Just very belatedly picked up on a question on striped watchbands from the Ivy League style for today thread & so thought that this might be a good idea - A place to gather any questions for the forum to both ask and answer each other. If it takes off it might make a 'Sticky' as a good point of reference for all.
A question from me to you:
For the Ivy 'Boom Years' the Korean war is far more significant than WWII - Chinos are a bit of a spectrum I know, with endless cuts and permutations, but can anybody point out a pair of Korean war US Army khakis to me ?
I want to see the cut, colour and cloth of what was what then, not in WWII.
Numerous makers supplied the US Army, Duck Head included, so there must also be a spectrum of Korean Khakis. I just want to get a feel for the cut at that moment in time.
Many thanks -
(I've seen the pic in The Ivy Look, btw - What I want is a side view to see the profile more than anything else ! )
Mr. James wrote:
Just very belatedly picked up on a question on striped watchbands from the Ivy League style for today thread & so thought that this might be a good idea -
But what was the answer to the question on striped watchbands?
It's on the Ivy league Style For Today thread.
Speaking of striped watchbands, I've got a couple gratuit from Smart Turnout and would like to find a nice watch face that's sporty but not some cheap plastic number to go along with them. I'd only wear 'em to the beach and in similar situations where I wouldn't want to risk bangin' up my Omega. Any suggestions?
I like RTL's 'Beater' offerings -
Oliver wrote:
Speaking of striped watchbands, I've got a couple gratuit from Smart Turnout and would like to find a nice watch face that's sporty but not some cheap plastic number to go along with them. I'd only wear 'em to the beach and in similar situations where I wouldn't want to risk bangin' up my Omega. Any suggestions?
Precista PRS-10:
eris wrote:
Oliver wrote:
Speaking of striped watchbands, I've got a couple gratuit from Smart Turnout and would like to find a nice watch face that's sporty but not some cheap plastic number to go along with them. I'd only wear 'em to the beach and in similar situations where I wouldn't want to risk bangin' up my Omega. Any suggestions?
Precista PRS-10:
http://www.watcharama.com/revimages/prs … resize.jpg
I love my one, Eris. I bought it from Eddie at Time Factors.
The simplicity of the watch is perfect, and it seems to go well with a heck of alot of clothing stuff. I like it because it looks clean, classic, simple, un-obtrusive, fresh AND bang- up- to- date - NOT retro looking. The g10 straps you choose for it , give it a subtle accent.
It`s a day to day `beater` watch for me, but although not a dress watch, you could still wear it with some things of an evening, for smart casual. It`s also very waterproof and suitable for having a dip in the sea, when you`re at the beach.
GIZhou007 wrote:
Was the ribbon watch band around in the 50s and 60s, or is it more a preppy thing? I can't see it going with my G-Shock but would fit nicely on the Seiko. I use metal wrist bands. Sere they around in the 50s and 60s or even earlier?
They come from military watchbands and go way back. Same deal with striped ribbon belts. Did GIs bring them to campus ? Did they come from Military Dads ? Did they come from being in The Corps at Prep school ?
Surcingle also comes from the military via the equestrian connection.
I'm guessing there's a big WWII / Korea connection to this ?
Preppy lightened & brightened them and made a fashion point of them in the '80s. The codification and comodification of a much earlier style.
http://www.rltwatches.co.uk/acatalog/Military1.html
/\ Some great Beater / Military watches too -
http://www.rltwatches.co.uk/acatalog/RL … html#a2135
jesmond wrote:
I love my one, Eris. I bought it from Eddie at Time Factors.
Eddie's got a new Precista watch in......
http://www.timefactors.com/precista.htm
Perfect !
Just what I was after - Many thanks -
Well spotted! ![]()
It's what I was actually wearing yesterday, so no problem! I can't really handle that much bagginess so they're very much beater stuff for me. Something to wear at the sand pit with my lad or when doing things around the house.
I spoke to a couple of specialists on military uniforms, one a collector, the other a historian. Cavalry regiments used to have stable belts they wore to identify their units when mucking out the stalls in their overalls. They became part of the Australian Army uniform, is one wished to wear one they were purchased and not issued, and were phased out about fifteen years ago and are still used by the British and New Zealand Armed Forces among others. I don't know if they are still used by the Canadians. Two excellent references are : http://www.stablebelts.co.uk/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stable_belt.
It may be similar to Brooks Brothers and its post-First World war striped ties based on British Regimental ties. The wrists bands appear to use Regimental colours in their design but were not a common item in military units, including the United States. It is certainly is a post Second World War item of clothing. Perhaps the Household Cavalry had some made up so they could identify each other in a gay bar, but was not army wide.
Looks like a preppy thing, like those grossly expensive knot bracelets that Buffy Aldrich regards as preppy high fashion, but Ivy league/Trad - no way. The bracelets would never be worn on a sailing vessels as too likely to get caught on the rigging or other items.
As a side issue, some soldiers in the Australian Army took the top of a sock and cut it off and used it as a wrist band for watches. Place the sock on the wrist, use half for the placing the watch band on, and the other half for covering it stop glare and to protect the watch. There are of course items available from various suppliers taht doa similar job. The use of everyone wearing sun glasses appears may have reduced this, but I wore my sock in the deserts of Northern Australia.
Last edited by GIZhou007 (2012-04-22 04:18:21)
Interesting post Giz, so much of the way we dress, the expressions we use etc has roots in military culture.
A new question: what's the Ivy League 'rule' for weddings? I suppose there would be the same dress code as for british weddings...? Meaning morning dress or stroller suit (stresemann) at least for the groom if it is very formal, dark suits (preferably navy) or gray suits if it's more or less informal... no button downs and knitted ties. Although underdressed is preferred to overdressed, meaning no stroller or morning dress when everyone else including the groom is wearing a dark suit... and I guess in the end combinations and knitted ties would be ok for informal weddings, if you aren't the groom. ![]()
What would be your opinion on that?
Last edited by Leer R. (2012-04-24 03:04:07)
GIZhou007 wrote:
I spoke to a couple of specialists on military uniforms, one a collector, the other a historian. Cavalry regiments used to have stable belts they wore to identify their units when mucking out the stalls in their overalls. They became part of the Australian Army uniform, is one wished to wear one they were purchased and not issued, and were phased out about fifteen years ago and are still used by the British and New Zealand Armed Forces among others. I don't know if they are still used by the Canadians. Two excellent references are : http://www.stablebelts.co.uk/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stable_belt.
It may be similar to Brooks Brothers and its post-First World war striped ties based on British Regimental ties. The wrists bands appear to use Regimental colours in their design but were not a common item in military units, including the United States. It is certainly is a post Second World War item of clothing. Perhaps the Household Cavalry had some made up so they could identify each other in a gay bar, but was not army wide.
Looks like a preppy thing, like those grossly expensive knot bracelets that Buffy Aldrich regards as preppy high fashion, but Ivy league/Trad - no way. The bracelets would never be worn on a sailing vessels as too likely to get caught on the rigging or other items.
As a side issue, some soldiers in the Australian Army took the top of a sock and cut it off and used it as a wrist band for watches. Place the sock on the wrist, use half for the placing the watch band on, and the other half for covering it stop glare and to protect the watch. There are of course items available from various suppliers taht doa similar job. The use of everyone wearing sun glasses appears may have reduced this, but I wore my sock in the deserts of Northern Australia.
Some solid work here, Sir - Many thanks.
Stripey belts are to be seen in many Ivy 'Boom Years' adverts, so they're safe enough. Stripey watchstraps were worn in Moddy London decades before Preppy - Do we have any images of them in the US during the Ivy Boom Years? The fashion must have some from somewhere...
As a little kid my Timex was on a stripey Nylon band & I wore elasticaed stripey 'Snake' belts with the S shaped buckles - Around 1969. Just very common kid wear back then, stuff from Woolworths.
Leer R. wrote:
A new question: what's the Ivy League 'rule' for weddings? I suppose there would be the same dress code as for british weddings...? Meaning morning dress or stroller suit (stresemann) at least for the groom if it is very formal, dark suits (preferably navy) or gray suits if it's more or less informal... no button downs and knitted ties. Although underdressed is preferred to overdressed, meaning no stroller or morning dress when everyone else including the groom is wearing a dark suit... what would be your opinion on that?
I think it depends entirely on the formality of the wedding. Certainly all the classics can be worn, but, equally, just a suit. Why not a BD & knit tie ? Check first before rolling up. Usually you'll be told anyway.
I got married down The Kings Road in the old Town Hall in a Brooks Brothers Blazer, Flannels from Sam Browne, Wine Tasselled Weejuns, Candy Stripe Blue/White Brooks OCBD (This was before they changed the name to the University stripe later in the '90s), Grey on Grey Burlington Argyles and a Rep tie I bought from Liberty's the day before - Just stripes with no meaning in Blue, Gold & Burgundy. Mrs Jim wore Nicole Farhi. 1990, this was. Sandwiches and drinks at the Ritz after, home to fuck, and then off to Boston, New England & The Cape for a month the next day.
No buttonhole & no pocket square.
I went off on Honeymoon in a Brown Herringbone Tweed & Chinos. Mrs Jim wore Agnes B.
Later to please Mr. Jim we had the marriage blessed by the Bishop of London & I wore a Charcoal 3/2 job from J. Press, Black Weejuns, Black Socks, White Brooks BD & a Navy Silk knit tie. The Bride wore Black.
/\ For context, I worked in TV then & Mrs Jim was in fashion journalism. We lived in Chelsea & all the stars got married in the Town Hall. I may not be typical.
Mr. James wrote:
I want to see the cut, colour and cloth of what was what then, not in WWII.
Here are my Korean era khakis again, in 2012 that is. No tents, no pegs either.
Last edited by 1966 (2012-04-24 05:41:51)
They ain't no big baggy Bills !
Top !!!
^ Just a note, they are unaltered and were found cheaply in the Miltaria section on Ebay.
Now that I look at the markings on my pair (the first pic), it would seem that mine were indeed made to WWII specs. What does it say under Type 1 Class 1 on that label 1966, I can't quite make it out?
It could also be differences between build, the angle of the photo etc., but I would definitely describe mine as baggy. Steve McQueen sure didn't wear these. Yours look much slimmer. This would support Jim's OP too, in that there were different cuts at the same time.