It’s Pendleton, but is it Preppy? Also, the Latest Gossip Girl Item

Hello-Hello, and happy Monday/Tuesday!

We hope everyone is still savoring just a smidgen of Christmas and/or Hanukkah afterglow. Here at the Prepatorium we are grateful for time spent with family and friends, reminded again why we left the insanity of television for our own little corner of the world.

We begin with a look at the upcoming collection Pendleton has done with Opening Ceremony.

Courtesy Photo via High Snobiety

Perhaps not the style one automatically envisions when thinking Pendleton. Mention this brand and we generally have images of something like this:

Pendleton

Or perhaps something like the item on the left, one of the company’s classic woolen blankets inspired by the Zapotec Indians.  On the right, Opening Ceremony reinterprets and updates the look.

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Pendleton’s plaids are also legendary. (We should have used these in last week’s post on preppy plaids.)

This heritage can be seen throughout the Opening Ceremony group.

More pieces in this classic pattern….

Plaid is equally evident in the men’s designs for the collection.

The collaborative line is slated to be in stores for spring/summer 2010.

Despite being far too old and decrepit (heh-heh-heh) to wear these styles, we do like this group, and can envision many of our younger friends sporting these pieces.

Courtesy Photo

Some items from the winter collaboration between Opening Ceremony and Pendleton are still available online; better yet, many have had markdowns taken from their original prices.

Speaking of Pendleton (you had to know this was coming), we glanced at a few items whilst pondering their site.  (Honestly, it has become an occupational hazard, there’s really nothing to be done for it save computer abstinence.) We learned a lot. Like the fact they have done a line with Jill Rappaport, and it includes items for the four-legged family members.

But then, we didn’t know who Ms. Rappaport was and had to look that up; we are woefully unhip. Tragically uninformed.  Below, an item we look at every time we are on the site.  Every. single. time.

Pendleton

The Hand-crocheted Lamb Hat has the Cute-o-meter peaking in the red zone, it is simply adorable.

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We have news of another collaboration: contemporary designer Jodi Arnold is doing a collection for The Limited.  Below, two pieces from Ms. Arnold’s own line.

Jodi Arnold

Here are two styles from the upcoming Limited line, the photos by John Aquino accompany this story in WWD.

Style List has also posted about the upcoming collection.

Courtesy Photos via Style List

Dubbed “Craft,” the collection launches at The Limited in Mid-March.

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And because too much is never enough, we have yet another installment on that incredible cultural phenomenon known as the Snuggie; behold the Nike version of this item.

Trendhunter

Called the Nike 6.0 Snuggie, here is a better look at the logo, downright discreet as these things go. There may be a reason for such understatement.

Trendhunter

We could not locate the orange marvel on the Nike 6.0 site, nor could we find one of these to purchase anywhere, raising the question: is it a counterfeit, yet another photoshopped creation? We do not know, but would certainly welcome input or guidance from someone in the know.  After all, we pride ourselves on keeping pace with all things Snuggie. (IOHO this is not an authorized product, but a creation of the internet and active minds.)

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And because we are nothing if not practical (despite occasional forays into the land of that which is anything but!), a note about fiscally-friendly opportunities at one of our favorites, Garnet Hill.  Like the company’s Cashmere Cardigans, now offered at $74.99; they were originally $188.

Garnet Hill

The quality of GH cashmere is outstanding; trust TP on this one.  We also liked the Dot Baby Coat (rivaling the Lamb Hat shown above for cute overload), and the Baby Gripper Slippers (originally $24, now $14).

Also fun, the Multi-stripe Tights for Girls, and the Pattern Tights, both available in sizes 12 months to 14.

Back to Mom, the Cashmere Split-Neck Sweater has potential, especially now that it is $49. The Acorn Slippers look super-snuggly they are now $49, the orginal price was $88.

The bargains abound, and everything seemed to be available in a broad range of sizes as well. Happy hunting. 🙂

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Because we don’t want to let the week pass without yet one more moronic morsel of inanity a little Gossip Girl update, we bring you news of this:

Courtesy Photo via MTV

Yes, it is a Gossip Girl comic book, done in the manga style so popular today.  MTV has an exclusive preview of the comic books.

Gossip Girl/Alloy Entertainment/Hachette Book Gr

From what we can glean these will run a bit more than the Archie and Veronica comics we read growing up; it looks like the price is going to be $8.99.  They also look a little racy, but that is probably more a reflection of our conservative outlook (TP’s motto? ‘Prudish and Proud” hee-hee!) than contemporary standards.

Called “Gossip Girl: For Your Eyes Only,” the comics will be based on the same series of books as the television series. But according to this MTV story, the comics will also provide:

“an original re-imagination of the girls’ senior year focusing on the lives of Blair and Vanessa.”

And on that comforting note, we say g’bye until next time! May everyone enjoy a little bit of holiday sunshine, be it in the skies overhead or in one’s heart.

Sperry 2010 Spring, Creep Clothes, Prep School Fashion

Hello-Hello! It’s bright and beautiful outside, we hope it is where you are as well!

We begin with an early look at the Sperry Top-sider Bahama Collection for spring/summer 2010.

Courtesy Sperry via High Snobiety

This is one of Sperry’s classic profiles, done in different colorways and textiles, including the firm’s basic blue.

The line also offers the Bahama Chukka in leather and canvas styles.

Courtesy Sperry via Solediction

Ahem. As indicated, these are next year’s shoes. If interested in supplementing your collection with this year’s styles, Sperry currently has some outstanding bargains on their site, like one that we all love, the Bahama Plaid Cuff.

Originally $60, these are now only $30, available in three different colors, but the sizes are growing scarce, so don’t wait too long if these hold appeal.

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Speaking of Sperry, they are mentioned more than once in an interesting W Editor’s Blog post about fashions currently in favor at private schools on the UES.

“Gossip Girls Blair and Serena may set the standard at Constance Billard School for Girls, but Manhattan private school teens have their own ideas about fashion. We asked 15-year-old Rebecca, a freshman at an uptown prep school, to tell us what young fashionistas are wearing in the hallways these days.”

“Private School Confidential” offers an intriguing perspective on what is popular, including several items previously featured in this space, not all of them in a positive manner.

Courtesy Doc Martens via W

Not qualifying for today’s Pretty in Pink: the Doc Martens Hot Pink Patent boot.  As far as getting one’s book and other necessaries back and forth from school, Diane Solway’s story asked what works for that task:

“…Longchamp Tote bags or backpacks. Most have American Apparel backpacks—either the black glittery one or the neon orange one.”

W Editors' Blog

When it comes to the Gossip Girl influence on trends and styles:

“None of these ideas come from Gossip Girl, considering that most girls who live and go to high school on the Upper East Side do not watch Gossip Girl, because they find it to be extremely pretentious, and exaggerated.”

As far as what is not favored by the teens, we’ll let W‘s illustration tell the story:

W Editor's Blog

We can almost hear one of our favorite bloggers and Princess team members looking skyward and saying “Amen”.  Heh-heh-heh.

Ms. Solway also asks if “…preppy style is still going strong?” in her post; the most we’ll share of that response is that “… Topsiders are big…”. For the rest of that response, just click here for the story.

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Next, please raise your hand if you know what CREEP stood for in a 1970s sort of way. (Committee to Re-Elect the President.)

Why is this relevant? Because the contemporary take on Creep is as a clothing line we fell upon.  (We suspect Nautical by Nature might like the look of this sweater from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection.)

Courtesy Creep

A story at the NOW Toronto site says Creep is carried at Urban Outfitters, although a quick check of their site would indicate everything in the line is sold out. We can understand why, many of the pieces are enticing.

Courtesy Creep

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Because we remain gaga over Mad Men, we had to share this picture of slimy Pete Campbell Vincent Kartheiser looking more than natty: he is sporting the Brooks Brothers Mad Men Edition suit we have previously posted about (here).

Star Traks Photo via Luxist

The Luxist story where we found this photo features an interview with Mr. Kartheiser. As we’re on the topic, what about Don and Betty last night? Myohmyohmy!

Courtesy AMC-TV

As the Insider put it in their review:

“…no matter how much of a calculating princess Betty may be, she’s not the kind to sit on information for too long — and she recognized her lack of options.”

And only two episodes left. Gulp.

That will do it for today, we are back again tomorrow with an incredible, fantabulous giveaway!

The Preppy Princess Turns 500

Hello-Hello!

Happy Tuesday to everyone, and apologies for yesterday’s whineathon of a post, it was most unbecoming. We promise to be a better Princess today. In fact, today’s post is all sweetness and light. Seriously.

Because today marks our 500th post!

And to mark the occasion we are going to do something we’re not very good at: talking about ourselves (all of us, each and every Princess…heh-heh-heh), in a manner of speaking. More accurately, talking about life on the Preppy Planet as seen through the eyes of our little blog.

Our very first post was back on February 10, 2008, titled Prepalicious Alberta Ferretti. We looked at an outstanding collection from this designer (perhaps better known for her Philosophy line), but not one generally considered to offer a preppy aesthetic.

Our single most popular post? It is titled Gossip Girls Haunt the Hamptons & Here’s One for the Military:

JustJared.com

“… this would be actor Ed Westwick, a Brit who plays a rather slimy fellow named Chuck Bass. There were other celeb sightings: we were told that any females in the vicinity of actor Chace Crawford tend to swoon, or get a bit giggly, as seen in the photo below. You know, teenage, pre-teen, post-teen, tweens, you name it, almost any female breathing in and out could be susceptible, at least from from what we understand.”

Our second most popular post has to have the longest title ever created: Summer Olympics Fashion Focus, Ralph Lauren Team USA Opening Ceremony Uniforms Reactions, and Who Was “Preppy” Dressed Team?

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

Other hot topics include Tiffany Eyeglasses….

Courtesy Tiffany

… Goyard totes,

Courtesy Goyard

…along with all manner of apparel and accessories, especially of a preppish design.

Jim Young/Reuters

And when those styles intersected with politics and/or celebrity (let alone darling little girls), that only seemed to heighten the interest. Sketches have also been popular.

Courtesy J. Crew

J. Crew proved especially adroit at maximizing marketing opportunities in this arena.

Occasionally we let a little of our LogoPhobia (a little?!) rear its head, and we have delighted in sharing felt obligated to report on those newly named to the Anti-Prep Wall of Shame.  We have also loved finding things that are Pretty in Pink, discovering Argyle Adventures, not to mention sharing anything nautically inclined, adorned with grosgrain ribbon, or done in a seersucker or madras motif.

The goings on here at the Prepatorium have also been topics for discussion, as well as our little trips to visit TQM (The Queen Mother) and other royalty, along with cataloguing the travails of getting that drawbridge over the moat up and down when we’re at the mercy of such a testy group of gnomes.  Don’t you find that getting good help is so hard these days?! (This is where one inserts the smirk.)

Classic prep retailers, clothing with a Lilly label (let alone our Lilly Pulitzer stationery collection), spring and fall Fashion Weeks, Grand Slam tennis, nothing is safe it seems, especially if The Consort is doing the post! And we’ll probably keep it that way, unless you direct us to do otherwise. (Although some might be surprised at what we consider our favorite post, as it has nothing whatsoever to do with preppy style or fashion.)

Because we follow your lead; the very best part of all this bloggage has been our treasured readers. By far.  We consider ourselves more-than-fortunate to have made so many friends via this medium, we really are blessed. So if there is something you want to see more, or hear less about, anything at all, do tell! We always want to know your thoughts.

After this there really isn’t anything we can say other than “Thank you”.

A Sign of the Times We Could Do Without

Hello and Harrumph.

Yes, we realize how inexcusably rude a greeting of this nature is; we are more than a little cranky this morning.  Pourquoi ça?  Because we have multiple SOTTs (Sign Of The Times) in today’s post, and we don’t like them.

And because the world just shrank. Again.

We are going to be forced to say goodbye to a longtime friend, legendary in the field:

Gourmet is going away. After almost 70 years of publishing, Conde Nast is closing the magazine. Below, we have a snippet from the internal memo with today’s announcement:

“Gourmet magazine will cease monthly publication, but we will remain committed to the brand, retaining Gourmet’s book publishing and television programming, and Gourmet recipes on Epicurious.com.

Most insiders thought Bon Appetit would be sacrificed to save the storied Gourmet brand, the news this morning caught many by surprise.

Also being shuttered by the publishing giant: Elegant Bride.

And Modern Bride.

Filling out the quartet of closures: Cookie.

As a businessperson we completely understand the circumstances leading to this morning’s grim news. Two food magazines in this environment is one too many. Three bridal books consolidated into one, we comprehend this decision. But it doesn’t mean we have to like any of it. (Yes, the Princess is pouting.)

A few related points that may be of interest:

• The November issues of Gourmet and Cookie will be their last; Fall Elegant Bride is that magazine’s final printing and the October/November issue is the last for Modern Bride
• To ‘offset’ the end of Modern Bride and Elegant Bride, Conde will boost the frequency of Brides; it becomes a monthly.
• the Cookie and Gourmet.com sites will be up through the end of the year

If this carries a familiar sound familiar it may be the recollection of Conde announcing the Portfolio and/or Domino closures, the end of Golf for Women, or the news that Men’s Vogue would be ‘incorporated into’ Vogue.

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A quick reminder for fans of Gossip Girl and Tory Burch: those two are combined on this evening’s episode.

CW/Giovanni Rufino/Landov

In the photo above of Ms. Burch with actress Blake Lively it may appear the scenes were shot on location at the designer’s office; that is not the case.  A special set was constructed to replicate that site.

In a People magazine story Ms. Burch was asked to put together looks for two of the program’s main characters: Serena van der Woodsen (Ms. Lively) and Blair (Leighton Meester). Below, the styles selected for ‘Serena’.

Courtesy Tory Burch via People.com

Next, the choices Ms. Burch came up with for ‘Blair’.

Courtesy Tory Burch via People.com

Fortunately we follow meghandono from (Wit & Whimsy) on Twitter, or we never would have remembered about tonight’s episode.

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Before we fly, a quick query for our fellow Mad Men fanatics: did everyone notice where Joan is working now? For those who are not addicts fans, here is a clue.

We’re not sure how we feel about Pete Campbell describing Bonwit Teller as “The Republic of Dresses”.  BTW, what does everyone think about Betty’s Junior League ‘project’?

With that deep thought (hee-hee-hee) to ponder we shall say ‘g’bye until next time!

All About the Pink & MAC in Lillyland Update

Hello-Hello and Happy Friday!

As mentioned in a previous post, October brings an increase in the volume of ‘pink products’ we all see, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Last year we remember the always-wonderful Adventures of a Southern Newlywed doing a post showing many of the ‘pink’ items available that supported varying breast cancer initiatives, and we’re borrowing her idea for today’s post! (Thank you Miss Preppy Newlywed.)

We begin with items we call cosmetics with a cause; below we show the Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon collection.

This set introduces a new lip shade, Blush Pink, and includes a limited-edition lip balm, Pink Crystal Glitter.  The set sells for $40, and there are no shipping charges, there’s a nice surprise! The company will donate $35,000 from their North American sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Clinique offers the Great Lips, Great Cause collection of mini-lip glosses on a keychain.

CLOSE

The limited edition set also includes 2 charms: a Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon and a Clinique ‘C.’  (We’ll overlook any latent Logophobia symptoms in light of the greater good.) The set is a very reasonable $18, and $10 of that goes to the BCRF.  The company will also donate 25 percent of sales of its Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion to the BCRF.

Clinique and Bobbi Brown are both part of the Estee Lauder family; Evelyn Lauder founded the BCRF in 1992.

As part of our Friday Fun we offer a few Gossip Girl tidbits, first, the ongoing debate over this promo for the show.

Courtesy CW

Below, a sampling of Entertainment Weekly’s reaction to the ad.

“Freaked out yet? Confused at who you’re looking at? Concerned for the safety of any small children or ponies who may be nearby? Or does this inspire you to similarly tease your hair, slather on a terrifyingly dark shade of lipstick, and hang some door-knockers from your ears?”

Hhhmmm, some of the hair is a little frightening.  And our other tidbit, the cast is shooting in Chinatown this week. Below, actor Chace Crawford looks dapper on his way to the set.

Justin Campbell/JustJared.com

Singer/actress Leighton Meester is wearing some serious platforms as she heads to her next scene.

Jose Perez/Splash News

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We simply must share these next items for today’s Pretty in Pink, both from Louis Vuitton.

Courtesy photo via WWD.com

Nope, that was not a typo, Louis Vuitton is about to unleash debut a fine jewelry collection. Women’s Wear Daily (subscription req’d.) has more:

“Spirit of Travel collection — consisting of six jewelry sets, each with a one-of-a-kind necklace retailing for up to $2.5 million — will then be unveiled to the public on Oct. 15 at Vuitton’s flagship on the Champs-Elysées.”

Courtesy photo via WWD

These are undoubtedly stunning when seen up close, they are amazing creations.

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Previously we shared news (in this post) of the upcoming MAC cosmetics partnership with Lilly Pulitzer; their MAC in Lillyland collection is due out January 7. Now we have names for the actual items, and most invoke classic Lilly, like Joie-de-vivre and Optimistic Orange for two of the blush colors. Many readers will appreciate the Lipgelee names:

• Lush & Bright
• Shift to Pink
• Resort Life
• Preppy

(How about that fourth name?) Also, we do know one of the two nail colors is Steamy.

Courtesy MAC

This color is not a Limited Edition, but part of the current MAC collection and available online.

May everyone enjoy a sensational weekend!