Unabashedly Prep

  • Ralph Lauren Double Monk Straps

    Style | Top Drawer  

    The moment I met Sid Mashburn he was southern prep from head to—well, ankle...bare ankle. His shoes were definitely Italian (in design). But they worked. Not only did they work, they worked beautifully. I had never considered double monk straps. With the top buckle nonchalantly flopping around unfastened, they were mesmerizing. The price point ($500-$600) is an investment but when Gilt Groupe offered up these Ralph Lauren Alston Double Monk Straps ($268), I moved.

    Jun 25, 2010 | Permalink | (25) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    toni left a comment on 7/16/2010 at 11:28 PM:

    I just bought this pair of shoes at the Nordstrom Rack in NYC for $99! Unbelievable! They look great!


    The Boss left a comment on 6/28/2010 at 12:07 PM:

    It takes a true gentleman (and woman) to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of a double monk.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/27/2010 at 10:10 AM:

    These particular double monks were made in Italy.


    AlanC left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 11:04 AM:

    PoloRL has shoes made in both Italy and England. Traditionally, they have used Crockett & Jones for their English shoes (RLPL using Edward Green, but also have some made in Italy).


    ATL left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 8:05 AM:

    I’m actually not the biggest fan of the monk (double or single) and I’ve gone through a few pair, including Sid’s own double monk with one unbuckled strap and no socks that he has made popular.  I just refuse to do anything but traditional brogues and loafers, so the monks are simply not my style.  And now that they are starting to catch on, their appeal is somewhat fading.  That said, I was able to sell those shoes at only a slight discount to what I originally paid ($600) a year after putting significant wear into them, so that says a little about the popularity and quality of his shoes and how they hold their value.  Btw, his shoes are made by Alfred Sargent, the eponymous English shoemaker in Northamptonshire that long ago surpassed Peal & Co.  Sid’s wingtips are by far the best shoes I have ever owned and I plan to keep the rest of my life.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 8:01 AM:

    @James—I am happy to report the coloring on the toe cap is an inherent quality of the shoes.


    ATL left a comment on 6/26/2010 at 7:56 AM:

    @robdarko—according to the guys at Sid’s shop (he used to work at RL), Ralph Lauren makes their shoes in an Italian factory that is across the street from the original Gucci factory.  Apparently they are pretty much the exact same.


    Connetiquette left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 10:02 PM:

    That is some delicious leather right there.


    Richard Ross left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:11 PM:

    A perfect, beautiful shoe. It seems you took your latest quote to another level by keeping a tidy “sole” as well.


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:42 PM:

    Superb. I’m not a big fan of double monks, but I’m starting to warm to them. I have my eye on a pair at my local John Lobb shop.

    http://admiralcod.blogspot.com/


    James left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:41 PM:

    FEC,
    Great shoes!  Very nice.  The coloring on the toe cap is exceptional (please tell me that this is not a shadow from the photograph). 
    Wear them in good health.
    JB


    Wisco left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:40 PM:

    @Sean.  I’m 6 foot 230lbs, ex-American football player, so a little chunk on the shoe looks proportional to my frame.


    Parley left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 1:40 PM:

    I know monk-straps are the darlings of the trad blogosphere, and I wish I could better explain my visceral hatred of them, but I just think they’re ugly, ugly shoes.  To each his own!


    robdarko left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 1:00 PM:

    My Ralph Lauren wingtips are the most comfortable shoes I own.  Who manufactures shoes for Ralph Lauren, F.E.C.?


    Sean left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 12:41 PM:

    I picked up the same pair (waitlisted as well)... Wearing them today. Great shoes.

    @Wisco… I bought some the suede wingtip McNairy’s. Tried them on today for the first time. They’re really bulky.


    Tony left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:53 AM:

    Those shoes are damn hot.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:13 AM:

    Great shoes!


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:07 AM:

    @Jon—The Gilt sale probably flew under your radar because I was on the wait list.  The sale actually took place months prior…then made available again in my size.


    S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 11:06 AM:

    Just beautiful.


    Wisco left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 10:02 AM:

    I almost jumped on these, but alas waited too long.  That’s the rub with Gilt sales.  Another option is the Mark McNary’s found at the new Run of the Mill on-line store. Pebble grain and with a dainite sole, but also gorgeous.


    http://athensstyle.tumblr.com/ left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 9:25 AM:

    So sorry that Gilt doesnt deliver in Greece….Although they approved my application to be a member…I wonder why. Defenitelly LOVE this shoes!!


    M.D Cooley left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:29 AM:

    Definitly need to get some of these eventually. Gilt hasnt had anything for me since I joined a couple weeks ago but we’ll see!

    http://westcapeprep.blogspot.com/


    Jon left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 8:12 AM:

    Man, that sale flew under my radar.  I need to pay more attention.  I would have jumped on those, too.


    uristocrat left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 7:18 AM:

    those certainly do look intriguing…


    JRS left a comment on 6/25/2010 at 6:26 AM:

    Very nice.


  • Right as Rain

    Dress Code | Top Drawer  

    Photographed in New Canaan, CT

    Noteworthy: Cuffed short and the use of stripes with a patchwork madras. Previously featured on Rugby's blog, The Newsroom.

    Jun 24, 2010 | Permalink | (11) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    caroline left a comment on 6/29/2010 at 12:13 PM:

    lose the bracelets and the scowl and I love it, esp. the jacket!


    Emily left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 3:07 PM:

    @Karoline—The madras jacket is actually Rugby women’s.


    K. Nights left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:39 PM:

    She is way cute.


    Genevieve left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:22 PM:

    Great outfit! It manages to be functional and fun at the same time. If you’re not really into the green shorts I would say it would look great with khaki shorts as well. What a beautiful scene, I just wish the girl’s expression wasn’t so unhappy.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:05 PM:

    For all those wondering, it is indeed raining outside (look at the car’s windshield wipers on the side of the street).  Function first, then fashion.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 2:02 PM:

    She’s beautiful and she got a great outfit. About the boots, I really hope that if you are going to wear them it’s only because it’s raining, that way it’s ok.


    lancedo left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 12:35 PM:

    I love the jacket.


    Andy left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:58 AM:

    Those boots are great given that it’s actually raining.  Her colors are fun and she has great hair.  I like the whole look.


    robdarko left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:49 AM:

    This… I do not understand.  What am I missing?


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:28 AM:

    Very, very cute. Love those shorts. Nice to see a pic of New Canaan again.


    Karoline left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 6:26 AM:

    I’m in LOVE with this jacket…where can I find it?  Tried asking when this was featured on the Rugby blog, but didn’t get a response.


  • Ralph Lauren

    Music & Books | Top Drawer  

    This eponymous 40th anniversary book sits as the crown jewel in my makeshift coffee table. At an impressive 11 1/2” x 15”, this profound volume shares intimate reflections of Ralph Lauren’s life and work, featuring more than 700 hand picked photographs. The man is a dreamer—a storyteller. When he began designing menswear his inspiration came from old yearbooks and images of students from Princeton, Harvard and Yale. What he designed in 1967 isn’t old, and yet what he’s creating in 2010 isn’t new. And therein lies the beauty of the prep aesthetic. The clothes are as timeless as the vision behind them.

    “When I was a young man going to college I always loved the Ivy League look, its ease and tradition. It was the age of the gentleman athlete—the tennis player, the polo player, the rowers and scullers. I started with the origins of tradition, but I was not bound by it.”

    —Ralph Lauren

    Images via Bruce Weber, Perry Ogden, Martyn Thompson, Mary Randolph Carter and Francois Halard

    Jun 9, 2010 | Permalink | (28) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    holly left a comment on 9/8/2010 at 6:58 AM:

    I would love for someone to send me the pic on page 410 in the jeep being chauffered.  I know the man driving the jeep!


    maria left a comment on 6/24/2010 at 8:53 PM:

    love love love it!


    robdarko left a comment on 6/14/2010 at 10:10 AM:

    At the risk of sounding like a total sycophant;  I am always fascinated by people who can pull off something like your “makeshift coffee table”.  Any attempt to repurpose objects in such a manner would be met by severe disdain from friends/family.  There are no bohemians in my crew…LOL.  Ironically, the same pile off books sitting on top or under a proper coffee table would be acceptable.


    Eric left a comment on 6/13/2010 at 9:38 PM:

    I need this book. I’ve been scanning amazon used section and eBay daily, but haven’t seen prices to my liking yet. Someday, this will be mine.


    TRAVIS left a comment on 6/13/2010 at 12:26 AM:

    More pictures sir!

    withinthehedges.blogspot.com


    caroline left a comment on 6/11/2010 at 9:49 PM:

    This reminds me why I love RL, I had forgotten…
    www.capshots.com


    memphis88 left a comment on 6/11/2010 at 4:37 PM:

    Because I can’t afford to spend $100 on a book, I have spent hours pouring over this thing at a local bookstore.


    Anthony left a comment on 6/11/2010 at 12:23 PM:

    @Fred—Haha unfortunately not. I love the current Bastian collections and I’m almost more impressed with the photos you displayed on the Gant Rugger post (where both the store and collection look incredible). while I’m often tempted to delve into other designers, I’ve been an employee of RL off and on for quite some time now while in college and law school (so obviously I’m completely unbiased).

    For me, RL represents a number of different lifestyles and allows for flexibility within the various labels and brands.  At this point, I wear nothing but RL on principle, but I do believe the world he has created within fashion is truly remarkable.


    robdarko left a comment on 6/11/2010 at 11:32 AM:

    Ralph Lauren is degree zero of Prep/Trad.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/11/2010 at 9:05 AM:

    @RWF—All the images are from the book. It’s brilliant.


    RWF left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 11:44 PM:

    From the pictures featured in this post my favourite is actually the one that features no clothes but the gorgeous preppy with its different pillow shams and the duck motif silently present in the back smile now that’s something to model my dorm room by. wish there were more pictures like that around. Is it from the book?

    www.pleasurablerevelation.com


    Jen left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 6:18 PM:

    Buzzy Kerbox…absolute heaven.


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 3:48 PM:

    Fabulous photographs!


    gld left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 2:43 PM:

    Beautiful photos. I adore those women’s tweed jackets. RL= effortless American style.


    S.N. Carpeaux left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 2:06 PM:

    It’s a fantastic book with an inspiring tale; required reading/browsing if not owning.


    bunny left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 1:40 PM:

    i need to get this book. i love the little girls berets. and the little boys fancy shoes in the gentleman athlete photo.


    Hannah left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 11:52 AM:

    This is my favorite post by far.


    F.E. Castleberry left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 11:41 AM:

    @Anthony—No Bastian mixed in yet?


    patgig left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 11:09 AM:

    Am a giant fan, but can’t help notice that he cuts the feet off in most pictures. I think it’s because his casual shoes have gotten so ugly. RL used to to great casual footwear, what happened? The recent stuff is straight to the JCPEnny’s sale rack. Come on Ralph get it back.


    Fsp left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 10:53 AM:

    He’s still the man who define the classic american Look


    The Boss left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 9:55 AM:

    The photo with the girls dressed in tweed is heavenly.


    anthony left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 9:43 AM:

    ralph lauren is indisputably the best men’s clothing designer of all time, as highlighted by this book. hence, my wardrobe is solely comprised (with the lone exception of a gray selvedge j.crew scarf) of polo, purple label, rugby and RRL.


    Max left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 8:02 AM:

    I have this book too. My favorite pic is on pg 410 of the guy being chauffered in a an old Jeep, wearing a bond-like tuxedo, and smoking.


    Carlos left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 7:08 AM:

    I’ve had this book for a while and it really is amazing, it is essential to any RL or Ivy League-Preppy-Style fan!


    Fredrik left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 6:53 AM:

    The picture with three ladies in tweed jackets is great!


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 6:48 AM:

    Definitly have to pick this up!


    Yanes Alicante left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 6:36 AM:

    J’Adore RL.

    http://myjewelsandmore.blogspot.com/


    JMH left a comment on 6/10/2010 at 6:01 AM:

    Awe-inspiring. RL has definately played a huge role in my development of my own personal sense of style. Thanks for post, Fred.

    JMH


  • Social Primer

    Culture | Prep Essentials | Top Drawer  

    For those of you that have been reading Unabashedly Prep, I can only hope that up until now you have been aware of SocialPrimer.com, an etiquette blog authored by K. Cooper Ray. If not, please do yourself (and your lady) a favor by getting familiar. When he’s not answering reader’s questions, he’s dishing on manners, handling your liquor and where exactly to stitch that monogram. He’s one of the most well-spoken gentlemen in the prep blogoshpere, with a passion to instill civility into an uncivilized world.

    Ray recently collaborated with Brooks Brothers to launch a bow tie collection just in time for summer. “Bow ties have become increasingly popular and Cooper’s sense of style and his interpretation of an iconic, classic item have brought new dimension to the Brooks Brothers bow tie assortment,” says Jeff Blee, Brooks Brothers Divisional Merchandise Manager for Men’s Furnishings. Offered in 16 reversible styles that alternate from nautical flags to Repp stripes to polka dots and the summer-must have madras plaid reversing to seersucker. There aren’t too many opportunities for a man to wear anything remotely considered whimsical when dressing up. And with that said, these ties are the perfect touch to any gentleman’s wardrobe.

    They are available for purchase ($59.50) online at brooksbrothers.com and select Brooks Brothers retail stores nationwide accompanied by a second collection for fall 2010. The ties are shown here contrasting sides to illustrate the reversibility, but you can wear them as conservatively (straight on with only a hint of the reverse) or eccentrically as you like.

    May 31, 2010 | Permalink | (6) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Charlize left a comment on 6/22/2010 at 2:55 PM:

    I’m not a guy but I found this blog to be an interesting read. Is there a a female version of it?


    Wrecked Stellar left a comment on 6/2/2010 at 4:44 AM:

    These are all great, esp. loving the color combo in the 1st one!


    Sunday Ibok left a comment on 6/1/2010 at 1:08 PM:

    Very smart, thank you for the introduction. Perfect accessory.


    M.D. Cooley left a comment on 6/1/2010 at 3:29 AM:

    These are great! you guys should all definitly check out http://thecordialchurchman.bigcartel.com/ for custom affordable bow ties


    C M Griffiths left a comment on 5/31/2010 at 11:45 AM:

    Loving the bow ties, especially bottom right. Are they going to sell them over in London?


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 5/31/2010 at 9:16 AM:

    Love the bow ties! Very colorful smile


  • Floral Arrangement

    Dress Code | Top Drawer  

    Photographed in Dallas, TX

    Noteworthy: contrasting white button-down club collar. Previously featured on Rugby's blog, The Newsroom.

    Apr 28, 2010 | Permalink | (16) View Comments or Pen Your Own

    Justin FitzPatrick left a comment on 5/4/2010 at 6:13 PM:

    Love it when women actually put a clever outfit together to create something sexy instead of just trying to wear as little as possible to accentuate their assets. This girl looks great!! Well done to her!

    http://the-shoe-snob.blogspot.com/


    ian left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 5:17 PM:

    I think a similar khaki skirt woulda been better, but regardless she is killin the bowtie!
    I dont think too many females could pull it off, but she did


    bunny left a comment on 4/29/2010 at 2:21 AM:

    the old fashioned skirt and sporty cardi are cute together in a modern Daisy Buchanan way but the juxtaposition shoulda ended there. the shoes and belt clash. am patiently awaiting end of bowtie on woman trend.


    Jay left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 7:27 PM:

    Very Cute.


    andrew left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 5:37 PM:

    pure class.


    John left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 4:58 PM:

    I hate to be a hater, but this women-in-bowties thing Rugby keeps trying to sell has gotten way out of hand, and is about as preppy as a Playboy bunny. Stick with neckties, ladies! Long live Annie Hall!


    anthony left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 4:41 PM:

    the comment below is hilarious. she does look fearsome, but her attire is impeccable. it’s rare that you see women pulling off bow ties in a feminine manner, but she definitely succeeds.

    furthermore, the pink cardigan is the perfect way to stay warm (especially since it’s been cold in the NE lately) while delving into spring color palettes. great shot fred and awesome ensemble.


    C left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 3:07 PM:

    I doub’t one would get away with much around this specimen.


    Richard Ross left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 2:10 PM:

    Again, I instantly fall in love with a woman in a bow tie. This is beautiful.


    abc left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 11:59 AM:

    She’s great…so is her outfit


    Christian Bourasseau left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 10:22 AM:

    Great picture. I really like everything, her tie, her cardigan, her belt and of course the girl! Good Job F.E.


    Caroline Fontenot left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 10:11 AM:

    I wish I could pull this look off…incredible


    Robdarko left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:51 AM:

    Oh, I do want to like this ensemble because the girl is really cute but there is too much dissonance.  The OCBD/bow tie and frilly skirt do not work.  Fail.

    IMHO


    The Boss left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:35 AM:

    As I previously mentioned over at Rugby’s HQ, Randi is killin’ it with this look. There is something endearing about a gal who knows how to show just the right amount of skin without looking trashy. Most importantly, I’m drawn to the color contrast between her hair and cardigan. Well played, dear.


    Laguna Beach Trad left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 9:30 AM:

    Good grief, what an adorable young filly!! Love it.


    Straw Boater left a comment on 4/28/2010 at 8:59 AM:

    A definite 10.

    Probably my favorite picture I’ve seen here and on the Rugby site.


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