Michael Phelps Resurfaces, Gossip Girl Spinoff & Who is President Obama Wearing to the Inauguration?

Hello-Hello!

If there is anyone on your Christmas or Hanukkah list entranced by superstar Michael Phelps, you face no shortage of gift options.  The Olympic Gold Medalist has been named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year; the magazine makes an ideal stocking stuffer.  (BTW, if you are wondering what the athlete is holding on the SI cover, it is his Armani dinner jacket.  His soaking wet, dripping, drenched dinner jacket.)

PHOTO: Courtesy SI

Below, a photo of Mr. Phelps with his swimming coach Bob Bowman, his mother Debbie and sister Hilary at the SI Sportsman of the Year dinner.

PHOTO: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

As an update, Michael’s mother continues her partnership with Chico’s; the Debbie Phelps Collection is still prominently featured on the retailer’s website, although the number of items in the collection seems diminished compared to previous levels.

The Olympic superstar’s new book “No Limits: The Will to Succeed” is out this Tuesday, an ideal gift for any Phelps Phans in your household.

PHOTO: Publishing

And Mr. Phelps is among those featured by GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly) in their Men of the Year special issue.

PHOTO: GQ/Gentleman's Quarterly

Many preps will notice the star still wears his Lacoste Trucker hat, including this trip to visit children at New York’s Beth Israel Hospital on Tuesday.  Most will also recognize the distinctive scarf, although we don’t believe Mr. Phelps has an endorsement arrangement with Burberry as he does with Lacoste.

PHOTO: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

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Also in men’s fashion news, word today which firm President Elect Obama has selected to design his formalwear for the Inauguration. Chicago-based Hart Schaffner Marx is working on his custom-made tuxedo for the Inaugural balls.  Apparently Mr. Obama has not purchased a new tuxedo in fifteen years. We doubt this will be the only addition to the formal apparel hanging in his new walk-in.

Courtesy Hart Schaffner Marx

The President’s tuxedo will be a one-button notch-lapel style, it is being made by union employees, and the basic model retails for $895.  One can look at all the particulars here on the Hart Schaffner Marx site; it is also available at Nordstrom.  But what if extreme cold hits the nation’s Capitol?  According to a story in WWD…

“Homi Patel, president, chairman and chief executive officer of parent Hartmarx Corp. said he is working with the President-elect’s staff to determine whether Obama will wear a suit with a topcoat to the inauguration ceremony.”

In the interest of full disclosure, we must acknowledge some favoritism toward the brand as the Princess Consort is quite fond of his suits from this retailer.

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Two of our delightful readers share comments on their vastly differing experiences with J. Crew following their recent website meltdown.  Miss La Belette Rouge, who first alerted us to the technical problems J. Crew was experiencing, tells us:

“I went to Jcrew yesterday and they adjusted my purchases and gave me the extra 20% off of the things I bought on black friday.”

While the always-wonderful Very Busy Mom with 4 says:

“I am having shipping issues with JCrew–they still have not sent out my stuff. I called and she made the comment that I put in the order on Nov.28 and and that was a Friday and there were no shipments Saturday or Sunday. So I asked about why it was not sent Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday…. She said it would be out today–it better be
Sorry I am still fuming…..”

Clearly J. Crew needs to make things right with all customers deliteriously impacted by the site malfunction.  This is likely to take a substantial cash investment.  As we shared in this post, the company has already spent more than $1,000,000 on “customer accommodations…. and appeasement” following this summer’s technical problems.

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An early Christmas gift for Gossip Girl fans: Variety reports a spinoff of the über-hit series is in the works.

“…. sources say a televised “Gossip Girl” spinoff would not be “The It Girl,” nor would it focus on the character of Jenny Humphrey (the character spun off from the “Gossip Girl” books for “The It Girl”), played on TV by Taylor Momsen.“

The story also notes the spinoff is likely to focus on one of nine primary characters from the show now on the air.

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Vineyard Vines Friends & Family, More Black Friday: J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic

Hello-Hello… we do hope everyone enjoyed a simply splendid weekend!

TP is a little crazed and dazed; here at the Prepatorium the holiday frenzy seems to have commenced earlier than usual!

Let’s start by updating current and expected markdowns, sales & other discounts at retailers specializing in merchandise that tends toward a preppy aesthetic.

We’ll start with the Vineyard Vines, “Friends & Family shopping event” that provides “25% off Your Purchase,” now through midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday, 11.25.08).  The promo code online or by phone is FRIENDS2008.  If shopping in person, take along a copy of this email notice:

There is a really cute Toddler Puffer Vest:

Next, Banana Republic is already doing their “Dressed in Holiday Style” sale online and in stores. The sale runs through Monday, December 1st; we consider this the retailer’s Black Friday sale.

And BR does have a little Wool-blend peacoat the Princess is rather fond of:

The coat comes in a variety of colors and is now $118; originally it sold at $198.

Black Friday at the Banana Republic Factory Stores offers a substantial opportunity for those with the patience and sanity to cope with the crowds: 40% off everything in the store.  Many of the factory stores open at midnight; check your local store to confirm shopping opportunities.

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We do have a new J. Crew discount offer.

Now through 11.29.08

Spend $150 and take 20% off, spend $200 and take 25% off, spend $250 and save 30% off. The promo code on this one is TURKEY. BTW, if you missed our original J. Crew Black Friday post, just click here.

Also, don’t forget, the “take an additional 20% off sale prices” deal ends tonight. TP is guessing that somehow, someway, we’ll see this back *before* the end of next weekend or another incarnation of the offer. Definitely something on Cyber Monday.

If shopping online, the promo code is EXTRA 20.

Neiman Marcus is offering what are truly amazing markdowns for that establishment, certainly  this early in the season.

For example, the  Cole-Haan Air Genie ballerinas are now only $80 from an original price of $175.  Delman’s Quilted Suede Ballerina flats are $117, from $315.

Don’t overlook the markdowns on your favorite brands in apparel and accessories. Below left, from Lacoste we show the Trucker hat, originally $57, now $35. (This is the Lacoste hat Michael Phelps is frequently seen sporting.) And lots of children’s items are also on sale; the Lacoste Zip Sweater that was $95 is now $57.

One of TP’s favorites, Garnet Hill, is starting their Thanksgiving Sale and Clearance now.

Temptation is difficult to resist when it comes to the winter theme Hable pillow covers by Hable, now $34 each. The Painted Wood picture frames are also swell and almost 50% off their original price of $36, now $19.

Arguably today’s “most bang for your buck” item is the cashmere offered at Garnet Hill. Women’s Cashmere V-neck Pullovers are $64, down from $128, as are the Crewneck Cashmere Sweaters.

TP can assure readers that unless something has gone horribly awry, these are excellent additions to one’s walk-in, of good quality and ever-so-snuggly.

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If you like the apron with bright pink circles and/or the Preppy Stripe note cards and would love to have both absolutely free, be sure and leave a comment to this post telling us one thing you are thankful for. Anything at all. Someone’s name even – that’s it! And you’re entered in the Great Preppy Giveaway!

Yesterday we mentioned we would showcase a few items of note in the Vickie’s Secret fashion show.  Should this be declared preppy lingerie?

PHOTO: Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Perhaps our wonderful Nautical by Nature can advise us on the next look… Miss Kate, does it  qualify as officially nautical in your educated estimation?

PHOTO: Jeffrey M. Boan/AP

BTW, the models look absolutely stunning. The show airs on CBS December 3 at 10 o’clock.

We’ll be back!