Meeting Whit Stillman

Going through my digital photo archive, I found a shot of me with director Whit Stillman (left) last May at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in New York City.  Whit was there for a screening of his most recent film, “Damsels in Distress,” and a Q&A session with two of the actors in that film, Ryan Metcalf and Carrie MacLemore.  This was one of the last films I saw in the city before moving to South Carolina.

After the Q&A, Whit stopped to chat with me for a while.  He is one of my favorite directors, and has been known to indie filmgoers since the 90s as a chronicler of the “urban haute bourgeoisie.”  Most of his main characters are from WASP families, and their manners, customs and relationships seem very charming and correct, but hopelessly old fashioned by today’s standards.  Though his films lack a precise time or place, they do seem to capture the decline of mainline families (at least their grip on the culture) and an evolving and complicated set of social standards.  His previous films Metropolitan, Barcelona and The Last Days of Disco have been referred to as somewhat of a preppy trilogy.

Whit was sporting plain front charcoal gray pants with cuffs, an oxford cloth button down and tweed sport coat.  I was wearing khakis, a surcingle ribbon belt with webbed cotton backing (and a palmetto and crescent ribbon), a pink oxford cloth button down and a pair of Bass Weejuns.  Draped over my arm was a navy blue cotton field jacket from L.L. Bean. I thrifted all of my clothes except the belt.

Metropolitan (1990) remains my favorite Whit Stillman film.

The Last Days of Disco (1998) features a fairly wide range of preppy clothes including an impressive Madras plaid sport coat worn by Chris Eigeman, who plays Des.

Bleeding India Madras

Today at the Nearly New Shop in Greenville, SC, I found a great bleeding India Madras, patchwork plaid, short-sleeve button down shirt for $8.00.  It was made for Rush Wilson Limited, an exclusive men’s store that has been in business in town since 1959.

The label inside the shirt indicates that the Madras was “hand loomed” and features irregularities in the weave that are actually a sign of authenticity.   The dyes used in hand loomed shirts are natural and not synthetic and bleed when washed.  Over time, the bleeding produces a wonderful faded look.  I’d guess this particular shirt might be 20 years old, judging from the fade of  the colors and the softness of the cotton.  Madras is a key summer fabric for preppies and is essential in the hot and humid climate of the South.

The Nearly New Shop is run by the Junior League of Greenville.  Store details:

118 Greenacre Road
Greenville, South Carolina 29607
(864) 232-1051
Nearly New Shop Collection Hotline: (864) 232-1091

Monday through Saturday
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Karen Howard, Manager 
Shannon Simpson – Assistant Manager

My Blogging Hiatus – A Move and Such

I’ve been out of the blogging and thrifting loop for some time.  Moving to another state – from New York to South Carolina – will do that.  So will spending an entire summer of house rennovations.  Having been an apartment dweller in the Big Apple, I have learned more about tile, grout, studs, dry wall, sheet rock and tongue-and-groove flooring than I ever thought possible.  With rennovations, the rule of thumb is that where one issue or complication pops up, more are sure to follow.  But now that things are winding down on that front and life is settling into a normal pattern, I hope to be up with thrifting posts soon.  Stay tuned.

Cotton Rules: Madras is King

Now that we’re past Memorial Day, the color barrage begins.  It’s full on madras go-to-hell season, and the colors run bold.   A few months ago, I thrifted a great pair of flat front 100% cotton madras plaid Bermuda shorts from Lands’ End.  The color pattern is  red, navy, yellow and white.  I also thrifted a braided cotton belt with leather tabs (unknown maker) of very good quality.  Yesterday, I got a shirt that finishes off the quintessential look of summer – a short sleeved navy Lacoste that I bought on eBay.  These items can be worn with Sperry Topsiders (leather or canvas), Weejuns or Bean Blucher Moccasins.

Cost Breakdown

Lands’ End Madras Shorts:  $15.00

Braided Cotton Belt (Leather Tabs):  $4.99

Lacoste Shirt:  $16.00

Total of all items:  $35.99 (less than 1/2 the cost of a new Lacoste at retail).

Available On My eBay Store – Preppy Madras Plaid Bow Tie

Just in time for summer:  Preppy madras plaid adjustable bow tie in 100% cotton in bold colors of yellow, blue, green and red.  This is a gently worn vintage item.  Measurements are as follows:

• Width:  3.5  inches on each end.
• Maximum Length: 40 in.
• Self-tied and adjustable for various shirt collar sizes (13-17).
• No stains, rips or tears.

This item is wider than most contemporary bow ties, and I’d estimate that it was made in the late 60s to early 70s.  Buy it now on my eBay store or make your best offer.

Thrifty at the Races – Middleburg, VA

My wife and I recently made a trip down to Middleburg, VA for the spring steeplechase races at Glenwood Park.  She took this photo just after the final race of the day.  Most of what I’m wearing was thrifted.  Here’s the breakdown:

Thrifted Items

• 3-Button linen/wool sport coat by Huntington:  $6.99 @ Salvation Army, Greenville, SC.
• Brooks Brothers 100% cotton button down:  $9.99 @ Unique Thrift Store, Bronx, NY.
• Silk/Linen tie by Robert Jacobson for Rush Wilson Limited:  $1.00 @ Salvation Army, Greenville, SC.
• Ralph Lauren 100% cotton plain front khakis with 1 and 3/4 inch cuffs:  $8.00 @ The Nearly New Shop (Junior League), Greenville, SC.
• Total:  $25.98

Retail Items

• Surcingle ribbon belt with cotton backing (SC Palmetto & Crescent Motif):  $45.00 @ Rush Wilson Limited, Greenville, SC.
• Bean Boots from L.L. Bean:  $89.00 ordered online.
• Scalia straw fedora from Dorfman Pacific Company:  $49.00 from vendor @ Glenwood Park, Middleburg, VA.
• Total:  $183.00

Preppies Protect Yourselves: Join PADL Today!!

Lifetime Members of the Preppy Anti-Defamation Lague (L to R):  John J. Balderdash III, Buffy Balderdash and John J. “Skip” Balderdash IV.

Now is the time to consider joining or renewing your annual membership with PADL:  Preppy Anti-Defamation League.   Memorial Day is just around the corner – the official beginning of summer or, as I like to call it, go-to-hell season.  This is a time when Nantucket Reds, madras patchwork plaid and other clothes of blinding primary colors are worn to the consternation of the polyester clad general public.  Other than a trust fund, your PADL membership is the best support mummy and daddy can give.