The reality is that, at least by the time of the boom period, the style was that of the common man.

A very American ideal me thinks.

Of course, the Trads won't allow this truth to catch up and spoil the plot!

On a more poignant note, Muffy is going to retire her blog apparently.  Already, hundreds, if not thousands of preppy poseurs are slashing their Vineyard Vines sweaters in a collective angst.  Ooops sorry Jack, bad taste on my part mentioning slashing one's wrists.

It is a horrible place. But it's like bodies on the side of the road. I cannot help but look. This can get you in trouble because what you really need to be doing is digging the hole as quickly as possible.

This thread is worth reviving if only for the fact TRSs close pal Hubert Swaine (he of the epic 'white socks' thread) puts in a rare appearance (minus nurse) on 'Talk Ivy'.  In fact, a comment by Hubert is an incredibly rare treat, rather like the most exclusive form of truffle. 
The original question was designed to inflame.  But remains quite relevant, I feel.  Why Ivy?

^not like us then

Returning to theme...  speaking seriously,,,  speaking seriously...  the poser of the question was somebody more than likely to risk the wrath of TRS descending upon him like a roaring, fiery thunderbolt.  Because, as any fule no, Ivy League was nurtured, concocted and brought into being somewhere in the East End of London, not too far from Dalston Junction...  All that collegiate, rah-rah-rah, F.Scott Fitz, raccoon coat and a bottle business was so much hooey...  Right?

‘You have no connection to an Ivy League school or to the old money East Coast American establishment’

That’s hilarious. Tragic. But hilarious. Especially given the old money East Coast American establishment’s continued and often rather desperate attempt to find often tenuous connections between itself and the old country.

There’s a lot of blanks. I presume someone pointed out that by his standards, he wasn’t qualified to wear English shoes or Scottish knitwear if he’d wanted to?

Wherever you go you’ll find at least one misinformed, bewildered and confused person willing to fight their corner.

Why Ivy for me? I was a mod for twenty odd years (cue groans from AFS). As I got older I stopped liking some styles of clothing and stayed liking some. I found out the style I still liked was closely linked to Ivy League style. I looked at Ivy League and discovered clothes and detailed that I hadn’t seen before that I liked. I buy and wear those clothes.

His original post, and the manner in which it was made illustrates the point I made on another thread today about not wanting to appear affluent.

I suppose it depends on how fussed you are about giving people the impression that you’ve got a few quid?

If that’s your main drive, there’s other styles and labels that would make a better job of it. RL big pony stuff for a start. That’s the opposite of what drives me.

I don’t imagine for one moment that the average person in the street knows, notices or cares what the difference is between a cheap navy crew neck or an expensive one. So I’m not sure how they’d arrive at that conclusion.

I think a hell of a lot of people are scruffs. But I don’t think not dressing ivy automatically equals scruffy.