I've never been 100 per cent convinced by Kevin Rowlands' essay - and I must have read it a hundred times.  That 'recreation' always appears a shade more 'Preppy' to my eyes than Ivy.  Does it matter?  Well, yes.  The colour choices, for instance...

The thing is that The Look will never be hip again in a modernist sense, which is fine I think. Why not accept and embrace the fact that it's a very conservative look, worn by traditionalists? No one will associate this look with Jazz, literature, art and creativity etc. 'The hardcore' consider this to be the subversive side of Ivy, a dubious notion to my mind although it says a lot about the overall attraction (in the UK) as such.

Once you start talking to strangers they might recognise the passion behind it all, or at least that there is a thought behind it. Of course this would only be of interest if the stranger in question would be similarly passionate with regard to his clothes and musical preference. That person could very well be a 'hipster' indeed...

Last edited by Alex Roest (2010-07-19 03:48:21)

The Rip and Russell Roadshow.  Comin' to a smoky dive near you.

Just picked up Dell's Guide To New York City for 1964.  £3.99 from the local Oxfam shop.  It was meant to be.

KR is most interesting IMO when he talks about fine lambswool and fly-fronted macs.  The clothes chosen for the pictures are slightly dubious, I think. 

J.Simons, as I experienced it, seemed bathed in a light of very hip nostalgia.  A paradox for the modernist.  I no longer really wear that label - if you see what I mean.  Russell Street never claimed to.  I used to love nearly all aspects of the website: particularly the arcane bits.  The notion of modernism, however, still seems very seductive.  It has many potent ingredients.  Gibson Gardens' fascination for Italy informed my choice of a novel by Silone to read one quiet evening.  Talk of Woody Allen has me looking forward to the next viewing of 'Radio Days' or 'Broadway Danny Rose'.  A snippet about an olive G9 has me interested and asking around.  I even enjoy my morning cup of coffee all the more.