Unabashedly Prep

  • Frank Clegg Leatherworks Small Signature Duffle

    Style  

    Frank Clegg is closer to an artist than a master-craftsmen (though I assure you he is both). Each time I pack for a long weekend I'm reminded of this. His Signature Duffle, a triumvirate of beauty, craftsmanship, and utilitarian design, only gets better with age. It's cloaked in simplicity—a design meticulously reduced to only what is necessary to get you there and back again. Case in point, there is no interior liner. A frivolity to Clegg. After all, there is nothing to hide since he only employs the finest vegetable dyed leather he can get his hands on. Swiss RiRi zippers, brass hardware, and double thick leather bottom round out the exceptional construction.

    After a few trips with my Signature Duffle in hand, I offhandedly mention to Clegg that I would love to see it in a smaller size. I think selfishly I just want to carry my bag not just on weekend getaways but every day. Not long after our conversation, Clegg makes short work of what is now his Small Signature Duffle. The new overnight bag, featured here in chocolate*, is ideal for overnight trips or just daily jaunts to the gym.

    At $765, the Small Signature Duffle is a far cry from an impulse buy. But you don't really want that in a heirloom piece. You want something that you can aspire to. You want something that is going to sting a little. And Clegg offers that at an incredible value. See, Frank Clegg sells his bags directly to his customers. If he didn't, Bergdorf Goodman would be peddling them for upwards of $1300. And that is probably why Clegg doesn't allow that, the hard working American that he is. He understands the value of craftsmanship and that of a dollar...especially when it stings.

    *courtesy of Frank Clegg Leatherworks

    May 15, 2013 | Permalink (5) View/Leave Comments

    Orgastic Future left a comment on 5/24/2013 at 12:04 AM:

    Oh wow! amazing shape they are in! Love the laces in them! I love to switch mine out with tennis shoe laces in various colors.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/23/2013 at 8:55 AM:

    @Orgastic Future—Funny because they are actually about 17 years old.


    Orgastic Future left a comment on 5/23/2013 at 1:23 AM:

    C’mon Fred, those bucs are a little too clean! Play a quick game of catch in them and give em character! Lol


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/19/2013 at 8:56 PM:

    @A Boston Blazer—Bring extras for friends…they’ll be thankful when they’ve forgotten or lost theirs.


    A Boston Blazer left a comment on 5/19/2013 at 8:42 PM:

    Looks great - just the right size for a few days out of the city. Three pairs of sunglasses may be a little bit of overkill though :)

    www.abostonblazer.com


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  • Icons of Style: William Eggleston

    Style  

    In his closet: Repp stripe bow ties, white bucks, university stripe scarf, corduroy blazers, pink oxford cloth button down, shetland sweaters

    Iconic look: Dark suit, white shirt, tie

    Key accessories: Bow tie, Leica rangefinder

    Thing you can't imitate: His photographic eye

    Apr 24, 2013 | Permalink (3) View/Leave Comments

    RAYmOND left a comment on 4/27/2013 at 6:37 PM:

    MAN, I really love the work of W.Eggleston.  Now I know where he gets his sharp eye for photographing color…my favorite pic is the one with him sitting down in the pink shirt and khakis…Southern Prep rules!


    Drew left a comment on 4/26/2013 at 2:05 PM:

    He looks so good. Is he wearing his bow tie only half tied in these pictures?
    Take care,
    Drew.
    www.diyvat.com


    Raphael left a comment on 4/26/2013 at 10:17 AM:

    Mod Lang.


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  • Hall Pass

    Style  

    "You can make a statement by how you dress,” muses Ralph Lauren. “Clothes are really part of an expression; they make a statement about you. It’s sort of an introduction.” Entry ways, or often hallways, serve a similar purpose in your own home. A mere introduction, of sorts, for first impressions and glimpses into one’s character. Often it is an accumulation of the denizen’s routines and leisurely pursuits: Wellies for post-storm strolls, clubs within arm’s reach for the range, umbrellas for spring showers...a makeshift, yet functional, still-life. Because my hallway is quite narrow, I keep it tidy yet ground on a threadbare Persian runner. I dress my home like I dress myself—layers, colors, and a little something off. What does your hallway say about you?

    Apr 19, 2013 | Permalink (4) View/Leave Comments

    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/29/2013 at 5:34 PM:

    @Invilliers—My hallway.


    Invilliers left a comment on 4/29/2013 at 5:31 PM:

    Where do you usually play golf?


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/25/2013 at 9:35 PM:

    @F—I shot this with my iPhone 5 and processed it with the VSCO app.


    F left a comment on 4/25/2013 at 7:33 PM:

    Beautiful photo! How did you get this look, or did you shoot with a analog camera?


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  • Cooper Ray on Classic Clothes

    Style  

    My pal Cooper Ray invited Dockers down to the Holy City recently to talk classic clothes and the finer points of the Charleston tuxedo.

    "If you're dressing classically, you're always appropriate."    —Cooper Ray

    Apr 17, 2013 | Permalink (7) View/Leave Comments

    Karen left a comment on 4/26/2013 at 6:30 PM:

    Very nice.  I have followed his blog/brand for awhile, but this is the first time I’ve seen/heard him speak.  Funny, in my head I always thought it was pronounced Social “Primmer.”. I never get that one right!


    Dan Speicher left a comment on 4/25/2013 at 12:47 PM:

    Love Social Primer ties, great content.


    cam left a comment on 4/24/2013 at 8:15 PM:

    what can you say about k cooper ray…he is the best


    emjkmj left a comment on 4/24/2013 at 6:20 PM:

    Great video.  He seems like such a nice guy.


    MGM left a comment on 4/24/2013 at 5:21 PM:

    Great video.  This man’s enthusiasm for clothing is really quite charming.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/24/2013 at 1:55 PM:

    @Peter—Bass Weejuns.


    peter left a comment on 4/24/2013 at 1:51 PM:

    What brand and style of loafer is Cooper wearing?


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  • Icons of Style: Paul Newman

    Style  

    In his closet: Tuxedos, wool blazers, striped tees, penny loafers, Repp ties, oxford cloth button down shirts, turtleneck sweaters, tennis whites

    Iconic look: Lightweight sweater, chinos, canvas sneaker (with socks)

    Key accessories: Rolex Daytona, cigarette

    Thing you can't imitate: His shrewdness

    Apr 10, 2013 | Permalink (11) View/Leave Comments

    Tim Waters left a comment on 4/20/2013 at 11:51 AM:

    Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were the ultimate in cool. The epitomy of the “Man’s Man”.


    Lance left a comment on 4/19/2013 at 12:53 PM:

    Definitely cool. Today’s Bradley Cooper?


    Tana left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 10:43 PM:

    What a classic! Love Unabashedly Prep!


    M Arthur left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 10:20 PM:

    Huge, huge star.


    Mike left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 8:20 PM:

    A long time style hero of mine. He’s my idea of what every man should aspire towards.

    He’s masculine, but not overly so. Just right.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 7:34 PM:

    @Cam—A key accessory for Newman was his cigarettes. That’s a fact. People smoke knowing full and well the consequences for doing so. Some enjoy smoking in moderation, others to excess. Not everything in “key accessories is meant to be taken so literal. “Cigarette” being one of them.


    cam left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 5:39 PM:

    great icon of style however cigarettes should never be a key accessory for anyone and no need to promote that.


    Aimee left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 4:58 PM:

    Totally Beau! ;)
    xoxo Aimee
    bowsandbeau-ties.blogspot.com


    Mike left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 4:35 PM:

    The dude has a vintage Daytona model named after him, not to mention his proclivity for Submariners. He is a watch icon—and this is the first thing that comes to mind when you say his name!


    khordkutta left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 4:30 PM:

    Newman is DAT DUDE. Hollywood and Philanthropic Legend.


    Farrah left a comment on 4/18/2013 at 4:19 PM:

    Handsome. Manly.


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