The first and foremost reason I've taken on the Ivy League Look over the last few years is because of its simplicity. I can wake up in the morning and pull nearly anything out of my closet and it will look good. After that, yes, it is a bit about the fetishization of things like the sack jacket and OCBDs. But since that isn't the main reason, I see myself continuing this style for a very long time. A few years ago I decided that I'd had enough of wearing jeans and a band t-shirt everyday. I'm done getting tattoos (though I don't regret any that I've gotten and, honestly, there isn't much room left on my arms anyway).

I know that doesn't answer your question, but I do agree with Oliver that beyond Ivy is probably American workwear like chore jackets and American/Japanese raw denim.

Most of the members of this site have a lot of Americana in their wardrobes anyway. I feel like "Ivy" is just the formal side of Americana. To that end, Americana takes less effort. It's easy to wear Levi's and a flannel shirt- I could understand getting tired of wearing a sack suit every day, especially if it's not necessary for your profession.

The Ivy look is a fickle thing. I love the details of everything in the photos from Take Ivy and the Hollywood book. But I'm quite happy using the elements I like to build my own wardrobe as a combination of Ivy, Americana, and occasionally just stuff I like (Breton sweaters, bow ties).

I've gone in and out of periods in which I strove to emulate exactly the looks of 1960s college students. I think I'm past that stage now, but I'll always retain certain elements. The buttondown shirt and the sport coat are details that I hold onto. I don't think I'll ever be comfortable in a jacket without 3 buttons and natural shoulders.

Common looks for me include combinations of mocs, loafers, Levi's, cords, khakis, sweaters, flannel buttondowns, OCBDs, sack jackets (including Keydge), chore coats...

Last edited by Joey (2015-11-24 15:59:21)

I'd say no, but I'll revisit this thread in about 30 years and let you guys know where I stand.

My ivy wardrobe will live on.  That will be my legacy: a huge moth feast!  Come 'n get it you bastards!

That's it.

Like Ive always said, from what Ive read...the true 'male' type brain ie right brain is attracted to curves..not angular lines.. the left brain prefers strong linear and angular aesthetics. I personally feel very  uneasy around clinical angular lines it does nothing for the soul.

However, the truth to any quality design is the balance of both the straight and symmetrical, which depicts power and things being static, as well as the curve and the asymmetric nature of movement. Would you believe it was car journalist and hot food enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson that made me first aware of that principle? I am incredibly right brained I like the VW Beatle and the Karmann Ghia, I like Monroe and Dors...Picasso and Van Gogh..when I draw I naturally plot out using the relationship of curves... Van Gogh was said to have done similar during his stay at the mental asylum..where he would use parametric curves through out the paintings. Maybe it was this drive to asymmetry that lead him to cut his ear off, and not for the love of a prostitute at all!?

In short..people of a right brained persuasion will prefer curves. I hate square shoulders, I hate sharp angular collars..and neatness is the underpin of all Fascism.. which is why the further the USA has moved from the look the worse it's politics has become. Strange then that the VW beatle is the product of a fascist government.

Last edited by Bop (2015-11-24 23:01:44)

I think that a person's personal conception of Ivy as as menswear style might be the key here.
Look towards the history of the look.
Plain points are fine. The button down really isn't make or break.
The natural shoulder, I agree, is a defining element.
Only an opinion.

/\ good stuff Woolly, great colors ....

as much as I miss the Ivy and preppy shops that have disappeared or now sell generally inferior and/or differently styled merchandise, I miss the old sporting goods stores and the tough old made in the USA Champion, Russell, and Wilson stuff they sold .....

yesterday I was wearing a US-made Champion long-sleeved t-shirt that I bought at a sporting goods store in '86, I bought two then, I wish I'd bought four ....

this morning I was digging my Anvil pocket tee that has great proportions, i.e., not too fitted and not too long

but now I've changed to a different loose-fitting long-sleeved pocket tee ,and baggy 501 shrink-to-fits that are starting to get the droopy hip-hop ass and baggy blown-out knees I need, and a pair of N*ew Balance* USA 998s 

tonight I'll carry a knit hat and a Russell zip hoodie and the Anvil t-shirt, I will be outdoors and it will be windy ..... wool cream Wigwams, CVO-esque Vans .....

some of the most coveted Ivy items of all, on campus at least, were team sweats, tees, jackets, jerseys, and warm-ups made by Champion and Russell

There was always other stuff in the mix for me... But I guess there will always be the Ivy bit, too. I am wearing mostly Ivy OCBDs these days and really enjoy Ivy casual stuff...