Welcome to The Ivy League Look

This blog presents a historical view through articles, photographs, reminiscences, and advertisements, of an American style of men's fashion of the mid-20th century known as "The Ivy League Look" or "The Ivy Look."

This blog will not present modern-day iterations of this "look"; it will be shown in its original context as an American style worn during this specific era. Author commentary will be kept to a minimum.

This is not a commercial site and links to commercial sites will not be posted.

July 13, 2009

College Credit, Esquire, 1959

College spirit is still as high-key as crimson, as fresh as Esquire's Burnished Browns. And memories are sill as golden: the 'mum on her shoulder: the thrill of the first by-line and the smell of fresh ink on college newsprint - to haunt your psyche for years. Above, in the social Great Hall above the Lampoon offices near the Harvard Yard, serious conversation, camera-captive, reflects today's students' scholarly awareness. Fashion is in sharp focus in the Great Hall atmosphere where we spot an acceptance of the whole civilized bit. Detailed views of those prerequisite sports jackets are shown in close-ups this page.

Fall's most significant fabric is all-wool hopsacking, here in an even-larger -than-usual weave. Burnished Espresso accented with black gives it a checked effect; figured-cotton lining and crown-embossed metal buttons score high on examination; at Whitehouse & Hardy, N. Y. C. Basic as a class schedule are traditional grey flannels and rep tie, currently in Burnished Bronze stripes.

The corduroy jacket registers with new impact in its shaped, continental styling. Class notes: burnished Bronze pin-waling, foulard lining, cutaway front; at Bullock's Wynbrier Shop, Los Angeles. Trousered in madras-plaided wool, you'll cheer the classic b.d. oxford shirt, the new paisley wool challis tie.

Our close-up emphasizes the wool crow's foot tweed, specially translated for Brooks Brothers in Esquire's Burnished Browns. The one shown is Burnished Amber, a combination of black with amber. Another Brooks Brothers tradition is the matching vest and, of course, the button-down oxford shirt and striped rep tie, both in co-ordinated tones. You'll find these, naturally, at Brooks Brothers stores in New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco.

No doubt about it, today's student takes a more dressed-up approach to college life. And he learns something from every occasion. For example (below). the meticulous attention to the fit of his clothes that Esquire editors are proud to help instill is as important as Chem Lab lectures or once-a-week afternoon tea - with stimulating conversation, please. Here, tailoring knowledge is applied to the important back-to-school suit, traditionally cut, and today's lecture is on " the proper cuffed line."

Source:

Esquire, September 1959, from Gypsy Wear Vintage

3 comments:

Richard M said...

How far we have fallen :-(

Old School said...

Richard M.:

And college students continue to plummet down the hill relentlessly :-(

Richard M said...

Devolution :-(