“He was the definition of ‘cool’. His tailored, snug two-button suits and Ivy League style made him a fashion icon in the 1950’s. He redefined the meaning of prep”.
Is this an excerpt from some highbrow fashionista magazine?
No, but it could have been according to author and Colombia University professor John Szwed.
Szwed, who gave a lecture on the late famous jazz trumpeter Miles Davis Tuesday night at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus, spent a great amount of time talking not only about Davis’ music, but also of his impact on fashion.
Indeed, as Szwed illustrated, Davis’ interpretation of ‘Ivy League Prep’ bore a trend to the trim clothes so often in 1950’s America. Yet, it is those same styles that have again made its way into fashion houses and boutiques over fifty years later.
Martin Torres, manager of Cram Fashion, a men’s and women’s boutique store in Lakeview, says that the same styles made popular in part by Davis in the 1950’s have again returned to the shelves as “must-haves” for the men's Fall/Winter season.
“We are seeing a return of classic American Prep”, says Torres. “From high-cuffed trousers to fedora hats to loafers- our supplying brands [check them out here] have held common themes for the fall and upcoming winter season- and people are buying it”.
‘Ive League Prep’ has its roots in the eight Ivy League colleges. It is focused on form-fitted clothing, layering, and a dedication to cuffs, collars, solid knits.
Kris Bunch, Visual Merchandiser for the Midwest division of United Colors of Benetton, says this style, which has lasted through the past five decades, has had resurgence in the past few fashion cycles.
“Slowly but surely we have seen the reemergence in popularity of the American Prep style in the US, and especially here in the Midwest”, said Bunch. “The next few fashion seasons will see a lot of cuffed pants and shirts as well as that ‘grown out of your suit’ type look that we have seen with icons like Miles Davis”.
What about those that want to achieve the perfect ‘Ivy League Prep’ look this Fall and Winter?
“That’s easy”, says Bunch. “Just print out a picture of classic 1950’s Davis and bring it into the store. We will take it from there”.
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