As an old, long term mod, it would be easy to paint a picture of myself living in tailor made suits and bespoke basket weave shoes. But in the early stages I poured over Carnaby Cavern catalogs and wore every single piece of mod tat going. Skin tight burgundy sta press, acrylic jerseys with hoops and arrows, parka, badges, patches. White towelling socks. The lot. I did stop short at Jam shoes though.

A short lived Scooter Boy stint saw a green MA1 with oxblood Dr Marten monkey boots. Black Fred Perry. Oh, and a camouflage Gore-Tex army parka.

Just into my thirties I realised I’d never meet a woman dressed like any of the above and just wore ‘normal’ stuff for the time. Baggy jeans, striped department store non bd shirts. ‘Clubbing’ shoes. All probably from Debenhams.

Having successfully met that woman I almost immediately fell for workwear. Boots. Big turn ups, henley long sleeve T’s and newsboy caps. When I caught my double denim reflection in a shop window and realised I’d clearly left my wood splitting axe at home, it was time to jack that look.

A very brief return to the scooter scene, with a slight interest in suedehead style, though not wanting to revisit mod or look skinhead, and with a renewed interest in The Style Council. Buzzing round the internet and ‘Ivy League’ kept popping up. Hmmm. This looks like something a man in his late thirties can do?

I totally empathise with Tim’s last point there. Still trying to crack that one.

Fashions change. Nothing remains forever.

We don’t still dress like Gladstone, Disraeli or Neville Chamberlain.

I had some horrible loon pants in the early 1970s and those terrible shirts with collars like a beagle’s ears and prints on them. I always had decent shoes though - never any stack heel monstrosities.

Suits were three piece, wide lapel jobs as favoured by Bob in ‘The Likely Lads’. Wide ties to match.

My worst look was about ten years ago.

My wife went to an international business school in Holland and every few years someone hosts a reunion in their native country.

One of the guys booked a group of us into the seaside village he grew up in. A place called Higgins Beach in Maine. I couldn't wait as we were flying into Boston and were planning on spending some time there also.

I decided that a quick wardrobe refresh was in order. Most of my wife's friends are very casual in their appearance so I wanted a smart but casual look. It's what I envisioned the East Coast to be all about.

I purchased a number of Ralph Lauren shirts that were a cross between a rugby shirt and polo. Ralph was going through this design phase of adding on crests, numerals and patches. Very smart I thought. Elevates the humble sports shirt into something more elegant. Lots of hoops in contrasting shades. This is expensive but sharp.

How wrong was I.

Higgins Beach is pretty small place with very little car parking so most of the people you see actually live there. Each morning before ten the beach is open to dog walkers or those looking to take a morning stroll to catch up with their neighbours .

First morning I decided to take a similar stroll wearing my latest finery. It's hard to imagine how stupid I looked. It was like I'd jumped out of a high street window in costume into a sea of men and women wearing very simple yet elegant clothing. Not a logo in sight. Polo shirts and khaki shorts looked sun faded and had a relaxed fit. Sperry Billfish were popular with men of all ages. The colour pallet was subdued. They weren't wearing an affectation of East Coast living this was the genuine thing.

In the evenings again it was a simple masculine wardrobe of a navy blazer, freshly ironed khakis and loafers. Nothing shouty. No statements.

My interpretation of classic USA style was so far off the mark it was comparable to wearing a Saville Row suit to play football in. 

A few days into the holiday I discovered their secret. LL Bean was about half an hour away and a trip there was on the cards.

(In the meanwhile, however, I remain layered, as was the case during my walk this morning: Woolrich shirt, fleece vest, Russell Athletic sweatshirt, 'Walls'' down vest.  Each and every item Made In The USA.  As are my 501s).

You got me there AFS. Two pairs of canvas Sperry CVO's purchased so far this year (one white, one navy). Both sitting eager in readiness for preppy season to begin proper, after my ill advised false start a month or so ago.

'I did stop short at Jam shoes though.'

Me too. But unfortunately I did have a pair of bowling shoes. (From Melandi I think.) Maybe with Levis they would have actually looked ok but with my Cavern crap it was a car crash.

Last edited by Yuca (2022-03-17 13:02:16)