J. Crew tartan shirt | Polo raw silk tie and Nantucket red chino | Happy Socks sock | Alden boot

Wish List - Nautica Pants

At around $50, these white and bright red Nautica chinos are an excellent value. I have yet to see another such vibrant red on the market this year.

Today's Outfit

Polo Ralph Lauren striped oxford

Polo Ralph Lauren silk knit tie

Burberry navy blazer

Vintage silk pocket square

Diamond Men's Shop Dress Gordon tartan lambswool scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren Preston tan chino

Club Room red socks

Allen Edmonds Randolph shell cordovan loafers

Today's Outfit

Chaps blue oxford shirt

J. Crew silk knit tie, made in Italy

Polo Ralph Lauren hand-knit pima cotton shawl sweater

Lands' End reversible cotton plaid scarf

Polo Ralph Lauren green Andrew chino

American Eagle marled cotton boot sock

Polo Ralph Lauren shearling Ranger boot

Today's Outfit - Tuesday Orange

Polo semi-spread poplin shirt

Polo silk crewneck sweater

American Living paisley repp silk tie

Polo chinos

Lands' End cotton socks

Allen Edmonds tassel loafers

In the Details

Though not my size, the details in this chino make it one of my favorite thrift shop finds as of late.

Interior tartan waist lining.

Lightweight yet sturdy construction.

Rear tabs above the pockets.



If anyone's interested, email me and I'll provide the exact measurements.

Today's Outfit - Fair Isle for Fall

Polo oxford - Macy's, $20

Polo fair isle cashmere sweater - $40, eBay

*Countess Mara vintage solid silk tie - thrift shop, $1

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

(not pictured) Club Room yellow socks - Macy's - $3

J. Crew vintage saddles - thrift shop, $2.49

*This tie was originally sold at Schwabe-May, a legendary menswear store in Charleston which, quite sadly, closed in the last decade. The finest menswear could be found here - suits from Oxxford and Hickey Freeman, fabrics from Loro Piana and Holland & Sherry.

Today's Outfit

Polo tartan oxford shirt - Belk, $23

Polo cotton/cashmere cricket sweater - eBay, $30

Countess Mara bow tie - Marshall's, $8

Polo slub twill chino - ralphlauren.com, $42

Smart Turnout Argyll and Sutherland socks - courtesy of Smart Turnout

Chaps bucks - Kohl's, $12

Summer in September

Once again calling on family for inspiration, I assembled today's church outfit in honor of my uncle Philip. Though he wintered in Coral Gables and spent summers here in Charleston, he shared a single wardrobe with both locales. That wardrobe was one of impeccable fit, vibrant colors and preppy styling. Living somewhere it's always summer has its sartorial benefits. For my uncle Philip, this meant bespoke linen and silk jackets of spring green, coral and lavender, crisp white linen trousers and equally crisp, monogrammed pocket squares. And though I now own those jackets and trousers, today's outfit is influenced by Uncle Philip but is all my own, pocket square (accidentally) not included.

Blazer - Paul Fredrick (very) lightweight wool/cashmere blend - paulfredrick.com, $75

Shirt - vintage Polo 120s broadcloth - ralphlauren.com, $36

Tie - Ralph Lauren Purple Label - eBay, $16

Trouser - Polo cotton chino (as mentioned here) - ralphlauren.com, $52

Socks (not pictured) - Club Room light blue (matches blazer) - $1.50

*Shoes - Allen Emonds - eBay, $22

*These are my favorite shoes - the most comfortable, (nearly) most beat up, most patinated, most burnished shoes I own - and I wouldn't have them any other way.

Going Green

In honor of my newly acquired green chinos (which I'll discuss in an upcoming post), I thought I'd share a selection of my favorite green trousers of the past few years.

Collegiate Cool

Once in awhile, Rugby puts out some pieces that don't bear ridiculous faux-insignia. These pieces actually tend to be quite nice, like the shawl cardigan seen here. Though not yet available on Rugby.com, I would assume this to be Shetland wool, much like the shaggy Shetlands Rugby has offered the past few years. While I will certainly be putting this sweater on my Christmas wish list, I really like (almost) the entire outfit.

Though a jacket is pictured hanging from the duffle, a substantial cardigan offers an excellent substitute for casual occasions. The orange-red chinos compliment the yellow nicely and offer the outfit a pop of color not found in the subtle yellow. I would simply switch out the ball cap for a driving cap and, of course, roll down the pant legs.

It may only be the start of August, but I'm warming up (or would it be cooling down?) for my winter wardrobe.




What's your take on the cardigan?

Out Standing in Orvis

 I've been admiring Orvis' selections more and more lately, and here are sixteen reasons why.

CKC Wears the Preston Chino

The common factor in these shots is Polo's Sun-Faded Preston Cotton Chino. I'll explain the choice in a moment. As I've said many times before, the simplest looks can make the greatest statement. Here you have a neutral pant and two subtle colors. No pops of color necessary, just similar brightness to each garment. Besides, it's hard to go wrong with pink and green.












I need to get back to posting more of my own outfits, but there's little I'd change in these looks if I were to try them for myself. Again, a neutral pant and solid vest are combined with a muted check. Plain yet elegant, though I'd have gone with burnished golden brown shoes to contrast the dark pants.

I cannot put into words my disdain for the overuse of the hooded sweatshirt, the "hoodie," in American culture. People rarely wear simple sweatshirts anymore but love their completely oversized and graphic-filled fleece. A nice and stylish alternative for chilly winds is a french-rib model like this. In subdued colors up top, you can let other parts of your wardrobe make a statement. Case in point, these madras sneakers. I could also see this working with solid shoes and a madras belt instead.

Finally, my reason for featuring this collection of pants. Very recently I ordered one of my all-time wish list pieces - a patchwork madras blazer I'll be posting upon arrival. Now I've found the other summertime staple I've wanted as long as I've had this crazy love of prep/WASP/trad whatever style. Nantucket Reds. At least, as close to the original as I'll get. Polo calls this color Brick Red, but for me it brings to mind summer at the cape around saltwater-sprayed woods.

From dreaming of an early spring vacation and back to reality. These pants run $98, twice as much as I'll put up for almost anything. However, these just came in at my job and the employee discount really helped.


What's your quintessential (ugh...) preppy item and how do you wear it?