Social Primer

With the imminent re-issue of Take Ivy around the corner, it got me thinking (and Googling) about the original Preppy bible, The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach. Since the 30th Anniversary of TOPH is upon us, I wondered where Lisa Birnbach was and what she is up to these days. A link to her publisher’s website, Knopf, landed me on her new book due out August 10th. Called True Prep.  I am not so sure about this new cover, so ... Read More

[caption id="attachment_2068" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Brooks Brothers F/W 2010. source: ivy-style.com"][/caption] A note to the uninitiated: New fashion collections are presented to the press six months before the clothes hit stores. The recent men's shows in New York are a preview of what will be on shelves in the Fall of 2010.  Also, this post is loaded with links. Click on the bold underlined words and phrases for additional visuals. Men’s Fashion is another one of those kooky oxymorons you hear bandied about from time ... Read More

It should come as no great surprise to anyone when I state that my reading and writing tend to be pretty old-fashioned. Hell, it took the Great Recession to make me tolerate The New York Times online. (I had to give up the luxury of doorstep delivery because it is rather pricey). I live for the crinkle of a newspaper, the tearing out of articles and the underlining of striking passages. I attempt to bring that sensibility to the writing here ... Read More

A collection of favorite quotes, a top ten, if you will. 10. Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold 9. I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men ... Read More

Nothing says you thought about somebody in advance like a personalized gift, and SP has found some perfect things to give to the people on your list. From the always popular monogrammed playing cards to the new SP reversible bow tie, the SP Shop has you covered for gifts this Christmas. Correspondence cards, Roadies, belts, note sets, and more can all be found on the Shop page here. Read More

SP has written, on many an occasion, of his love for the Go Cup, or Roadie to some. It is the essential partner to any aspiring bon vivant. What do you think makes us so social and eager to meet you? Booze, baby. And where do you keep that booze? In a Go Cup. And heretofore the roadie of choice has always been, and will remain, the classic red Solo cup. This icon will never be replaced in roadie lore, so embrace ... Read More

Image courtesy of The Sartorialist The critics tell me the posts on here have a tendency to wax on too long. Nobody wants to read a blow-hard wordy essay on the emailer machine, they tell me. OK, so this is a long, extra blow-hard lengthy one, but this is an important issue concerning every man in America, and the world. Oh, the sacrifices SP makes.... Growing up in the Deep South, we wore khakis. Definitely in the summer and most of the time in ... Read More

SP knows the thought of wearing a bow tie probably makes most of you cringe. This item is often relegated to history or the realm of the dandy and in some parts of the business world or certain geographic areas, is considered utterly uncool by the unitiated. SP will not begin to defend the bow tie (although SP wears one every chance he gets) because, well that’s a personal choice that you either to or you don’t. SP will say, because this ... Read More

SOCIAL PRIMER: POP-UP SHOP OPENS IN ALPHA GEAR FOR GENTS ON MELROSE AVENUE SP has opened a new pop-up shop within Alpha Gear for Gents in West Hollywood. See what the LA times has to say here. The dilemma of finding appropriate gifts for gentlemen is resolved. Social Primer: The Shop offers a well-edited -- and affordable -- selection of made-to-order offerings including monogrammed stationery, playing cards, drinks coasters and napkins, soaps, and belts.  Also announcing the new SP reversible bow ties available ... Read More

Now SP isn't really a pillow kind of guy. I usually find them annoying when piled high on a bed or a sofa, crunching and arranging them just so you can get comfortable. They seem to be too fussy sometimes. But since we're crazy for all things monogram, here is a classic pillow found at a shop on the Cape. The proprietor was able to whip up the SP monogram just in time for the pop-up party in New York last week.  ... Read More