How to wear 'Ivy Style'

As many seemed to enjoy the Ivy League explainer that appeared on our socials,  we're diving deep into the styling of the iconic look. With its roots on the American college campuses of the 1950s and 60s, Ivy style's preppy hallmarks have been refined over the last 70 years by Japanese and US designers alike. The aesthetic, recognisable by the blending of dressier garments with sporty and casual pieces has become one of the most celebrated styles in history. The combination of dressier items like chinos, oxfords, and loafers, with sporty printed hoodies and casual outerwear oozes a preppy charm that elevates a comfortable outfit into something smarter.

Longer Coats
For later nights and colder days, a longer coat is an essential, especially for Ivy dressing. These coats were applied to a range of outfits, beginning with traditional suiting, and then moving to casual sweats and even shorts in transitional seasons. We've been inspired by the unique silhouette of paring a coat with shorts, so we've matched a Baracuta G12 with some black Buzz Rickson's shorts. A versatile outfit as Autumn approaches, and a unique look you don't see often.

Blazers & Chinos
More casual takes on traditional suiting is where Ivy League began, with students adapting their preppy uniforms and introducing more easy-to-wear pieces. The shirts, chinos and loafers used in these dressier outfits are present in almost every aspect of the style, as the thought was to use these versatile suiting basics with a wider range of clothing. We've highlighted this with the fantastic Warehouse tailored blazer and some Full Count chinos as the centrepiece. As a nod to the classy background of the fashion, the outfit is finished off with the luxurious Yuketen Ishica loafers.

Printed Sweats
One of the most recognisable garments synonymous with Ivy Style is the printed sweater. The prominence that sport plays in the American university meant that sweatshirts and hoodies with the school’s name printed somewhere on the piece were ubiquitous on campuses across the country. As students began to blend these sports items with their dressier clothes, the sweat layered over a collared shirt also became an incredibly popular look. Here, we've taken the Warehouse 'Syosset' hoodie and popped it on top of some well faded OrSlow jeans for a preppy charm.

Harrington Jackets
Finally, the Harrington jacket. Few garments have been as universally celebrated as the Harrington, particularly Baracuta’s G9, which has become known as the gold standard. After it was worn by Steve McQueen and James Dean in the 60's, the jacket was adopted by the youth, seeing it as a symbol of coolness and rebellion. There are almost endless ways to style this, but we've stayed true to classic Ivy League, and paired it with a Full Count check shirt, and a pair of Buzz Rickson's chinos.