I think it's very American and I like it alot.

No go.  Much too obviously trying.  It has none of the ease and stasis of your true Ivy.  I'm probably as old as the bugger in the photo, and I honestly can't recall seeing anyone wearing that combination in "real life," such as it is, here in the US of A.  It looks like a European or Japanese take on various "American" elements.

Last edited by Voltaire's Bastard (2008-02-07 14:53:01)

Funny, I have seen, and myself do, just the opposite of this look...polo shirt under BD.

The closest I have seen to this look is a BD under one of those half-zip sweaters.


The p. 34 does not look that good to me.

Last edited by Coolidge (2008-02-07 14:13:33)

In real life I've only seen it done with a Navy lambswool Polo jumper & and an Oxford cloth BD (Blue or Blue striped) undrneath.
Down below were Blue jeans & Black Penny loafers or Grey worsted trousers & Black tassel loafers.

In Paris you see this done with a Pea coat over the top & Ray Bans.

The other main place I've seen this look is in The British Museum, London, where again it is French guys & Italian guys who do it, usually with a some sort of short fawn raincoat over the top. I've seen it on & off since the 80's.

I never thought of the look as American itself but a Euro take on American style. Brooks being Italian and all that...

It does seem very fussy around the neckline to me. To pull the look off there must be some sort of 'golden ratio' between the two collars - I'm guessing the BD needs some hight & a good roll & the Polo needs to lie flat and have only a moderate spread.

I still remain divided on how do-able it would be for me. I like the Frenchy cafe aspect of it on the one hand, but on the other hand it looks kinda affected and 'soft'.

Somehow it makes me think of the neckline you get with a V neck, a BD, & a cravat/Ascot - Too much going on and a bit poncey.


Thanks to all for the feedback.

I recall Luciano Barbera showing the look back in the early 90's. I've done it, it doesn't hurt.

Cyrillus do this look every Autimn/Winter catalogue.

Someimes with a tie too...

http://www.cyrillus.com/men/rwcm/c-h.aspx

^ The above is Spring/Summer & they aren't doing the BD/Polo look just to make me look like a complete fool.

They sometimes slap a jacket & an overcoat over the top too.



I've gone right off this look now.      What am I?        A Ginger Tom?




Thank you for helping me.




.

I occasionally sport this look, I do like to experiment after all. Then again it's not a fave look of mine but here goes : white LS lacoste BD w/a nice roll on the collar topped off by a thin woolen Smedley in bright red ( three buttons/classic longish collar ), usually worn with jeans or cords. Think I wore this outfit w/a PS pea coat once, shoes may have been brogues or casual hybid types. I hope this helps....

Raincoat suggestion sounds nice too in this respect, might try that one out....

Last edited by Alex Roest (2008-02-08 06:32:30)