Unabashedly Prep

  • J.G. Melon

    Culture | Prep Essentials  

    The patronage is meager by the time my friends and I duck in and grab the table in the front corner. It’s usually packed at dinner—the line running out the door. Back when Lee introduced me to J.G. Melon, we skipped the wait in favor of the bar as he nonchalantly pointed out all the somebodies everybody treated just like anybody. In fact, preps have gathered faithfully at the corner of Third and 74th since 1972. Perched on the Upper East Side, J.G. Melon regularly appears on any legitimate survey of New York City’s best burgers. Space is tight and the atmosphere, in more ways than one, resembles that of an actual melon. It is kitschy...unpresumptuous.

    As our conversation winds down, I polish off the famously thick, juicy hamburger ($8.50) dubbed the house’s signature dish—with a side of cottage fries ($3.50) and a Bloody Bull (a bloody Mary with beef broth). Although preppies are often a little short on cash, you will need it to pay your tab. Scramble for an ATM or grab an IOU from your dinner-mates—both of which are completely viable options on any given night.

    Aug 26, 2010 | Permalink | (15) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Ted Roosevelt left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 6:55 PM:

    So much for a door policy. Bobby will let anyone in it would seem.


    Bill Smith left a comment on 8/28/2010 at 4:42 PM:

    I’ll have to check this out the next time I’m in NYC.


    MG left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 6:54 PM:

    I have great memories of JG Melon.  I probably ate there once a week when I lived in New York, in fact, it was the first restaurant my wife and I visited with our infant daughter once she was six weeks old and we were comfortable taking her out in public.

    Now that I have checked your blog my plan to stop by Burger House this evening don’t seem like a good idea.


    KGS left a comment on 8/27/2010 at 1:47 PM:

    F.E., didnt mean to take the post out of context, certainly see your reasoning behind it and its relation to your site’s intent, just wanted to keep you eating good stuff! I’d say none of the others on my site fit into prep lifestyle, outside of whats been already been mentioned, PJ Clarke’s. Although, Peter Luger should get a mention as well.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 4:00 PM:

    @Pat—P.J. Clarkes absolutely meets the criteria. I really enjoy their burger too with the signature onion on the bottom bun. The atmosphere is brilliant too.


    pat left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:25 PM:

    @F.E. Castleberry: PJ Clarkes on 3rd and 55th meets your criteria


    Andrea left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 12:16 PM:

    Gorgeous photograph.

    I lived just a few blocks from this place when I first moved to New York.  Can’t believe I never discovered it!


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:42 AM:

    One of the best lines uttered at Melon’s in that scene is: “The acid test is whether you take any pleasure in responding to the question, ‘What do you do?’ I can’t bear it.”


    Connetiquette left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 11:12 AM:

    I must also recommend their grilled cheese with tomato, for those of us who prefer an alternative and have burger-loving friends


    joei left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:19 AM:

    I usually dont travel past midtown for food but for a good burger, I might have to make the exception.

    Another area where you may see preps meet up at is meatball shop in the LES. Great motivation there to change my style.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:11 AM:

    @William—I am aware. I do like to leave a little to you guys’ imaginations. Thank you for bringing that gem to the attention of everyone else.

    @KGS—Thank you for pointing me towards your site. I did not claim J.G. Melon’s burger was the best in NYC, simply one of them. And the only reason it is being featured on Unabashedly Prep is because of its relevance to the prep lifestyle…that’s the only reason anything is featured here. Are those are burger joints prep havens? If so, by all means let me know.

    @Laguna Beach Prep—There is always a better burger to be had elsewhere.


    LacrossePlayground left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 10:01 AM:

    Heard Shake Shack is coming to DC. Getting excited.

    http://www.lacrosseplayground.com/


    William left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:27 AM:

    Of course you may or may not realize that the restaurant plays an important part in one of the ultimate preppy films, i.e. Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan”...


    KGS left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 9:15 AM:

    Hey F.E., as an avid reader of your site, I feel its my obligation to steer you towards a better burger, seeing as I actually write a burger blog about finding the best burger in NYC. JG Melons is great, but there are a bunch that are better. Id suggest you try Lure (not on the menu), Lugers, Zaitzeff or even Spotted Pig if you havent already. Im still reviewing many more of the favorites of New Yorkers, but check it out if you’d like. www.bestburgernyc.com


    Laguna Beach Prep left a comment on 8/26/2010 at 7:35 AM:

    Nice. Wonderful burgers. But there are better ones to be had elsewhere.


  • Ralph Lauren Singleton Loafer

    Prep Essentials  

    “In Japan, consumers want English things to be from England, French things to be from France and American things to be made in America. It’s a quality that I believe is derived from a devotion to authenticity.”      —Michael Williams

    In search of the perfect penny loafer, I found them in Ralph Lauren’s Singleton Burnished Loafer ($475). Proudly made in America by Mainer craftsmen, these embody the panache of genuine Maine hand-sewns. Previously Ansewn (until around 2003), Bangor, Maine’s Highland Shoe Co. hand-sews leather shoes for the likes of Polo, Bass (Weejuns), Paul Stuart and Sid Mashburn. The hand-stitched leather sole and outside reinforced heel feel solid on my feet. Apparently only available at RalphLauren.com, I found myself fit testing with other American made models in Ralph Lauren stores and moved a half size down. They fit brilliantly. And despite its presence in the current trend, the penny loafer is a simple, classic and understated shoe with practical, long-term fashion value.

    *The penny loafer originated in the 1930s. Somewhat unbelievably, this fashion started with the Spaulding company when they produced shoes styled after those of Norwegian dairy farmers that had appeared in an article in Esquire Magazine.

    Aug 23, 2010 | Permalink | (9) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    mark adams left a comment on 8/30/2010 at 8:28 PM:

    what color socks do you wear with these shoes and navy pants


    Joey dee left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 6:14 PM:

    Hats off to Ralph Lauren making something in USA. in these times, nothing could be more important than buying American, whether it’s shoes, local organic strawberries, ETSY. It is high time we as consumers and citizens for better dressing start supporting the artisans and producers in our back yards and neighborhoods. The shoes are fabulous, by the way.


    fsp left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 4:55 PM:

    These are really great but, believe me, the Loafers from Lottusse are greater!


    Genevieve left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 2:23 PM:

    These are great, but I would love to see some women’s shoes on here once in awhile!


    Mark Sinclair left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 12:58 PM:

    Love this loafer, great choice! The story is a nice read as well. Thanks.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 11:28 AM:

    They are a real beauty.


    Doc left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 11:10 AM:

    They are quite stunning looking shoes, though I am somewhat astonished that you did not have success with Allen Edmonds.  Their Westchester has been around for some time, is hand-made, and is beautiful in every dimension.  For only a few dollars more than the RL you feature, one can have a pair of Westchesters in cordovan in a myriad of sizes and widths (perfect for my 12B feet!). 

    I find the simple lines of both shoes attractive.  Leave the beef roll to more casual shoes.


    AEV left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 10:38 AM:

    These are really, really nice….though, in my mind, nothing beats an Alden shell cordovan penny - and, I’m guessing, they cost about the same.

    Also nice to see RL selling American made shoes…I didn’t like the Italian made models they were selling last season, and I never understood why folks paid the RL premium for UK made shoes you could always buy direct from the manufacturer for less….


    L.A.S left a comment on 8/23/2010 at 10:06 AM:

    Where’s the beef…roll?


  • Del Toro Slippers

    Style | Prep Essentials  

    It’s 1:44am and Matthew Chevellard is texting me. He is out at a Miami club with his fellow boarding school classmate Joakim Noah, presumably celebrating in velvet Prince Albert slippers. We are resuming an interview cut short earlier that day when duty called. A groom had ordered 20 pairs of lobster embroidered slippers as gifts for his groomsmen. At the news they might not make it to Maine in time for the wedding, Chevellard contemplates intercepting them in Ohio so he can hand deliver them himself. It is now 2:27am and I am waiting on a response. Perhaps his phone is dead...or in a Miami cab.

    The year is 2005. Matthew Chevellard is graduating from boarding school. While most kids are slipping class rings on their fingers, Chevellard wants to slip Prince Alberts onto his feet. Unfortunately, the school-crest embroidered pair are upwards of $900. With a couple of childhood friends, he does what any teenager would do—sets out to get what he wants his own way. And so Del Toro is born.

    Navy Classic Velvet Slipper

    Traditionally included in black tie, Prince Albert slippers were originally considered acceptable only for wear at home, hence their quilted lining. Del Toro approaches the Prince Albert as an everyday shoe in lieu of a black tie slipper. Chevellard brings the vamp up higher like a loafer, and employs a leather lining more capable of accommodating longer periods of wear. As much as he found himself in slippers running around south Florida, he burned through (sans socks) the quilted linings once a month. Although quilted linings appear more luxurious, they do not hold up. He immediately switched to leather.

    Del Toro’s shoes are made just outside of Madrid, Spain. Custom embroidered orders run about 45 days and are stitched in south Florida after crossing the pond. At $165-$185 a pair, they are almost five times less expensive than other brands' bespoke Spanish offerings. Not only does Del Toro offer an array of designs and monogram configurations, they have a complete line for women. Order a half size up and you too can start pairing yours with black tie, jeans and everything in between.

    My iPhone dings at 2:46am. It is a text from Chevellard.

    Jul 23, 2010 | Permalink | (11) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    matthew chevallard left a comment on 7/28/2010 at 10:46 AM:

    overzealous marketing? if one has a wedding or a special occasion of that sort, you’re saying they should not be wearing velvet?  I adamanatly believe one is provided with the opportunity and liberty to wear what they want when they want. in regards to the season, for those who do adhere to conventions then the linen slippers are available as an alternative.  However, one who wears velvet slippers usually is going for assertiveness and comfort in their style not concerned with the status quo or what others think of them.

    for any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me…Also feel free to call and ask for a discount for loyal readers of this blog!


    Michael Hallett left a comment on 7/26/2010 at 6:59 PM:

    I have a pair of the skull and bones in black and am waiting on a pair of the navy customized pair with my initials. Great slippers and brilliant service.


    Stepp left a comment on 7/25/2010 at 11:31 AM:

    One can’t wear velvet in the spring and summer—evening clothes, shoes, etc. Even accounting for overzealous marketing, Chevellard really should know that.


    Cardion left a comment on 7/24/2010 at 4:48 PM:

    I ordered a pair of the skull and bones from their website about 4 months ago, and I love them! Sometimes they’ll have additional sizes of particular brands in stock; thus, you would not have to wait the 45 days.


    Julia R. left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 11:23 AM:

    These are similar to Belgian loafers.

    Love them!


    robdarko left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 10:41 AM:

    Hmmm, this is too dandy for me but I appreciate their beauty. 

    @Laguna – My initials are RL… a blessing and a curse.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 10:29 AM:

    I mean, maybe is not that it’s “perfect” but this shoes are indeed a geat alternative.


    The Boss left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 10:01 AM:

    I’ve always had a soft spot for velvet slippers, but I’ve never pulled the trigger—for a variety of reasons, of course. I’ll have to look further into this brand. Quite intriguing.

    Christian Bourasseau—I issue a personal challenge to you: find other adjectives other than “perfect” to describe your sentiments. Use a thesaurus if you have to.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 9:28 AM:

    Awesome shoes, great prices, the perfect alternative!


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 7:43 AM:

    Many thanks for the reminder. These look wonderful. I intended to get a pair embroidered with ‘AC’ on the vamp. Just the thing to wear while stepping outside the retrieve the morning FT.


    pat s left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 7:09 AM:

    awesome shoes, but there is no way the can live up to walking on the street in New York.


  • Take Ivy

    Music & Books | Prep Essentials | Top Drawer  

    Craig Cohen and Wes del Val will more than likely go down as unsung heroes—inconspicuous apostles reviving the cult phenomenon known as Take Ivy. The book, shot in 1965 by Japanese photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida, notoriously fetches upwards of $1,500 on eBay. It is rare, elusive and lauded by The New York Times as “a treasure of fashion insiders.” A small-run reprint was released in Japan in 2006 and sold out almost immediately. The unassuming collection of candid menswear-focused photographs perfectly encapsulates the unique student fashion on the campuses of America’s Ivy League universities. I have long pined for a copy. So it was much to my satisfaction that the guys from powerHouse Books put an advanced copy in my hands.

    I sat down with them in their Brooklyn office to chat about the process in reviving the most highly sought after documentation of Ivy League style. Wes strolls up in his brown leather Sperrys and short sleeve sweatshirt. We instantly share a bond through an unspoken dress code. In thumbing through my copy, it is apparent Craig and Wes labored over every last detail in their Take Ivy reprint—right down to the bullet points. Although scans have popped up on the web via The Trad, few could actually read it—until now. And until the first English-language edition is released by powerHouse Books August 31st, you can pre-order yours ($16.50, Amazon.com) before it sells out in a New York minute.

    Jul 6, 2010 | Permalink | (10) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    jeff left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 9:54 AM:

    hi. do you have photos of prep school kids wearing plastered weejuns? thanks.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 11:00 AM:

    @Thomas—It was a pleasure and I’m glad I could be of assistance.


    Thomas VInciguerra left a comment on 7/13/2010 at 9:08 PM:

    F.E., I’m doing a piece about the reissue of “Taking Ivy” for New York magazine and am in desperate need of your take on the cultural impact of the book. Please e-mail me to arrange a phone interview. Many thanks.—Tom


    naked left a comment on 7/8/2010 at 2:32 AM:

    Thanks for sharing this with us. I already pre-ordered it. Like always things are more expensive in Germany but I think it is a good spend at 20 €.


    James left a comment on 7/7/2010 at 10:32 AM:

    Got a chance to throughly check it out myself last weekend (via Street Etiquette’s Josh Kissi) and wow is the only reply I could muster up. Guys, this is definitely something to look forward to.


    robdarko left a comment on 7/7/2010 at 10:24 AM:

    Thank you for the reminder.


    The Boss left a comment on 7/7/2010 at 10:23 AM:

    I’m looking forward to reading the translated text.


    Jennifer left a comment on 7/7/2010 at 7:19 AM:

    Thanks for the tips!  Going to check it out now!


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 7/6/2010 at 11:42 PM:

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! A job quite well done. I appreciate it.

    http://admiralcod.blogspot.com/


    RWF left a comment on 7/6/2010 at 5:38 PM:

    I’m really looking forward to both Take Ivy and True Prep coming out this summer!

    I’m also jealous you got to preview it!

    I’ve compiled the photos we all have courtesy of the Trad in an online book format/downloadable pdf if anyone is interested!

    http://www.pleasurablerevelation.com/2010/03/take-ivy.html


  • The White Buck

    Style | Prep Essentials  

    White bucks are the Southside Cocktail of shoes—a seasonal refreshment under-appreciated by most men (and women). Though you can wear them easily in late spring and early autumn, they’re never more charming than in the hot, sun-filled days of summer. Pair them with a lightweight suit or just follow the advice of Thom Browne: “Wear them like they were real shoes. With seersucker, with wool, with jeans. You don’t have to dress them up.” Cole Haan’s Air Colton Oxford is the ideal white buck. They are classic in design. Its Nike Air technology testifies its comfort and the red brick EVA sole keeps you light on your feet. And for the lady at the bar in summer bucks, your Southside is on me.

    Photographed in Fort Worth, TX

    Jun 22, 2010 | Permalink | (30) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Ella left a comment on 7/2/2010 at 4:50 PM:

    I agree with Ariel. I’ve lived in Fort Worth all my life and have never seen anyone so stylish and good looking. Where do you find these people? Maybe I don’t eat enough hamburgers….


    robdarko left a comment on 6/27/2010 at 11:13 AM:

    Sorry to hear that Tom but I agree with Baby Bootlegger.  All of my bucks are Bass but I bought two white pairs because I like a pristine shoe when wearing a seersucker suit.


    Baby Bootlegger left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:57 AM:

    @Tom
    I am STUNNED your pair of Bass Bucks fell apart.  I have a pair in white and a pair in brown.  In an effort to keep the white ones white for as long as possible, I wear them seldomly and as a result, are obviously in pristine condition.  The brown ones however, I have not been so kind to.  One of their many great qualities is they are water-proof, so of course I brought them along with me during my semester in Ireland.  From pubs to clubs (and I boogied my ass off in ‘em), Dublin to Galway, they held up great and continue to!  I’ve cleaned them since which has reduced their look from tattered and torn to just plain worn.  Today, I wear them to work daily.  Despite the scuffs they’ve suffered, in no way have their structural integrity been comprimised.  I highly recommend a pair of Bass Bucks.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 10:17 PM:

    @Tom—Brooks Brothers bucks are great, great quality, good looking and very comfy, just what any prep is looking for in a buck.


    Tom left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:54 PM:

    Apparently, Bass isn’t the best place for bucks—I had a pair and they fell apart.  Does anyone have any other suggestions besides the Cole Hann numbers here?

    Also, the tie is a tad too short for me.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 3:05 PM:

    @Thomas & Christian B.—The glasses are by Eye Bobs.

    @Eric—For ribbon belts, check out Polo.  They have a leather core in between the grosgrain ribbon, making them stay put while in the D-ring and substantial in quality.


    robdarko left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:45 AM:

    Superb!  I tend to wear my white bucks with lighter colored pants or seersuckers to avoid a garish contrast.  LOL, I do not look like this guy so I have to play by the rules.


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 3:13 AM:

    @Eric : Try Eliza B./Leatherman LTD


    Eric left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 9:07 PM:

    I’ve been looking for a belt like this since the first days of spring.  Anyone have a suggestion?  Bought one from J Crew but it has too much going on.  This one is just about perfect.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 7:54 PM:

    Fred, who makes his glasses?


    Rachel left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 7:49 PM:

    who is this boy?!  what a looker!


    Ariel left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 2:47 PM:

    You found this boy in Fort Worth?  I’ve lived here for over 15 years and I’ve never seen anybody that gorgeous!


    bunny left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 1:46 PM:

    it’s a handsome summer shoe. can’t wait to see the finished lookbook smile


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 10:09 AM:

    @Naked—The tie looks wider than it actually is because the back is peeking out. I believe it’s actually only 2.75” wide.


    Naked left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 9:58 AM:

    Nice outfit. The only thing I don’t like that much is the wide tie. A narrow one would do better.


    cws left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 8:40 AM:

    White bucks are excellent…always wear them to the office during the summer. Always get some obnoxious comment…
    Beat up or perfectly white…either way is perfect.


    Thomas left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 8:37 AM:

    Great post.  Who makes the glasses? Very sharp.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 8:28 AM:

    @M.D. Cooley—The khakis are by Save Khaki.

    @Allen—“Save your money and get cheap bucks from Bass?”  That’s an oxymoron.  Saving your money to buy cheap is actually a losing proposition when it comes to men’s shoes.  You can buy cheap and buy repeatedly or just buck up and buy them once.

    @Nopda—Luckily your opinion about white bucks doesn’t determine their place within Prep culture and style.  I agree there are certain nuances within Preppie style that should be never be revisited again, but summer bucks are simply not one of them.


    Andy left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 8:06 AM:

    Perfect outfit and one of the best looks in a while.  This is exactly what I’d like to get away with at the office.  Unfortunately none of my clients or my colleagues wear ties and ribbon belts haven’t gone over well.  Perhaps I could fare better with the bucks.  Ah, IT sales.


    anthony left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 7:47 AM:

    while normally i like to spar with Laguna Beach Trad, i’d agree with everything he said and note that this is one of the best rigged ensembles in a long time on here.

    my favorite nuance is how the white stripe in the grosgrain belt picks up the shoes.


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 7:29 AM:

    Everything about this photo is perfect. I am an advocate of white bucks and have worn them for years. My current collection includes a pair of white buck loafers from Johnston & Murphy.


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 2:59 AM:

    Is this unabashedly prep or am I lost? I am confused as to how so many people are against white bucks, they are a classic summer essential for preps.

    Where are his pants from F.E.C ?


    Emmy left a comment on 6/23/2010 at 1:14 AM:

    Though I’m generally not a fan of white bucks, this man pulls off the entire look marvelously. He looks comfortable and the style is effortless. Plus it doesn’t hurt that he’s cute smile


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 11:41 PM:

    Brilliant look! Makes me rethink about the white bucks. The guy in the picture is perfect, everything works perfectly cordinated.


    allen left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 11:23 PM:

    white bucks are great, but cole haan shoes are crap.  save your $ and get cheap bucks from bass


    K. Nights left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 9:35 PM:

    You people are insane, white bucks awesome. I like his glasses as well.


    nopda left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 8:52 PM:

    nice comment form!

    but not even the cary grant of preppies could make white bucks look good, in my opinion.


    nopda left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 8:50 PM:

    I like many preppie looks, but the attraction of white bucks will ever elude me.


    gld left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 7:14 PM:

    I love this photo. The white bucks are so classy, but the rest of the outfit is too! As a woman I totally go for this style (minus the tie and with Sperry’s instead) for a casual day at the office. Also, extra style points for the glasses.


    Ashley Shugart left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 7:14 PM:

    Someone eats at Kincaids… a lot.


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  • THIS ENTIRE SITE Ⓒ 2010 UNABASHEDLY PREP. ALL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS HEREIN (DENOTED BY "PHOTOGRAPHED IN... ") ARE COPYRIGHTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER. 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 OUR 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).