Playlist: Autumn Youth

To be young in New York City during autumn... 

Autumn Youth from thesignetseal on 8tracks Radio.

Dear Lana...I Heart you

Lana del Rey how you continue to fascinate me with everything you do!  If you've walked by any H&M store recently, you've seen Ms. del Rey on the big screen modeling the new Fall '12 collection, complete with her signature bouffant and sultry pout.  Here is the commercial that H&M recently released, and might I say Lana looks better than ever!  I can't stop watching this video, directed by Johan Renck.

Speaking of Lana, also check out this teaser video for the new Jaguar F-Type, featuring her new song Burning Desire.  Lana has signed with the company as the new face of the luxury car brand.

August Playlist: Boardwalk

Boardwalk 8/12 from thesignetseal on 8tracks Radio.

June Music Recap: Vineyard Sound

Vineyard Sound 6/12 from thesignetseal on 8tracks.

Seersucker Punch

To kick-off the warmer days ahead, I thought I'd celebrate the quintessential fabric of summer - seersucker.  

The modern name of the lightweight, cotton fabric is a variation of the Hindi sirsakar, which comes from the Persian "shir o shekar" meaning "milk and sugar."  The specific tension weaving process of the warp threads (as opposed to the weft) creates the unique smooth and bumpy texture somewhat resembling milk and sugar.  The wrinkled texture is functional as well, as it keeps the fabric away from the skin, aiding in air circulation and making it the ideal fabric for warm weather.

Trend-setter Anthony Drexel Biddle in a seersucker sport coat with wife and friend
via Dressing the Man by Allen Flusser, p. 105

Interestingly, when the fabric made it's way to America by the early 20th century, it was considered a cheap working man's fabric - a cotton replacement for the original silk material relished by British colonials in India.  Style forward American undergraduates in the 1920's in an act of "reverse snobbery" began sporting the pinstriped fabric, thus securing it as a preppy wardrobe staple.  


In an article from the New York Times, writer David Colman investigates the rise of seersucker in American men's fashion.  He recounts a seersucker clad student in 1945, Damon Runyon, describing his new fashion sense, "causing much confusion among my friends...they cannot decide whether I am broke or just setting a new vogue".  Clearly the young Mr. Runyon was a visionary, as seersucker can be found in preppy retailers across the country.  So this summer, whether heading to the beach, a gathering of friends, uptown, or downtown sport your seersucker with pride knowing that you're keeping a rich history and tradition alive.


Sources: 
David Colman (2006-04-20). "Summer Cool of a Different Stripe". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
Flusser, Alan. Dressing the Man. New York: HarperCollins World, 2003. Print.

Three Artists One Song

Image via Converse.com

Converse's Three Artists One Song series delivers yet again with the new single "Warrior" featuring Mark Foster + Kimbra + A-Trak. Talk about a killer collab, the newest single to promote a new line of Converse sneaks is the perfect kick-off to summer.  Mark Foster, of Foster the People, delivers with an incredibly catchy chorus that really grooves with A-Trak's collosal beats and Kimbra's vocal talents, showing that she means business.  The quirky lucha libre inspired video, complete with stylized color explosions, is also really cool - get ready to hit repeat. 

And the best part - you can download "Warrior" for FREE right here!


You may recognize Kimbra as the female counterpart in Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" - the Kiwi singer with her newfound US fame just released her debut album "Vows" which is def worth a listen.


Check out some of the past Three Artists One Song singles from also available to download including "All Summer" by Kid Kudi + Vampire Weekend + Best Coast and a personal fave "My Drive Thru" by N.E.R.D. + Santogold + Julian Casablancas.

The Great Gatsby Trailer

Loving everything about The Great Gatsby official trailer released today.  Another adventure for the senses from Mr. Luhrmann...
 

Surf 'n' Turf Playlist

Surf 'n' Turf 4-5/12 from thesignetseal on 8tracks.

March Playlist: Canopache

Let's catch up...so much has happened since I've been away.  I thought I'd make it up to you with a playlist from March and the promise of another for April later in the week.  I knew you'd understand.  Also, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to legally share music, and I think 8tracks does a pretty good job.  Hope you enjoy and stay tuned! Promise.

Canopache 3/12 from thesignetseal on 8tracks.

P.S. I'm still posting to Spotify as well!

Moon Rise Kingdom Trailer

So long overdue, but if you haven't seen yet watch.

Allah-las

Image via Allah-las.com

My new fav up-and-coming band!  I first came across their retro California sound as their song "Long Journey" was featured in the most recent Rugby Ralph Lauren Spring '12 video.





The first pressing of their debut 45 single "Long Journey" b/w "Catamaran" from Pres Records is already sold out (and yes that's an actual 45 vinyl record, not an MP3).  As far as I'm concerned the Allah-lahs are doing everything right, from their catchy harmonies and lo-fi guitar-driven beats, to their collaboration with 60's R&B aficionado Nick Waterhouse, the songs is so wonderfully nostalgic.  The Pres Records website describes them perfectly, "The group sounds like bungalows in canyons; hidden deco stairsteps peeking from leafy hillsides; kustom kars and dovetails and chicks in OP shorts with long, long hair, like a Dennis Hopper photo come to life."

So until they release an EP on Itunes, dust off that old turntable and order the repress from Innovative Leisure Recordings.  Listen to the sigles at Bandcamp.

Wardrobe File: The Duffle Coat

The name of the duffle coat originated from the heavy wool fabric manufactured in Antwerp, Belgium in the town of Duffel.  During World War I, the British Royal Navy issued a tan colored duffel coat for it's warmth and durability at sea.  The toggle fasteners were designed to be easily fastened and unfastened while wearing gloves, and the oversized hood helped accomodate a sailor's naval cap.

British Navy sailors sporting early Duffle coats, 1919
via Brian Wollaston, maritimequest.com

The British Army Officer Bernard Montgomery sported the coat during World War II, were it garnered the nickname "Monty Coat."  

Due to surplus coats after the war, the coat became a popular preppy item in the 50's and 60's and became popular in the sporting world, among Hollywood celebrities, and on college campuses across the country.  They were distributed mainly by the British company Gloverall, who still produce the original duffel coat today.

All images via Gloverall.com

No matter whether you call it a duffle, Monty, or toggle, the coat is an essential addition to any man (or woman's) wardrobe.  It's simple, practical, and can be dressed up or down, making it a great, versatile coat with nearly one hundred years of tradition.


Duffle bags share the same origin, as they were first made from the same woolen material.

Safe and Sound

Every so often I come across a band that I can just tell is going to be big.  Capital Cities is one of them.  I put their first single "Safe and Sound" on my January Playlist and have been listening to it on repeat all month.  Check out the music video for the song, synced with vintage footage of people dancing through the decades and juxtaposed with war footage and explosions.  The music oddly really goes well with the video, and it's pretty cool to watch the progression of dance through the decades.  Check it... 

Beauty and the Sword

This week the CBS Sunday Morning show remembers the lives of two very interesting contributors to the creative world - master swordsman and fencer Bob Anderson, 89, and photographer Eve Arnold, 99.  Anderson choreographed many memorable sword fights in Hollywood films, while Arnold is best remembered for her work photographing Marilyn Monroe.

On the Coffee Table: Hollywood and the Ivy Look

"Hollywood and the Ivy Look" is the definitive reference book of preppy American style as popularized by young Hollywood actors from 1955 to 1965.  It features many previously unreleased, full-page photographs of Hollywood style icons, and also includes behind-the-scenes shots from the films that helped cement the "ivy look" into the young American style consciousness at the time.  With minimal, yet amusing and interesting text, it's clearly all about the gorgeous pictures and the appreciation of classic men's fashion.  The relaxed and effortless approach to fashion as demonstrated by these Hollywood men is what inspires my own personal style and attitude.

Published by Reel Art Press and written by Tony Nourmand, a specialist in entertainment imagery, and Graham Marsh, who also authored "The Ivy Look: Classic American Clothing-A Pocket Guide," this book is a worthy addition to any preppy enthusiast's library.

Above images via Reel Art Press

Papa Knows Best

January Playlist: Log Cabin

Instead of posting my playlists mid-month as I've done in the past, I want to start getting them up towards the beginning of the month, which means you can actually listen to the January playlist...in January!  Also, I've moved all my playlists over to Spotify, including this one, so you can listen to whatever you want, whenever you want.  Download Spotify for free, because it's super cool.  I recommend listening to this playlist during a chilly morning walk or by the fireside somewhere in the Northeastern woods...enjoy!

Listen on Spotify now!

Knot Yourself

I think this promotion for Alexander Olch neckwear is quite clever and very well done.  There is nothing sexier than a woman wearing a necktie...well, perhaps sans moustache.  Starring the lovely Aurélie Claudel, a tutorial on the four-in-hand knot...

Family of the Year 2012

Image via IndieMusicFilter

Feeling rested and ready to tackle the new year?  Well I certainly am after my brief repose from posting, but I am back and excited to get things moving again.  And what better way to ring in the new year than with a dance party on the beach!  I've been listening to Family of the Year's newest and incredibly catchy single "St. Croix" a lot lately and it has a really cool Beach Boys inspired, retro beach themed video by Oscar nominated director Jessica Sanders. 


You may recognize Family of the Year by their song "Chugjug", which played in an incredibly catchy Advil commercial last year, and is also on my June Playlist.  Consisting of brothers Sebastian and Joseph Keefe, who grew up on Martha's Vineyard, James Buckey from Florida, and Christina Shroeter from Orange County, CA, the band takes advantage of their beachy roots for a nice mix of harmony driven, throwback surf pop.



And you can download St. Croix for FREE courtesy of Spinner.com!