

    Great photo. Ironically the hard shell suitcases have resurfaced over the past few years.
    It appears the girl on the left is wearing nude hose. You’d be hard pressed to find those on a college campus today. Love the dresses!


    RWF left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 2:23 AM:

    It’s great to see Duke get some preppy recognition. A lot of people forget us since we’re down south.

    Another good photo: http://www.pleasurablerevelation.com/2010/07/post-100-ebullient-duke-summers-day.html

    or for all madras fans: http://pleasurablerevelation.tumblr.com/post/3493560112/vintage-duke-in-madras

    Hope y;all had a great Spring Break!

    RWF

    http://www.CampusSartorialist.com


    aliotsy left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 1:41 AM:

    Love how it looks like the girl on the left is holding a cell phone.


    Joy left a comment on 3/11/2011 at 1:15 AM:

    Gorgeous. And an inspiration.


    image

  • A Kennedy Photo-booth

    Culture  

    A photo-booth shot of John and Jacqueline Kennedy while they were dating. John was known to carry the strip, from which this photograph belonged, in his wallet.

    Feb 24, 2011 | Permalink (9) View/Leave Comments

    John H. left a comment on 2/28/2011 at 11:00 PM:

    This is the picture of JFK I have on my wall, B&W though.
    http://www.source4docs.com/eBay/jfkjnscp-s.jpg


    Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 2/27/2011 at 1:30 AM:

    They are a really handsome couple! Compleatly amazing I want this on my wall.


    rSl left a comment on 2/26/2011 at 11:53 AM:

    I actually think this is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen jaqueline.  nice.  JKF looks the same as ever, the guy didn’t age.


    MGM left a comment on 2/26/2011 at 11:15 AM:

    Classic, and I agree that Jackie’s haircut is just great.

    www.thestyleomnibus.blogspot.com


    Quite Continental left a comment on 2/26/2011 at 8:37 AM:

    There are so many lovely details in this tiny photo, where do I begin?  Both are completely killing it.  Great shot, wonderful find!  Best, Mariah


    Emmy left a comment on 2/26/2011 at 4:04 AM:

    Oh, I love her hair. If I had the guts, I would get a pixie cut. I just can’t bring myself to do it.


    John left a comment on 2/25/2011 at 10:30 PM:

    Leave it to Jackie to be dressed for a country club lunch while crammed into a photo booth! A lovely image.


    TheWadeChannel left a comment on 2/25/2011 at 6:05 PM:

    This is such a great find. Thank you for sharing, F.E.C.


    David left a comment on 2/25/2011 at 2:05 PM:

    Awesome, I want this framed on my wall. It’s even cooler because I have that exact same tie.


    image

  • Princeton Freshwoman

    Culture  

    Image via Alfred Elsenstaedt

    Several of you expressed interest in viewing more photographs of the stylish young ladies from Princeton’s inaugural admission of women in 1969. Here, a freshwoman in a Saint James-esque nautical striped ribbed cuffed tee pairs a button “Bring back the old Princeton” with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

    Feb 11, 2011 | Permalink (13) View/Leave Comments

    Storm left a comment on 2/17/2011 at 1:10 PM:

    understated yet elegant. keep these pictures coming!


    anotherprinceton left a comment on 2/17/2011 at 1:09 PM:

    She was also Miss Bikini!


    scarlet left a comment on 2/16/2011 at 7:30 PM:

    I just found myself half-wishing that some silly person had sneered at the fit of her shirt or something.

    Anyhow, she’s gorgeous.


    Anonymous left a comment on 2/16/2011 at 3:16 PM:

    I bet you all wish you went to Princeton :)

    Now its just a bunch of grungy hipsters…


    rSl left a comment on 2/15/2011 at 6:13 PM:

    gorgeous, intelligent & (almost) understated.
    The look says prep, but the button screams punk rock. love it.


    Kiel James Patrick left a comment on 2/15/2011 at 12:00 PM:

    Wow.  Perfect.  Pictures like this, leave me wishing I was born in a different era.


    Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 2/14/2011 at 1:44 PM:

    Great look and an amazing picture!


    Joy left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 9:52 PM:

    So beautiful in its understated simplicity. Thanks for posting!


    G.M. left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 6:55 PM:

    My father went to Princeton at the time the university began admitting female students.  He is fond of recounting a public talk given by the President of the university where he welcomes the female students by saying “Now you have the opportunity to meet and marry Princeton men!”


    Jacquelyn left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 2:07 PM:

    Thanks for sharing another of these photos! I really enjoy them, both this and the last one are fantastic in each their own!


    mike left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 1:23 PM:

    The button adds an oh-so-subtle bit of mischieviousness. Love it.


    Kionon left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 12:42 PM:

    Indeed. This is something that is missing with most American female looks. Understated, natural, and classy. Much more attractive than the female “role models” available for most young women these days.

    Cute. Two thumbs up.


    dan left a comment on 2/13/2011 at 11:38 AM:

    all-american, gorgeous girl!  love it!


    image

  • Princeton’s Girls

    Top Drawer | Culture  

    It was in the late 60s that Princeton University first admitted women as undergraduates. President Robert J. Goheen told the Daily Princetonian two years prior that coeducation was only a matter of time. On September 6, 1969 148 women took the Ivy League university up on its offer of acceptance amidst a frenzy of media gawking and ribbing. Hordes of women’s papers and magazines, like Women’s Wear Daily, went to press on what the stylish Princeton freshwoman wore on campus. Practically every female student was featured in her hometown paper, including this young lady whose sense of style is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.

    Image via Alfred Elsenstaedt

    Feb 9, 2011 | Permalink (12) View/Leave Comments

    Elizabeth V. left a comment on 2/10/2011 at 8:15 PM:

    @tammy: I can see how that’d be flattering on a gal with larger assets!

    @krc: I haven’t seen Tory Burch’s polos—will take a look. I’m curious.


    Luis Alcaraz left a comment on 2/10/2011 at 3:16 PM:

    Amazing image, I am with the others that we want to see more of this freshment girls.


    RJT left a comment on 2/10/2011 at 10:43 AM:

    whoa.


    Joey Der left a comment on 2/10/2011 at 9:01 AM:

    She’s a go getter. Stunning.


    Kaitlyn left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 10:15 PM:

    Classy is an understatement.


    NauticalPrep left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 3:54 PM:

    I just love yor blog! My blog is obv. not good, but I really enoy looking at what you write about and the topics mentioned! :) Oh, and I love the outfit! :)
    http://nauticalprep.wordpress.com/


    tammy left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 3:51 PM:

    This is definitely a timeless look.  I believe that the longer placket favors women with a larger cup size.


    krc left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 3:20 PM:

    I absolutely love this post.

    Sidenote: Tory Burch polos are a great example of the longer placket not being an outdated style.


    M left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 12:49 PM:

    Irrefutable proof that co-education ruined man’s attention span.


    Elizabeth V. left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 12:33 PM:

    The extra-long placket on the front of her shirt would be considered dated today…but other than that, it’s a great outfit. And I’m with trip—are there more photos?


    trip left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 11:33 AM:

    What’s the source of this photo?  Are there more like it?


    TheCreativeRoutine left a comment on 2/9/2011 at 11:20 AM:

    There are few things cooler than mixing fashion, academia, and history into one post. Kudos Fred.


    image

    • Newer Posts Older Posts

  • About
  • THIS ENTIRE SITE Ⓒ 2009—2012 F.E. CASTLEBERRY. ALL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS HEREIN (DENOTED BY "PHOTOGRAPHED IN... ") ARE COPYRIGHTED BY F.E. CASTLEBERRY. 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 MY 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).