US Open Tennis Togs: Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike & Fred Perry

Hello-Hello and Happy Friday!

It seems another week has flown by, vanished in a poof of ‘what happened?’ here at the Prepatorium.  If ever we were in need of some Friday Fun, today is the day!

But first we want to keep our word in yesterday’s post (Tiffany, Tennis and Fashion), we said we would peruse some of the new tennis togs slated for for the US Open, always a premier event to debut a new look or collection.

This is especially true for the Open’s official sponsor: Polo Ralph Lauren.

This year offers a number of new styles from the retailer, including an updated Cotton Cricket Sweater:

The sweater is described this way:

“Our iconically preppy sweater is cable-knit from soft Italian cotton with a wide V-neck, perfect for layering with one of our polos or tees for brisk mornings on the court or in the stands.”

Well done, this is very nice. (The Consort had nothing but raves when he saw us working on the post this morning, very unusual for him to be so vocal about a sweater. Hmmm.)

For the gentlemen, the US Open Canvas Sneaker has classic appeal:

To be quite crass and insert the “M topic” into our conversation, at $68, one could almost overcome their LogoPhobia, rationalizing that the emblem is of a commemorative nature.

There are also new uniforms for the ball boys and girls:

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

The diagonal stripe is eye-catching, and the shirt is done in a mesh knit for comfort.

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

Clearly the Logo-Gnomes have slipped that poor pony some performance- enhancing chemicals.  Ahem.

This year’s Open Canvas Tote has understated lines in classic colors:

If seeking Polo Ralph Lauren tennis apparel/accessories with fiscally-friendly price points, sale pieces offer styles that may appeal as well, like the Silk Tie Trimmed Blazer.

Originally $298, the blazer is now only $99, even better is the wide availability of sizes still available as of this writing.

There are loads of tennis pieces in stock across a broad selection of styles and price points, including pieces for the Young Master or Miss in the house. All of the US Open styles may be purchased online, at the Ralph Lauren shop at Arthur Ashe stadium, or at the interactive kiosks located elsewhere at the stadium.

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Also debuting new looks this week, Nike. We start with a look at ” The Preppy and ‘The Pirate’.  First, ‘The Preppy,’ Roger Federer.

PHOTO: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Next, ‘The Pirate’ aka Rafael Nadal, still overcoming an injury in his effort to garner the only major title he has yet to win.

PHOTO: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

If interested in Rafa’s Nike styles, once can now purchase many of them directly from his website.

For today’s Pretty in Pink we share the Nike look sported by Serena Williams.

PHOTO: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

This month’s issue of Hamptons (magazine) features Ms. Williams on the cover.

PHOTO: Robert Ascroft/Hamptons

An interesting Q&A style story accompanies the cover shoot.

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Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren are not the only labels debuting collections at the Open.  Fred Perry’s roots in in the sport are deep, and yesterday Andy Murray showed the brand’s US Open line.

PHOTO: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Fred Perry

The “Scottish blue” is a stunning color, we just love it. Below, the Classic Fred Perry Polo Shirt for women in “Original styling with trademark twin tipping detail,” things we like.

There are several pieces in this group we are fond of, particularly the Pleated Tennis Dress.

Basic, fundamental tennis apparel. Yes, we are showing our age.  Basic tennis whites are what we were raised on and what we prefer.  Frankly, we like this collection so much it might help assuage the angst expressed Wednesday in this post about the hideous Fred Perry Preppy Pin Set.

Play gets underway Monday.

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Well dollfaces, we are absolutely out of time. That means we will have to leave Lacoste, as well as the line James Blake is launching with Fila (and other lines as well), for another post, we apologize.

But we simply must include this very quick note about Lacoste: another online ‘by invitation only’ sale boutique is offering Lacoste Men’s and Women’s watches at significant discounts. Beyond the Rack is doing the sale; it runs until 1pm August 29th (Saturday).

The Ladies Tiebreak Calfskin wristwatch seen above is selling at $199; the original selling price was $450.  If you would like an invitation to Beyond the Rack, simply email thePreppyPrincess@mac.com

And to ensure we continue our Friday Fun, we share a few Mad Men avatars (remember our posts about making your own?), but not of friends or family. No, these are avatars celebrating people a little better known, like POTUS.

Also, Keith Olbermann.

To glance at additional celebrities who  have been “Mad Manned,” just click here.

We hope that brings a smile to your face – may your weekend be filled with them!

When Being a Princess Goes Bad, Kate Spade Sample Sale,

Hello-Hello everyone!

Today’s post is an exercise in what we refer to as pre-blogging, written in advance of a heavy schedule; we expect we shall be winging our way to The Queen Mother’s as you read this.

Readers can probably guess our reaction to this title for a column in Friday’s Journal:

Bringing Up Princess: Turning Girls Into Narcissists

Immediately our hackles went up as we said to ourselves, “Now wait just one minute.” But upon reading Megan Basham’s column, we find ourselves in agreement with much of her perspective.

“…little to do with indulging sweet princess fantasies and everything to do with catering to over-indulged princess egos.”

Naturally, invoking an anti-prep increased our comfort level:

“Take the popular tween retailer Justice. At malls nationwide, it carries multiple “Princess” tops and accessories that look a lot more like Paris Hilton’s attire than Snow White’s.”

For more on the “trickle-down narcissism” column click here.

One request: let’s not throw the Princess out with the tiara, so to speak?

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We have an update on tennis fashion just in time for Wimbledon, direct from our favorite tennis blog, Down the Line Tennis.

Scottish star Andy Murray‘s is expected to wear the ensemble shown above, all classic pieces by Fred Perry, one of Mr. Murray’s sponsors. The look is meant to emulate the styles worn by Mr. Perry in the 1930’s when he won Wimbledon.

A timeless style, and one we adore.  Some say the look is part of a greater campaign to help the sometimes-surly Murray move beyond his anti-English image.

Those interested in something for off-the-court wear may find the company’s accessories appealing, including the Tipped Webbing Belt.

FredPerry.com

Many readers may already be aware there has been significant speculation as to whether or not Rafael Nadal would play in this year’s tournament; that conversation ended yesterday when he began practicing on one of the famed grass courts.

PHOTO: Bertrand Guy/AFP/Getty

We are still fond of last year’s look as seen above, the shocking pink and gray. Not that we pay any attention to that.  (Actually, we’re such an old fuddy-duddy we still think white is a good color for tennis apparel.)

It does not appear we will see Roger Federer in his famous cardigan again, the one prompting our original Preppy vs. Pirate post.

We confess we don’t yet know what Mr. Federer is sporting for a signature look this year.

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A quick Sales & Savings note: fly to the Kate Spade Sample Online Sale:

Fiscally-friendly bargains abound, like the Jitney Cashmere Sweater is now $88. The original price was $295.

The sale ends the 19th.

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we offer Blake Lively at Monday night’s big do, the CFDA Fashion Awards.

PHOTO: Eric Thayer/Reuters

The Gossip Girl star was wearing Michael Kors.  Also in attendance, Andrew Lauren, Dylan Lauren and David Lauren.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

The whole clan was on hand, including Ralph Lauren and Ricky Lauren; he took home the Most Popular vote award, the first time the award has been made.

PHOTO: Larry Busacca/Getty

Comedienne Tracey Ullman was the emcee/host for the evening’s festivities; she had a few tongue-in-cheek comments on Michelle Obama’s penchant for apparel from a certain retailer:

““In the short time her husband has been in office, she has already done a tremendous amount to promote the American fashion designers, especially J. Crew,” Ullman crowed. “Is J. here tonight? Mr. Crew? How about Mrs. Crew? Any of the Crew kids? Oh come on, you’d think that they’d be here tonight to show support for J.”

The Ullman quote is courtesy of this story in today’s WWD.  Another designer and retailer of a preppish nature, Tory Burch, wore her own design for the gala.

PHOTO Steve Eichner/WWD

Lauren Santo Domingo also wore Michael Kors.

PHOTO Steve Eichner/WWD

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Tomorrow’s post will feature loads of looks from this year’s Royal Ascot. Below, the Queen and Prince Philip on their way to the event yesterday.

Getty Images

Until next time, enjoy your day dollfaces!

Victoria’s Secret Pink Preppy Blazer, Thom Browne Show. Oh Dear….

Hello-hello and aren’t we dragging into the end of the week almost?!

We start with the much sought after blazer seen on model Chanel Iman (No, she is not supermodel Iman’s daughter, and aren’t we dopey for thinking she was!) several times this week: the Victoria’s Secret Pink® Prep Blazer, seen here in the ‘Preppy Navy’ colorway. It is also available in Heather Gray with navy trim; both are made of a cotton/polyester blend, the jacket is sized XS-L.

Although someone at our advanced age couldn’t possibly wear it, the blazer looks über-cute and we know so many of you would look darling wearing this.

We do have good news for Bloomies fans, with word of several new store openings. Bloomingdales is opening three of its little Mini-Bloomies as we call them, modeled after the SoHo store, but officially referred to in the snooze news release as SoHo-type stores. The lucky locales getting the new stores? Southern California of course, where the old Macy’s at Santa Monica Place will be relaunched as a new Bloomingdale’s, but also TP’s most favorite of places in this country, Georgetown.

Folks at Santa Monica Place are trying overhaul the mall, and we’re just not sure if it will embrace an upscale luxury shopping mecca. Perhaps our intrepid correspondents, like Miss Muffy Martini or the delightful Kate at Nautical by Nature can enlighten us, as we haven’t been there for several years. The existing Bloomingdale’s store there closes next February, and they’ll get to work on creating the new store. The good folks in the PR department are also counting the to-be-remodeled-and-expanded Westfield Valley emporium as a ‘new’ store. (That’s what we call “PR Math.”)

Neiman Marcus Westfield

And there is also the new Neiman’s that just opened in the valley at Westfield Topanga (seen above, this one is actually on the site of an old Nordies!), plus the new Nordstorm that just opened at the Oaks. My, one could shop until they drop! But then there is this….

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

And this…

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

Yes, these are as they appear, photos from the most bizarre showing at Fashion Week thus far into the runway shows. This is something The Princess doesn’t even know how to describe, menswear designer Thom Browne’s showing of his Spring 2009 Collection.

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

Regular readers know of our fondness for fashion writer extraordinaire Suzy Menkes; here we share some of her comments in yesterday’s story critiquing the show:

“The kindest thing to say about Thom Browne‘s menswear collection, which opened with hunky guys in polo shirts traced with blood red and knee-high socks patterned with tennis rackets, is that he let Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray go to his head.”

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

Ms. Menkes goes on to say:

“But Browne’s collection, fueled by his role as creative designer for the classic men’s store Brooks Brothers, seems to be more a shriek for a shrink than a coherent vision of a new man with a newly filled closet.”

Ms. Menkes’ column adds this final note:

“Was there anything to covet in this mix of overwrought tailoring, where a check shorts suit is decked out with formal shirt and necktie? Broken into individual pieces, a sharply cut blazer (even decorated with tennis racket emblems) was appealing. But most of this tennis court inspiration was far too literal to seem anything but a cry for a psych from a designer who could contribute so much to dressing the peacock male.”

The look generating the most comments was the tutu, as seen below. We found the expression on the model’s face most revealing; inside he must be saying “It’s a show, this is only a show, it’s not my closet.”

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

We found some insight in the Q&A session with Mr. Browne that Women’s Wear Daily posted:

Will we see guys in bridal tulle walking down the street?
I don’t know! It’s just fantasy.

How much of the show is wearable?
Eighty percent of what you see is what people are sold and what people will buy.

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

So jackets with tutus are the wave of the future?
The shape of the jacket without the tutu under it is most certainly a new shape that works really well.

When you sell it in stores, does it have a tutu?
I sell it both ways. It’s removable.

Thom Browne Spring Collection 2009

You had pants being worn hip-hop style with the boxers showing. How did the pants stay up?
They’re buttoned to the boxer. They’re sold that way … It’s a whole take on how kids wear their trousers down here. I always wondered how they kept it up, so I wanted to figure a way how I could give that to my guy.

Thom Browne Spring 2009 Collection

FRankly, we think the Thom Browne’s Men’s Tutu will become as ubiquitous as the Maria Sharapova Tuxedo dress for Wimbledon. Remember that one? Presumably some of this look will be carried over to Mr. Browne’s Spring & Summer 2009 collections for Brooks Brothers. Some of this aesthetic is evident in the Fall 2008 Black Fleece Collections for Women and Men currently in stores and also on line. Below, a few of this Fall’s looks for Men.

Some of the pieces in both Men and Womenswear are simply stunning and appear to be fabulous invetsments for the walk-in. But there are also many that will most likely be on sale at some point before the end of the year. Below, a few looks from the Black Fleece Women’s group this fall.

Last year’s pieces are on sale now, almost all with major markdowns in price.  Heaven knows what we’ll see from Mr. Browne for women come next Spring, but we will require the presence of another adult as we too terrified to look at it all alone…who knows what we’ll see!

Do tune in tomorrow for an early look at the Ralph Lauren Menwear Collection for Spring 2009. In our most humble of opinions you will like what you see.

EDITOR. NOTE: This version of the post has a corrected version of the first paragraph, rewritten to accurately reflect Chanel Iman’s biographical info.

US Open Chaos, Maria Sharapova Goes Shopping

Hello-hello and Happy, Happy Sunny Day!

Although this was clearly not the case at the US Open this weekend.

Photo Courtesy: Philip Hall/usopen.org

We wish that everyone could enjoy the delightful sunshine and cool breezes currently on offer here in the Great Midwest, but know that is not the case in so many places, compliments of Hanna (whose name we misspelled in our previous mention of her nastiness), and we hope all survive intact.

In fact, the US Open Men’s Finals have been postponed until Monday evening at 5pm, an occurrence not seen since 1987, when Ivan Lendl beat Mats Wilander in the men’s singles final. And what a pairing it is, with Andy Murray’s stunning upset of Rafa Nadal, resolved only when those two were finally able to conclude their match on Sunday!

Mr. Murray has some wonderful photos on his blog, including this one of players checking their Blackberries yesterday, not for phone or email messages, but for weather reports!

Courtesy Andy Murray

And when the skies cleared enough that Rafa and Andy were able to conclude their match, the intensity was extraordinarily high. Yes, that is Will Ferrell sharing his thoughts from the stands, as well as Mr. Murray’s girlfriend, Kim Sears.

The Open *is* unusual among the 4 Majors in that it is the only tournament that does not have any rest days between the semi-finals and finals for men’s singles, and it is the only one to stuff the men’s semi-final and women’s final matches into the last day, a Saturday. (Any thoughts on why that might be…? Three letters: N.F.L.) Officials now say they will look very seriously at installing the frequently-debated $100 million roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Lots of celebrities attended the matches, from Matt Lauer & golfer Greg Norman to model Naomi Campbell. Below left Charlize Theron and actor Stuart Townsend watch the Nadal/Roddick match, and actress Natalie Portman in what TP could swear is an utterly preppy madras plaid top with blue trim.

It wouldn’t be tennis without Don King, who originally handled the “Grapple in the Apple,” promotional effort that took place before the tournament. Yes, TP is so on top of things…sigh. We offer our most sincere apologies for not posting this when originally spotted…the day it happend. That event starred Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and was designed to promote new styles in each of their Nike tennis clothing and shoes collections. As described by Mr. King: “The US Open is the ultimate championship – the biggest stage in the world,” said King. “You had the Thrilla in the Manilla and the Rumble in the Jungle and now you have the Grapple in the Apple.”

AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca

Unfortunately for Nike, whose text describes things, “Will the victor be Rafa: Matador of Spin or Roger: Master of Precision? Cast your vote for Nadal with the Rafa: Matador of Spin Men’s T-Shirt by Nike,” the Men’s Final doesn’t feature that matchup as they hoped when risking the promotional effort.

In reality however, it seems Nike has done okay by this, as the Federer shoe is already sold out. For those interested, the company described Mr. Federer’s special Open apparel as a “new sophisticated night look…” and Mr. Nadal’s look as “…an evolved signature look…” Let’s ponder those two fashion statements, recalling as we do that someone described Mr. Federer as looking like “…a UPS delivery man.”

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

And no, we didn’t make any of this up; The Princess is not possessed of an imagination quite that creative. As always, for vastly superior fashion notes on the Open (and any other tennis-related things), stop by Down the Line Tennis. You’ll be glad you did. In the midst of all the chaos of rearranged and delayed matches, congratulations to Serena Williams on her big win Sunday!

Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty

Unable to compete at the open, Maria Sharapova is managing to cope. Somehow. Perhaps a front row seat at Fashion Week helps, especially when one can successfully wear a Herve Leger bandaid dress to that show (actress Kate Mara is on the left). Ms. Sharapova looked stunning, as always. BTW, in the second photo note the strategic hand placement, a must in these dresses.

As Women’s Wear Daily put it:

“How many ways can you work a bandage dress? On the surface only a few, but in his collection for Hervé Léger, Max Azria tinkered with the label’s signature to an overall pleasing effect. Surely his Hollywood starlets will scoop up the sexy basics, which he cast in neutrals and Eighties brights and gave cat-scratch cutouts.”

As always, it is fun to peek backstage.

And if one is curious as to how one keeps track of what each model is wearing and in what order, this picture provides a general idea, perhaps a method TP should implement, especially with the change in seasons and return to constant functions and parties!

And what did Venus Williams do after she completed her time at the Open? Stop by one of the Princess’s favorites, Carolina Herrera, naturally.

As did actress Renee Zellweger, who was actually in the show and apparently kept Ms. Herrera and others waiting – the story is she was 25 minutes late. Not that we would ever intentionally be late to *any* designer’s Fashion Week show, but we most assuredly would do anything we could to avoid keeping Ms. Herrera waiting.

That’s it for this edition of ‘Tennis and Fashion,’ we hope you enjoyed it!

Photo Credits: Jim McIsaac/Getty, Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty, Matthew Stockman/Getty, Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for USTA, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for IMG, REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz, Nick Laham/Getty