Preppy Delight

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Saint James - Né de la mer

Audrey Hepburn

James Dean

Pablo Picasso

Audrey Tautou in Coco Before Chanel

Gwyneth Paltrow

I’ve been debating whether to get a Breton shirt from Saint James (http://www.saintjamesboutique.com/) ever since J.Crew started selling them. I finally made up my mind today, but decided to shop around to find the style I like most. After browsing the web, I stumbled upon a history of the company and found some great pictures of some famous prepsters sporting the brand, or versions similar.

According to the Saint James’ website, “The SAINT-JAMES Company has been established in Lower Normandy, in the commune of Saint-James, close to Mont Saint-Michel, since 1889. Its fame is based upon a cult item of clothing ‘the genuine pure new knitted woolen Breton seaman's sweater’. Originally intended for deep sea fishermen, then adopted by known seafarers, and amateur. Its pure wool, pure cotton, ‘seashore’ lines attract a large clientele on the coast, but also in the major cities of France, and equally throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan.”

Warning: These tees run on the bigger side. I'm a size 2 or 4, depending on the brand; I got an extra small shirt, and it's still fairly loose. Nothing a tailor can't fix, though!

Meridien II

Saint James $90, http://tinyurl.com/3guqrsc

J.Crew $85, http://tinyurl.com/6b8yqhv

Minquiers 10

Saint James $70, http://tinyurl.com/4yz5g8q

Blue Heaven Boutique $66, http://tinyurl.com/3rou5to

Naval II

J.Crew $115, http://tinyurl.com/3gybe2v

Saint James, $130 http://tinyurl.com/y9xrqyy

And Saint James sells more than just Breton tees. They also have hats, scarves, and bags—to name a few. Below are my picks.

Eve Echarpe Scarf, $40 http://tinyurl.com/3c8s7kw

Pieds Rayes Socks, $25 http://tinyurl.com/3ltre88

Sac Plage Bag, $90 http://tinyurl.com/3qbatcj

Monday, May 23, 2011

Seeing Stripes

If you were to ask my friends, they would tell you I own way too many striped shirts. Personally, I don’t believe there’s such a thing as too many stripes! If you agree, then this is the post for you.

Clothing
Brooks Brothers

Silk Cotton Striped Boatneck Sweater ($128, http://tinyurl.com/3qsch6u)

Express

Ruffled Chiffon Sleeve Tee ($24.43, http://tinyurl.com/3o4g4v8)

H&M

Striped Dress ($12.95, http://tinyurl.com/3rp2ge3)

J.Crew (Offering a 30% discount until 5/25--code LOVEIT)

Maritime Dress ($88, http://tinyurl.com/3fbybgy)

Saint James Naval II Tee ($92, http://tinyurl.com/3zm4yxa)

Lilly Pulitzer

Cassidie Sweater Striped Cotton ($74, http://tinyurl.com/3osupa2)

Nautica

Rugby Stripe Bikini ($64, http://tinyurl.com/44mclut)

Ralph Lauren

Kevon Striped Boatneck Tunic ($39.99, http://tinyurl.com/3ap3pea)

Maili Striped Boatneck Top ($89, http://tinyurl.com/3nn8b2k)

Tommy Hilfiger

Stripe Skirt ($54, http://tinyurl.com/3cmxor2)

Yacht Club Knit Dress ($128, http://tinyurl.com/3up5yk6)

Laguna Three Quarter Sleeve Striped Boatneck ($29.99, http://tinyurl.com/3jsg8gx)

Accessories

American Eagle

Rugby Stripe Tote (24.95, http://tinyurl.com/3hn6pa6)

Brooks Brothers

Striped Ballerina Flats ($44.40, http://tinyurl.com/3wxw2qr)

Coach

Poppy Stripe Bangle ($98, http://tinyurl.com/3webolh)

Dooney & Bourke

Linen Stripes East West Grommet Shopper ($198, http://tinyurl.com/436yyet)

J.Crew

Sea Bags for J.Crew Wine Tote ($45, http://tinyurl.com/3jrfku8)

Lilly Pulitzer

Docksider Tote ($148, http://tinyurl.com/3kg8g3o)

Steve Madden

Stripess Flats ($39, http://tinyurl.com/3gzoqap)

Tommy Hilfiger

Rugby Striped Wrislet ($28, http://tinyurl.com/3efjkro)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

"My Life Is Like a Stroll on the Beach...

as near to the edge as I can go" -- Thoreau

I'm off to the beach for a week! Here are some lovely pictures of my favorite classic stars at the beach.

Audrey Hepburn

Grace Kelly

Jackie O

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Little White Dress

A friend and I have recently decided to take our patriotism to the next level. We’re going to travel to the Capitol for the Fourth of July festivities. I mean, what could be better than celebrating the independence of our nation with a bunch of like-minded patriots? Thus I arrive at my current dilemma: finding the perfect outfit to commemorate the big day.

I have a vision in my head of what this outfit will entail: I’ll have the most delightful white sundress that cinches at the waist, with a charming red ribbon tied around my waist. I’ll have a blue cardigan and the perfect summertime wedges to pull it all together. Sounds easy enough, right?

Wrong. I’ve been looking up white dresses for two days now, and I have yet to find one that will work. Here are a few examples:

There’s a beautiful dress by Kate Spade (the Jillian Bow Front Dress, $375 http://tinyurl.com/3rv4xru), but it’s far too dressy for the occasion. (However, it would make for a great birthday present from my father; hint ,hint!)

BCBG makes a great white dress (Sleeveless Pleated Banded Waist, $138 http://tinyurl.com/3d5q9mc), but it isn’t conducive to having a ribbon tied around its waist.

Jack Wills’ Larkhill Dress ($89, http://tinyurl.com/44lryqj) is darling, but it might be a little too short for a day spent outside.

So here I am, having searched through every site from Lilly Pulitzer to Lulu’s to no avail. However, I’m quiet determined to find this dress. After all, this is meant to honor the greatest nation on Earth.

To be continued…

Monday, May 9, 2011

Anchors Away!

Not all of us have the luxury of being able to go sailing at a whim like JFK. But with these charming finds, all featuring anchors, it’s a whole lot easier to pretend. Bon Voyage!

Clothing
J.Crew