Club Chair Bulletin #8
Getting a fit off whilst going outdoors
What’s he been up to?
Welcome back to the fortnightly scrapbook for all things Ivy. This week, I’m particularly interested in getting off the beaten trail, literally and figuratively. Summer is for getting out of the city, let’s take a look at the clothes that’ll take us there.
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Delving into the rugged
I’ve been bitten by the heavy duty bug, basically. I am fortunate enough to live in a city surrounding by absolutely stunning countryside, and as I endeavour to see some of it, I’ve been falling in love with the sorts of clothes that the Ivy dresser might wear for such an activity.
It wasn’t that long ago that we had gorpcore pretty much everywhere. It’s a bit of fun to think of heavy duty and rugged ivy as sort of progenitors to this, and also as more timeless and less environmentally compromising expressions of the look. For a long while now there’s been something innately enticing about clothes built to fend off the elements, perhaps we all just have and adventurer somewhere in our hearts.
I’ve also taken an interest in the balance along the see-saw of the Atlantic Ocean when it comes to rugged Ivy. Vintage L. L. Bean, Rocky Mountain Featherbed from the states, Barbours and Tweed Norfolk jackets from the United Kingdom. Seeing the ways the two can interact has been very interesting.
@theprepstack
As for somewhere you might be able to see more ideas to this effect. I’ve now begun to build up a moodboard on Instagram. Featuring, for the most part, a curated selection of magazine, catalogue, and poster photos from times gone by. Drop @theprepstack a follow for inspo/ vibes or just to hang.
Recent Acquisitions
Footwear collection upgrades
Someone call Paolo Nutini. Picked up two pairs of new (to me) kicks for cut prices. Since publishing The 3+2 Shoe Wardrobe, I’ve been steadily working out how to realise that philosophy myself. With these two pickups, my +2 are both fulfilled.
Original 80s GATs
As talked about in the article linked above. A time resistant trainer, arriving just in time for summer. I’ve had a trainer purchase on the cards for some time, and whilst it did take a couple of drinks for me to pull the trigger on these, I’m very glad that I did. They’re a welcome addition to my rotation, taking some of the heavy lifting off of my loafers for the warmer days.
The trouble here is these are such classics that there isn’t much to report. They’re GATs, you know what GAT’s are, that’s about it.
Bean Boots
On the mention of classics that need little introduction, the second pair are L. L. Bean Maine Hunting Boots, in classic tan leather. In keeping with the heavy duty rabbit hole. I’m absolutely in love with these, I sized down, as is advised, they fit great and are tremendously comfortable.
Were a bookies to allow it, I’d put some money on Bean Boots having a big moment in the next few years. Looking at the recent Timbs resurgence, and thinking about the residual gorp influences still hanging about in street fashion, they seem like an obvious choice. My gut says we’re going to see a lot more of them soon.
In the meantime, I’m very much looking forward to hitting the trail in these, fending off the Great British Summertime downpours, and the resultant mud underfoot. Sadly I have no festival plans this year, but I reckon they’re a pretty decent pick there too, skip the Hunters and go with Bean. I’ve not yet decided if I’d feel silly wearing them in the city though, though that opportunity hopefully won’t present itself until maybe September.
My shoe wardrobe is looking fairly healthy now, it’s heavily reliant on these indisputable classics, the black penny loafers and postman derbies alongside these two new contenders. I like versatility in footwear and going for classics has given me that.
On the Radar
Editor’s Note: I’m changing up the Radar section of these a bit, coming up with three recommendations for each issue was proving tricky, hoping to get a little more in depth with fewer entries, focussing less on super niche recon and more on just things I find noteworthy
Guépard Eyewear
I’ll be honest straight away, I cannot afford these. The fact that I cannot afford these is a daily frustration. Getting hands on with them has changed my perspective on the quality and craftsmanship that can be achieved in eyewear, they move the goalposts.
Their design work is fascinating, managing to keep a clear sense of heritage without any given model being an obvious iteration on a design from Ray-Ban or Oliver Peoples. Note, all of their styles are narrow.
These are’t just inaccessible in price either, there aren’t many stockists at all, I’m very fortunate to have gotten to try some. I don't expect anyone to make a purchase of this sort of scale of the back of a recommendation like this one, but you should know Guépard, they really are second to none.
Vintage Sierra Designs
If you ever take a look through an issue of Free & Easy, you’ll see a lot of usual suspects when it comes to outdoor outerwear: Rocky Mountain Featherbed, Patagonia, RRL, The North Face, but you’ll also see a lot of Sierra Designs. These days they’re all in on ultralight gear for those rightfully more preoccupied with climbing tall geography than putting on an outfit. However, looking back a few years returns some absolutely stunning retro parkas and windbreakers, and despite their iconic status, they’re surprisingly affordable, you can very easily pay around £100 for them with a bit of searching.
There is the benefit here of niche, Sierra hasn’t really broken Ivy containment in the West, so if you’re in the know the bargains are there. As pioneers of 60/40 fabric for outdoor clothing, they’re a welcome addition for anyone with a documentarian approach to wardrobe curation. Their 60/40 parka really is an undeniable icon.
If you’re after another outdoors brand to add to your EBay saved searches, let it be Sierra Designs.
The Turntable: Any Other City
As much as I’d really like here to talk about Charli XCX’s Brat, I’ve made the executive decision that it might not be the most resonant of recommendations with the cohort of the club. Plus you probably already know about it.
Instead, I’ve opted to tell you about Any Other City by Life Without Buildings. You may have heard “The Leanover”, the rest of the album continues in the same vein, characterised mainly by Sue Tompkins’ unique vocal. You’ll either love it or hate it most likely.
A record that paints a picture of the late stage punk scene in the early two-thousands, it suits both a careful listen or a blast in the car. If the bizarre vocal delivery is to you’re liking, this is an modern classic indie record to add to your collection.
Whoa so much stuff going on. Congrats on your recent purchases and starting an IG page! I’ve been eyeing the Bean boots since forever but never got my head around the quality of the modern production. I assume you got them vintage, didn’t you?
Also, just out of curiosity, did you try Guepard in All Blues?
Just found your newsletter and am loving it so far. I acquired a pair of new Bean Boots this past winter. I ended up having to size down two sizes rather than the one. I am not sure if that has to do with them being new rather than vintage or because they were the mocs. Either way they have quickly become my go to boot.