Tag Archives: nautical fashion

A Different Crew Clothing, Gwyneth for Coach, Wedding Preps

Hello-Hello, happy Tuesday, we’re so glad you popped in for a visit, we don’t say that nearly enough. Thank you reading our goofy blog.

Today we begin with a look at something new, at least for us, Crew Clothing.

Crew Clothing

The company is based in the UK.

Crew Clothing UK

Crew carries loads of fascinating styles, the good news is that they ship to the US.

Crew Clothing

A number of their basics look appealing.

Crew Clothing UK

A bit of background on the retailer via Think Local UK:

“Crew started life way back in 1993 when Alistair Parker-Swift found himself running a successful windsurfing company in Devon during the summer, and spending his winters in France as part of England’s ski team.

The brand’s roots are thoroughly planted in the UK coastline, celebrating heritage and history with classic designs.”

To say I am fond of the Gerty Plimsolls (sneakers) would be the understatement of the decade.

Crew Clothing UK

The company offers a jacket favored by those inspired by the so-called Gossip Girl look, theirs is the Rowley Blazer.

Crew Clothing Company

But anyone seeking upscale dresses and business suits will have to look elsewhere, Crew’s designs are targeted to a casual, outdoor lifestyle. The company also carries a full range of menswear.

Crew Clothing Company

The Consort is more-than-fond of his sweatshirts; on a frequent basis rare occasions yours truly has swiped borrowed one or two.

Crew Clothing Company

These look like they have a high snuggle factor, we like that. 🙂

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We have a few quick updates, beginning with word that über-prep Gwyneth Paltrow is the new brand ambassador for Coach.  The job comes at a propitious time, the company is planning a significant media blitz starting in September, they are celebrating the firm’s 70th Anniversary.  Women’s Wear Daily broke the story:

““I grew up in New York City and I’ve always thought of Coach as the quintessential New York brand,” Paltrow said. “I’ll never forget getting my first Coach bag.”

Something else we stumbled upon, new treasures from Nautical Luxuries, a Princess favorite. Below, the Signal Flags Custom Initial Bracelet:

Nautical Luxuries

If seeking a more dramatic look, the Code Flag Link Bracelets a different style statement altogether.

Nautical Luxuries

If looking for the perfect thank you gift after a week on your friend’s boat, perhaps the Custom Nautical Scarf will fit the bill, these are handpainted to order, you can select up to 20 flags (letters).

Nautical Luxuries

A more understated look is found with the Tiny Rope Anchor Earrings from a fabulous shop, Giles and Brother.

Giles & Brother

Giles & Brother offers other treasures, including the Luck Love and Hope necklace (L) and the Nautilus necklace .

Sadly, we can waste while away more time looking at nautically inclined treasures than we care to admit.

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It’s no secret that we enjoy gazing at chapeaux here at The Prepatorium and Easter Sunday presents prime viewing opportunities; the Royals are top-notch in this department.

Pool Photo by Oli Scarff/AP

From left to right: Princess Eugenie, Sophie Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew, Tim Lawrence, the Duke of York, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Princess Ann.  Below, a better view of the styles worn by Princess Beatrice (L) and Princess Eugenie (R).

Getty Images / Reuters

Both young ladies are sure to be all dolled up come Friday.

Speaking of Friday, the media has descended en masse for the continuing overkill coverage; we are reveling in every minute, although our schedule has kept those minutes to a minimum.  Below, a seaman at HMS Collingwood naval base is photographed; the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will be part of the 1,000+ military personnel lining  the route from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

At times like this one is forced to take photos of other people taking photos. (We are not being scornful, having directed many others to do the same during our years in the vast wasteland business.)

Getty Images

We’ve not had time to watch much coverage on television, but presume there have been many wide shots of the media village and other facilities created for the wedding.  The work put into building adequate structures and technical capabilities has been immense.

Kieran Doherty/Reuters

The Times has an excellent article about the British celebrities US networks are using in their coverage of the wedding.

“Because every network will be sharing the same camera feeds of the royal wedding on Friday morning, they have competed fiercely to sign up on-air talent in an attempt to make their hours and hours (and hours) of coverage stand out.”

Via The New York Times

A few bullet points, all from Brian Stelter’s story in the Times:

  • ABC’s biggest booking was probably Ms. Nicholl, whose book “William and Harry: Behind the Palace Walls” was published a week before the wedding date was announced.
  • ABC’s other contributors will include Tina Brown, the Newsweek and Daily Beast editor; one of Princess Diana’s bridesmaids, India Hicks; and a former press secretary for Prince William, Colleen Harris.
  • Mr. Morgan, who is British, said what he wants out of his guests on “Piers Morgan Tonight,” his 9 p.m. show on CNN, are personal stories and anecdotes. He said he would be recalling a private lunch he had with Princess Diana and Prince William when the prince was 13 years old.

We sympathize with anyone covering the event, working with pool feeds creates daunting challenges in terms of distinguishing yourself from competitors.  Perhaps the best way a network might differentiate itself from the pack would be to invoke a “less is more” philosophy, minimizing the amount of chatter, allowing the pictures and natural sound to tell a good part of the story.

The Guardian also has a splendid article, talking about the plethora of “royal experts” and some of the alleged “inside information” being bandied about, including one outrageous rumor that Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, would be speaking at this wedding (the ‘Katie’ mentioned below references Ms. Nicholl):

“And so to Katie’s most recent dispatch, which goes big on the fact that “William’s uncle, Charles Spencer … will have no formal role” in the wedding service – though he “had been expected to deliver an address”. Had been expected by whom, you might wonder? Meth addicts? People without access to media since 1986?”

BBC presenter Huw Edwards offers excellent insight on covering the wedding, here are a few tidbits from his post:

  • The homework is essential.
  • There will be a mountain of paper but most of that will not be accessible when we’re on air.
  • Let’s just say it’s a good memory test.

An FYI for readers, you can download the most recent media briefing released by Clarence House, complete with lists of invitees, the seating arrangements at the Abbey, and a very (v-e-r-y)  precise schedule detailing exactly who is supposed to be where at what time. Just click here to go to the Official Royal Wedding website.

Below, in preparation of the event an Irish Guardsman is measured last week for his uniform.  Guards soldiers just back from Afghanistan are preparing for ceremonial duties, Prince William is the Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Regardless of who is doing the commentary, one must admit no one does pomp and pageantry better than our friends across the sea.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty

Anyone tasked with working on preparations will tell you it is all in the details.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty

Tilly was intrigued by Conmael, an Irish Wolfhound and mascot for the unit.

Peter MacDiarmid/Getty Images

We leave you with a few images from the last royal wedding receiving this kind of attention.

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Via Elite Choice

Via Breakfast with Fashion

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Filed under Gossip Girl, nautical, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, Royal Wedding

Ann Taylor Spring, Dior Couture, That Kate Middleton Nail Polish

Hello-Hello, welcome to a new week! There is just all manner of fun and frolicking to deal with, unfortunately we have to make this one of those goofy Mon-uesday posts, we are crazy busy.

We can’t say that spring has sprung (for it most assuredly has not), but at least we can gaze upon more images of spring clothing and accessories.  We begin with these photos of the spring/summer Ann Taylor line via Women’s Wear Daily.

John Aquino/WWD

The colors are bright.

John Aquino/WWD

From David Moin’s review of the collection in WWD:

“Another surprising combination features a very feminine embroidered pencil skirt paired with a long silk tunic top. Ann Taylor also showed a black jumpsuit that seemed a little daring for the collection, though Axelson noted it would be sold only in urban locations.”

John Aquino/WWD

Next, Gap has also released images of its spring campaign.

Gap

The emphasis remains on basic pieces.

Gap

Frequent readers won’t be surprised to hear us say that we won’t shed any tears if some of the ruffles and daytime sequins disappear. (Cratchety old lady.) The retailer continues to show strength in denim.

Gap

Because the Brooks Brothers spring/summer collections offer such promise for the tiny preps at your palace, we have a few more photos from that group.

Brooks Brothers

We couldn’t resist sharing some of these with Nautical by Nature, as there is definitely a seagoing influence seen in many of the pieces.

The anchor motif is also present in the young men’s spring collection.

We like these.

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Because we do make rather pathetic efforts at staying on top of certain royal wedding goings-on, a few updates:

Via Getty Images

“Kate Middleton has quit her job at her parents’ online party supplies business to throw herself full time into planning her wedding.”

  • And then there is today’s You Can’t Make This Stuff Up entrant, the “No More Waity Katie” nail polish from Butter London.
Butter London via People

Indeed.

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Once again it is time for the Paris Couture shows and their accompanying eye candy; John Galliano lit things up today at Dior with a number of ‘red hot’ styles.

Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway via Vogue UK

There were also cotton candy colors.

Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway via Vogue UK

As always with the House of Dior, textiles and details were extraordinary.

Gianni Pucci/GoRunway.com via Vogue UK

The silhouettes were simply stunning, many reminiscent of Dior’s “New Look” from the 1940s, perfect for Betty Draper’s first season of Mad Men.

Yannis

Sigh.

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Recognizing and respecting this may be a mournful Monday for some football fans we move to our final topic, an issue without any partisan baggage. It started with a Facebook conversation started by a dear friend.

Courtesy The Chip-Muh

Ensuing comments included the following exchanges:

Courtesy Chip-Muh & The Consort

Naturally this followed:

Courtesy Chip-Muh and The Princess

It all leaves us with a question for our friends speaking Texan and other dialects: what phrases would you include for translation in this version of Rosetta Stone?

With a giggle, we say g’bye until next time!

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Filed under nautical, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle, Updates, You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Nautical Notes, Lilly Warehouse Sale Info & Hamster Shoes

Hello-Hello, we hope everyone is enjoying their Tuesday.

We’re in that much-too-crazy zone created by TP’s the social secretary’s challenging time-management plan. (AKA insane over-scheduling.) Thus, another One Topic Tuesday, albeit something of a variation: the post is all images, but they’re unrelated other than by our fondness or fascination with them!

We are nothing if not nautically inclined here at the Prepatorium, so we begin with a few more treasures we have stumbled across of late, the first several items are from Elegant Baby.

If not concerned about matchy-matchy:

The Nautical Patch onesie from Old Navy made us smile, the socks are also cute.

The Sailor Dress is suited to more formal occasions; we think it qualifies as a Pretty in Pink, don’t you?  The dress is also available in navy.

Moving on to grown-up items, we share the Nautical glasses from Up2Code.com

Up2Code.com

Next, another Pretty in Pink…and Green; meet the Candy Stripe Tote by Dooney & Bourke.

No one will be surprised to learn we are rather fond of our own Scout Totes ($30), also perfect for a trip to the beach.

Our Uptown Totes ($21.50) are equally big and roomy, the heavy-duty nylon takes a beating.

Uptown Tote

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Moving away from the beachside theme, we have two tidbits that may be of interest, the first is an update on this spring’s Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale.

The fun begins at 5am June 9th at the Valley Forge Convention Center, click here for more info.

And a quick note about another Gossip Girl star on a magazine cover:

PHOTO: Mario Testino via Vogue.com

This is the second Vogue cover for Blake Lively; quite a coup. There is also a sizable photo feature, below the actress in a Versace dress.

Mario Testino via Vogue.com

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And finally, a Help Us Understand candidate that didn’t make it into this post.

If Shoes Could Kill

There are no words.

On that bizarre note, g’bye until next time.

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Filed under Gossip Girl, Help Me Understand, nautical, preppy, Preppy Fashion, Preppy People, Pretty in Pink, Sales & Savings

Down to the Sea & Other Friday Fun

Happy, Happy, Happy Friday! Is it simply glorious where you are? Hopefully that is the case, spring has sprung in a major way here at the Prepatorium. The sun and gentle breezes are beckoning, and our resistance to stepping outside is waning. Rapidly.

Therefore today’s post is short, touching briefly on a few morsels that may hold appeal.  We begin with word of a fun post over at Refinery 29, “All Aboard for a Fresh Take on Nautical“.

Photo Montage by Refinery29.com

The story features all sorts of pieces with nautical influences, with some items coming from brands many readers enjoy, like Sperry and J. Crew, to others not commonly showcased in this space, such as Wren and Pixie Market.

Montage by Refinery29.com

We very much enjoyed their take on the look.

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Next is a post we mentioned yesterday on our Facebook page, from online style magazine Fashionista.  The story’s title provides the focus: “Who Does Preppy Classics Best? Lands’ End Canvas vs. L.L. Bean Signature?’

Author Lauren Sherman compares and contrasts several elements from each brand, a timely topic with LL Bean Signature officially launching over this week.

Fashionista.com

While not terribly in-depth, the story does make an interesting read.

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We close with a few images in our “Friday Fun” category. The first is of a delightful customer heading out the door with her Lilly Market Bags.

Thank you Brittnee!

Our thanks to Brittnee for sharing with all of us!

The second image is today’s Pretty in Pink, without a doubt, an item we originally learned about via our friend Bumby at the Preppy Chronicles.

Courtesy Photo via Luxist

This would be a new Fiat 500C, not the first Fiat in pink, but it is the first convertible in our favorite shade.

On that fun vision, we leave you with a reminder about our amazing Spring Fling Thing, and a hope that your weekend is utterly divine. You deserve it.

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Filed under Lilly Pulitzer Paper & Gifts, nautical, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle, Pretty in Pink

A Preppy Idol Contestant? Felix Rey at Target Online Early!

Hello-Hello everyone, and Happy, Happy Friday!

We apologize for the lack of a post yesterday, but the ever-so-wonderful Consort took us out for a late lunch as a surprise, and then we both dawdled with the Brownie Bomb dessert we shared. It was really over the top delicious. Way. Over. The. Top.

We thought we might share a few rather mindless tidbits today, things that won’t tax anyone’s brain, as it has been a long week…oui?

We start with an outstanding invention, updated once again: the Kitchen-Aid 90th Anniversary Mixer, as seen in this slide from Business Week.

005_kitchenaid90thannmixer

Courtesy KitchenAid via Business Week

The Business Week information says the Mixer is available now, but we could not locate it on the KitchenAid website. All we know is that we *love* the idea of the clear bowl!

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Next on the hit parade, a question we have that will eliminate any doubts readers may harbor about residents of the Prepatorium being “hip.” We are asking if this young man is appropriately referred to as “preppy”?

Courtesy American Idol

Courtesy American Idol

Apparently he is a contestant on the wildly popular American Idol television show; following is a snippet from the LA Times blog American Idol Tracker:

“Nor will Anoop Desai’s survival…(be a )surprise… considering the wholesome heat the preppy pinup projects.”

Is he a “preppy pin-up” in your estimation?

Courtesy American Idol

Courtesy American Idol

Wholesome heat. Indeed.

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WWD recently carried a story on the Fall 2009 collection from Nautica.

Photo By Asha Fuller

Photo By Asha Fuller

We love the location the company selected for their presentation of the collection: aboard the USS Intrepid.

Photo by Asha

Photo by Asha Fuller

A wise choice from a marketing perspective, as it may reinforce a belief that Nautica actually has seagoing roots, which it does not.

Because yours truly is such a selfish beast, we far prefer gazing at the brand’s apparel for women. How do you like their Boat Couture collection?

Nautica.com

Nautica.com

There is loads to love with this group, it is that simple. Now anyone who has spent any time on a boat knows “Boat Couture” is almost an oxymoron, unless one is planning to be a guest on an ELB (Extra Large, or Excessively Large Boat), but that’s not what this is all about. It is about goodies like the Cotton Cashmere Anchor Sweater.

Nautica.com

Nautica.com

Available in two colorways, machine-washable and only $78, this one merits consideration for your sweater collection. For a fun little top, the Pima Cotton Sail Tee is not only darling, but also fiscally-friendly.

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There are so many other divine pieces, we may need to do an entirely separate post! We’ll cease our shrieking about the fabulosity by showing the little Girl’s Stinson Canvas Tote.

Nautica.com

Nautica.com

At only $19.50 we can overlook the twitches arising from a mild case of Logophobia, and instead sing the praises of the bow and the madras. A reminder: to the best of our knowledge Nautica no longer does women’s clothing for retail stores, they are only making it available online. (Sniff.)

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A quick heads-up on the Felix Rey for Target Collection due in stores this Sunday, March 29.  Most of the Collection is now available online, twelve pieces are shown on the site.

Felix Rey for Target

Felix Rey for Target

Above we show the Envelope Clutch with Shell in blue. For more on this line, as well as a look at the soon-to-be-released Miss Trish of Capri for Target collection, just check this post.

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Frequent readers are familiar with our Pretty In Pink feature, which is precisely as it sounds. While this next item is pink, personal taste prevents it fitting in the PIP category, so we’ll simply say “Here is a _____ in Pink.”

Courtesy Shuella.com

Courtesy Shuella.com

Yes, they are back: the Shuella shoe/boot covers are all ready for upcoming April showers.

For today’s actual Pretty in Pink we are ever-so-happy to feature two darling girls whom we have known for ages. Really. For. Ages.

Meet Pete and Wendy, two charming, bright, witty and beautiful dolls we more-than-adore. Wendy is the whiz behind The Princess website look, and Pilar is someone we have known since she was…. well, you just don’t want to know! (Her mother is TP’s closest friend after The Consort & The Queen Mother.)

Knowing they would be sending us photos of their days scampering about southern California, they dressed in their best Princess colors. (We could almost have this picture do double-duty as an Adventure in Argyle.)

In fact, we told Petey we didn’t care about her follow-through form, it was all about the wardrobe.

What a terrible message for us to send these young ladies, both still at an impressionable age…sigh.  Naughty Princess.

On that note, we hope you are able to enjoy some Pretty in Pink of your own this weekend!

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Filed under Argyle, nautical, Prepalicious, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle, Pretty in Pink