Patchwork Madras and Embroidered Shorts - by Crawford

Summers are so much better due to the genius of Sidney Winston. Who, might you say, was Sidney Winston? Mr. Winston founded the venerable clothier Chipp in 1947. In its day, Chipp was, to be sure, among the pantheon of great American clothiers that included J. Press, Brooks Brothers, and Paul Stuart. Among his many innovations were two that have made a delightful impact on every prep’s wardrobe (particularly the summer wardrobe).

First, Mr. Winston designed the archetypal pair of trousers with an embroidered motif. Who among us doesn’t (or shouldn’t) have several pairs of such trousers. It seems to me that the embroidered motif is particularly appealing when found on shorts. I have several pair with various motifs including dogs, yacht club flags, sailboats, anchors, and whales.



Second, Mr. Winston designed the inaugural pair of trousers made of patchwork madras. In fact, I wore a pair of patchwork madras trousers with a Navy blazer to a charity event this evening. I feel that patchwork madras shorts work particularly well in the summer – I have a few pair.



I am confident that you will agree with me that, due to these two innovations alone, Mr. Sidney Winston and Chipp should rightly be held in a special place of reverence by every prep.

Of note, Mr. Winston’s son, Mr. Paul Winston, continues his father’s proud tradition as one of the leading tailors in New York. I have had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Paul Winston on several occasions, and I am happy to inform you that he still has a few ties from his father’s shop – I picked up one with pumpkins that I now wear at Halloween. Unfortunately, Mr. Paul Winston no longer has any embroidered fabric or patchwork fabric – if he did, I would have requested that he stitch me a pair of shorts or trousers! He regales his clients with extraordinary stories of days gone by – be sure to ask him about the delivery by the American Ambassador to France!