A Preppy Collaboration

Happy Monday, it was a hectic weekend here at the Prepatorium, the days ahead are destined to be even busier, eek!

We begin with a look at another design partnership, this one between a longtime favorite, Pendleton, and retailer Eddie Bauer. The two companies from the Pacific northwest have collaborated since the 1920s, below we see a page from the 1948 Eddie Bauer catalog, the first year Pendleton products were shown in that catalog.

Pendleton/Eddie Bauer

The new collection is geared for the holidays, Bedding & Home items include classic Pendleton motifs.

The Christmas stockings are $59.95, crafted of pure wool. The jacquard wool tote is $199.95, the wool shirt comes in two colorways and runs $129.95.

There are also items for your MOTH (Man Of The House), including these.

The collection is available now.

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Our other item today involves an update on the much ballyhooed Versace for H&M collection, launching this Thursday in London, on Saturday in the States. We wanted to follow up not because we believe our treasured readers are enormous Versace fans (although there is a plethora of Pretty in Pink), but because of the analogy made in our post between this launch and the Missoni for Target problems.  First, a backgrounder on the “issues” (there’s a euphemism) faced by Le Boutique Targét with the Missoni launch:

“We all know what happened recently with Missoni for Target–that collection disappeared instantly, online shoppers got $25 consolation gift cards instead of cute zigzagged coffee cups, and items showed up on eBay for exorbitant prices.”

That comes via Fashionista. Not mentioned, the issue of Target’s website going down. For hours.

At any rate, it turns out H&M has rules in place to prevent just the kinds of issue outlined above, especially the re-selling of products at online auction sites like ebay.  From The Telegraph here are rules for those shopping in London.

Shoppers will be allowed in stores in groups of 20, with a shopping allowance of just 10 minutes. Customers can only buy one of each item and only in one size to stop customers buying for their friends or bulk-buying popular styles to sell on eBay.

Fashionista also has been been told the guidleines will be similar for US shoppers. Of course, the biggest distinction between this launch and Missoni for Target is the lack of online sales, the giant retailer isn’t expected to offer that until next year.

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We have two quick Sales & Savings Opportunities to pass on, the first comes via the folks at Vineyard Vines, a reminder its Friends & Family promotion offering 25% off everything ends at midnight. Use promo code FAMILY to receive the discount.

Also, J. Crew is offering an additional 30% off sale merchandise, both online and in store.

The promotion is good through Sunday night (the 20th), the promo code is MUSTHAVE, it is *not* applicable at factory stores.

About That Ivy Style, Preppy Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, happy Monday!

We begin with a look at Vanity Fair‘s photo piece on the “Hallmarks of Preppy Style“.

Is that poly blend? Three raps over the knuckles with a braided belt! Preppy fashion is all about rules—the standard bearers sniff at synthetics, cleavage, sparkles, and a million other don’ts.

Below, a photo we may have shown previously, Deerfield students in 1961.

Via Vanity Fair

More from the preface to the photo piece:

But those dictates source originally from the “windswept and privileged” attire of 1920s college men, the supposed first to co-opt athletic gear as daywear in an unstudied, thrown-together way.

A 1920s print ad.

Via Vanity Fair

Back to the Vanity Fair writeup:

Preppy, released on October 4 from Rizzoli, lays out the evolution of Ivy style in a sleeker, glossier way than all those prep-devoted Tumblrs you’ve probably seen. Here we trace the touchstones of the look, from Jack Kennedy’s flannels to coltish Ralph Lauren models and the original Lacoste croc.

Photofest via Vanity Fair

As mentioned in the Vanity Fair piece, Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style comes out next week. We are very excited about this one, as soon you will be able to purchase it from The Preppy Princess. And guess where you will be able to enter a giveaway for the book at some point in the not-too-distant future?

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The Vanity Fair piece mentioned above also includes a look at legendary adman David Ogilvy, inspiration for the hit television show Mad Men. That is the perfect lead-in to our next topic, the cast and crew of the show are back at work.  (It is about time.)  The Daily Mail has a variety of images of the cast getting back to work in this story we wanted to share with Preppy 101. Below we show Roger and Don John Slattery and Jon Hamm.

Splash/Splash/GSI-Barcroft Media

The show returns in January.

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One other quick item of note, Casa Sugar’s Ivy League Americana photo montage.

Casa Sugar

From the story:

It certainly screams prep, but there’s a definite elegance in the look above. Deep rosewood hues and tartan plaid make me smell the East Coast Autumn air. And despite the fact that Thomas Chippendale was a Brit, his iconic, ornate Chippendale design is also a huge influence in this style. His cabinetry was reserved for the upper echelon of society in colonial America.

Click here to see the entire piece.

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There are also a few Sales and Savings opportunities you may find to be of interest. It is that time of year between back-to-school and Christmas when retailers boost sales through other promotional efforts, there are several Friends and Family offerings.

Lands’ End is doing Friends and Family, 25% off everything, just go to the site and you will see the information.

Lands’ End

Brooks Brothers is also offering 25% off in its Friends and Family promotion.

Brooks Brothers

To receive a 25% discount at Brooks Brothers, use promo code 11FRIEND.

Speaking of Brooks Brothers, flash sale site Rue La La is doing a sale on Brooks’ Handbags starting tomorrow at 11am.

Rue La La

There is also a men’s Brooks Brothers sale at Rue La La tomorrow, along with Sebago, makers of good boat shoes and moccasins.

Rue La La

And finally, J. Crew Factory is 30% off through Wednesday night.

J. Crew Factory

This is online only, use promo code SHOPNOW to receive the discount.

That is it for today, goodbye until next time!

Is There A Change at J. Crew?

Hello-Hello and welcome to a new week here at the Prepatorium, we appreciate you stopping in for a visit.

We begin today with an update on J. Crew, a brand we haven’t spent much time chatting about recently.  Canada’s Globe and Mail took a look at the company in advance of its first Canadian store opening.  J. Crew Primping for its Canadian Debut examines some of the retailer’s recent business decisions, this initial portion references CEO Mickey Drexler.

Customers were complaining that his stores no longer carried the “cafe Capri” women’s cropped pants. The shelves were stocked with too many ruffled tops and mini-skirts, and too few classics such as Italian cashmere sweaters, ballet flats and knee-length pencil skirts.

Mr. Drexler felt the pain. The missteps caused J. Crew Group Inc. to stumble financially. Today….he feels the pressure to once again generate the fashion hits for which he is famous.”

We selected a few examples relative to what the story discusses, beginning with Crew’s Schoolboy Madras Blazer, an item more in keeping with what customers would consider the brand’s heritage.  Although the shrunken cut may fit too snugly, at least the garment harkens back to the brand’s ‘preppy roots.’  On the other hand, while a pencil skirt is always in style, efforts to ‘update’ the look don’t work in the ‘Pleated Pencil Skirt‘ seen lower right, the detail at the hip is unlikely to flatter anyone bigger than a Size 2. (As a sometimes Size 4 we figure we’re allowed to grip about such things.)

Back to the Globe & Mail’s story:

J. Crew’s recent fashion errors underline Mr. Drexler’s strengths and challenges. He knew quickly last summer that some of the new younger styles weren’t working, and that the stores were under-stocked on classics.

More pieces probably unpopular with “old style” core customers include things like an Heirloom Lace Vest originally priced at $295, and a $150 Sequin Sweatshirt (now $99), garments that are simply not going to work for many. 

More from the story:

We skewed a little younger than we should have – a little more trendy,” Mr. Drexler….said in an interview…“We ran out of a lot of our best-sellers. When you don’t have enough of the best, you skew too young – you have a tough time. It happened. Right now it’s kind of fixed.”

Other items in the too trendy category would likely include the Mona Shirtdress (left) and the $995 Plumage Skirt, covered in feathers, now on sale for $599.

We thought the company did a decent job maintaining a core of perfectly acceptable pieces, much like the Cotton Dress shown below.

To be fair, we never encountered any difficulty finding basic cashmere pieces, like the sweater below.

Via J. Crew

But then we didn’t look very often, at least not in the last several years. Once a core customer is turned off by a brand’s offerings they are not as likely to pay casual visits to the retailer, either in person or online. There are too many other choices available in the marketplace, the retailing landscape too crowded.

One of the more interesting things about the story is the way Mr. Drexler is referenced throughout the piece, here is one example essentially saying the company is dependent upon his talents:

“Drexler is human and obviously made some mistakes last year,” said Mark Cohen, a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York and a former CEO of Sears Canada. “The good news about a one-man band is that, when in tune, the melody is awfully sweet. But when it’s off-key, the music is awful.

There is no reference to J. Crew’s President and Creative Director, Jenna Lyons.  However, it is possible the appeal she holds for many of the firm’s customers in the US won’t carry across the border until people are more familiar with J. Crew’s offerings.

In efforts to better engage customers the company has embraced social media, growing the content on its website in addition to using Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. For example, as in previous seasons, the fall lookbook is now available online.

Via J. Crew Tumblr

Here are three looks from the Fall 2011 line.

Via J. Crew

We do hope J. Crew is able to right the ship, for years the company did *many* things very well. More from this fall’s line.

Via J. Crew

What do you think, is the company getting back to styles you are more comfortable with?

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We leave you with a bright and fun image, actually a fundraiser for the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

National Aquarium

The limited-edition Lilly Pulitzer scarf is a fundraiser for the Aquarium, available now at the Aquarium’s gift shop. Here is a better look at the detail in the pattern.

National Aquarium

For an *outstanding* post on the topic, visit Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore.

Until next time, g’bye!

An Anti-Prep Bigger than the Royals? Prepalicious Sales & Savings, Friday Fun

Hello-Hello, and happy weekend to everyone.

Because of the holiday weekend we are brief, and primarily focused on lighter fare, Monday’s post is always solemn enough.

We begin with several tidbits of note:

• Sadly, this morning marked the end for Elaine’s, an Upper East Side mainstay for decades. Elaine Kaufman ran the restaurant for more than 40 years, until her death late last year. Even if you never actually went to Elaine’s, you may well have seen its interior, Woody Allen’s Manhattan was filmed at the legendary spot.
• There is an abundance of rumors that Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively is seeing the newly-single Leo DiCaprio. (Oh my!)

FAME photo via The Blemish

More from Fox News:

“DiCaprio also happens to be on the rebound. He just split with 25-year-old Israeli supermodel Bar Rafaeli, and they’re known to be on-and-off.”

• In our Monday post about the Chelsea Flower Show we forgot to include the Hunter boots done in Royal Horticultural Society prints, they really are darling.

Hunter/RHS

•  Our final tidbit involves one of the original Anti-Preps, Kim Kardashian. It is actually more of a “Help Me Understand,” as  we are genuinely befuddled, this CBS News headline explains the subject of our dismay.

Kim Kardashian will out-do the royal wedding, sister says

Seth Browarnik/startraksphoto.com via E! Online

Here is more from an E Online! story by Marc Malkin:

“It’s going to be royal wedding number two,” sister Khloé told me earlier today while promoting the new season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. “I could only imagine Kim having the hugest wedding.”

Little the varying family members have done is surprising, but in this instance we admit to being taken aback, and must ask those more knowledgeable about the cast of characters: really?? Really truly??

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We move on now to our weekend roundup of fiscally friendly Sales & Savings opportunities:

• Talbots is offering an additional 25% off already-reduced sale and clearance merchandise.
• Polo Ralph Lauren is promoting an extra 25% off “select already-reduced styles”
• At Polo Ralph Lauren outlet stores the offer includes savings of “25% on select styles” plus an additional 20% off  your entire purchase

PLR

• Be cognizant of what the promotional literature for the J. Crew Factory “sale” is offering, which is nothing other than the existing discounts. We aren’t saying there aren’t fiscally friendly prices, but prices are as marked, there is no additional discount being taken.

J. Crew

•  The semi-annual sale at Nordstrom is underway with reductions on women’s and children’s merchandise.

Nordstrom

• Lacoste outlet stores offer 25% off everything in the store.

Lacoste Outlet Stores

• Brooks Brothers Factory stores are offering 40% off your entire purchase
• Ann Taylor is promoting an extra 40% off already-reduced styles, use promo code EXTRA40 at checkout
• At Ann Taylor Loft the deal is even better, 50% off already-reduced merchandise entire purchase
• Saks, Neimans and Barneys all have varying discounts and sales meriting a look; at Bloomies it is the Big Brown Bag sale

Bloomingdale's

Happy Hunting.

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In the Friday Fun portion of our post, a few trinkets that caught our attention; first, the Barbie Dream House Ring.

Via nOir Jewelry

We first saw the ring mentioned at The Fashion Planner blog and just found it fascinating, so we popped over to Jewelry nOir,  where the ring is sold, for a closer look. While not something we would wear, for some reason the ring is intriguing.

Our other fun item is a favorite here at The Prepatorium, it’s Fleet Week in the city.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

That’s the USS New York passing in front of the Statue of Liberty on Wednesday, when events honoring our Marine and Navy corps kick off.  You’ll always find me partial to sailors, my father was a WWII USN officer.  Below, the USS Iwo Jima heads up the Hudson.

Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

God love our troops…

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

And everyone who supports them.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Here’s the USS New York (rear), which was built from steel recovered from the World Trade center attacks, as it goes past the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum.

Kathy Willens/AP Photo

May your weekend be safe and happy. If still thinking about a way to observe the holiday, here are some ideas from the National World War II Museum.

Royal Engagement Photos, Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, it is wonderful to be back blogging again, this week has been simply insane with work at the Princess and volunteer commitments. We couldn’t be more grateful for the Consort’s ease in stepping up to share his wit and wisdom with all of you. 🙂

We begin with a look at the official engagement photos of Kate Middleton and Prince William, something most readers may well have seen already. There are two pictures, here is the more relaxed setting.

Mario Testino

The Prince is wearing a Turnbull & Asser shirt, and it turns out he actually borrowed the sweater he is wearing from photographer Mario Testino, as the pictures were being shot.  Nor is Miss Middleton’s blouse fresh off the rack, more about that in a moment.  But first, here is the more formal photograph.

Mario Testino/Courtesy Photo by Reiss via NYMag

On the right you see the dress worn by Miss Middleton, it is the “Nannette” style by Reiss, a company we hadn’t previously heard of until this week.  Here is more from the company’s blog:

“The Nannette dress that Kate is wearing comes as part of our core dress offering that we are renowned for. While this particular style is not currently available, there will be a version coming out mid January as part of our SS11 collection.”

Miss Middleton is wearing white topaz earrings by Links of London. If we’re not mistaken, it looks like she chose the Hope Egg Earrings.

Links of London

They make a lovely symbol, representing “hope and new life”.

Perhaps the most charming part of the engagement photo story comes via The Telegraph:

“Middleton insisted on dressing herself for the shoot – despite several assistants being on hand with a selection of designer clothes to style her – and chose a cream, silk blouse from high street chain Whistles for one of the portraits. The £95 blouse is over two years old, having featured in the retailer’s autumn/winter 2008 collection.”

The bride to be also did her own makeup.

When the big day comes next April most discussion will be about The Dress.  As they have done previously when it comes to high profile gowns, Women’s Wear Daily asked designers to come up with sketches showing what they might create if asked by the bride to design her gown.

First, a Gucci design that we found attractive.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

J. Crew’s design offers a scooped back.

Courtesy J. Crew via WWD

Next, a sketch from Elizabeth Emanuel, best known for designing Princess Diana’s frothy wedding gown.

Courtesy Elizabeth Emanuel via WWD

Below left we see a Badgley Mischka gown, and on the right, a Jason Wu design.

The Tommy Hilfiger design is seen below left, and the sketch, below right, Lela Rose.

There are loads more sketches to look at, click here to see them all.  We’re guessing our Royal Correspondent, the Queen Bee herself will have some insight on the dress at some point down the road.

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Another noteworthy engagement we learned about courtesy of Miss Coterie Books, that of Lauren Bush and David Lauren.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF

Above the couple is seen at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball last month.  Apparently Mr. Lauren proposed to Miss Bush last Friday at the Met, which happens to be where they went on their first date. Of course, Mr. Lauren is designer Ralph Lauren’s son, while Miss Bush is the niece of former President George Walker Bush, granddaughter of President George Bush.

Miss Bush is also known for her philanthropic work via the Project FEED bags, although now there are things other than bags sold to raise funds for those in need. Below left, Plumpy the FEED 5 Bear, and on the right, the FEED USA Lunch Tote.

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We leave you with several Sales & Savings opportunities, this isn’t intended to be a comprehensive look, merely markdowns at a few shops we are aware of; we start with J. Crew.  Generally the retailer’s online factory outlet is open only Friday-Sunday, but it will be open (in a virtual sense) through the 20th.

Additionally Crew is taking 30% off all Factory prices and off ‘regular’ sale merchandise, use promo code MUSTHAVE at checkout to receive the discount.

Tory Burch has started its winter sale, promising savings “up to 50%’.

Neiman Marcus is taking an additional 30% off all regular and sale-priced cashmere through the 18th.

Talbots has taken markdowns on a sizable amount of fall/winter merchandise, and is also doing 40% off all full-priced accessories through midnight tonight.  Use promo code PRESENT to receive the discount.

A number of Lilly stores are offering excellent deals right now, check with your local shop to see what kind of fiscally friendly price points are available.

A final item of note today, the always delightful Preppy Southern Princess is doing a fun little contest; one lucky winner will receive one of our Lilly Pulitzer photo albums.

With that, we say g’bye until next time, we are off to supervise The Consort the elves here at The Prepatorium as they get all of those orders out the door.