Vintage really is a crap shoot. Some people have great luck. Look at some of the stuff in the Ebay thread. 1966, especially, seems to be able to pull all kinds of steals. I have a bit of vintage stuff but I have never had all that much luck. I am not sure how valid my opinion is on the topic above. I am nearly 30, and I live in America. I think the English and Europeans here can get away with a lot more because they don't have to be on "preppy douche bag" watch in regards to their own outfit. The most important things for me to pull off "Ivy with an edge" is fit and attitude. If you keep the fit pretty trim, and you don't appear to me overly concerned you are wearing "stodgy" clothes than it's easy. For what it's worth, I get the most mileage out of the following brands:  Brooks Brothers, LL Bean( I have a good tailor) Gitman Vintage (Oxfords), Fred Perry (polo shirts), John Smedley (Best jumpers/sweaters I have ever worn), Black Fleece (Oxfords and Madras), Levi's, Jump the Gun (short sleeve shirts, harrington knock-offs),  Red Wing, Loake, Alden, and Bass.  Nearly all of my sport coats and suits are vintage. Unless you  go MTM, there is going to be nothing modern that even comes close on those. It takes a lot of patience and searching. For every brand I listed above those pieces are really diamonds in the rough. They all produce so much garbage. Even a shit brand like Rugby produces decent logo-less Oxfords. I have another kid on the way and am in the process of streamlining my wardrobe so I just have to replace rather than acquire. It's pretty difficult.

Cheers for all the post above,

Suited, I have come from a fairly mod/suede type direction, so am familiar with Smedley (some stuff always pops up in TK maxx) and FP limited polos (used to be a big fan, still pretty good for now).

Definately think it's easier to have 'the edge' in the UK, compared with america where I'm sure there are many preppy stereotypes. I find it interesting how people my age (20) adapt a style of 20 year olds 40 odd years ago.

I will add more here later, but for now I'm off to the pub in the real world.

All the best

here a good website for clothers http://www.oipolloi.com/oipolloi/shop/latest.php

I'm in high school and wear some Paul Smith brogued boots, topsiders, Purcells, raw jeans (Imperial), RRL officer chinos, white t-shirts, some thrifted BB flannel pants, lots of Rugby and Uniqlo buttondowns, some plain Uniqlo merino sweaters, a Hickey Aran, a few gray athletic sweatshirts, a peacoat, a Yoko devereaux cropped herringbone jacket, a checkered harrington, and an old 50's watch on a Yale blue & white watchstrap. I will probably pick up  fair isle and shaggy dog sweaters for the winter, along with a pair of duckboots. I think I dress with distinct Ivy undertones, without looking stodgy or costume-y.

^ Wise words.

Moose - I'm wearing your old jacket today. Lovely stuff!

Best,

Jim

Last edited by Alex Roest (2009-09-02 13:48:13)

Last edited by Alex Roest (2009-09-03 03:38:02)