^
Not that I think he needs any advice judging by the pics.

The one big mistake I made was wearing clothes and shoes to death, until they were absolutely thrashed. So I would go for a rotation of clothing which would last.

Good outerwear (I mean smart, not necessarily expensive) can last for decades, as can accessories such as belts and cufflinks. That's where the 'big' money would go. I've still got plenty of stuff I wore when I was 17.

And yeah, I always did, still do, and always will watch the second-hand market for stuff. Usually nicer for a fraction of the price.

The madras LE is offering this season looks great, very fresh. I've become a big fan of their shirts.

i like this place

how i see ivy - i look at it through the eyes of a 17 year old kid who still wants to remain reasonably "fashionable" and "in", but without being the same.

it's a bit of a contradiction i know, being in but different, but that's where the "suss" comes in!

it starts even with the tiniest of details - making sure the collar buttons down(thank you £10 oxford's from uniqlo!), making the jeans slim rather than skinny with a very precise turn up, knitwear rather than hoodies and in more subtle colours than bright ones and making sure my plimsolls are Keds Champions() rather than cheap pairs from blackmans on brick lane.

Last edited by 1966 (2009-02-09 11:05:18)

^ agreed. i've found some knitwear stuff + a few bd's from zara for example that fit very well within the look.

adam, welcome btw! well done mate!

Welcome Adam- may I ask how much of your clothing choices are influenced by attracting members of the opposite sex-my recollections of being a rather gauche 17 year old was attempting to appear appealing to the opposite sex in any way possible the ultimate aim to off course to participate in sexual shennanigans- this included some fairly heinous sartorial crimes the only mitigating circumstances being I was a child of the `80`s .

Although by the looks of things- your choices appear to be far more sophisticated than I can even now aspire to.

You will find many here a great help in all matters clothing- if however you require guidance on the opposite sex or if you have connundrums or dillemas of a sexual nature please do not hessitate to pm your uncle Cheeky- I can assure you of my upmost disscretion at all times.

Dear Cheeky Monkey,

Could you please advise on whether it is tradly to have sex? If so, what is the tradliest position and where in the manor does a trad engage in shenanigans?

Best,

An inquiring student.

On a more serious note, I agree on the Lands End recommendation. A god send for getting good stuff on a budget.

Their Hyde Parks in tailored fit are definitely a good way to build up the wardrobe. I'm particularly impressed with how soft they get with time. I'm also a big fan of their must-iron pinpoint button-downs in Supima cotton. Great summer shirts.

If you're thinking Brooks and J Press, the sales are a good idea because the discounts are big and it's not the old faithful items really change that much season to season (as opposed to say Ben Sherman or Fred Perry. I've been faithfully waiting for them to reissue the track jacket in brown with baby blue stripes).

For kniwear how about Black Sheep & Anderson's Shetlands?

Both I think have the best product for the money & the right style.

http://www.blacksheep.ltd.uk/jerseys.html

http://www.shetlandknitwear.com/Home.aspx

That Orvis Suede G9:

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=409F&dir_id=885&group_id=9368&cat_id=17122&subcat_id=17123

Cognac & Peat are currently available in the UK for £149.

"Girls seem to like lots of ivy things" says Adam. Really? When I got into the Ivy look at the age of 20 I found that tweed natural shoulder jackets, horn-rim glasses and saddle bucks did very little to stimulate female interest in my perfect masculine form. Without the solace of masturbation I may have been forced to jettison the understated look in favour of a more conventional 'youth-outfit'. The women came eventually but it was often in spite of rather than due to the clothes. Or one thankfully encountered women who found the look charmingly arcane rather than alienatingly asexual. In fact the whole issue of the relationship between classic men's dress and its reception amongst the opposite sex is a fascinating one worthy of proper discussion. The consensus amongst most of the faces I know is that the vast vast majority of women find our style dull and old mannish and rather reactionary. Why did most men abandon style and grow their hair and don flares in the early 70s? To get laid.

Cheeky Monkey,

I have spent the night pondering your advice and find it sound.

I feel that I should share my own strategies. M'lady and I have found that it is best to reserve the act of love making to once a week, on Sundays to be precise, which is also the day that I indulge in my main passion--heraldry. M'lady always knows it is Sunday because I don that most manly of all pants--black watch trousers. Some save these for the Holiday season but I feel that any Sunday is appropriate.

Anyway, a true gent knows that one should not rush things and so I generally put my hand on her knee as we watch PBS. Trust me, the shiver is palatable.

Now I do wish to share more but a true gent never kisses and tells. However, I do not feel that I am breaching that secret trust to tell you that m'lady calls me the argyle lover given my proclivity for maintaining my socks at knee-height. A gent never rests.

Best and thank you for your sound advice.