ARG this series (and this particular season) is SO GOOD! It wasn't until maybe episode 4 or 5 that I finally connected preppy to the ubiquitous "business casual" dress code I've worked under for the last 20 years... Can't wait for the next episode except I don't want it to end!
In the late 80s and early 90s I worked at 867 Madison Avenue. "The Polo Mansion"
Security was always watching on closed circuit cameras.
When Black shoppers came into the store, especially young ones, the undercover men and women would walk the floor to guard against shoplifters.
On one of my days off, I was riding the subway with my associate, a young blonde woman, Carmel. She wore a RL baseball cap imprinted with some kind of identifiable logo on it. As we sat on the train, a group of black teens stood over us. And like clockwork, when the train pulled into the stop, they pulled the cap off Carmel's head and ran off the train.
A few months later there was a scandal at 867 Madison.
It seems the security team head was having trucks pull in front of the store, after midnight, and she would help gangs of thieves steal quantities of clothes from 867. When she was caught, she was fired of course.
Loved hearing the origin story of Brooks Brothers, Ralf Lauren, Take Ivy and the Preppy Handbook. I am a big fan of the 50s & early 60s Ivy look as interpreted by British ska bands. The 80s prep look still makes me cringe, probably because I was in high school for all that.
Fascinating, and like all great art told me stuff about myself I hadn’t realised. Like how Buzz Ricksons who I wore because William Gibson had them in a book were probably inspired. Thanks so much
I really enjoyed the interview with the collector especially his emphasis on the "heirloom" pieces. The lore that defines resale market value is very interesting to me. Thank you for another awesome episode!
I could listen to 100 hours of this
ARG this series (and this particular season) is SO GOOD! It wasn't until maybe episode 4 or 5 that I finally connected preppy to the ubiquitous "business casual" dress code I've worked under for the last 20 years... Can't wait for the next episode except I don't want it to end!
In the late 80s and early 90s I worked at 867 Madison Avenue. "The Polo Mansion"
Security was always watching on closed circuit cameras.
When Black shoppers came into the store, especially young ones, the undercover men and women would walk the floor to guard against shoplifters.
On one of my days off, I was riding the subway with my associate, a young blonde woman, Carmel. She wore a RL baseball cap imprinted with some kind of identifiable logo on it. As we sat on the train, a group of black teens stood over us. And like clockwork, when the train pulled into the stop, they pulled the cap off Carmel's head and ran off the train.
A few months later there was a scandal at 867 Madison.
It seems the security team head was having trucks pull in front of the store, after midnight, and she would help gangs of thieves steal quantities of clothes from 867. When she was caught, she was fired of course.
Loved hearing the origin story of Brooks Brothers, Ralf Lauren, Take Ivy and the Preppy Handbook. I am a big fan of the 50s & early 60s Ivy look as interpreted by British ska bands. The 80s prep look still makes me cringe, probably because I was in high school for all that.
Incredible podcast. I’ve sent it to all my friends who love it too. We don’t want it to end.
Fascinating, and like all great art told me stuff about myself I hadn’t realised. Like how Buzz Ricksons who I wore because William Gibson had them in a book were probably inspired. Thanks so much
This whole series has been great! Don't sweat the crooked scans, embrace the aesthetic! It makes the posts feel more scrapbooky.
I really enjoyed the interview with the collector especially his emphasis on the "heirloom" pieces. The lore that defines resale market value is very interesting to me. Thank you for another awesome episode!