TheCreativeRoutine

The (Prep) Uniform

There is nothing more authentic in style than a uniform truly born of one’s self. We often talk about in fashion how clothing is an outer reflection of an inner state of being. Well a uniform is the reflection of one whose personal style philosophy has been honed to a tee. It’s a formula, composed of all of the fashion tropes they hold most dear. Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Janelle Monae. Karl Lagerfeld. Ouigi Theodore. These are all individuals we look at who have/had a style signature. These are all people whose fashion has become ubiquitous with the word uniform.

Every style genre has a prototypical uniform. Prep. Skater. Urban. And within each genre are countless of individuals who have made said uniform their own. Perhaps the most beautiful part of a uniform is how readily it declares to the world who you are and what you value in life. Unsurprisingly, uniforms don’t really manifest themselves until later in life - when personal experimentation with style isn’t as common and most individuals have already pinned down the aesthetic they want. Michael Bastian recently spoke on this with Park & Bond.

“Hopefully by the time you’re in your mid-to-late twenties you’ve settled on something.”

I agree that most individuals my age that are interested in fashion have yet to find a consistent uniform, at least not one as precise as Alexander’s. I was so intrigued and impressed by his wardrobe that I worked with Alex to piece together a week long outfit profile. Alex’s uniform is classic ivy/prep, with unique Alex-isms - an affinity for sunglasses and Brooks Brothers.

Monday

shirt - brooks brothers; shorts - j. crew; shoes - g.h. bass; aviators - burburry with camp sea-gull croakies; watch - vintage pulsar; belt - vineyard vines; briefcase - solo brown

People actually sticking pennies in their penny loafers is something you don’t really see often. American prep school students in the 1950’s, looking to make a statement, started the tradition of sticking pennies in loafers. It’s the kind of “go-to-hell” irreverence that’s classic prep.

Tuesday

shirt - brooks brothers; shorts - patagonia; shoes - peale and co.; aviators - prada; belt - ermenegildo zegna

Wednesday

shirt - brooks brothers; shorts - vineyard vines; belt - vineyard vines

Thursday

shirts - brooks brothers; shorts - vineyard vines; belt - vineyard vines

Friday

shirt - ralph lauren; shorts - brooks brothers; shoes - brooks brothers; belt - vineyard vines

It was swell working with Alex. By no means am I a prep, but I am a huge fan of prep/ivy fashion. It’s had a larger influence on my sense of style than any other style genre. Cuffed pants, no socks in the warmer months, tailored fit. All of the little things I’ve picked up from “prepdom.” My uniform is not nearly as concise as Alexander’s. I’m too in love with experimentation. But it’ll be exciting to see where I go next. And I look forward to the day where I’ve finally settled into my own.