Cooper Ray on Classic Clothes
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
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Apr 17, 2013 | Permalink (7) View/Leave Comments
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Icons of Style: Paul Newman
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
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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Wardrobe XIV
1. Lazyjack Press printed tie*
Lazyjack Press ties are handmade in Como, Italy of 21 momme Italian silk. What is 21 momme Italian silk? It's the same grade Hermes boasts in their luxurious silk twill ties. Tongue-in-cheek nomenclature, including names like 'Gotta Light?, Keggs and Eggs, and Sweet Shades—Bro, accompany prints with provenance in 80's pop culture, college life, and Wall Street. At 3" wide, they are not too skinny, not too wide—but just right.
2. Gant Rugger Yale CO-OP oxford cloth button down
3. Ralph Lauren engine turn buckle on Brooks Brothers lizard leather belt strap
4. Lookmatic eyeglasses
5. Ralph Lauren navy blazer with Benson & Clegg gold buttons
6. Omega Seamaster wristwatch (vintage)
7. PRO-Keds canvas sneaker
8. J.Press York St. khakis*courtesy of Lazyjack Press
Apr 8, 2013 | Permalink (10) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 4/22/2013 at 3:09 AM:
@Tripp—Lazyjack Press (as disclosed as number 1 on the list).
left a comment on 4/21/2013 at 8:48 AM:
@PSP—Nice pick ups. I’d love to see photos of them. Do they have the seahorse on the back?
left a comment on 4/21/2013 at 8:38 AM:
FEC
On your advice I have purchased two 1965/6 Omega Seamasters (date&without;). Lightweight, accurate, elegant and durable. Received many complements without being showy. PSP
left a comment on 4/17/2013 at 7:24 AM:
Fred, do you leave a button undone with functioning buttonholes?
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JP Crickets
As of late, upstart shoemaker JP Crickets has been making a name for themselves catering to the students and alumni of the most spirit-ridden universities in America. Gamecocks, Tigers, and Ivy Leaguers alike can kick back in a velvet Prince Albert slipper donning their school's logo. All in all about 50 schools are represented. What's more? The price is right at $328. The slippers are crafted in a quaint southern Italian village by hand, lined with baby calf leather, and boast a sturdy last with traditional leather sole. Brooks Brothers recently began offering JP Crickets' university line rendered in an unconventional grey suede.
This summer, a F.E. Castleberry for JP Crickets linen slipper will debut in conjunction with my eponymous capsule collection of men's accessories and home goods. I'll be loafing in them all summer. But the boys shouldn't have all the fun. Women's sizes will be available too.
Apr 5, 2013 | Permalink (14) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 5/20/2013 at 7:55 PM:
JP Crickets come in size 14 .. we have Army Navy and just signed Airforce,, The Naval Academy is Blue suede. The SMU comes in Blue Suede contact us We have also signed Hampden Sydney and USCalifornia bringing us up over 50 schools. Thanks
left a comment on 4/19/2013 at 10:12 AM:
@Orgastic Future @FE - Brooks sells (online at least) a slipper for United States Military Academy at West Point and a slipper for United States Naval Academy. While the Naval academy says it is black on the site, it looks blue to me. You can always return in store, as to not have to pay for return shipping.
Just confirming FE’s observation in-store.
Hope that helps!
left a comment on 4/11/2013 at 10:45 PM:
They don’t offer the SMU slippers in blue. The color black doesn’t fit anywhere in the SMU equation.
left a comment on 4/11/2013 at 3:19 PM:
@ronaldo—When my slippers are $100 less than Stubbs & Woottons, I feel good about that.
left a comment on 4/11/2013 at 8:32 AM:
@Orgastic Future—They do, I believe. I remember seeing the Naval Academy in Brooks Brothers.
left a comment on 4/11/2013 at 1:47 AM:
They should include the Military Academies/Colleges. Our school spirit is/was mandatory lol.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 9:29 PM:
FEC - love the Carolina/Clemson rivalry shoutout. Go Gamecocks!
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 7:06 PM:
any info you can share on the home goods? sounds interesting
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Social Primer Classic Collection Ties
K. Cooper Ray is doing it again. He is putting his signature twist on traditional neck-wear. First, it was his reversible bow ties with Brooks Brothers. And now? Now it is long ties with contrasting knots and blades under the Social Primer (a word play on the dual meaning of the word, yet takes the long pronunciation of the "i") label. While down in Charleston working with Ray, I got a closer look at the English silk ties that are made right here in America.
For starters, Ray plays with classic preppy stripe layouts, colors, and motifs that practically go with everything. You want that in a tie. He keeps the width to a slim 2 3/4" and designs for the accommodation of most knots, including the only two you really need to know: the four-in-hand and double four-in-hand. My favorite is the cheekily named Theta which boasts a navy/gold repp stripe blade with a blue/red stripe knot. Fair warning though—learning to take a compliment is a prerequisite to knotting one up. They are conversation starters. But then, so is K. Cooper Ray.
Check out the Social Primer shop and name your favorite tie in the comments with a valid email address for a chance to win it. The name I pull out of the hat Friday will be the one tying one around their neck.
Apr 3, 2013 | Permalink (96) View/Leave Comments
left a comment on 4/11/2013 at 7:45 AM:
Great blog keep up the awesome work. I really like the Theta. The contrast in color is great. What a great site Social Primer is,
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 11:30 PM:
Broad Strips and Bright Stars! One of the most amazing ties that I have ever seen!
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 8:57 PM:
Ill be wearing the Gamma to UF in the fall whether I win it or not.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 8:26 PM:
I have to say that the Delta is my favourite. Not to loud but not subtle to the point of being boring.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 3:23 PM:
Fred, I couldn’t believe the number of comments until I saw that you were giving away one of these great-looking ties. Love the blog, keep up the excellent work. The Gamma would be my first choice, for sure.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 3:05 PM:
Broad Stripes & Bright Stars is the greatest tie I have ever laid my eyes upon. I have to have one.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 12:25 PM:
Cock of the walk what I would prefer the “PHI” be named. Great looking ties btw.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 10:56 AM:
Broad Stripes & Bright Stars will be mine whether I win or not. USA!
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 8:54 AM:
Social Primer by K. Cooper Ray 1st Edition Long CHI
I live by a lake and this would fit in nicely.
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 8:35 AM:
Considering how long I’ve followed the two of you separately, it’s good to see my two favorite American menswear bloggers joining forces!
Social Primer by K. Cooper Ray 1st Edition Long PHI
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 6:01 AM:
Haven’t commented on here for awhile!
anyway….
The Omega for sure! classic stripe patter with nautical knots!? can’t beat it!
left a comment on 4/10/2013 at 12:43 AM:
I always get compliments on my SP ties; Theta is my favorite, though!
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 11:24 PM:
The Broad Stripes & Bright Stars is certainly my favorite. An American-made tie that does not just portray, but bleeds red, white, and blue.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 9:58 PM:
There’s a reason why Alpha comes first…its the boldest trendsetter!
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 8:37 PM:
Fred - isn’t it the contrasting tail that creates the contrasting knot?
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 7:33 PM:
Absolutely love the entire line, but if I had to only choose one it would have to be the CHI!
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 6:26 PM:
Let me be the first to love on BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS! To some, perhaps a gimmick- but if you are already a man with a reputation for making bold choices work, it’s the perfect statement.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 6:18 PM:
@Harry—While several companies, including Tommy Hilfiger, have played with contrastivg blades, I don’t believe any of them did a contrasting knot.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 6:12 PM:
Everyone knows that Tommy Hilfiger made (perhaps still makes) contrasting ties just like this for years, yes? How can this be his “signature twist” when it’s already been done/is being done by another, similar designer working in, essentialy, the same space?
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 5:11 PM:
I like Pi - as unconventional as all the rest, but so discreet that only a discerning eye would even notice.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 5:06 PM:
Dressing up my Dad, my Brother and my Boyfriend is my favorite hobby. I think the Delta and the Omega would both fit the bill.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 4:59 PM:
oh, the SIGMA is bound to get the convo started… I like that one!
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 4:57 PM:
I hate to pick the overwhelmingly dominant choice, but the Delta is astonishing! The combination of baby-blue-repp stripe and pin dots is perfect.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 4:19 PM:
PHI all the way! As much as it pains me to go against my own pledge class of Omicron, you have to pick red roosters when they are available.
left a comment on 4/9/2013 at 4:06 PM:
Omega is the perfect tie. Should be called the Halyard though!
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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!