Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

On Saturday night I finally saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Ten days after opening and still a packed house. Someone is making a lot of money here!

I thought the movie was done very well, like all the previous installments. I must say it is a bit strange now that I've read all seven books and basically know what is going to happen next. But no matter, I'm looking forward to the final two installments to be released in 2010 and 2011.

One of J.K. Rowling's most delightful inventions is the magic boarding school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Everything about the place is wonderful, especially the perfectly proper unisex dress code. Hooded robes, v-neck sweaters, cardigans, repp ties, school badges. Wonderful.


Ron is now a member of the Gryffindor quidditch team. HP and the HBP has plenty of quidditch action, something that's been missing from some of the Harry Potter movies.


When the match is over, Ron is a hero. What a stud!


[insert gratuitous pajama shot here]


Neville is the über nerd of this group. You can count on him, at some point in each movie, to show up wearing something really preppy. I'd rather not think about the implications.


Draco Malfoy has grown from a snotty little brat into a sniveling mess of a young man.


Harry's nemesis, Lord Voldemort, appears in a series of flashbacks as the young Tom Riddle. This boy may be pure evil but I think he is adorable in his grey suit and knee socks.


Tom was a creepy kid, however the school uniform is quite flattering in my humble opinion.


I love the new character, Professor Horace Slughorn. Gotta love that three piece suit.


Harry and Ginny? What ever happened to Cho Chang?


I was pleasantly surprised in 2007 when J.K. Rowling told an audience that Professor Dumbledore is gay. Some people were shocked and offended. Too bad for them.


The winter scenes in HBP are stark yet beautiful, reflecting the serious and foreboding mood of the film. This isn't a feel-good movie and I don't think small children should see it. That said, I think this is a really good one and I'm sure I'll see it again soon.

Euro Prep

In my mind
I am riding a fast boat in the south of France
With two blonde boys
Wearing Vicomte Arthur
Collars popped
In the warm Mediterranean sun

Past, Present, and Future

The 2009 British Open was particularly interesting because 59-year-old Tom Watson came within one stroke of winning the tournament. If ever there was a sentimental favorite, it was Watson, who has won the British Open five times in the past.

Watson's demeanor was not always understated, but his golf wear by Polo Ralph Lauren certainly was.

Present day golf belongs to a new generation. Ian Poulter is a rising star who clearly enjoys dressing the part. What an outfit!

Chris Wood turned pro after finishing as the top amateur in last year's Open. The 21-year-old finished third this year. I like the bad-boy looks of this player -- thin, shaggy, scruffy, in black Turnberry sweater with his button-down collar unbuttoned.

Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa is another favorite of mine. Graceful, athletic, and preppy.

The future of professional golf will be defined by players like Matteo Manassero, the 16-year-old Italian who finished as this year's top amateur.

Manassero is not new to international competition. In 2007 he won the European Young Masters at age 14, pictured here with runners-up Eddie Pepperell (left) and Robin Kind (center). Now, don't these boys look sharp in blue blazers?

Goodbye, Board Shorts

The boyfriend and I are going to Cape Cod for a week in August. We are really looking forward to this vacation, and I am thinking about what each of us is going to wear. I plan these things carefully.

I decided it's time for the boyfriend to graduate from board shorts. He's been wearing the same knee length swimsuit for more than three years. We can do better. I just got him these Seersucker Gingham Swim Trunks (on sale) at Brooks Brothers. Very preppy and the inseam is only 4.75 inches. Not exactly a Speedo but more revealing than board shorts, and that's a good thing.

Runner Up

Andy Roddick and Roger Federer played an incredible match today. The fifth set, won by Federer 16-14, was the longest in any Wimbledon men's final. I was rooting for Roddick and disappointed to see him play so well only to lose. For what it's worth, I think Roddick was the better dressed player. René Lacoste would be proud.

Men Who Would Be King

On this date 233 years ago, British colonists in America told the King of England: Sorry old chap, but we're outa here!

There have been bumps in the road but I think it was a good move. Fortunately, the USA and UK have been close allies for most of the last two centuries.

What kind of king will William or Harry be? We'll have to wait and see. One thing is for sure, the princes look good in uniform.

Murray Mania

Andy Murray is exciting the tennis world and giving Britain hope for it's first men's singles title at Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. Murray, ranked #3 in the world, won the Queen's Club Championships last month and now has advanced to the Wimbledon semi finals.

It is fitting that Murray wears Fred Perry gear, and I really like the traditional look of his kit. Incidentally, 'kit' is my favorite British word.

I love tennis whites and Wimbledon is one place where the dress code requires them. Three cheers for the dress code!