Southern Prep

Southern Proper is emerging as Dixie's alternative to Vineyard Vines. Their colorful neckwear features distinctly Southern motifs like mint juleps, azaleas, cotton, and bass fishing.


Bow ties are gaining popularity with frat boys and young men across the country, and the trend seems to be strong in the South. I am quite fond of the Southern Proper "Beau" Collection.



Where else are you going to get a tie with shotguns on it? Not in Massachusetts.

Preppy Chic

French designer Vicomte Arthur puts a modern spin on classic preppy style. The result is an exciting line of clothing for a new generation of preppies. The bright colors and body-hugging cut of these clothes isn't for everyone, but Vicomte Arthur will appeal to physically fit young preps with a cosmopolitan sensibility.


I was drawn into Vicomte Arthur's boutique in Palm Beach the moment I saw it. What impressed me the most was the quality of their polo shirts. The cut and quality of the fabric is really good, and I love the VA logo on the arm.


Note to self: Bring fishing rod on next trip to Paris.



Popped collars are common in France, more so than in America. When I pop my collar it makes me feel so continental.

VA shirts have contrasting collar and cuffs. The reverse side of the collar may be accented with striped fabric or text. Such nice details deserve to be shown off. These collars are made to pop!

Preppy Shorts

I hate to disagree with Ralph Lauren about anything, but my idea of preppy does not include baggy cargo shorts that fall below the knee. Preppy shorts should be slimmer, shorter, and made of quality fabric (especially stuff like oxford cloth, seersucker, and madras).



When wearing shorts I always wear a belt and tuck in my shirt. (I stay in shape and there's no point in covering up with sloppy clothes.) I usually go with an oxford cloth button-down or polo shirt, avoiding T shirts unless I'm on the beach. For me, it's a toss up between boat shoes or penny loafers. I save my athletic shoes for the gym or running.

I am partial to Nantucket Reds, which look great with a blue candy-striped Oxford. Embroidered belts are perfect for shorts. I'm the kind of guy who sees a picture like this and buys the whole outfit!

Now let's see, how many more months until summer?

Rugby

These young men look smart in outfits from Rugby by Ralph Lauren. Such dandies! Some people say the look is too fussy, but it works for me. There is nothing wrong with fussing over clothing, especially when this is the result. Smashing!

Real Preppies Wear Bow Ties

If there is one thing I learned from my father, it is the importance of bow ties in a preppy man's wardrobe. When I wear ties (at the office 5-days-a-week and on social occasions) I wear a bow tie 60% to 70% of the time. It works for me because I want people to notice what I'm wearing.

Boys Dept.

Brooks Brothers was criticized for inviting Thom Browne to be a guest designer. I understand the joke about the boys department but I love these outfits. I wouldn't hesitate to wear them in a city like New York or Washington, except the Black Fleece line is out of my price range. I do occasionally wear Bermuda shorts with a button-down Oxford and repp tie (or bow tie) and maybe a blazer or sweater. I think I can get away with the schoolboy look for a few more years.

Faire Isle

Faire Isle sweaters are beautiful. Expensive, yes, but they last forever unless the moths get to them. And these sweaters are most obviously preppy (always a good thing).