Well, without a doubt a Spring here in the nation's capitol.The cherry trees, a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, are blooming across the city and tourists from around the world are flooding in.
Though a little frustrating - please, please stand to the right on escalators - I love seeing how amazed visitors are when walking up to the Capitol or strolling along the White House gates. What I also like, especially after our unusually brutal winter, is that folks are breaking out the Spring wardrobe.
Two items of note on this front; (1) The Preppy Handbook, the tongue-in-cheek arbiter of all things Ivy League, is getting a Part II, and (2) if you like ties, you need to check out a small company from Raleigh, NC, called Lumina.
First, The Book. The New York Times this past Sunday reported - on the front page no less - that Lisa Birnbach is penning a follow-up to the seminal "The Official Preppy Handbook" currently titled "True Prep." For the pink and green cognoscenti, this is huge; a second coming of sorts.
Though intended to be a parody of the WASPy, gin soaked, boat shoe wearing, blue blazer sporting, East Coast lock-jawed social snobs inhabiting the finest prep schools and ivy covered walls of higher learning, it instead became the bible of how to become one.
Great piece from back in the day (thanks to UnabashedlyPrep.com)
The current wave of preppy resurgence has some serious staying power and is still riding high. And this generation of preps has been pining for its own social guidebook on par with the classic TOPH.
As Scott "The Sartorialist" Schuman mentioned to me once, although Americans like to try on other styles - English country and city looks, Italian sprezzatura, French minimal cool - East Coast prep is ours and ours alone. No one does it better and we should be proud of that.
The other preppy classic: Take Ivy
Outside the U.S., preppy/East Coast/Ivy League/American Trad, call it what you will, is the defining style of America. Japan may be the most obsessed when it comes to getting the precise look down pat, but what makes American preppy so enduring is its imperfection and evolutionary nature.
TOPH made my family cool - and I sure can't argue with that. So, be on the lookout for more updates on this genuinely exciting news. With any luck, you'll get to see a sneak peek right here, before it hits the shelves.
Now, on to some preppy wares that you can put to use right now.
Today, I am sporting a bow from the Lumina Clothing Company - a small shop run out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Named after the nearby town of Lumina and founded by a group of tie-loving friends, they make outstanding and unique ties.
As I write this, I am wearing the Something Traditional bow tie (as you can see below). Now, I do like bow ties but don't often wear them. It takes some guts and I have to be in the right mood - but after tying on this one I think I'll be in the mood more often. The construction is outstanding, I love the bright, refreshing design and even the hook and roller hardware is impressive. In disclosure, they sent me this tie as no cost; but for $39.00, it's a darn good deal.
The Something Traditional bow tie
Please take a moment and stop by their site, check out their other bow and neck ties and learn more about this great little company. OTC is always on the lookout for smaller and start-up companies that have a great story and great products - this one has both.
I have to tell you Chris that I think this may well be my favourite OTC article to date, and you are the best person in my view to have written it (because unlike others who discuss this unique style I know you are the genuine deal.) This is essentially ours, and what is truly fantastic about it is that there are slight personal tweaks to it here in the States, (depending on family heritage: English, French, Italian, etc.) but it always without fail circles around the same core style factors. I do not know that anyone who does not have multigenerational family and social ties in certain circles on the East coast of the States, (as you and I do have,) can fully understand and appreciate that it is not just parading around in a bought “look” because it is trendy, but so much more.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteMy son will be working for his father's lobbying firm this summer. He's 15 (almost 16) and will be doing some things on the Hill so he needs to look professional. He has an interest in bow ties but alas, neither I nor his father know how to tie on. I see the one you're sporting here has a clasp. Can you give me a street address for 'Lumina' here in DC. I know it's a NC company but do they have a shop here in the District?
Hey Kathie,
ReplyDeleteWe actually don't have any ties or bows in any stores in DC. Hopefully soon though, because we are talking to several stores now. If there is anything we can do for you, let us know!