Hi all, I'm off to Madeira on Monday for our 30th wedding anniversary celebration. We don't tend to celebrate in a big way, but combined with lots of life events in our family over recent years it felt a moment to enjoy.
Of more relevance, it opens the topic of Ivy wear in warm climates on holiday, an annual discussion here.
I'm about to pack wide striped poplin button downs, soft cotton plain button downs, mocs, grain loafers, chinos, Grenfell harringtons, just above knee straight shorts, Lacoste polos, classic mid 60s style sunglasses etc. So what is your holiday goto Ivy selection?
I tend to go for bolder colours but generally unpatterned on holiday, a simple look that we here would recognise and nod to but not be too overt. So that's me...over to you
Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2024-05-04 10:42:10)
Linen Bermuda shorts or high waisted chinos, possibly rolled up a bit when on the beach; either seersucker, madras or uni stripe half sleeves, or lighter weight Oxfords in colours I rarely wear, like yellow; Sperry Cvos or weejuns; white pocket t shirts. If I really need a jacket I might take a seersucker sack, but more likely linen js ivy sack. Think that's it!
Nice. I've just remembered the Miles Davis style green button down I have will be perfect to take
My holiday wardrobe is governed by the Florida heat. First time there and I took polo shirts. Far too heavyweight.
So during the day it’s shorts, flip flops and t shirts.Not very Ivy but about the only things you can comfortably wear.
Shorts are seersucker, patch madras, plains in bright shades and madras checks.
I like Polo traveller swim shorts as they come in a variety of designs, fit well and are well made.
In the evenings you can be more dressier but standards are still quite low.
I go for madras or seersucker pop overs.Also linen shirts from JS and Brooks.
I also have a number of lighter weight chinos from Bills for the evening. I prefer the more stone/ off white colours as they’re easier to pair with brighter colours.
Sockless in loafers including some snuff suede beef rolls by Allen Edmunds, Alden Cape cod straps and Florsheim drivers from JS.
I always travel with a lightweight merino sweater in navy as in some places the a/c is far too cold.
I had my case not arrive in Florida once on a week long business trip and got a taxi driver to take me to RL in an out of town mall and stocked up on everything light they had.
It is hot here in Madeira this week so very light clothing is in order too
Central Florida used to be better for anyone with an Ivy disposition.
Over recent years we've seen the loss of Bass, Allen Edmunds and Brooks full price stores in both Tampa and Orlando.
Add to this Cole Haan not doing traditional loafers, the closure of a few good independent menswear shops that stocked Bills Khakis, Alden and DuckHead and it's slim pickings.
Brooks still have a couple of factory outlets, Johnston and Murphy are about and at push you can get the occasional Ralph item but that is really it.
When is a camp collar shirt Ivy or not Ivy ? Everyone from high street retailers to high end retailers are swamped with camp collar shirts, so where do you draw the line ? Obviously to be Ivy they need to be loose and not fitted in any way, but beyond that ?
I'm not fan of camp collars as they don't really suit me.
I have one that's a Uniqlo/Reyn Spooner collaboration from a few years ago.
I liked the pattern but they didn't do it in a regular collar style.
Could imagine working with a linen suit, perhaps. Not really my style. If I had more time and money I'd be willing to try, though.