Outfit of the Week 10/01/2017 - Ivy Style
Posted by on
An example of an Ivy League outfit, all available at Regent.
Inspired by the early chapters of David W. Marx's 'Ametora' and following on from the previous blog about 'preppy' fashion, this weeks outfit is firmly rooted in classic Ivy league style. Popularised in America in the wealthy campuses of Harvard, Yale and Princeton, American Ivy League style has been coveted and imitated worldwide, particularly in Japan, where good clothing was viewed as the ultimate status symbol. Think Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, or Holden Caulfield in Catcher In The Rye.
An emphasis on quality over quantity is the order of the day. This outfit comprises of a few, well fitted, classic pieces which can be worn again and again in a number of different settings, whilst still retaining a timeless, stylish appeal. The antithesis of today's 'fast fashion' world, the items in this outfit are designed to be lifetime pieces, that you'll only ever need to buy once and only improve with age.
Perhaps the best example of this is a navy blazer. Regent's incorporating a subtle herringbone pattern and buttoned pocket, to give a subtle twist to this menswear stalwart, crafted from a beautifully soft wool blend, this jacket can be dressed up with a pair of grey flannel trousers and silk tie or worn more casually with slim black jeans and chelsea boots, making it one of the most versatile items in any gentleman's wardrobe.
The perfect accompaniment to the navy blazer is a classic button down shirt, made from blue or white cotton, introduced in 1896 by classic American menswear brand Brooks Brothers on their range of sport shirts. Regent's take on the button down shirt features a slightly slimmer cut, making it perfect to wear casually under a lambswool jumper or in a more formal situation with a classic navy suit.
A pair of Regent's flat fronted cavalry twill trousers completes the Ivy League inspired outfit, made from Brisbane Moss' fantastic English cotton twill. With Regent's cut slightly slimmer for a more modern silhouette. These trousers look at their best dressed up with a shirt, blazer and brown leather loafer, worn nonchalantly with colourful, striped socks.
To finish off the outfit, good quality accessories are a must! A classic silk repp tie is an intrinsic part of this 'collegiate' inspired look. Inspired by English school ties, early adopters of Ivy League style in America, integrated the repp tie into their look in the early 1920's, where it has remained a classic piece. Team this with a silk, or wool/silk pocket square, brown leather belt and pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses.