fit to be (bow) tied.

Social Primer himself, K. Cooper Ray, graced us with his presence this past week (in his new Fall Camo Reversible Bow Tie) to kick off his Tailgate Tour at Brooks Brothers. Give me a live band, drinks, and good company, all in the name of bow ties and southern hospitality, and I’m there. It was a great night and a thrill to meet the mastermind behind one of my favorite websites. Between our Samford group and the two—count them—two buses that the Alabama IFC chartered from Tuscaloosa (can I get a roll tide to that?), the party was a roaring success. Thank you to Cooper for inviting us out for a great evening! Be sure to shop his phenomenal bow tie collection in stores and online, and don’t forget that his new book, Bill of Rites: The American Man, was just released.  If you missed the Birmingham event, check here for details on the Atlanta event later this week. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. 

Photography by Shawn Sharp.

brooks blazing.

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Loved this photo from the Social Primer for Brooks Brothers Tennis Hall of Fame bow tie launch party.  Blazer+bow tie headband is so cute.  A good navy blazer is the number one piece I reeeeally want this Fall, and since it's such a classic, I'm thinking I might as well go all out and get a perfectly tailored one from Brooks. 

Photo via All Dressed in Argyle.

anyone for tennis?

Social Primer and Brooks Brothers are set to unveil their newest collaboration tomorrow night in Newport, Rhode Island-- a bow tie to commemorate the International Tennis Hall of Fame.  How fitting is this since the best sporting event of the year just wrapped up?  SP and BB "have created a special limited-edition bow tie featuring contrasting patterns of tennis balls and tennis racquets," that will be available by contacting the Newport store (401- 847-1950), or by visiting the Brooks Brothers website.

This collaboration begs the "age-old" question:  Anyone for Tennis?

Bow tie photo and information courtesy of Social Primer. 
Title: George Bernard Shaw, Monty Python, Cream.. take your pick on the actual origin. 

Of Rogues and Gentlemen

It has finally happened-- the beloved Golden Fleece has gone the way of so many others and has finally entered the blogosphere.  Of Rogues and Gentleman is Brooks Brothers' recently-launched lifestyle blog, and in its recent lifespan it has already stolen my attention and become a major distraction from the looming deadlines hanging over my head.  The blog features style tips, Q&A, and many other great stories.

Just what I needed..another obsession..

True Prep Move.

It's a whole new old world.  Photo courtesy of Patrick McMullan.

OPH and True Prep author Lisa Birnbach with Social
Primer author (and Auburn graduate) K. Cooper Ray.

With less than two weeks left of my Christmas break, I hereby rename it from “Stacks” to “Prepcation”..or maybe “Caddyshackation.” Whatever you want to call it, I’ve been even more immersed in preppiness than usual—rereading The Great Gatsby, scouring for Lilly, watching countless movies including "Making the Grade" and "Dead Poets Society," catching up on some of my favorite blogs (like Social Primer, Unabashedly Prep and Ivy Style), planning the next semester in my Lilly planner (using stickers of course), and drinking my fair share of Arnold Palmers out of my pink monogrammed Tervis (after my New Year's Resolutioned 2-3 liters of water per day, of course).  
   

I’m just one step short of tying a cable knit sweater over my tennis whites. After rereading True Prep, this time actually having the time to read it and not just scan and read picture captions, I have an even greater sense of love towards the Golden Fleece.* My strengthened love encompasses Black Fleece, the collaborative effort between Brooks and Thom Browne, but the classic is, well, a classic. I’ve talked about my love for the classic brand and my love for menswear before, but Spring has sprung in the fashion world, and Brooks Brothers debuted a few looks recently. The looks for women are equally classy and put together. Be sure to check out Brooks Brother’s Facebook page for the complete collection. 

Totally put together, totes Caddyshack worthy.

*I would also like to mention that Brooks Brothers used Trinity's uniform plaid when decorating their stores for Christmas and in their Black Fleece collection.  Imagine my surprise when I walked through the hallowed doors and found my school jumper remade into a hat box display. TPM.

Brooks Brothers photos courtesy of Brooks Brothers.

True Prep event photos courtesy of Patrick McMullan.

gentlemen, start your search engines.

I could move into one of Billy Reid's decadent, antique-clad stores.

I love being a girl.  I love makeup, I love heels, I love jewelry—I love fashion. But this love for fashion is pretty broad because I cannot get enough of menswear and haberdashery.  

Social Primer for Brooks Brothers
featured in this month's Garden&Gun

Maybe it begins with the love for the southern gentleman that’s been ingrained in me since birth, but just a drive past The Locker Room or Buckelew’s in Montgomery or a stroll past the Summit Brooks Brothers or the men’s department at Saks, and my heart skips a beat.  What is better than an impeccably dressed man?  And here in the south, those well-dressed men aren’t hard to find. Weekend-wear of khaki shorts, slightly rumpled button downs, driving shoes or rainbows, followed by game days filled with Nantucket Reds, dress shirts, ties and bow ties, and loafers.  

Fast-forward into the workforce and you have impeccably tailored suits, monogrammed dress shirts and shiny cufflinks.  Really, the list is endless, and I get giddy just at the thought of it all.  I find myself wondering every day, “Can I make a career out of this?”.  

Hopefully so.

And just as I have been drooling over the new Fall lines for women while the Bryant Park tents were still buzzing in February, the Fall menswear collections are no less drool-worthy.  

Topping my list of favorites include Brooks Brothers’ Fall line, and thankfully the folks at BB have obliged my love by showing a preview online.  Some of my favorites include (ok..they’re all my favorites):

Just like at Christmas where you must find that perfect tree-topper, you must find the perfect neckwear. 

Wool is just right for Fall, 

and this bow tie from The Cordial Churchman is a perfect addition to any gentleman's wardrobe. 

There are unbelievably great options to be found everywhere, from Brooks Brothers, with a special note on fellow Alabama native and Social Primer author K. Cooper Ray’s delectable collection of bow ties for the iconic menswear store (seen right), to Southern Proper and, my newest indulgence, The Cordial Churchman by Ellie LaVeer.  

Another favorite classic is the tweed jacket, of which there are so many options that I just can’t stand it.  Picture this:  a pair of jeans, dressed up with a button down and that tweed jacket, then add a bow tie and sockless loafers—hello, beautiful.  I swoon. 

Billy Reid (third from left) with models.

You can’t mention menswear and the South in the same breath and not mention Billy Reid.  

Inside one of Billy Reid's amazing stores.

His cool-meets-traditional style works just as well at his flagship store in Florence, Alabama as it does in Manhattan.  His stores, dripping in antique-y goodness, conjure up images of an older South.  The findings are no less delightful, with everything having a quality, worn in feel.  

Reid's antique-y aesthetic carries over from his clothes to his store decor.

After being chosen as GQ’s 2010 best new menswear designer in America, Reid entered into a collaboration with iconic denim company Levis.  Whatever this purveyor of “southern-bred luxury” touches turns to gold, so invest heavily.

What better way to add a little style to a fall outfit than with
a wool bow tie like this one.

Gentleman, stop whatever you are doing and go browse those Fall lines.  There are great prices to be had by all and dapper style to boot.  

As one of my Trinity/Samford friends recited ZZ Top when I complimented his perfect Sigma Chi pin attire one day, “every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man.” 
Take that to heart, boys.

All Brooks Brother's photos courtesy of Brooks Brothers.  

All Cordial Churchman photos courtesy of The Cordial Churchman.

All Social Primer for Brooks Brothers photos courtesy of Garden&Gun magazine.