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.

Brooks Brothers – Consignment Shop Find

At Columbia U. Consignments last fall, I found a Brooks Brothers bow tie with a maroon background and navy and white stripes.  The asking price was $25.00.  I hadn’t posted any photos of me actually wearing it.  So here goes.  An unironed and somewhat rumpled 100% cotton blue oxford cloth button hides under a classic navy blazer.  But rumpled is preppy, a look that might be taken as an indication that I just don’t give a damn.

Having stripes that are straight rather than slanted, which is more common, makes this bow tie challenging.  The correct look is to position the stripes on each end with a block of stripes in the middle, as I have it tied in the photo.  Maybe I do give a damn.  Mixed messages today.

Southerners: Preppiest People on the Planet

I came across these photos on Fried Pink Tomato under a post titled “The Southern Preppy Bro.”  This is conclusive proof that Southerners are the preppiest people on the planet.  All the elements of go-to-hell style are there:  patchwork madras plaid, bold bow ties, motif belts, ribbon belts, oxford cloth button downs, fashionable hats, Lilly Pulitzer colored sun dresses, pearls and croakies.  These preps are having a lot of fun at a tailgate party.

Brooks Brothers Bow Tie at Columbia U

I was on the upper west side of NYC this morning and stumbled upon a terrific shop:  Columbia U Consignment at 50 Tiemann Place and Broadway  just a few blocks north of Columbia University .    The manager was very friendly and well-versed in vintage and contemporary fashion, taking time to show me various jackets that were of interest.  There were some great items including Burberry trench coats (both vintage and nearly new), a slik Hermes men’s jacket, Clark’s Desert Boots, English leather riding boots, Stubbs and Wooten hand made slippers and vintage Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.  I spotted a silk stripped bow tie from Brooks Brothers and decided to buy it…a bit of a splurge at $25.00, but a bargain considering that a comparable tie sells at retail for $55.00.  I highly recommend a trip to Columbia U if you are in the area.

Here is an example of a similar tie at Brooks: