Beach Boys and Hurricanes

Image via theBeachboys.com

Arrg so I am going on three days without power in the wake of Irene's tour of the East Coast. It has actually been a breath of fresh air to be rid of technology and an opportunity to accomplish some more constructive pursuits i.e. cleaning out my closet, drawing, and kayaking upstate (post storm of course).  Nonetheless, I  write by candlelight on my Blackberry to tell you about a very cool preview video that came out yesterday for the highly anticipated box-set release of the Beach Boys "lost" Smile album on November 1st. 

Capital/EMI

This special edition box-set from Capital Records includes the original album tracks and awesome original artwork, never before seen photos, and even two vinyl LPs of "Heroes and Villians" and "Vega-Tables" - very nice.  It also has 5 CDs with over 140 tracks and studio banter - awesome! Check it out...
 and pre-order here!

Watch This: Class

1983 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Here is another great film from 1983, full of humor, scandal, and a healthy dose of 80s preppy style.  I just watched this the other day and was thoroughly entertained.  I love 80s movies and this one is especially cool because it features some of the great teen actors of the decade before they became famous.  Along with the future "Brat Pack" actors Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe, John Cusack and Alan Ruck can be seen as fellow classmates, as well as Cliff Robertson as the school's headmaster.

Rob Lowe as "Skip" 1983 Orion Picture Corp. Photo by Jim Zenk

Jonathan (McCarthy), the inexperienced freshman, becomes roommates with the wealthy and suave Skip (Lowe) at the fictitious prep school called Vernon Academy.  After many failed attempts to prove himself to his classmates, Jonathan takes a trip to Chicago in search of a love interest.  Coincidentally, the flirtatious woman he meets at a bar ends up being his roommate's mother.  As you can imagine, things can only go downhill from there.


This is Andrew McCarthy's film debut, who would co-star again with Rob Lowe two years later in the 1985 classic,  St. Elmo's Fire (another great film).  Class may not be the wittiest comedy of the 80s, but its an enjoyably awesome preppy time capsule worth watching.

Metronomy

Image via Because

When it comes to my musical tastes, as you might have noticed from my previous posts and playlists, it's certainly eclectic and constantly evolving.  Lately I've been enjoying a lot of electronic stuff, and can't stop watching this video by London based Metronomy called "The Bay".  Speaking of eclectic, the influences on their latest album, The English Riviera, are off the charts - think Devo meets Empire of the Sun meets N.E.R.D..


The wide coastal shots and the band's discernible nautical style (the bassist really rocks the Clubmasters), makes for an enjoyable 4 minutes as we bid farewell to the summer weather here in the Northeast.  Enjoy!

Wardrobe Direction

August Playlist: Jibing

Jibe-ho!

The Crossing of the Waters

Ah, it's that time of year again, when despite Mother Nature's best efforts, the apparel industry insists that we switch gears to the colder months ahead.  With Fall/Winter 2011 previews abound, I have been enjoying the flow of creativity, as many companies continue to expand their lifestyle branding.


One preview that particularly caught my eye was the short film "The Crossing of the Waters" by photographer Oliver Pilcher, which is actually originally from A/W '09, but is still airing on the UK menswear brand D.S. Dundee site.  


Set in the Highland countryside, the story follows a wise man and his horse as he narrates in appropriate Scottish brogue, based on the poem by Scottish author, Patrick Gordon Duff Pennington.  The words are beautiful and the imagery is equally as stunning.  Paired with classic British styling, this is one to turn the volume up!

The Blazer: The Story of an Icon

Due to the overwhelming response to my post on A Brief History of the Bass Weejun a few months back, I wanted to continue this tradition by bringing you interesting tidbits of sartorial history.  I think this stuff is way cool and love researching it; hopefully you'll learn a thing or two along the way.  Let's begin with the basics - the blazer.


There is nothing as quintessential to every man's wardrobe than the classic navy blazer.  While the modern blazer comes in a variety of cuts, patterns, and styles the original came in one fit and color.  Here's a hint: it wasn't blue.

May Bumps Garden Party at Lady Margaret Boat Club

The term originated from the crimson jackets worn by members of the Lady Margaret Boat Club of St. John's College, Cambridge.  The 'blaze' of vibrant color gave rise to the term blazer, which became popular club dress throughout 19th century Britain.  By the 1880s striped blazers, usually in club colors, gained popularity in cricket, tennis, and boating.

Early American blazers
 via Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser

By the 1920s, style savvy American men sported nautical blue and white pinstripe and solid color 'sport coats' to events and during leisure activities.  Double breasted versions appeared as well, influenced by the reefer jackets worn by the British navy, similar to the modern pea coat.  By the 30s a variety of other solid colors became fashionable from pastel blues to hunter greens, yet navy established itself as the preferred work to weekend color of choice.

Image via Rugby

While today the navy blazer still reigns supreme, heritage inspired jackets are making a comeback, such as this cricket jacket in the Rugby fall 2011 collection.  No matter two or three buttons, madras or tweed, crimson or navy, the blazer is a classic and will continue to define men's style for generations to come.