I plan on this being my last post on Antonio’s recent preppy vs Ivy League vs Traditional post: https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/preppy-revival-fall/ The use of the word preppy and its connotations vary greatly based upon the decade one was in High School. For me, as a product of the sarcastic 1970’s- we welcomed basically anything to replace the dorky disco doubleknit disaster of the decade. By my Junior year in high school my Quiana shirts had been replaced with Gant rugby shirts and my bell bottoms were replaced by cotton poly blend Berle khakis with cuffs. The Preppy Handbook was not to show up for another 5-6 years so that word was unbeknown to me. As clothing styles happily returned to its pre polyester madness, the fashion world was turned on its head as feathered bangs on dudes, high heeled shoes and giant combs sticking out of guys pockets to maintain their zipperhead parts gave way to a rush toward natural fabrics, polo shirts, OCBDs etc . Yet still, I never had heard of the word preppy. By my Junior/Senior year in college-what was produced as another satirical parody along the lines of the popular Mad Magazine and National Lampoon magazine and similar sardonic movies like Animal House, Stripes, Caddy Shack, etc, (The Preppy Handbook) morphed from a joke to a Bible. We had a few in the store and would read them to each other laughing our tails off. Then the insanity began. Since we were named in the book people flocked to our stores to get their copy. We sold crates full at the store and being on commission learned to answer all kinds of goofy questions as though we were some kind of sartorial clerics. It wasn’t until I joined this community almost three years ago that I realized guys younger than I by 10 years and longer had grown up with the term as part of their lexicon with an entirely different relationship to it than I. I also surmised that after my high school and college experience, for younger guys, preps were reduced down to just another clique like goths, and jocks, and normals etc.

It’s as if Andy knew my post yesterday about my weight loss and determination lol. Winning doesn't come to you… Success doesn't come to you… Peace doesn't come to you… Discipline doesn't come to you… Grit doesn't come to you… Confidence doesn't come to you… You have to create these things by relentless execution of daily critical tasks. There is no easy way. There is no quick way. There is no painless way. ...but there is a way. How bad you want it is the only variable. ~ Andy Frisella

As I prepare for knee surgery next week, I got my now biannual blood work done yesterday before my latest work trip. I was one that lived a devil may care lifestyle and was not a fan of going to the doctors as I watched my mother go through a lot of back and forth and nothing good coming of it. Fast forward and at 50, I decided to start, it’s never too late to start, and my weight and blood sugar levels were, dangerous is a nice way to put it. As many of y’all know, I started a weightloss journey that has seen great success, my weight has gone from 275 to 198 as of Sunday morning, and as of this morning I’ve taken my A1-C 9.4 to 5.7 and my daily blood sugar from 200, yeah as I said I didn’t care, to 85. It’s never too late. For perspective, 2015 to 2026.

Today’s ensemble reflects confidence, restraint, and timeless gentlemanly style. The textured tan sport coat, crisp blue striped dress shirt, (living my new Bengal striped shirt) cream trousers, and cognac loafers create a harmonious palette, while the coordinated pocket square adds just the right amount of personality without appearing flashy. This is the kind of classic, well-tailored look that communicates dignity, quiet confidence, and respect for the occasion—an excellent example of modern gentleman’s attire for Sunday worship.

The crowd is an inevitable graveyard full of people who never tried. It's impossible to win and still fit in. You can't lead and be loved by everyone. You can't rise without losing the ones who refuse to move themselves. They are not your people. They pretend the life they have is the life they chose while they are filled with regret in their heart about what they could have been. It's a lie that you never want to get sucked into. Leave them where they are. Do what you gotta do. You didn't sacrifice who you used to be just to please who you used to know. Build. Create. Become. The world deserves your story. The right ones will follow. ~ Andy Frisella