CONTENTS
AUSTIN
SANDY
ATHLETIC
NICKI BECK WITH
BUSINESS
STREETWEAR
PREPPY MONICA NORMAN
20 16
RILEY HANCOCK
HIGH FASHION
48
12
BLAKE ORGAN
preppy
The Polo Match, The Derby, and The Yacht
Ralph Lauren
In 1972 introduced the original Polo knit shirt in 24 colors. Before Ralph Lauren made the polo shirt a wardrobe staple of well-dressed men everywhere, it was the favored uniform of polo players because the short, turned-over collar stayed down during play. For Ralph Lauren there was no better way to celebrate this heritage than with his signature pony logo.
Brooks Brothers
This season, has taken their classics and reinterpreted them in spring’s most sought-after colors and patterns. From casual to formal, week to weekend, a timeless selection of new favorites awaits. In past decades the brand has been thought to be remaining stagnant, but this spring the brand will be returning to the revolutionizing clothing it was built on in the 1800s, and it all begins with their new $1,525 new display coming soon to Madison Avenue.
Vineyard Vines is this year’s style sponsor
for the most fashionable horse race of all time, the Kentucky Derby (May 1-2). It’s the perfect weekend to put on your punched up pastels, don the daintiest of sun hats, tie on your most dapper bowtie, and indulge in a few mint juleps. And if you have no idea where to find the perfect Kentucky Derby outfit Vineyard Vines has you covered. They’ve designed a limited-edition collection chock full of bowties, seersucker blazers, dresses, bonnets, and more.
The Key Pieces-Women The overally preppy look for women is something that can often be not as clearly definited as it could be. From Polo attire to the semi professional business attire going for the “prep” look is not always easy. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Opaque Tights. Wear a colored pair of opaque tights with an
A-line little black dress, layered over a button-up dress shirt. Finish with a pair of knee-high riding boots and a long statement necklace.
Blazers.
Blazers look fantastic over sheath dresses. Complete the look with a printed scarf, a watch, and pearl stud earrings.
Fantastic Skirts. To remix this look, wear with a pair of ankle boots and a military jacket.
A Fabulous Coats.
A great winter coat is key to looking polished on frigid windy days. You could wear three grubby sweaters and elastic sweatpants, but a great coat and a pair of riding boots layered over them will instantly make you look chic.
Pearl Jewelry. A long string of pearls around your neck
will look fantastic with any Little Black Dress or sheath dress. Very Holly Golightly.
Mary Jane Heels. Try a brightly colore sheath dress with
a patterned cardigan. Finish with a matching pair of Mary Jane heels, a pearl necklace, and a structured purse.
Blanket Scarf
. If you haven’t been introduced to the blanket scarf yet, then make way for major sartorial approval. Besides the fact that every blogger on the block is donning this ultra-versatile winter accessory, it also happens to be the definition of cozy. These seven key pieces will set any trend setting women on the path to preppy. Build from these ideas and make it your own.
The Key Pieces-Men While Lisa Birnbach’s 1980 Official Preppy Handbook (recommended reading if this article inspires you to find out more about the subject) hasn’t yet been outdone in humorously analysing prep style, here are ten must-have preppy staples, from which you should be able to build a flawless wardrobe:
Polo Shirts. Mostly those featuring prestigious branding (usually a stylised animal). They also come with random numbers, references to polo (the sport), or in thicker, long-sleeved rugby tops.
Navy Blazers. Often complete with brass buttons and embroidered crests. They’ll dress anything up, but remain relaxed and easy to wear. From shorts to tailored trousers, they go with anything. To summarise: until you get the navy blazer, you don’t have the look sorted.
Sweatshirts. The casual sportswear alternative to your classic crew neck jumpers. Typical ‘jock’ uniform. Wear it as a t-shirt with nothing underneath or over an Oxford shirt to make it more modern.
Brogues/Penny Loafers.
Go for rich browns or oxblood if you’re doing full-on trad. Thick soles, printed leather and contrast-laced versions are available if you feel like making more of a statement. They can both be worn sockless with turned up or slightly shorter trousers during spring/summer.
Casual Ties. Diagonally striped or with small embroidery; woollen or knitted; bow or neck
– no matter what style you go for, they should be worn in a smart-casual manner with chinos, sports coats, shirts and jumpers/sweatshirts.
Cricket Jumpers. The classic white/cream, deep V-style or simplified versions thereof. Even if you don’t know the rules of the game, give them a go.
Belts.
Woven, elastic or vegetable-tanned leather belts, complete with brass buckles, sometimes lined in silk – the belt is possibly the most imaginative accessory in the prep world. Needless to say, we’re not talking studs or anything in widths lower than 25mm or higher than 35mm. These seven essentials will set you well on your way to nailing traditional American Prep style, but it’s important to build on this capsule wardrobe foundation with more individual choices
STREETWEAR This style is defined by what is currently being worn in the streets, as the name suggests. I see it as being broken down into two distinct looks:
hipsters and skaters. The term “hipster” has become very popular in the past few years. From a style standpoint, it is someone who dresses in a very trendy way. Not in a “mainstream” sort of trendy, though. They wear either very simple colors and outfits or lots of patterns: often flannel. Accessories and layers, I would say, are the main points to remember with the hipster fashion. The thickness of the layers and the choice of accessories would be dependent on the season. In summation, “hobo chic.” Skaters are just what you would think. Black pants and a trendy, logo tee, shoes with a good grip, usually. These outfits can also be paired with flannels, like the hipster. It is typical that these types actually skate, at least on occassion. It is not always assumed, though, that those that dress this way have a pennyboard in their backpack or car trunk. There are always those that just admire that lifestyle and the clothing style that comes along with it.
BREAKDOWN the
combat boots, Doc Martens stonewashed black blue
oxfords slim/skinny
shoes
black
pitch black
baggy/relaxed flannel
top
pants
hipster
neutral colored tee kind-of high socks
socks hair
hella’ high socks
white/off-white
layered/sleek
short pomade (soft)
long
grey/black
straight-up gel (hard)
Converse originally black
Vans
shoes
black no-shows
white originally white
socks
skater
plain colored shirt
top
logo tee
accessories hair
distressed top
flat-billed hat piercings forwards
backwards
sleek + straight messy volume
dry shampoo and hairspray
dirt + sweat
nose
lip ear lobes regular gauged piercing piercing
business professional
Workplace Wonders How you should dress in your office is largely dependent on your comapny’s dress code and the cultural norms of your office. Companies usually issue employee handbooks with formalized dress codes, and that is also a good starting point to understand what is appropriate to wear in your office. A good tip is to observe the attire of your supervisors and women who are similar in rank to you in your office for a week or two whenever you start a new job. It is important to pay attention to what they wear on days where there might be an important meeting (when you will typically see the most formal of attire) and ordinary days. Seeing what others wear is the best barometer in determining the appropriate level of formality in your office.
Look Sharp The RMRS 6 Step Guide
Too many young men are starting their professional lives without a clue as to how to dress. Young men are the future leaders of society, and dressing sharp is the first step towards becoming a professional. The right clothing can give a young man precious seconds to make his case and influence others. A young lawyer, consultant, medical professional, or salesman needs to understand this. That being said – it’s important to note that it is worth paying attention to your clothing as a young man even if you’re working in a field without strict dress codes. Tradesmen, welders, carpenters, and construction workers. Our clothing still matters as it introduces us and tells our story before we open our mouth. Crisp, clean, and well fitted clothing – wherever you are at in the world – encourages others to take you seriously. Tip #1: Dress Your Footwear Up. A traditional school of thought that’s still alive and well claims you can judge a man by his shoes. If you’ve never owned really good shoes before, brace yourself and get ready to pay a significant amount of money for well-made, classic footwear. You may be shocked at the sticker price for well-crafted shoes, but the quality and comfort pay dividends down the road. A good pair of dress shoes will last you years and stay good-looking with nothing
more than some light cleaning and the occasional shine. Tip #2: Dress to Look Older. If you’re still wearing clothes that scream “student days” you’re going to be treated like a boy with no experience in the real world. Buck the trend, age your look a little, and get the respect you deserve from older men. That means raiding your wardrobe and getting rid of the majority of your ultra-casual clothes: T-shirts, cargo pants, jean shorts, sweatshirts and sweatpants, baseball hats, and athletics. Save a few for yardwork and exercise — but donate the rest of it to charity and start replacing it with dressier clothes that speak to your maturity. Tip #3: Ignore the Fashion Trends. Most young men don’t have the budget to buy new pants every month or two — so stay away from pants that are only presentable during an “in” season. Distressed or bleached jeans are a great example; several different designer labels briefly managed to sell the image on the public, and then the fad changed and left a lot of people with very expensive jeans too beat-up to wear in public. Stick to classic clothing staples for the core of your wardobe and avoid anything that’s too far out on the cutting edge — even if you see something that makes it look good.
tie your tie
Tip #4: Take Care of Your Clothing. Generally speaking, being young means having less money to throw around. If you’ve shelled out for a few pieces of good, quality clothing — a custom suit, a pair of expensive dress shoes, what have you — it’s worth a few bucks more to keep the clothes in good shape. That means using good hangers for your suits, shoe trees for your shoes, and a little tender loving care with the washing machine. Some of your clothes can come from thrift shops, if you’re lucky enough to have a reasonably common body type and some well-to-do neighborhoods nearby. A few adjustments from a tailor can turn a five dollar thrift-store suit into your dress wardrobe staple. Just take care of it and protect your bigger investments with some proper maintenance. Tip #5: Have One Good Suit in the Closet SuitNo matter what your job is, you’re going to need a decent suit at some point. If you’re in a field where you’re going to wear one regularly you should look for a variety of colors and styles; if you just need a single suit for infrequent dress occasions stick with a classic single-breasted, twobutton suit in charcoal gray or navy blue. If you’re buying off the rack take the time to have the suit adjusted. A few department stores still offer the service, but you’ll more than likely need to find a tailor independently. It’s worth the effort — sized suits are made to general measurements, and not all of them are going to be a perfect fit for you.
A good tailor can make the small changes that take your suit from looking mediocre to perfect for you. Tip #6: Build from White and Blue Shirts White and light blue cotton dress shirts are the backbone to a sharp wardrobe. Much of this lies in the fact both of these colors make up approximately 90% of the dress shirts sold worldwide and that either color looks good on most complexions and body types. Being so popular, these shirt fabrics are also available in a wide range of style and sizes anywhere int he world, making acquisition at a value price likely for the man on the lookout for sales and discounts. Patterns can liven up the basic white and blue color palette, and there’s nothing wrong with branching out into some other colors as your personal style evolves. Just have a good core of white and blue dress shirts. As long as you have one clean and hanging up in the closet, you’ll never be completely out of decent things to wear.
ACTIVE WEAR
BELAY-ON
Climbing Essentials This lightweight harness has been a top pick for serious sport climbers for the last few years. The complete overhaul for 2015 boosted its versatility and comfort. ($60, arcteryxoutlet.com)
Sure, you can climb in jeans. But pants specifically cut for climbing usually move better with you on the rock, and they perform better in wet or windy conditions. ($48, backcountrygear.com)
The most important essential is not shown here--”Common Sense”. Having the right gear is one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another. Most often, it’s not a person’s equipment that saves their bacon. It’s their experience, know-how, and good judgment. Best of both worlds with a top-tier rock shoe. ($78, rei.com)
Always be prepared to hop on the rock with this tank top that gives you a free range of motion and quirky style. ($21, lookhuman.com)
NAMASTE
Yoga Essentials Let’s face it: One of the biggest perks of practicing yoga is the ultra-comfy wardrobe. But heading out to a post-Savasana dinner in leggings and a tank top is definitely a fashion “don’t.” Cue the latest innovation in studio-tosocializing fashion—the yoga wrap. Unlike its hoodie cousin, this trend-setting new hybrid combines the warmth of your favorite sweatshirt with the fashion sensibility of a cozy sweater. So now you can go straight from Downward Dog to dining out without a timeconsuming wardrobe change. ($89, Lululemon.com) Made for movement, this adorable variation of the basic dark legging includes a hidden waistband pocket. ($88, karmawear.com)
Sports bras may be the unsung heroes of your workout gear. Having the right sports bra makes a huge difference when it comes to enjoying your workout. Get the right fit and get your focus back to savasana where it belongs! ($22, Lululemon.com)
At its very core, yoga is about connecting the mind and body. You can “do� yoga without any equipment at all. Even sitting and breathing mindfully as you quiet the mind is a form of yoga.
S
HIGH
FA HION
It's a new era in fashion. there are no rules. it’s all about the individual and personal style wearing high-end low-end classic labels up-and-coming designers all together.
AlexanderMcQueen
More an article by Gracia Ventus
the rise of minimalism in high fashion
In the past few years, there has been a surge of minimalist aesthetics amongst the high fashion community. Following this growing trend, I have noticed that the word ‘minimalist’ has been slapped on every Tom, Dick, & Nancy’s wardrobe, outfits, decors & their cats simply because they are white and sparse. While it is true that the idea of ‘less is more’ is an element of Minimalism, it is not the sole definition of the aesthetics movement. So how does one actually define Minimalism? How can we label the term appropriately?
Impersonal Austerity
In combining the two words together, what scholars are trying to say is that Minimalism is the opposite of expressivism, hence the typical works are cold, and exudes little emotion. Minimalist fashion designers concentrate on the specifics of form and fabric rather than the function of the garment as a body covering. They do this through processes such as rigorous reductivism and the utilsation of non-emotive design.
Anti-Figurative Forms
Related to the idea of form over function, the antifigurative component of Minimalism also removes the idea of a ‘figure’ in terms of gender and human form from clothing. Minimalist fashion eliminates gender distinction, and negates the sexuality frequently imbued in clothing. Its emphasis on proportions and volume paints the picture of a genderless, ageless and weightless body.
Democratic/Accessible
Minimalism is not about achieving flawlessness, but cultivating the relationship between the viewer and the object. It takes a complete garment and reduces it even further to its barest state; a snapshot in time portraying the process of its construction, stripping it down to its fundamental parts.
Meet the Designers Monica Norman Hot Springs, Arkansas
Monica is a practicing lawyer with a strong interest in representing guinea pigs that have been acutely injured in tractor-trailor accidents. With an undergraduate background in Graphic Design, she enjoys editing and designing for a variety of fashion magazines across the U.S.
Nicki Beckwith Atoka, Tennessee
Nicki is a frog leg extraordinaire and spends much time judging frog leg cookoffs on the weekends. She has been designing since receiving her masters in Graphic Design from Billy Joel University in Bucksnort, Tennessee.
Austin Sandy Jonesboro, Arkansas
Austin is a designer from Arkansas who loves huntin’ and fishin’ and spittin’ and four-wheelin’ and goose-chasin’ and wrastlin’ and chewin’ tabacca and duck calls and cowboy hats and camo and displays taxidermied animals of all kinds around his house.
Riley Hancock Russellville, Arkansas
Riley Hancock is known around the country for her time volunteering with the Institute for Poetic Clowns. She has been working with the organization since 2012. Her work in fashion began with her background in art at Hutch Farms College in Hardscrabble, Delaware.
Blake Organ Cabot, Arkansas
Blake majored in eating glue at Patty Cake Patty Cake Daycare in 1998. He has since then developed a strong sense of design and a modernized taste in glues. He continues to shop around scrapbooking stores looking for that perfect adhesive.