[Vecchio Vespa]

Meaningful definitions and distinctions have eluded us. Now that we are in the season where many folk put on their finery for seasonal parties, perhaps there is an opportunity. Imagine and describe each, as worn by an example of each fashion. So, dressing for a big Christmas or Hannukah party at the home of your best friend's wealthy parents. The invitation says dress is "Holiday Festive." What do you wear?

Here are my ideas:

Preppy: bright red cords embroidered with Rudolph, a blue OCBD (no wrinkles), a bright green Vineyard Vines tie with a Christmas theme of trees on Woodies, a navy, two button blazer, and some snazzy boat shoes.

Ivy, a bit more staid but not fusty: Weejuns, tartan pants, white OCBD (ironed at home), 3/2 sack blazer, and an off color Chipp tie, and well shined tan Alden Norwegians.

Traditional: A dark grey POW plaid suit, white spread collar shirt (starched), a red vest, a red tie with green wreaths from Andover, and brown (gasp) Alden brogued cap toes. Neatly ironed points ofwhite handkerchief in the pocket.

TNSIL (me): Alden cordovan tassels, Cambridge Grey flannels, a pink shirt (Mercer OCBD, ironed at home), the family tartan bow tie (passed down from my father), and a B/W herringbone 3/2 Southwick. Maybe a seasonally colored PS.

There are a zillion ways to play this, differentiating the looks. What are your ideas?

 

[rlp271]

For the past couple years, I have worn mid-grey flannels, a white OCBD, and a navy shawl collar cardigan from BB with black wingtips from Herring Shoes and a green tie with a Rudolph motif from a random shop in Seoul.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

For the past couple years, I have worn mid-grey flannels, a white OCBD, and a navy shawl collar cardigan from BB with black wingtips from Herring Shoes and a green tie with a Rudolph motif from a random shop in Seoul.

Sounds Ivy to me (and quite nice).

 

[Howard]

I would wear something that has some reds, yellows and greens, that's pretty festive.

 

[Peak and Pine]

There are a zillion ways to play this, differentiating the looks. What are your ideas?

Head face down in a plate of spaghetti, right hand clutching a Molson, left hand crunching the one invite received, the Christmas gathering at the home of the guy who delivers my heating oil.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Head face down in a plate of spaghetti, right hand clutching a Molson, left hand crunching the one invite received, the Christmas gathering at the home of the guy who delivers my heating oil.

Sounds frat/preppy, sort of an Animal House vbe. May I come? I love spaghetti and beer.

 

[fishertw]

I fall into the Ivy/TNSIL arena.

 

[Peak and Pine]

I fall into the Ivy/TNSIL arena.

People your age should be careful about falls, but I admire your ability to aim your fall into a soft pile of trad clothing.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

People your age should be careful about falls, but I admire your ability to aim your fall into a soft pile of trad clothing.

Yessir! No starch!

 

[Nemo Clericus]

I guess I'd fall into the boring category based on my current options: Allen Edmonds walnut wingtips, a decent pair of (gasp) chinos, white OCBD (ironed at home), grey wool sweater vest (sorta rustic, not one of those fancy types), my family tartan tie (it's red and green after all), and a two-button navy blazer. I'd wear a festive scarf but that would just be larping with our weather...

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

I guess I'd fall into the boring category based on my current options: Allen Edmonds walnut wingtips, a decent pair of (gasp) chinos, white OCBD (ironed at home), grey wool sweater vest (sorta rustic, not one of those fancy types), my family tartan tie (it's red and green after all), and a two-button navy blazer. I'd wear a festive scarf but that would just be larping with our weather...

Well, at least you put it together well! Nice.

 

[Dhaller]

My style is that of someone who grew up being dressed by his parents (Preppy) but at some point started having to actually shop for his own clothes, then was dressed by a Parisian girlfriend for a year or two (call that Euro-Trad), but nowadays follows more of a lazy-Ivy ethic.

I'll invoke Paul Fussell and go with "Class X"

DH

 

[Greg D]

Medium grey flannels, a red university striped OCBD, hunter green lambswool v-neck sweater, Alden 986's, and some Santa-themed, red/green socks!

 

[Tiger]

Wasn't sure if Vecchio Vespa wanted us to provide our definitions of each style by illustrating with an outfit, or simply pick a style that we prefer and provide an example of what we'd wear for the hypothetical occasion.

I'm an amalgam of TNSIL and Traditional, so I'd wear dark burgundy or khaki cuffed cords, dark brown or oxblood Alfred Sargent or Vass chukka boots, argyle socks, light blue OCBD, wool vest (not a sweater), regimental tie (but not if I thought it was overkill), and a flannel navy blazer with a tasteful pocket square. Let's add a two-tone Swiss automatic watch with a burgundy strap and my wedding band, with my leather "Don't Tread On Me" bracelet on my other wrist.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

7

Wasn't sure if Vecchio Vespa wanted us to provide our definitions of each style by illustrating with an outfit, or simply pick a style that we prefer and provide an example of what we'd wear for the hypothetical occasion.

I'm an amalgam of TNSIL and Traditional, so I'd wear dark burgundy or khaki cuffed cords, dark brown or oxblood Alfred Sargent or Vass chukka boots, argyle socks, light blue OCBD, wool vest (not a sweater), regimental tie (but not if I thought it was overkill), and a flannel navy blazer with a tasteful pocket square. Let's add a two-tone Swiss automatic watch with a burgundy strap and my wedding band, with my leather "Don't Tread On Me" bracelet on my other wrist.

I love your style. It started out with the idea of people putting together outfits that they thought defined and differentiated these styles, but this is a little Interactive fun as well.

 

[Tiger]

7

I love your style. It started out with the idea of people putting together outfits that they thought defined and differentiated these styles, but this is a little Interactive fun as well.

Thank you for your kind words. I feel the same about your elegant and tasteful ensemble!

 

[poppies]

I'm planning on burgundy pennies, green cords, white OCBD, solid burgundy knit tie, and a soft-structured navy sport coat. Ivy but Prep-adjacent?

 

[William Kazak]

Not sure exactly but I always liked that photo of Paul Newman on a yacht with a crew neck sweater, casual pants, canvas shoes. I like a nautical look but as someone who is landlocked I wear; navy blue double breasted blazer, brass buttons, with white chinos that are pleated and cuffed and a point collar dress shirt. Leather Church's cap toe oxfords in tan or brown. I can switch out the blazer for just a crew neck sweater over a t-shirt and at the same time switch out the leather shoes for a canvas pair of Sperry Topsiders CVO. The chinos can be white, navy, red or kaki color, all pleated and cuffed.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Not sure exactly but I always liked that photo of Paul Newman on a yacht with a crew neck sweater, casual pants, canvas shoes. I like a nautical look but as someone who is landlocked I wear; navy blue double breasted blazer, brass buttons, with white chinos that are pleated and cuffed and a point collar dress shirt. Leather Church's cap toe oxfords in tan or brown. I can switch out the blazer for just a crew neck sweater over a t-shirt and at the same time switch out the leather shoes for a canvas pair of Sperry Topsiders CVO. The chinos can be white, navy, red or kaki color, all pleated and cuffed.

Nice versatility, but as third generation Navy my preferred nautical look is now waterproof shorts or bibs, boat shoes or boots, and a top suited to the weather, along with the Tilley T3. i miss deep, blue cold salt water, huge but rolling seas, and a sky like no other.

 

[Dhaller]

I don't dress particularly "Christmasy" on Christmas but this thread has me reevaluating that.

(I'll probably wear grey flannel trousers if it's cold enough, and a navy or burgundy cashmere v-neck. OCBD. Shoes. Standard "dinner at Dad's". I'll shop for tartan trousers after the New Year!)

DH