Headbands- by Kipp

The headband is a preppy essential. Personally, I am truly addicted to these functional and beautiful accessories. My collection of headbands grows constantly and as with most everything else in life, you can never have too many! A headband can instantly add a touch of femininity and polish to any outfit. I dare say that there isn't an ensemble that wouldn't benefit with the addition of a simple satin headband.

Although recently brought back to popularity for the masses by the lovely Blair Waldorf, this accessory has never been forgotten by those of us with classic style. J.Crew and Ralph Lauren always offer a variety of headband classics, but do not be afraid to try a larger bow or flower. Every lady should have at minimum a tortoise shell and a red satin headband. Just a warning, these timeless pieces have a tendency of driving the boys wild as well!

Yellow Socks - by Richard

Photo Credit: Polo Ralph Lauren

Yellow socks are without question one of my favorite items to pair with fall/winter trousers. They look great with gray flannels, corduroy, or even denim. Some may be a little squeamish at first pairing these socks with their favorite trousers, but I promise you will look super WASPy.

Also, I am excited to have our first female voice joining the blog, and Kipp will be doing her first post Friday. Hope you are having a good week, and I will do some more provocative posting next week when work slows down a bit.

Pheasants & Leather Books - by Richard

Work has kept me busy this week, so I am posting a little late today. Also, I wanted to note that WASP 101 will be adding a female voice, and she will be doing her first post this Friday.

Today's post deals with WASP home decorations. WASPy homes owners are certainly notorious for hanging dead animal flesh on their walls, and nearby the dead flesh is most certainly a bookshelf filled with leather books. Personally, I have a stuffed pheasant in my home office, and I have tons of leather books throughout my house. In addition, my office at work displays three deer heads with a bookshelf of leather books, etc. on each side.

So, if you are looking to WASP your house up a bit, go shoot or buy some pheasants and leather books, and you will be on your way!

Tartan Pocket Squares - by Richard

Photo Credit: J Crew

Tartan Pocket Squares are a useful item during the fall/winter months. The plaid pattern goes well with repp stripe or club ties, and it can really ad character to a navy blazer or flannel suit. Many traditional clothing stores such as Brooks, Press, and Polo all sell them.

Just A Little Jacket Porn - See You On Monday - by Richard

Images From The Official Preppy Handbook - by Richard

After taking the doctors orders, I think I am prepared to call him in the morning and say I am healed. Regardless, I have gathered enough energy this evening to do Saturday's post.

Last year's release of the sequel to The Official Preppy Handbook, True Prep brought about great hysteria. On the positive side, the book did assist in the promotion of the preppy movement. However, if the OPH is the Godfather, I wouldn't call True Prep the Godfather Part II. In my opinion, one thing it lacked is the images displayed in this post. These coloring book drawings from the OPH will be etched in my mind as long as I have a functioning brain. Without question, these images could take a prep/WASP through their entire life. In her sequel True Prep, Birnbach completely dismisses all classic brands with her male prep model, and her declaration that a male prep just buys J Crew from head to toe doesn't cut the mustard with me!

Now, don't get me wrong! I think Lisa Birnbach is a lovely woman and a talented writer. I just think she could have added some elements to her second release that could have made it a cult classic like her first book. Regardless, enjoy the weekend, and enjoy the photos from her masterpiece The Official Preppy Handbook! We will see you on Sunday!

The Gray Flannel Suit - by Richard

Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren

If you only buy one suit this fall, make it a gray flannel suit. The suit screams WASP, and it can be dressed up or dressed down in many ways. Personally, I wish I had purchased a single breasted model for my first gray flannel suit, but I opted for a double breasted version instead. Therefore, I am planning to have another one made this fall, and I think I will give Polo its first chance to make a custom suit for me.

My New Critter Khakis - by Richard

Over the weekend, I picked up a new pair of critter khakis featuring a hunt scene. I wore the trousers with a navy v-neck sweater this morning, but removed it later as the day grew warmer. The look was finished off with my new Rugby Tweed Run Bow Tie, which didn't last long on the website.

Topic of Debate #9 - Women In Men's Shoes - by Richard

I absolutely love this young lady in tassel loafers and ankle socks! Wow! What are your thoughts?

Topic of Debate #6 - Sweater over the Shoulders - by Crawford

This time of year, a problem often emerges for ladies and gentlemen who don sweaters to keep them warm in the morning and evening -- what to do with the sweater in the heat of the midday sun. Whether I am returning to alma mater to attend an intercollegiate football game or strolling through the Village after a late brunch at Balthazar on Saturday morning, I tend to take off the sweater and throw it over my shoulders. What are your thoughts about the sweater over the shoulders look?

Topic of Debate #5 - Embroidered Cords - by Crawford

At long last, it is time for us to pull our cords out of the closet as the temperatures begin to dip. Cords are such comfortable pants - I find I wear them throughout the autumn and winter. The cords that I enjoy most of all are embroidered (first crafted by Mr. Winston at Chipp as discussed in a prior post). I tend to purchase them whenever I find them. (However, I must admit that I have long regretted not purchasing a pair of navy cords with embroidered hunt scenes that I found on the sixth floor of Saks several years ago. I couldn't decide whether or not to purchase them, so I walked down to BG and decided, while dining, that I "needed" them -- sadly, when I returned, I discovered that someone had already purchased them.) So, what are your thoughts about embroidered cords?

Topic of Debate # 4 - Do You Like Women In Bow Ties - by Richard

Women in bow ties, what do you think?

Topic of Debate #3 - The Tartan Suit - by Richard

Photo Credit: Admiral Cod (Thanks LBF, hope you don't mind)

Without question, tartan is embedded in WASP style. Every fall season, we break out our blackwatch tartan trousers and jackets, but typically, we wear them separate. For the most part, I agree that one should only wear one tartan item at a time. However, there has always been a desire in my blood to have a custom tartan suit made in a subtle plaid pattern. The Duke did it, should we?

Topic of Debate #2 - White Bucks With Tweed - by Richard

Several weeks ago, I displayed my new ivory saddle oxfords, while posing the question to "tweed or not to tweed". Recently, my mortal enemy Chensvold did an expose on white bucks at Ivy Style. In his series, he posted several pictures of upper crust Ivy League students sporting their white bucks while wearing tweed and other cold weather items. My question for the readers is, will this trend ever take off again?

Topic of Debate #1 - Jeans for Todays WASP - by Richard

Andy Warhol my have set this trend in motion decades ago, but I think the jeans with sport coat/tie look has risen again to prominence. Many traditional based designers have incorporated this look into their collections for consecutive seasons now, and personally, I think it works. Sure, I wouldn't appear at a board meeting wearing jeans, and I think Jimmy Carter was a buffoon for wearing them in the White House. However, the look can work in some situations. What do you think?

I Will Be Parking My Arse For The Evening - by Richard

After a busy day of cleaning, shopping for antiques, jogging, and doing about two hours of research for future posts; I am parking my arse in a chair! Have a good Sunday, and I will see you on Monday with some heated topics of debate. Night.

Newest Hilfiger Movie - by Richard

I suppose this Saturday WASP 101 is having a two for one special. After, doing some research, I found the newest Hilfiger ad/movie. I do think the ads go a little over the top, but I do find the decor in their home lovely, or at least pieces of it. The women look fabulous, and that Bernard character always seems well appointed (minus the sneakers he is wearing while sitting outside).

The The Forgotten Odd Double Breasted Jacket - by Richard

First, I want to thank ADG for the photo, I swiped it from his tumblr site. However, I am going to take a different path with the photo. This beautiful Alan Flusser ad reminded me that we never see double breasted sport coats on the rack. Sure, you can have one custom made, but even then, they are rarely seen. Will the coat ever resurface?

Hilfiger Ads from Last Season, What's Next?

The Polo Overcoat- by Richard

Photo Credit: Polo Ralph Lauren

My best find at the Brooks Brothers Factory Outlet in Garland, NC was a camel hair polo overcoat. I have always wanted one of these aristocratic coats, but I have never been compelled to spend nearly a grand to get one. However, upon entering the store in Garland, my eyes were drawn to the coat hanging in the back of the store. Immediately, I rushed to the back to see how much the gem cost, and I was in shock when I saw the price tag. How much did the coat cost..........$129, yes that is right, $129. What a steal!

Club Ties - by Richard

Many in the world of traditional fashion constantly debate the wearing of club ties to which the tie has no particular meaning. Sure, I belong to a country club and I have visited the University Club (my friend is a member) on many ocassions, but should I be limited to only wearing their club ties? The answer for me is "no"; I wear whatever the heck I want. Take for example, the club tie pictured above. It is a Brooks Bros. slim fit tie bearing a lion and the year the company was established. I like it, and that is enough for me!

Polo Ralph Lauren Ads - by Richard

I know it is a little early to post Monday's column, but I have a busy night and day ahead of me tomorrow! I thoroughly enjoyed the Gant ads, but love him or hate him, Ralph Lauren is the best. He does things with such ease that others do not! Enjoy!

Gant Ads - by Richard

Gant is a brand that has gone through major revisions in the past couple years! The brand hired preppy stylist, Michael Bastian to give the label a new look, and Gant has made a real attempt to return to their old university shop style. Personally, I really enjoy Gant's advertisements, and I have displayed some more recent ones for this post. Enjoy!

Afternoon Jaunt - by Richard

When going for an afternoon jaunt, a WASP should still be aware of how they look! For my jaunts, I wear t-shirts with either my own or my dad's Alma mater. In addition, I always wear shorts that are a respectable length (just above the knee), and never-ever do I wear ghetto looking shorts that hang below my knees. Finish the look off with low top sneakers, and ankle biter socks. If you are interested in young ladies being willing to stop you and say hello, take a pooch with you as well. My boy never gets to run with me! The wife will not allow it......she knows me too well!

Tweed Run - by Richard

Advertisement for this years run!



Rugby Tweed Run Bow Tie I ordered....came in the mail this week.





Ralph Lauren's Rugby has a Tweed Run line this season (fair isle sweater)