Don't you just love hanging around the nicer men's clothing stores?
I do. All that tweed and tortoise shell and restrained testosterone.
Tons and tons of choices of virtually the same thing all subtly and beautifully well-made.
Not a lot of glitz and flashy color. Decisions quickly made and paid for.
Oh Those Boys. They are such simple creatures.
They can go on long voyages with just a few shirts, a pair of trousers, a pair of shoes and a toothbrush. I could probably do that, too, but it would not be pretty. I need an extra suitcase just for my underwear!
Classic men's styles have barely changed in the past 100 years.
That photo above was taken in the 1960's.
It looks like it was taken Today!
It's a photo from this little book.
Take Ivy was originally published in Japan in 1965 as a style guide to the American Preppy Style that was just becoming popular in that country.
All of these photos are from the book and they look completely contemporary, don't they?
With a few variations in collar length and tie width, my sartorially fabulous husband has worn pretty much the same style since I first met him in the 1980's!
I've included a picture of a Girl in a 1960's shift dress so that you can envision the era but now that I see that Shift...I Want It!!!!
But until I Find a Cute Retro Shift like that one....
I'd like to introduce you to my latest Fan.
Isn't he beautiful? All dark and woodsy. Looks like it belongs in a men's store. My husband spotted it while we were browsing in a consignment shop.
I have trained him well.
Nice simple controls. On/Off. High/Low. Just like the boys.
So today I am borrowing from the Boys.
 |
| Men's Size Large Shirt from Target Men's watch - Timex totally see-through linen dress - Eileen Fisher vintage pewter leather skinny belt - J. Crew vintage orthopedic sandals - Hush Puppies |
Oh Those Boys. I Just Love Boys.
They have the Best Shirts.
Also linking up with my Girl Patti at Visible Monday
Those fashions are bang on trend ... right now. My boys would wear any of them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the men have got it worked out better than us ... but don't tell them ... remember we're always right ;0)
Love the fan ... I've never seen anything like it ... the best we can hope for over here is white plastic ... or stainless steel if we're feeling particularly posh.
xx
My son, too. He loves that retro preppy look and he's in a Punk Band! Go figure.
DeleteConnie, you look all fresh and breezy in your man duds -- and that fan is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteMan we need it today.
DeleteYou look so stylish Connie. I adore those men shirts too. I wear them too. I agree that the Men's Fashion style on the book looks so contemporary! It's a very classic style. Timeless!
ReplyDeleteMen's shirts come in the most beautiful fabrics, don't they?
DeleteThose pictures do look contemporary - until you see the girl with the cigarette in her hand as she comes out of a building. How funny! My Japanese nephew-in-law just showed me a Japanese street style blog that only has photos of Caucasians. They must really like copying us silly Westerners!
ReplyDeleteThe fan is like something out of the movie Brazil - did you ever see it? Very steampunk and beautiful. But not as beautiful as you - or should I say handsome? No, you're beautiful!
I'm not a "fan" of Steam Punk but I do see it now. Brazil. Such a great film.
DeleteThose photos really don't look nearly 50 years old, do they? Even that beautiful shift dress could be worn right now. I am not that interested in men's clothes, to be honest, and the fact that they are all so samey and interchangeable is what I find dull. When we went shopping for Simon's suit, shirt and shoes last year (for my Sister's Big Party), I realised how boring men's clothing is - "tons and tons of choice of virtually the same thing" is exactly right!
ReplyDeleteYou, on the other hand, are NEVER boring! I love the shirt layered and belted over the see-through dress, and your latest fan is a very handsome beast. A well-trained man and a simple on/off switch, these I do appreciate! xxxxx
The more we change the more we stay the same.
DeleteI love mens clothing, unlike so much of women's modern stuff the finish the quality is far superior and I get quite excited when I come across a beautifully made Harris Tweed jacket, cashmere overcoat and Italian silk ties in chazzas.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I've ever been in a shop like that but love the window displays.
That "preppy" fashion was exclusively American and never caught on over here. That girl's shift is gorgeous and you look so cutrein your belted, oversized shirt posing next to that gorgeous fan! x
I think English men's clothing is some of the most beautiful in the world.
DeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed strange, and so, that men's fashions in dress have changed very little over the years and what you show here is very, very stylish in that 'preppy' kind of way.
Now, as for your fan. What a find! We should have no difficulty in placing that and clearly, making it even more desirable, in good working order. Lucky you.
Someone once told me that my style was preppie punk. Hmmmm....
DeleteThat fan is a brilliant find!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from France and am on my way to British Columbia tomorrow but I was talking with my husband about the very same thing...it is so easy for men to pack. They don't need different shoes for each outfit, just a couple pairs of pants and tons of shirts.
It is the small details in menswear that have changed over the years. The size of the lapels, the number of pockets, etc. My husband is very well versed on what look is recent and what isn't. I find that now though, with vintage clothing we are blurring the lines more and more between what was worn in the past and what we can wear now and still look contemporary.
bisous
Suzanne
Bienvenue! How was your trip?
DeleteOoooh yes! I can see you in the shift, obviously without the cigarette but definitely with a handsome sidekick. Menswear is certainly quite classic, tweed and tortoiseshell is rather lovely, makes a man look quite clever. Dave's clothing has always been pretty much the same, apart from a couple of unfortunate shirts he was fond of (of course it's his choice to wear a zipped shirt, it was my choice to not like it.....a lot hehe!) your fan is spectacular! what a good husband you have! I couldn't possibly show our white plastic monstrosity! and of course you look absolutely gorgeous in your gingham shirted outfit! x x x
ReplyDeleteEvery other fan in our house is of the white plastic variety. So boring.
DeleteI've been swiping shirts from the men in my life for years-they don't make French cuff shirts for women these days, which is a shame. You look nice and cool, and I love your sandals, ortho or not. Someday I will find a fan that doesn't look like a piece of institutional equipment.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you have been chic since birth!
DeleteThat shift dress is so pretty with its frilly bottom and the colour is divine! Great score on the fan, and well done to hubby, oh and well done to you for training him so well. Loved the old photos, that style is still doing the rounds with the likes of my not quite 19 year old son and his mates.
ReplyDeleteYeah, those teens love that norm core.
DeleteI'm loving your take on menswear - I might just have to borrow one of my husband's shirts and copy you. :)
ReplyDeleteThis actually MY shirt. MINE!!! I really do like to shop for myself in the men's section.
DeleteAh, Connie! A woman after my own heart! You do "one of the boys" so well - classy and elegant with a soupcon of sass. I expected no less from you. Thanks for linking up and enjoy that fan; I agree with Val - it's so very steampunk and you have trained the hubby well! :D
ReplyDeleteI love the tomboy look but alas my boobs are to big so I do the "boyfriend" look instead.
DeleteI love what you did with the belted shirt over the dress! Very cool. Stopping by from Thoughtful Third Thursday :)
ReplyDeleteAlex
undergraduatestyle.blogspot.com
In the 1950's college girls wore big boy's shirts with their jeans. That would be a good RA look for you!
DeleteOh aren't you just gorgeous?! My hubby has a lovely shirt that I've never considered nicking. Until today...!! x
ReplyDeleteNab that shirt, Wendy!
DeleteThat fan is gorgeous and well done on your hubby making himself useful and spotting it in the consignment store. You look lovely in that man's shirt and sounds like it is serving a useful function too if that linen dress is totally see-through!
ReplyDeleteThat fan was a real find.
DeleteWhat a great post New follower here Nice to see some men's clothes featured Looking forward to more of your posts !
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nycstylelittlecannoli.com/
NYC? Cannoli? I'm looking forward to more of YOUR posts!
DeleteYay, borrow from the boys. I want a pair of preppy loafers (but in black!) so bad I can taste it. I see that girl in the shift, and I want her cigarette!
ReplyDeleteNice fan.
Ha ha! Of COURSE you want a cigarette. I was just admiring some black loafers at the Bass Weejun outlet!
DeleteYou're right. They all do look contemporary. And you are adorable. And the fan is gorgeous. Your posts always make me happy.
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of you the other day as I was out walking... I posted about it today in my blog. xox
I saw your post about yarn bombing and I LOVED it!
DeleteYou look cute as a button in that boy's outfit. Sort of tomboyish, in the best possible way, because you don't look like a boy. Gosh, aren't those pictures fab? I love a proper old fashioned haberdasher with wooden fittings and drawers with collars in and wonderful tweed jackets and moleskin trousers. And proper old fashioned shop windows. Maybe a nice old fan.. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteOld fashioned shop windows really are nice, aren't they!
Deleteluff da boy shirt and fan good too yesh luv it all good men bild shoppinmolls from toothpix
ReplyDeleteTee hee. Toothpix. Yikes!
DeleteYes, men are simple when it comes to style. The only time my husband changes his look is under my stern eye : > Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday! xo
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Keep your eye on that man!
Deletethe men's shirt only really works when you're tiny, like you are. I'd need a men's XXL to get that same look, and I think I'd just look sloppy & not feminine. I dunno.
ReplyDeleteSo get an XXL. I think e etybody looks cute in an oversized men's shirt. Everybody!
DeleteConnnnniiiiieeee! Love your shirt and skirt ... sweet with your little belt and sandals. I'm in awe of the fan and that your fella found it. Clever you, clever him! 60's Prep is back in a big way, isn't it? You are such a "girl" hanging out in the men's department! I love it all. Such a trip down memory lane ... that was my era, although there was a west coast, slightly beach-ier version ... remember madras plaid shorts and bathing suits?
ReplyDeleteOh men's shirts are the best aren't they? so comfy and they just hang so nicely! Take Ivy is such a great book too, I love all that preppy style even if I can't really pull it off! Thank you so much for the sweet comment on my blog. Lally X
ReplyDeleteThose fashions haven't dated at all. Love men's shirts. Your look gorgeous in your outfit. Your fan is quite something too. Well done to your hubby on spotting it.xx
ReplyDeleteHi Connie!!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for your sweet and lovely comment! Makes my day!
I am LOVING your heavenly new fan!!! EEEK!
My G and I rarely visit mens stores, perhaps the choice is better over there, but here it's DIRE and G finds it all too depressing!!!
XXX
I've always worn a man's watch!!
ReplyDeleteyou look glorious x
ReplyDeleteYou're looking super cute! Love the book too, how good looking are all those boys?
ReplyDeleteHugs!!!
I love the classic men's style! And yes, it is still very contemporary!! Beautiful, beautiful post...you look great wearing a male style shirt on a linen dress...
ReplyDelete