Porsche 944

Photo credit here

If I were in the all-too-common scenario where someone offered to give me my choice of any non-911 Porsche (not including the Cayman), my choice, hands-down, would be the 944.

Photo credit here

Built between 1982 and 1991, this car just oozes 80s awesomeness, without being as obnoxious as other 80s sports cars like the Lamborghini Countach. While it isn't as fast the 928, it does come in a turbo version, and seems like it would make a great daily driver with plenty of fun leftover.

Photo credit here

Besides, if it was good enough for Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles, how can you go wrong?

Miles Fisher cover of "This Must Be the Place"

Man, this is awesome. Not only is "This Must Be the Place" probably my favorite Talking Heads song, but Miles Fisher's cover of it is fantastic (as a side note, Miles played Kinsey's preppy drug-dealer friend, Jeffrey Graves, on the third episode of season 3 of Mad Men). However, combined with reenactments from American Psycho (which are only enhanced by Fisher's uncanny resemblance to Christian Bale), this has to be one of the greatest music videos of all time. Parts of it border on NSFW, though, but be sure to watch it when you get home. You won't be disappointed.

I want this:

Maybe I've been hanging out with "bike people" a little too much lately, but while perusing craigslist I came across this Trek 412 road bike. Not only does it appear to be in great condition, it's actually my size. If only I had $200... (Paypal donations gladly accepted).



The same guy also had this Peugeot road bike listed, but I believe it has since sold (probably for the best, for my sake). Both bikes have that great 80s look to them. Awesome.

If it ain't broke...

I think that most would agree that LL Bean isn't what it used to be. Over the years the company has gone from small Maine-based outfitter to a global company that has diversified itself into every possible outdoor niche and outsourced the production of most of its products to third world countries. In doing so, they have diluted the number of classic, good-looking, and quality-made products into near oblivion. Fortunately, a few standards still exist, most in a state close to their original greatness. I have outlined them below:

The Maine Hunting Shoe

About as close to the original as you can get, and still made in Maine. I have them in 10" and are great for being out in the field, or just for a rainy day.

Rubber Moc

Made famous by the Official Preppy Handbook, accept no substitute. Throw these on to go get the mail, or to head to the bar. They look best with no socks (although actually going sockless is not recommended; use a pair of "loafer socks" to create the illusion). Made in Maine.

Chamois Cloth Shirt

Although these aren't made in the US, they're still pretty good. Soft, comfortable, rugged and warm, wear it while raking leaves or in the duck blind. Can also be worn over an oxford cloth shirt a shirt-jacket.

Irish Fisherman's Sweater

Still made in Ireland, they cost a pretty penny at $119, but they are surely worth every penny, especially if you are on a fishing boat in the somewhere in the North Atlantic.

Original Field Coat

While I don't own one of these myself, they appear to be about as good as the original. If I didn't have a Barbour, I would most certainly pick one up. While the "Stone" color seems to be popular, I think that "Saddle" is a better choice.

Camp Moc/Blucher Moc

These are no longer made in Maine, and the leather is of questionable quality. However, they still seem to be decently constructed, fairly comfortable, and are amazingly versatile. If they're good enough for Vampire Weekend, they're good enough for me.

Casco Bay Boat Mocs

I suppose this choice is a little bit of a cheat since Bean hasn't really been offering these for very long. However, I got a pair about three years ago and they are an awesome boat shoe; they are far superior to the pair of Topsiders I own. I have them in Briar (which start to look better after a bit of wear and some applications of mink oil), but they are also available Chocolate, which look similar to the classic Sperry dark brown.

Conspicuously Absent

LL Bean Trail Model Vest

Photo courtesy of Heavy Tweed Jacket
Although Bean does, from time to time, offer a nylon down jacket, since they started using zippers instead of buttons, things really haven't been the same

LL Bean Norwegian Sweater

80% Wool, 20% Rayon, and made in Norway, these sweaters, like the Rubber Mocs, were immortalized in the Official Preppy Handbook. No self-respecting prep in the 80s would have been without one. In spite of bringing back a Chinese-made version a few years ago (with a lower wool content, natch), I suspect that this one is gone for good. Fortunately they can usually be found on Ebay.

I should note that fortunately Bean's customer service is still top-drawer. If you call them, the phones are answered by actual Americans (it is especially exciting when they have a Maine accent) and their return policy is fantastic. I can only hope that they keep around many of these products for years to come.

"Making the Grade"

The other night I watched the 1984 movie "Making the Grade." I rented this movie per a recommendation from the the Ralph Lauren Rugby blog. Wow, I have to say that this movie was quite abysmal. It features subpar acting and an awful story. It also features Judd Nelson as the only actor that I remotely recognized. The only redeeming quality of this movie, and it is quite the redeemer, is that the movie plays like a film version of the Official Preppy Handbook. Frankly, it was pretty amazing. While parts of it definitely fall into the category of "over the top" prep, the rest of it is simply khakis, shetland sweater, boat shoes, penny loafers, and tweed jackets. I won't really waste time by going into details about the movie (because it doesn't deserve it) other than stating that the movie takes place at a Northeastern prep school during the 80s, instead I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.


The scene when Judd Nelson's character arrives at Hoover Academy.


That's a lot of polo shirts.


Note the ribbon belt.


Guys in this movie wore sweaters around their shoulders so often that it almost appeared normal. The guy with green sweater is the typical preppy antagonist, unoriginally named "Biff."


Although pants were not actually worn this short during the movie, it was interesting that they included this shot when Judd Nelson's character (not originally a prep) was getting a lesson on what to wear to fit in.


Note the awesome lacrosse poster on the wall.


Nice selection of footwear. Also the directors seem to be under the impression that prep students love to smoke pipes.






Judd Nelson is wearing Chuck Taylors in this scene.


The girls from a nearby girls prep school.


A nice selection of ties.


Too much madras? Impossible.


I'm not sure which I like more: the girls in tartan or the guy in the patch madras pants.






The girls while watching the lacrosse game.


After watching the lacrosse scene, I'm pretty sure that the filmmakers had never actually seen a lacrosse game.


Awesome Bean Boots.


Nice looks shetland sweater.


The oxford over the polo shirt was pretty prevalent in the movie.


Note the Bean Norwegian sweater.


Judd Nelson and his love interest in a sweet down vest.

One thing I noted was how prevalent kelly green was in this movie, either in sweater or corduroy pants form. It made me really want to add some to my own wardrobe.

A whole lotta 80s preppy goodness

Blogger Heavy Tweed Jacket has scanned and posted a number of pages from a 1982 issue of Men's Club, one of those wacky Japanese magazines with a weird obsession with classic American style. These pictures are pretty much awesome. Be sure to check out his post here. Below are just a few of the highlights, in my opinion. I'm looking forward to anything else he's got up his sleeve.