Tennis Fashions, Serious Sales of a Prepalicious Sort

Hello everyone, it is another delightful summer day here at the Prepatorium, we hope it is the same wherever you may be today!

We begin with the tennis fashions debuting across the pond at Wimbledon. (WARNING: Readers may want to be sure small children are safely away with Nanny in case the following photo is so shocking it provokes an unwitting shriek or scream to escape one’s mouth.)

TP begs your forgiveness for distributing such wretched images, but we are sworn to report on such things, despite the trauma inflicted on our psyche.

PHOTO: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

For openers: Roger Federer, gold lame and Nike are five words that ought never be used together at the same time. It’s just plain wrong. Gold lame?  This is a substance best kept far away from the sporting world, with the possible exceptions of figure skating and gymnastics.

This story from the Times of London does a stellar job describing the look, invoking an Anti-Prep in the process:

“Even if the all-white uniform evaded the attention of any Taleban snipers, their gaze would surely be caught by the sun glinting off the gold ends of Federer’s luggage. That bag looked like something Paris Hilton would take to a spa. Perhaps there was a chihuahua inside.”

The jacket brought flashbacks of the Nehru collar favored in the 60’s, while the body had a distinctly military look. It gets worse, as underneath the jacket was a vest that almost looked like it belonged under a dinner jacket.

PHOTO: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Fortunately the fashion disaster was quickly forgotten as play got underway and Mr. Federer readily dispensed with his first opponent.  How do we all feel about the return of last year’s Tennis Cardigan? A good alternative to this week’s look?

PHOTO: K Lamarque/Reuters

Also sporting an interesting jacket over their working clothes, Maria Sharapova.

PHOTO: Toby Melville/Reuters

Nike is also the company behind Ms. Sharapova’s dress, likened to a majorette’s costume by some. We find it more-than-attractive, especially on someone as lovely as she.  Everyone remembers 2008’s Tuxedo Dress to-do, yes? Come now, one can’t have forgotten last year’s Wimbledon Fashion Fracas already! (If visiting the link, do scroll down for the story.)

And wrapping up our Nike-clad trio of players today, Serena Williams was in a jacket reminiscent of a classic British macintosh.

PHOTO: Clive Brunskill/Getty

We think she looks smashing.

As always with this topic, we suggest readers pop over for a visit with Rich at Down the Line Tennis for the inside story.

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A quick follow-up to yesterday’s post on the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece expansion.

PHOTO: Courtesy Brooks Brothers

Above, styles by Thom Browne, the Black Fleece designer. Not only is Brooks adding two standalone Black Fleece stores, they intend to add 40 stores in Mexico.  Today’s WWD story on the expansion provides more insight on both developments.

When speaking specifically about the Black Fleece customer, Brooks CEO Claudio Del Vecchio has an interesting perspective:

“…Black Fleece customers have responded to having their own separate location, noting, “I’m not sure those customers are comfortable coming to Madison Avenue.”

We can’t imagine why. The company is also planning its first Country Club store that isn’t located at a resort; this new emporium will be in Seattle.

Oddly, the following photos are just into the Prepatorium, a look from today’s Moncler Gamme Bleu Men’s Spring 2010 Collection.

PHOTO: Davide Maestri/WWD

Guess the designer. Not sure?

PHOTO: Davide Maestri/WWD

Check the length of the pants.  Yes, indeed, it is Mr. Browne showing this collection at Milan Fashion Week, currently underway in Italy.

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We move now to some fabulous Sales & Savings opportunities, beginning with the retailer mentioned above, Brooks Brothers, offering 50% off in stores with deeper discounts available online.

Next, one of our favorites, Vineyard Vines.

The markdowns include the Anchor Turtle Bay Tee, now $24.99.

There is a significant amount of merchandise still available as of this writing.

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J. Crew is also doing another of their Final Sale promotions.

J. Crew

Including the Boy’s Pacific Madras Blazer, originally $135, now $49.99.

We have just been advised of a late-breaking appointment, so we shall close with the Keep Company Homer shoe, in the Watermelon color combination.

May your afternoon be sunny and bright!