Unabashedly Prep

  • World Snow Polo Championship

    Sports  

    Audi's team of aces beat out the Beluga Vodka squad from Russia to capture the World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen two weeks ago after a bitter cold battle. The sport was first introduced in 1985 at the resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. Though similar to arena polo, matches are played on a snow-packed arena surrounded by fencing keeping the ball in play. Horses are shod with special cleated shoes providing better traction, the ball is larger, lighter and a resilient red offering better visibility. What of the spectators? They, along with celebrities, gather under heated tents while they enjoy the action on the field.

    Jan 5, 2011 | Permalink (4) View/Leave Comments

    AMC left a comment on 1/6/2011 at 3:10 AM:

    The point that its dangerous for the ponies is silly, conventional polo causes many serious injuries to both riders and ponies, with the second highest fatality rate of any sport what do you expect. Also playing in snow extends the season and brings the sport to wider range of people only serving to propagate the growth of polo within society. Excellent photo.


    MFR left a comment on 1/5/2011 at 2:57 PM:

    Ah, celebrities are there along with the spectators? Count me in! If someone famous—for whatever reason—likes it, it must be worthwhile.


    Justin left a comment on 1/5/2011 at 10:22 AM:

    I would think that, had this snow polo taken place in Florida, it would be a little forced.  Instead, Aspen seems like a perfectly logical choice to add snow to a sport.


    G. Smart left a comment on 1/5/2011 at 10:09 AM:

    I love snow polo. Elephant Polo is better though ;)


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  • Princeton Crew, 1948-‘50

    Sports  

    Christian Chensvold of Ivy Style introduced this little gem a couple of days ago and I simply could not refrain myself from folding it into the catalogue here. Shot 15 years before T. Hayashida’s pilgrimage, it is essentially an 8mm moving picture prequel to Take Ivy. When Chensvold scooped it up from Princeton Campus Life’s YouTube channel it only had a meager two views (at the time of this publication, 900). It is a lengthy watch at just under 20 minutes but worth its weight in brass buttons.

    Actually need to pay attention during your summer term poli-sci lecture? Hit the highlights below:

    • 2:58 Saddle shoes with no-break trousers
    • 4:36 Blazers and ties for travel

    • 8:21 Sash crew tees and 4” shorts

    • 8:31 Letterman sweaters

    • 10:36 Weekender travel bags

    • 13:32 Team spirit

    • 13:54 V-neck sweater (notice fit)

    Jul 21, 2010 | Permalink (6) View/Leave Comments

    Michael left a comment on 7/23/2010 at 1:23 PM:

    Amazing how much the quality of the film contributes.


    G.T. left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 1:15 PM:

    @ Emmy: You make a great observation based on your experience - that those 4” shorts were necessary.  The necessity is what makes the ivy-style so interesting.  We are constantly using things that were once worn as a necessity and turning them into a statement.  The length of a pair of shorts, the functionality of a pocket square, or the origin of the bow tie (a Croatian scarf that was adopted and transformed by the French) are all examples of adopting something used out of necessity and transforming it to fit your own personality and style.  Inspiration comes from everywhere, even 8mm tapes.


    Emmy left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 11:50 AM:

    I would actually have to disagree with JSS. As a female coxswain on a men’s crew team at one of the so-called “Catholic Ivys” on the East Coast, I’ve been to many of these race sites; the Harlem River (where Columbia rows, as well as Fordham, NYU, and Manhattan College) and the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia look remarkably the same.  The clothing choices, I have to admit, aren’t what they used to be - although the team does know how to look sharp when they have to.
    Either way, thanks for this fascinating look at rowing teams of the past, FEC.  Although I have to point out that those tiny 4” shorts are by no means a fashion statement, but a necessity. Before the advent of spandex, shorts longer than that would get caught in the slide (or seat) and throw off the rhythm of the entire boat. Eeek.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 11:46 AM:

    I enjoyed alot this video. Thanks.

    PS: 8:15 Sash crew tees and 4” shorts. That’s veeery short!


    Chris left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 11:17 AM:

    that lake was built by a princeton student’s wealthy parents.


    JSS left a comment on 7/21/2010 at 11:09 AM:

    I love this video. It is historical and beautifully shows a time that is no longer known to us. The more things change, it seems they stay the same [the style of dress], but the shorelines of the Charles river, NYC [not sure what river Columbia rows on], and views of Cayuga Lake looks shockingly different.  I currently live in Ithaca and have several family members attend Cornell, so I am forwarding the video to them. Thx.


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  • Sweating the Summer

    Style | Sports  

    Image via Chaloner Woods

    The 2010 IRA National Championship recently wrapped the pinnacle of the oldest intercollegiate sport in the United States. With inspiring performances by Washington and Princeton, it’s this linen/cotton sweater (circa 1954) that is inspiring me this summer. I’ll be pulling one on with a shawl collar for those cool summer nights.

    Jun 14, 2010 | Permalink (5) View/Leave Comments

    john left a comment on 6/15/2010 at 9:12 PM:

    great piece


    anthony left a comment on 6/15/2010 at 7:25 AM:

    Great piece Fred. I love wearing linen/cotton/silk sweaters in the summer if possible. The best part about these pieces is that they can often be worked into fall/early-spring lineups if they display the proper color palette.

    RL currently has a few fair isle sweaters that are perfect for either a preppy or bohemian look in the summer that could easily be worn in the fall if done properly.


    trip left a comment on 6/14/2010 at 8:13 PM:

    Wow, I always see light sweaters in spring and summer catalogs, and while they look great and I can get behind the idea, the possibility of wearing a sweater in Georgia won’t occur again until October.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/14/2010 at 5:34 PM:

    @Genevieve—I appreciate the fact that you folded a men’s inspired piece into your style.


    Genevieve left a comment on 6/14/2010 at 5:25 PM:

    On vacation last Summer I picked up one of these sweaters at a thrift store in a small town in Pennsylvania. I don’t think it has the same flair when worn by a girl, but I still keep it because I love looking at it.


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  • Belt Shift

    Style | Sports  

    Great style should show no sign of effort. Within the prep uniform of chinos, oxfords and penny loafers, your style exists between the lines. It’s the very definition of sprezzatura—elements of your style that appear to be happy accidents. Anytime I consider folding small quirks into my style, I consider its authenticity—being cognizant of the half tucked polo’s origin, the American icons that owned the shorter inseam or in this case, the nonchalance of a shifted belt.

    “It takes a great deal of experience to become natural.” —Willa Cather

    Sure, Michael Bastian ran every model down the runway with his d-ring on his hip this season; but that’s not why it should occasionally be gracing your waist. Fay Vincent, Yale’s baseball captain, was sporting his belt shifted during his rivalries with Harvard as far back as 1963. It is not fashion that makes you well dressed, it is understanding. Your closet should be stocked with authenticity just as much as it is with pique polos.

    Image via ©Bettmann/CORBIS

    May 24, 2010 | Permalink (8) View/Leave Comments

    Bunsy left a comment on 10/15/2010 at 10:06 AM:

    The “belt on the side” thing was started (or used) by Elvis Presley and a whole bunch of blues guitar players… so they would not scratch up the guitar.

    Are there any preppy bluesmen?  (!)


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 5/25/2010 at 12:15 PM:

    Ah! It is indeed wonderful, I have had the pleasure of living there this year, so I was just wondering if you lived here as well.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/25/2010 at 9:24 AM:

    @M.D. Cooley—I have traveled to Marina del Rey but do not live there. Lovely weather all the time.


    Robert left a comment on 5/24/2010 at 9:56 PM:

    My girlfriend does that with her belt and I always wondered why but never asked. I have a newfound appreciation for her style.


    Kristi left a comment on 5/24/2010 at 8:09 PM:

    Wow, what a fantastic photo. The line, the belt buckle over his slim hips.  Just a gorgeous look.


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 5/24/2010 at 7:54 PM:

    F.E. Castleberry, I noticed in past “Dress Code” post that some were taken in Marina Del Rey, Do you live there?


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/24/2010 at 4:35 PM:

    @V—“There’s no crying in baseball!” And as such, there is no consideration for functionality in sprezzatura.  It’s about the happy accidents (again)...it’s about being different in the details, slightly imperfect. You do it to express yourself in a plausible way that comes off with a sense of disregard.


    V left a comment on 5/24/2010 at 4:18 PM:

    I suppose my primary question lies in the functionality of the belt shift. Why do it in the first place? What statement is it making?


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  • Yale Crew

    Sports  

    Yale varsity crew preparing for its annual race with Harvard. Yale is America's oldest college boat club, originating in 1843.

    Image via ©Bettmann/CORBIS

    Apr 26, 2010 | Permalink (11) View/Leave Comments

    Simon left a comment on 10/19/2011 at 2:37 PM:

    this is a great article, i think you should do one on eton rowing aswell.


    David Lee Saurer left a comment on 5/13/2010 at 4:29 AM:

    Does anyone recall the Blue Room Association of 1927? The Blue Room was a large otherwise unused space in the building where non-rowing Yale student volunteers stayed during the Y-H Regatta on the Thames. We all painted our names in that room in blue, of course.

    Although I rowed lightweight freshman year, I was asked to become Varsity Manager of Crew. My chief job was to drive Coach Jim Rasmussen’s launch during our practice rows up and down the Housatonic from the old boathouse at Derby.

    I can still fit into my letter sweater featuring a large Y with crossed oars.

    I was class of 1970, so this was all long ago.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 5/2/2010 at 3:24 PM:

    @Jim—It just didn’t work out for me. Life had other plans.


    jim beam left a comment on 4/27/2010 at 11:51 AM:

    Forgive me if I’m misinterpreting your reply, but what happened with Dartmouth?


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:19 PM:

    Jim Beam—Neither. I had my sights set on Dartmouth.


    jim beam left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:11 PM:

    F.E. which ivy league did you attend? Yale or Harvard?


    Heavy Tweed Jacket left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 5:07 PM:

    Great image. Classic sport.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 10:24 AM:

    What a great picture. It is full of history and tradition.


    Dillon left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 9:16 AM:

    great picture, might have to make a trip from providence soon.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 7:49 AM:

    James—I drove by the Harvard boat house while in Cambridge last week…the water was glass. So serene.


    James left a comment on 4/26/2010 at 7:43 AM:

    I am making a point to watch them this year.  In the winter I was driving through the back roads of CT and got lost.  But happened upon the Yale boat house.  The water and house looked magical. I can’t wait…


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