I'd Rather Be Sailing...Ray Roberts Lake, TX

Madras Shirt by American Living, Belt by J. CREW, Shorts by Uniqlo, Watch by Kelton, Band by American Eagle Outfitters, Shoes by Sperry Top-Siders.

School Uniforms - 80s/90s

Trellis...Denton, TX

Green/White College Striped OCBD from Polo Ralph Lauren, Bow Tie by J. PRESS, Shorts by US Polo Assn, Watch by Kelton, Band by American Eagle Outfitters, University of Texas school ring, Madras Belt by Comme ca Ism, shoes by Bruno Magli.

John Kerry: Then and Now

Sources: Kerry Family, Kennedy Library, MSNBC, Kerry for Senate. The signed tie is mine, from Harold's.

In The Office...Dallas, TX

OCBD by Polo Ralph Lauren, Tie made in England for the Household Cavalry (Do not wear in Britain!), Khakis by Deco, Belt by Uniqlo, Go To Hell shoes by Sperry Top-siders, Watch by Kelton, Band by American Eagle Outfitters.

My Dad's Watch and New Bands

It's a Kelton. No idea what year, it could well be forty or fifty years old. The earliest Keltons were made in the 1920s, and the latest ones were made in the 1960s, as far as I know. For the longest time I thought it didn't work, but it works now. It has a great vintage look and feel that I really, really like. Although my research tells me it is a "cheap watch" from the time period, it clearly is way better than the crap made now a days.



I also picked up these bands and (and the one above) at American Eagle Outfitters. I almost never shop there. And I don't shop there because everything is made in China and of weak construction. These bands were made in China, but they were also only $2 each. Given how badly the Chinese devalue their currency, and how little they pay their workers, that's about as much as they're worth. Not quite as snappy my Brooks Brothers, but given the price, I am not complaining.

Gant Rugger - Pre-Fall 2011

I'm not even THINKING about Fall yet, but I think this is a hilarious advertisement from Gant Rugger. I own a vintage GANT madras shirt, and I really love it, so I found these "rules" amusing. Just remember. Every rule is meant to be broken.

Not Even Slightly Congenial...Dallas, TX

Seersucker Button Down Shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren, Canary Yellow shorts by US Polo Assn, Watch and Band by Brooks Brothers, Ribbon Belt by Uniqlo, shoes by Bass Weejuns.

"American Living" brand is Pure Pony, Great Value

More than two years ago, Ralph Lauren and JC Penney's combined what they do best in order to create line of classic American apparel. F.E. Castleberry has already done a review of these shirts, but since I was in Japan at the time, there was no way to have access to this line. We only just got a Rugby by Ralph Lauren in Tokyo not too long ago. We get plenty of Polo Ralph Lauren, even in the vintage and resale shops, so my price points were never much of an issue. If I felt like splurging, I headed to Brooks Brothers or J. PRESS, both fairly easy to find in Japan.

Here's a shirt a picked up yesterday for $14:



It's precisely how I prefer my dress shirts; no pockets. Unless a shirt is actually Polo Ralph Lauren, I'm not a huge fan of logos either. Usually the American Living shirts have both a pocket and an eagle/flag logo. I was happy to find a number of their shirts that did not have either, like the madras shirt above. And I have to say I spent a good hour just walking around both the boys section (I'm really small, so I often can wear L or XL in boys, the shirt above is an XL boys) and the Men's section feeling the material, studying the construction, and looking at where the clothes were made. The quality is equivalent, in my opinion, to the other Ralph Lauren brands. I heard rumors in the blogosphere that the quality would go down overtime, but now, almost three years later, I don't see that. If it dipped in 2009 or 2010, and then Ralph/Penney's fixed the issue, I wouldn't know, since I was in Japan. It's certainly good now.

The design elements are precisely what you would expect from any American brand, and when it comes right to it, if the whole Ivy/Trad/Prep/Americana thing is the basis of your wardrobe, you'll find a lot to like about American Living. You'll find great madrases in shirts and shorts, very soft OCBDs in pink, blue, and white. Some great khakis. About the only thing not to like is the fact that "Made in USA" is not a label I found. But it least it was never "Made in China" and the madras was usually "Made in India." Their golf shorts were nice, but were only in the Men's section and the waist sizes were a few inches too large for me. A shame because they had some beautiful go to hell colors like kelly green and fire engine red. I also found a lot of sales items, and if I hadn't had a set budget in mind when I went shopping yesterday, I could have ended up with a significant number of items for the cost of one Polo Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, J. PRESS, or Lacoste shirt. Definitely a brand to keep my eye on, and one to make sure I consider stocking up on before heading back to Japan.

Is there a go to hell shoe?

Is it these Sperry Top-sider patched madras deck shoes? Picked up at Nordstrom's for 50% off.



I'm thinking of wearing it with otherwise conservative clothing. Khakis, seersucker dress shirt, repp tie, and blazer.

Only one go to hell item per outfit, please...

Links à la Mode: June 2

Windows Into Our Worlds

Edited by Meghan Donovan of WIT & Whimsy

I've said it before, but one of the reasons I love fashion blogging so much is because it has the power to be very personal and connect you with people whom you may never have met otherwise. This week's Links a La Mode show you just how intimate one's blog can become when you open up your readers to visits to neighborhood boutiques, DIYs done on a rainy Sunday or similar styles perfected by fellow bloggers. Our blogging allows for little windows into our worlds and its often what makes writing and photographing for posts so very worthwhile.

Links à la Mode: June 2nd

1972: McQueen and Menswear

Aesthetic Alterations: Summer Scarves become a Summer Handbag

Aqui: The Boyfriend Style Project

Best of Bklyn: How to Pack for Two Weeks

The Button Owl: How to Identify Eras in Vintage Clothing

Crashing Red: Styling a Classic Louis Vuitton

Garbish: Achieving Nicole Richie's Style

Girl Loves Color: A Closer Look at Italian line Braccialini

Grit & Glamour: Lipstick Favorites, Tips and Tricks

The Loud Mouth: Bloggers Do Hair Buns Better

North on Harper: DIY Hair Feathers

Out of Order: Gingham: Past and Present

Soulful Souls: A Look inside Raleigh Denim

Style Delights: The Best of Rain Boot Styles

Stay in the Lines: Achieving the Perfect Summer Glow

The Stylish Butterfly: Knits in the Middle of Summer

Style Notebook: Trenspotting: Neon Bags

Susu Paris Chic: Paris Museum Highlights the Art of Draping

Vanity Press: Previews Thoughts on the CFDA Awards

WIT & Whimsy: Hamptons Summer Style

SPONSOR:

Cami Tops at Shopbop: Free People, Tucker tops, Alexander Wang tees, Lanston tees, Blue life, Rory Beca, Rachel Pally tops, Georgie clothing, Dallin Chase, Parker tops, Blue Moon.