I have loved this podcast so much! I am always trying to explain to my (Californian) husband the weird significance of the preppy aesthetic and the strange of m influence of my strict prep school dress code. And then your 'Best Dressed' photo reveals...we went to the same High School. I recognized that Quad immediately - no wonder I have been obsessed with this season! My early 00s yearbook had a "Most out of dress code" superlative too - just a guy with an untucked shirt.
Thank you for this series. I was at UVA from 1979-1983, a flannel shirt and jeans wearing, politically progressive public high school kid in an ocean of preps. I think that period defined my sense of style--or, really, anti-style. For almost all of my adult life, my clothes have screamed, "I'm not a preppie." All of these years later, that's still true--but your series gave me a new appreciation of a phenomenon that I've always lived with but never truly understood.
This podcast has been such a delight! I didn't think I was even faintly interested in preppy style, but once I started listening I was fascinated. I also realised that I do like preppy style since half my wardrobe is Uniqlo.
I loved your episode of You're Wrong About. I can't stop thinking about all clothes these days either being "baggy or stretchy". 🤯
Avery this has to be my favourite piece of audio content out there. Your work inspires me to continue to pursuing a path as a creative. Listening to your podcasts always encourages me to take a closer look into the details and vivid history hidden in my daily life. I’m a huge fan of all everything you’ve made so far. So much passion and consideration put into every step of the process. I can’t wait for what you have in store next, and thanks for putting this out there. Imo, season 3 was phenomenal! You and your team just keep getting better, and I’m glad to be here for it!
I know this is a very late comment, but thank you for this whole series! I went to Catholic middle and high schools, where just like at your high school uniforms made preppy style the easiest style. And like you I worked pretty hard to resist it—I was an emo/hardcore scene kid and wore everything super super tight, including wearing "women's" pants with chuck taylors, and for a while even some tiger-striped sneakers, haha. Anything to avoid looking like the football players!
This series, on top of the fascinating history, was a fun ride through my own high school years. And I'm feeling pretty nostalgic for those days now. I went out and thrifted a couple oxford shirts after listening, something I haven't worn since probably 2011! And I'm even debating bringing some penny loafers back...
Hi Avery! I listened to all 7 episodes of Taking Ivy in January, and I wanted to let you know just how much I LOVED THE SERIES (just made my way to this page from your Clueless Closet episode). The history of Ivy and its influences in my life (born 1984) are hugely interesting and fun to relive, but the series was such a fascinating look at fashion history in general. The Ivy episodes and interviews were so interesting and well done, and honestly, it's one of the best podcasts I've ever followed. Thank you so much! Looking forward to more episodes.
This series has been interesting. It made me realize I don't own any blazers because finding blazers that fit well while plus size is challenging. And now I think I'd love a series about the evolution of plus size clothing and why it's so hard to get right.
I miss American Ivy so much!!! Such an achievement - congrats to you. I feel like sometimes these kind of deep dive podcasts make a case for the subject, which can feel defensive and pedantic. But you've made it so you're like a friend who accidentally uncovered this niche history and community and got obsessed with it, and now won't shut up about it - which is fantastic! Those are my favorite people! And now I can't stop seeing preppy everywhere. Thank you for your work!
I'm up to episode 7 now and I wanted to comment on something one of your guests said. I'm 69 and back in the day I liked the older products (BB and others) for their durability. One of your guests said this is driven by nostalgia and the old durable materials were stiff and uncomfortable. But she overlooks something. I used to buy the old Levi's blue jeans that were totally unwashed very dark blue. There were stiff as a piece of plywood when new. It took several wearing and washing cycles to "break them in". But when you did they'd be broken-in to YOUR specific body and the way you moved it. You'd develop a RELATIONSHIP with those pants. There were truly YOURs and yours alone. The modern stretchy, looser materials automatically fit anyone. They never become yours. They're promiscuous.
Also, for dressier clothes like you'd buy at BB in the 60's and 70's, you could always go to a tailor. I never had any problems achieving comfort in those days, and clothes lasted a lot longer then. The clothing industry is responsible for a tremendous amount of environmental waste and durability would help address that.
Great series. I grew up in this arena. My father founded the Andover Shop in 1948 when he was 22. His store in Cambridge was the coolest place, intimate, filled with clothes he chose personally and fitted by on-site tailors. He loved helping men find their own style. He is missed but the store carries on.
Avery and crew, your latest season is one of the best podcasts I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. You've changed forever how I think about fashion. Thank you, thank you!
Wonderful exploration of the Ivy/Prep universe. It’s fascinating how the genre(s) bleed into the classification of simply “clothes,” but I think many subcultures that have been usurped by the mainstream suffer the same critique.
I attended the University of Virginia in the mid aughts and the intersection of class and tradition that prep symbolized was especially loaded in the South. I remember dabbling in preppy attire with both an earnest appreciation and a desire to fit in, but was careful not to overdo it. For better or worse, fashion is political and as a Black student, I didn’t want to present as a [wannabe].
I’m both unconvinced prep will ever shed its elitist roots or that it should. After all, aspiration is in America’s DNA.
The omission of the most toxic mainstream bastion of prep, Abercrombie, was glaring—those stores were notorious purveyors of prep in malls nationwide. As such, I did find the last 15mins amusing, not sure if the nostalgia and romanticization was intentionally ironic.
Thanks Avery, I studied fashion and worked in the industry as a designer and a fashion forecaster so it was really interesting to listen to your deep dive into this world. I am obsessed with Japanese culture and loved hearing about the interwoven threads of Japanese and American fashion culture. I like you, am into counter culture fashion, bands, surf culture etc, but I have to say that no one should ever write off the feel of a perfectly made suit. There is nothing like it. If you happen to be in Florence during Pitti Uomo trade show season and see the legions of locals in their exquisitely put together but simple tailored outfits, you would understand the appeal of beautiful tailoring. Thanks for a great show and enjoy the holidays.
Loved it and bought a copy of ‘Take Ivy!’ Subjective, but I feel like L. L. Bean is a conrnerstone of Preppy - especially since it reads as super nostalgic for East Coast winters vibes. I even bought a vintage Irish fisherman sweater recently and that’s the feeling that came over me - oh man this is so preppy.
Loved this whole series! I have been anti prep my whole life, but I'm maybe changing my mind. That last episode was perfect!
I have loved this podcast so much! I am always trying to explain to my (Californian) husband the weird significance of the preppy aesthetic and the strange of m influence of my strict prep school dress code. And then your 'Best Dressed' photo reveals...we went to the same High School. I recognized that Quad immediately - no wonder I have been obsessed with this season! My early 00s yearbook had a "Most out of dress code" superlative too - just a guy with an untucked shirt.
Thank you for this series. I was at UVA from 1979-1983, a flannel shirt and jeans wearing, politically progressive public high school kid in an ocean of preps. I think that period defined my sense of style--or, really, anti-style. For almost all of my adult life, my clothes have screamed, "I'm not a preppie." All of these years later, that's still true--but your series gave me a new appreciation of a phenomenon that I've always lived with but never truly understood.
This podcast has been such a delight! I didn't think I was even faintly interested in preppy style, but once I started listening I was fascinated. I also realised that I do like preppy style since half my wardrobe is Uniqlo.
I loved your episode of You're Wrong About. I can't stop thinking about all clothes these days either being "baggy or stretchy". 🤯
Avery this has to be my favourite piece of audio content out there. Your work inspires me to continue to pursuing a path as a creative. Listening to your podcasts always encourages me to take a closer look into the details and vivid history hidden in my daily life. I’m a huge fan of all everything you’ve made so far. So much passion and consideration put into every step of the process. I can’t wait for what you have in store next, and thanks for putting this out there. Imo, season 3 was phenomenal! You and your team just keep getting better, and I’m glad to be here for it!
I know this is a very late comment, but thank you for this whole series! I went to Catholic middle and high schools, where just like at your high school uniforms made preppy style the easiest style. And like you I worked pretty hard to resist it—I was an emo/hardcore scene kid and wore everything super super tight, including wearing "women's" pants with chuck taylors, and for a while even some tiger-striped sneakers, haha. Anything to avoid looking like the football players!
This series, on top of the fascinating history, was a fun ride through my own high school years. And I'm feeling pretty nostalgic for those days now. I went out and thrifted a couple oxford shirts after listening, something I haven't worn since probably 2011! And I'm even debating bringing some penny loafers back...
Hi Avery! I listened to all 7 episodes of Taking Ivy in January, and I wanted to let you know just how much I LOVED THE SERIES (just made my way to this page from your Clueless Closet episode). The history of Ivy and its influences in my life (born 1984) are hugely interesting and fun to relive, but the series was such a fascinating look at fashion history in general. The Ivy episodes and interviews were so interesting and well done, and honestly, it's one of the best podcasts I've ever followed. Thank you so much! Looking forward to more episodes.
This series has been interesting. It made me realize I don't own any blazers because finding blazers that fit well while plus size is challenging. And now I think I'd love a series about the evolution of plus size clothing and why it's so hard to get right.
I miss American Ivy so much!!! Such an achievement - congrats to you. I feel like sometimes these kind of deep dive podcasts make a case for the subject, which can feel defensive and pedantic. But you've made it so you're like a friend who accidentally uncovered this niche history and community and got obsessed with it, and now won't shut up about it - which is fantastic! Those are my favorite people! And now I can't stop seeing preppy everywhere. Thank you for your work!
I'm up to episode 7 now and I wanted to comment on something one of your guests said. I'm 69 and back in the day I liked the older products (BB and others) for their durability. One of your guests said this is driven by nostalgia and the old durable materials were stiff and uncomfortable. But she overlooks something. I used to buy the old Levi's blue jeans that were totally unwashed very dark blue. There were stiff as a piece of plywood when new. It took several wearing and washing cycles to "break them in". But when you did they'd be broken-in to YOUR specific body and the way you moved it. You'd develop a RELATIONSHIP with those pants. There were truly YOURs and yours alone. The modern stretchy, looser materials automatically fit anyone. They never become yours. They're promiscuous.
Also, for dressier clothes like you'd buy at BB in the 60's and 70's, you could always go to a tailor. I never had any problems achieving comfort in those days, and clothes lasted a lot longer then. The clothing industry is responsible for a tremendous amount of environmental waste and durability would help address that.
Like all the other comments, I loved this series. Thank you Avery!
Great series. I grew up in this arena. My father founded the Andover Shop in 1948 when he was 22. His store in Cambridge was the coolest place, intimate, filled with clothes he chose personally and fitted by on-site tailors. He loved helping men find their own style. He is missed but the store carries on.
Avery and crew, your latest season is one of the best podcasts I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. You've changed forever how I think about fashion. Thank you, thank you!
Wonderful exploration of the Ivy/Prep universe. It’s fascinating how the genre(s) bleed into the classification of simply “clothes,” but I think many subcultures that have been usurped by the mainstream suffer the same critique.
I attended the University of Virginia in the mid aughts and the intersection of class and tradition that prep symbolized was especially loaded in the South. I remember dabbling in preppy attire with both an earnest appreciation and a desire to fit in, but was careful not to overdo it. For better or worse, fashion is political and as a Black student, I didn’t want to present as a [wannabe].
I’m both unconvinced prep will ever shed its elitist roots or that it should. After all, aspiration is in America’s DNA.
The omission of the most toxic mainstream bastion of prep, Abercrombie, was glaring—those stores were notorious purveyors of prep in malls nationwide. As such, I did find the last 15mins amusing, not sure if the nostalgia and romanticization was intentionally ironic.
Thanks Avery, I studied fashion and worked in the industry as a designer and a fashion forecaster so it was really interesting to listen to your deep dive into this world. I am obsessed with Japanese culture and loved hearing about the interwoven threads of Japanese and American fashion culture. I like you, am into counter culture fashion, bands, surf culture etc, but I have to say that no one should ever write off the feel of a perfectly made suit. There is nothing like it. If you happen to be in Florence during Pitti Uomo trade show season and see the legions of locals in their exquisitely put together but simple tailored outfits, you would understand the appeal of beautiful tailoring. Thanks for a great show and enjoy the holidays.
Loved it and bought a copy of ‘Take Ivy!’ Subjective, but I feel like L. L. Bean is a conrnerstone of Preppy - especially since it reads as super nostalgic for East Coast winters vibes. I even bought a vintage Irish fisherman sweater recently and that’s the feeling that came over me - oh man this is so preppy.