Braces

Yeah! I've been wearing braces (a/k/a suspenders) with suits or sport coats since I was a boy. I like the traditional look -- always a plus if you are dressing preppy. Furthermore, with braces one's trousers hang more naturally than with a belt, giving the pants better lines and a more comfortable fit. And one more thing: I like the feeling of the straps running over my shoulders and down my back. Go figure.

Better Than a Chain Letter

I feel slightly guilty for once comparing these blog awards to chain letters. Notwithstanding the similarities, receiving an award is much more fun than getting a chain letter. My sincere thanks to the lovely M.R. at All Things Fabulous for tagging me.

Here are the rules:

Each blogger must post these rules.
Each blogger must list ten random facts/habits about themselves and pass the award on to other recipients.
The award recipients then need to do the same.
Don't forget to leave a comment telling the recipients about the award!

Here are my ten random facts/habits:


1. I play chess.


2. My first car was a 1988 BMW 325i.


3. I always floss.


4. I lived in Australia for a year.


5. My undergrad degree is in economics.


6. My favorite color is blue.


7. I will eat almost anything, but not rhubarb.


8. My favorite TV show is 30 Rock.


9. I passed a field sobriety test.


10. I wear boxers, not briefs.


Here are the new recipients of the Honest Scrap award:

Bows and Bermuda Shorts
Have Your Cake and Eat it Too
Jewish Girl In Wasp's Clothing
Preps Rock It With Our Collars Popped

Tousled

A lot of boys use mousse or gel to give their hair a tousled look. I'm sure my mom thinks it looks messy, but I like it. Maybe a little edgy but some preppies know how to pull it off.

Dad

Father's Day is coming up on Sunday and I'm going to New York to visit my dad. I want to thank him for the most important things he's given me over the years: love, values, education, support, and acceptance.


One of my favorite family pictures. Not my family, but it doesn't matter. Such well dressed children.

The Debate

I just noticed this item in the blog section of Rugby's website:

To pop or not to pop: That is the question. While it’s obvious that no wardrobe is complete without a polo shirt, the debate on just how you ought to adjust your collar is one more rife with controversy than the chicken or egg question. The collars up argument: Go big or go home; no prep worth his seersucker and madras would ever be seen in anything that doesn’t frame his face just so. The collars down argument: Um, who are you, Rob Lowe in St. Elmo’s Fire? Tell us what side you’re on and why in the comments.

It is amazing how strongly people react to this question. Many comments are posted on Rugby's blog representing the full spectrum of opinions. I'm sure the debate will continue as long as polo shirts are around.

I subscribe to the "Go big or go home" school of thought. For me it is all about the attitude. I am cultivating an über preppy image and I make no apologies.

Some people say that real preppies never pop their collars, that the style belongs to posers and mall rats. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I know lots of bona fide preppies (myself included) who do pop their collars. But the real issue is what defines a preppy: clothes or something not so easily acquired? I think it's a good question with more than one correct answer.

But to people who believe popped collars are in bad taste: I respectfully disagree.

Double Pop

Preppy Twins: Fried or Grilled?

A new TV commercial from KFC features identical twins dressed in matching blue blazers, chinos, shirts, and repp ties. The buttoned-down blonds are the stars of this ad campaign, in my opinion, even if they are on screen only a few seconds.

KFC is promoting grilled chicken as an alternative to deep fried. Colonel Sanders is probably turning over in his grave because of the new recipe, but some people are upset for another reason: perceived political incorrectness of an advertisement with racially diverse characters including some "amusing" stereotypes.

I'm as politically correct as the next guy, but this ad doesn't bother me. If I was going to complain about KFC I'd start with the food. The ad is silly but at least it showcases a couple of cute, well dressed preppy boys.

Polo Boys

The young princes at yet another polo match. These two were made to wear uniforms of one kind or another, and they do it well. The slate blue and white team colors are flattering on fair boys like Harry and William.

Caps

I have an assortment of baseball caps and knit caps, but my favorite type of cap is the flat cap, sometimes called driving cap or newsboy cap. I am now in the market for cotton driving caps for summer. Brooks Brothers has a good selection on their website, but I always go to the store to make sure I get a good fit.