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#1 2008-10-09 08:20:05

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

new member

I've been following the forum for quite a while now, picking up a lot of handy tips along the way.  Sitting here today in Woolrich zipper top and olive drab Bill's, a pair of wrecked, very soft Italian loafers on my cold feet, I decided to try and join in the fun.  By the way, what's happened to Terry Lean?  That epic posting of his is a real favourite of mine, with all those great pictures: Mike Nichols etc.  Hope to learn more!

 

#2 2008-10-09 08:39:54

tripchauncey
Member
Posts: 568

Re: new member

What ho?

Combining two aliases to one?  Is that cricket?

Welcome..

Cheerio.

 

#3 2008-10-09 09:42:44

Taylor McIntyre
Son of Ivy...
Posts: 342

Re: new member

ChetMiles is very welcome here!

 

#4 2008-10-09 10:39:14

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Many thanks, chaps.  Be back to discuss J.Simons, Soho in the 50s and other good things a little later...

 

#5 2008-10-09 10:54:34

Skink
Member
Posts: 143

Re: new member

chetmilesaway?


Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.

 

#6 2008-10-09 11:07:34

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Russell - a trip to J.Simons very entertaining and should reach a wider audience; hats off to Alex Roest for his enthusiasm...

 

#7 2008-10-09 12:41:08

Alex Roest
Member
From: The Hague, The Netherlands
Posts: 2165

Re: new member

 

#8 2008-10-09 13:04:23

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Just by way of introduction, I'm older than Big John Gall, have taken the modernist stance of renouncing alcohol and tobacco (though have not become a vegan, like Ken Lovegrove, or even a vegetarian), and my father was wearing Ivy way before I was - and he still is.  I'd like to discuss with someone the relative lack of co-ordination to be found amongst the students on 'Take Ivy'...

 

#9 2008-10-09 13:36:26

Alex Roest
Member
From: The Hague, The Netherlands
Posts: 2165

Re: new member

Last edited by Alex Roest (2008-10-09 13:41:07)

 

#10 2008-10-09 14:26:08

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Hmm, I wonder, Alex, if those guys were a. unaware of Ivy as a kind of 'in' thing at all and b. knew they were going to inherit the earth because of their superior education so went in for a very dressed down look.  I think as Europeans we can't help but be influenced by the mod/early skinhead take on Ivy - subverted ultimately into something crass and stereotypical - and it takes a massive effort of will on our part to unbend.  Now, here's the rub.  In spite of my advancing years I still, when the mood takes me, dress like a college boy, but in a co-ordinated fashion.  And this is because I'm working class, English and conscious of being an Englishman wearing American duds.  I guess they're not self-conscious because they're in their time and place, but where I really draw the line is at the big guy in - what? tweed jacket and madras shorts?  Overall, though, is it 'Ivy' or is it 'preppie'?  Does it much matter?  The lines seem to blur.  Jeff in J.Simons often seems to me to dress 'preppie' - wasn't that a term of abuse as early as 'The Catcher In the Rye'? - and I always love his look: understated, co-ordinated, effortless.  As to texture, right, I go in for belt/shoe co-ordination; but, on the plus side, I guess most ot the 'Take Ivy' guys were in cotton, wool or cashmere.
The Japanese take I cannot relate to, I'm afraid - too obsessive for my liking.  No, I'm basically with you: smart over sloppy, but I do like the guy in the slicker, chinos and loafers walking in the rain and - for different reasons - the girl in the dress (not Ivy but hey, she's very pretty). 
Some hit upon a middle way, which I like: casual-comfortable: the academic look, like the natural shoulder/leather patches and buttons Brooks tweed jacket I just bought.  As for the sporty guys, check the tongues on those trainers!

 

#11 2008-10-09 15:00:35

Cheeky Monkey
Member
Posts: 1273

Re: new member

Wellcum Mr.Chetmiles-although I pretend not to like clothes I am actually quite a fan of them and have learned much from reading here- along with guidance from Uncle Russell-who you are aquainted with.

I also like porn ( ironic isn`t it that two of my favourite subjects are polar opposites -one involves getting dressed the other involves getting undressed)
If you are also a fan of porn ask Uncle Russell for some links he has some whizzer ones.
In the meantime I look forward to continuing to read your contributions.

CM


... ... ...

 

#12 2008-10-09 15:03:57

Alex Roest
Member
From: The Hague, The Netherlands
Posts: 2165

Re: new member

Yeah, we're on the same wavelength alright, chetmiles. Their attitude was a different one I think and as I've stated many times before they come across as very square, which I'm sure they also were. The middle-class aspirational side of it means sweet FA to me. I should mention I don't consider myself to be working class and it means very little to begin with in my country anyway, that sort of thing. I still think it's a good thing for one to want to make progression as a person, rather than trying to impress the bloody neighbours, family, colleagues or whatever. What's the sense in that ? Goes against the grain with me big time....

I can relate to the British take on it however, I suppose that's obvious. That relatively understated look with the fanatical attention to detail. That's where I like to think I come from more than anything.

Enjoyed your post a lot and that BB's number sounds the biz BTW. I like to wear that kinda stuff too, occasionally, yet people will never mistake me for an academic. I can't help but being slightly subversive me  wink

 

#13 2008-10-10 00:03:27

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Thanks for that, Alex.
I don't want to sound chippy on the subject of class but in England, well, it still counts for something.  I read with interest the debate over whether the early English modernists were middle or working class and it was all getting very sociological.  I always believed the split to be modern jazz = working class, trad = middle class.  Later, at school, when reggae and northern soul were hot, it mattered a lot where your jeans came from, but there was nothing remotely 'Ivy' about the way lads dressed in my hometown, it being too far away from London and two years behind everyone else. 
For me, Ivy style evolved out of wearing an eclectic mixture of Fred Perry, Barbour and Burberrys', Sta-prest, brogues, Ben Sherman etc. before moving into and onto more obscure stuff like a Neil Martin madras shirt and hunting down Jarman cordovan wingtips.  I'm still learning, every day!
Same with music.  My Dad is a massive jazz fan, so plenty to draw on there. 
I still consider myself working class but have a university degree and post-graduate qualifications.  I once tried looking college professor-ish in an ironic sort of way, but now often go in for, say, pale blue B.D. Baggie, burgundy Paul Stuart cashmere, dark L.L. Bean jeans, Bass penny loafers - hence neat and functional; and I must be colour co-ordinated.  I like Ken Lovegrove's look, which seems to me utterly natural and unforced: white t-shirt under polo shirt, dark jeans.  The Simons staff always seem 100% cool and understated.  Their soft collared Hartford shirts are a big favourite of mine. 
Back soon...

 

#14 2008-10-10 00:50:46

Alex Roest
Member
From: The Hague, The Netherlands
Posts: 2165

Re: new member

 

#15 2008-10-10 02:08:41

Moose Maclennan
Ivy Inspiration
From: Hernando's Hideaway
Posts: 4577

Re: new member

Last edited by Moose Maclennan (2008-10-10 02:17:24)

 

#16 2008-10-10 02:27:20

chetmiles
Member
Posts: 1099

Re: new member

Moose, as I get older I aim that way myself:  Alan Paine cashmere v-necks in dark blue and grey, Paul Stuart crew neck in dark green.  This guy on the J.Simons community board has a point, I think: quite sombre (?) colouring.  Clashing colours?  Hmm, I'd have to think about that one, wearing my madras jacket almost always with a white Brooks OCBD and faded 501s, Weejuns and sockless.  Patrick seems to be able to carry off a look I simply could't, but then he looks far more distinguished than I...

 

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