Piece by Piece: What the Guys Should be Wearing for Lawnparties
I crack up at the outrageous looks that line the Street on Lawnparties. What we all wear on this day of debauchery is a unique way to display school spirit and overall solidarity, without donning the black and orange.And yet, if I may, I'd like to throw the gents of Princeton some sartorial tips. Looking outrageous and looking cool need not be diametrically opposed. Contrary to popular belief, you can throw on a ridiculous seersucker jacket with a plaid shirt beneath, and still look pretty awesome. So, pulling from a weekly special that we do over at Prepidemic, called "Piece by Piece," here's an outfit I've arranged that I'm digging for this Sunday.
It's the preppiest day of the year, and that's why I love it. But if you follow my advice, what will differentiate you from the rest of the pack is not just having something a little over-the-top in preppiness, but actually having stuff that fits right. (Sidenote: I understand if we all wore this same outfit we'd look the same, so consider it more inspiration, a suggestion of brands to wear and great garb to consider.) This is an outfit for which the fit of the garments obeys the fundamental rule of fashion aesthetics: make the man look strong and lean.So all it takes is three garments with color and fit. Start with Brooks Brothers' wild patchwork oxford. I like my stuff to fit close, so I tend to size down from a medium and slip into a small. American labels make roomier cuts for their pants and shirts because the population they sell to is a bit larger than those overseas, and Brooks Brothers is no exception.Next, we move to L.L. Bean Signature shorts. Hone your sense of tradition with a pair of shorts in an authentic Nantucket Red, a color rich with prep history. While the originator of shorts in this color is Murray's Toggery Shop, actually situated on Nantucket (thus the name, Nantucket Red), L.L. Bean offers a far more affordable option in a fit that will suit men of all body types.Finally, find your favorite pair of fun kicks. Given the abundance of alcohol being thrown all over the place, I tend to steer clear of anything that I'm worried about ruining, so I find sneakers do the trick. PF Flyers' Windjammer is a reissue of a 1965 shoe that made waves through Ivy League campuses back in the days of the original "Ivy League Look." With such strong colors, I highly recommend it. I have a yellow pair myself, and they're my go-to whenever I'm bound to have a drink or ten spilled on me.