Annapolis Casual?

So, the other day I was talking to a co-worker at The Pink Crab in Annapolis about a wedding that she'd been invited to you. It was not a "Black-Tie- Affair" but the dress was termed "Annapolis Casual". Think about it, Annapolis Casual. Now what comes to mind?

Now anyone who has even been to Annapolis would appreciate the term "Annapolis Casual". As my co-worker explained to me, "Annapolis Casual" is defined as navy blue blazers, blue or white oxford shirts, preppy ties, khakis or the washed-out light-colored pants, and SOCKLESS boat shoes. Living in Annapolis myself, the sockless idea is not new to me. This look is seen throughout the catalogs of Vineyard Vines, showing the weddings where the groomsmen all picked the same tie to wear.

Not only is the "Annapolis Casual" look becoming more prevalent in weddings, but it is also seen more often at prom. Boys are wearing the cummerbund and bow tie set. This is much more formal than the "Annapolis Casual" look, but it is still very preppy! The casual look is becoming more popular these days. As I think about it, I myself have been to an "Annapolis Casual" wedding without even knowing it. It was held right in Annapolis, about six years ago. The men all had their blue blazers, maroon/gold/navy striped ties, pleated khakis and boat shoes. They looked very nice if I do say so myself.

Some weddings are even going as far as ditching the khaki pants for khaki SHORTS. The groomsmen still have the oxfords and ties and blazers but wear shorts instead of pants. These weddings are much more casual and most who choose this option will typically go for an outdoor wedding or a wedding on the beach.

But why "Annapolis Casual"? Annapolis does boast the title of "Sailing Capital of the World" but should it have the name "Preppy capital of the World" too?? Annapolis is on the water and full of photo opts, but is it becoming the preppy capital? There are kids here who were raised with a crabbing net in one hand and a lacrosse stick in the other and wore their first popped collar when they were two months old. Neighborhoods in the Annapolis area even have events where 98% of the girls wear Lilly dresses. So do you think it will be a new preppy capital?? In my eyes, probably not. (Things could change for the better...) Again, Annapolis can boast the Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, and like 4 boating supply store within a half-mile, and a yacht club of its own but is it becoming the next Martha's Vineyard or sunny Florida? Vineyard Vines is HQ-ed there. Lilly Pulitzer is HQ-ed in King of Prussia, PA but began in Florida. Will Annapolis start a sockless boat shoe trend? Or a new casual wedding trend?? Well, we'll watch the Sailing Capital of the World, very closely for awhile and if anything shows a pattern, you'll hear it from the Annapolis native, here first!

xx Katie

Ropeknots, and Whales, and Buoys! Oh, TIE?

Vineyard Vines "Vineyard Whale Tie"

Vineyard Vines, an extremely preppy Martha's Vineyard brand makes clothing of all kinds but by far, the most popular item they make is their ties. Ranging from the simple VV Whale logo to surfers and golf clubs, these ties are far from ordinary. Their motto for the ties: "Ties for all guys" shows how easy-going these Martha's Vineyard guys really are.

These ties not only come in preppy logos but also come in prints made especially for colleges and universities. On my college trip out to University of Virgina, a small store carried the school-specific ties. The "College Collection" as named by creators, Shep and Ian, comes in a variety of colors with the logos of many colleges (if the college is considered preppy that helps too!). My favorite UVA tie was salmon in color with the UVA "V" and the cavalier swords beneath it. Let's just say that if I was a frat boy and went to UVA I'd have this tie in every color that it comes in.

These preppy prints are not only limited to ties! Sashes and D-Ring belts (all the true preps know what D-Ring Belts are, but for everyone who is new to the preppy thing, D-Ring belts are typically cotton or ribbon belts that have silver D-Rings used for fastening) come in many of the signature prints VV makes. "Sconset Sashes" are very popular and can be seen in the Summer catalog, being modeled by a recent Princeton grad (ahem, she is also wearing a sconset sash which is part of the college collection).

Vineyard Vines is also a clothing manufacturer. VV makes ladies polos, which run pricey but wash extremely well, skirts, dresses, pants, flipflops, sashes, and more for fall and winter. For women, the polos are probably the most popular, but you can always recognize a girl in a Vineyard Vines skirt. The New England themed prints come with lobsters, buoys, whales, and hermit crabs (and I'm only naming the items I have in my own closet!). One of my favorite things to see is a mom and her daughter wearing matching Vineyard Vines (dads and boys too especially with matching ties!!)

Another favorite item from Vineyard Vines of mine is their lacrosse tie! Since I live in Maryland, and lacrosse is extremely popular, I appreicate this tie more than most. At our school many boys have their fair share of Vineyard Vines ties, not to mention most of the lacrosse players have some version of the lacrosse tie. There are two versions of the lax tie, one with criss-cross sticks and one with actual little "laxers" on it. A classmate of mine even remarked that "They're the best ties ever!" Another classmate of mine admits to having 5 ties himself (which makes me very happy...there are preppy boys out there!) Vineyard Vines also makes many other sports ties like football, basketball, hockey, golf, and baseball but the lacrosse print tie is BY FAR the most prominent here.

xx Katie

Fall Lilly Collection 2007 or 1970?

Fall Collection 2007: Taea Dress

The Lilly Pulitzer Fall 2007 Collection is definetly "vintage inspired". Last weekend, a hippie-chic woman entered the Annapolis Signature Store, The Pink Crab, admitting that Lilly Pulitzer wasn't exactly her style. After looking through the Fall Collection, the woman said that she would definetly buy some of the Fall items upon leaving the store.

The Taea Dress especially, is a very vintage piece. Its print, "Olive Off the Wagon" is not the typical pink-and-green-fish-out-of water Lilly print that we all love. It has definite fall inspired colors like brown and olive and gold details. The scalloped bottom offers a vintage detail matched with a folded collar and gold button. The Jackie O. shift style runs to just over the knees, and is not for the tall preps like myself. This Lilly style dress runs true to size and goes for around $248.00.

The next vintage inspired piece, the croched Spohia Dress, sports a style that Jackie Onasis would have worn herself. Vanilla in color and eyelet and high boatneck in style this dress matches perfectly with the appropriately boxy 3/4 sleeve jacket in the same style. Both with grosgrain detail, the dress boasts a price of $268.00 and the jacket, goes for a steep $298.00.

The Sienna Jaquard black and creme Strapless dress is an extremely functional dress. It is similarly vintage inspired, with an available matching driving coat. The black and creme dress comes in an almost-oriental-flower print. The matching driving coat, Daria Coat, has a pink liner and some of the coolest snap-buttons you've ever seen. This dress runs around $298.00, however the jacket runs just short of $400, coming in at about, $398.00.

The vintage-y-ness doesn't only come in dresses. The Rachel Skirt in "Cocktail Pink Prep Plaid" is most definetly vintage inspired. Boasting typical Lilly pink and green, it is a longer cut skirt with gold buttons running down the front middle. Seen in the window at Annapolis' Pink Crab, it looks great with any matching pink top. The Bess top in "Princess Pink" matches well in every respect. The pink color is the same as the skirt and the gold button detail on the shoulders is the same as the skirt. The skirt rocks a pricetag of $178.00 and the Bess top runs at $98.00.

In the words of Lilly Puliter, "Wear Pink and Make the Boys Wink!"

xx Katie