"Take Ivy" book review

With fall's arrival and classes in full swing, prep-school fashion is everywhere once again. Students and graduates alike are donning varsity gear and school colors, with Ralph Lauren and J. Crew offering a full assortment of this WASP-y American style that is as current as it is vintage.
Books capitalizing on the return of the preppy look include "True Prep," by Lisa Birnbach, author of "The Official Preppy Handbook" and now "Take Ivy," a slender volume of photographs and Ivy League school history that has been re-released.
The latter was originally commissioned by Kensuke Ishizu, the founder of an Ivy League-inspired clothing line called Van Jacket, and first published in Japan in 1965. Japanese photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida and three writers — Shosuke Ishizu, Toshiyuki Kurosu and Hajime (Paul) Hasegawa — did the original research, visiting American Ivy League colleges to "learn everything about their campuses and the lives of students."
The book is a must for anyone interested in men's fashion or Ivy League life, past and present. It offers the interesting and unusual perspective of Japanese men of 45 years ago, who probably never imagined the cult status their book would achieve.
Rare original copies of the book have been sought for decades and sold for hundreds of dollars online. The reissue has been published in English by powerHouse Books at $24.95.
Chapters in the 142-page hardcover include "College Life," "College Fashion," "Elements of "Ivy" and "Take Ivy," which includes information about the eight Ivy League universities: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Pennsylvania, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown and Cornell.
Along with campus photos are photos of New York City streets and shop windows. The book notes, "There are striking similarities between these boutiques and Ivy League campuses in the sense that they are both peaceful, yet full of life. That is exactly what the Ivy League is all about."
There is a directory that lists items in "the basic wardrobe of Ivy Leaguers," should the reader want to make sure he has everything necessary for the complete look.
The largest section is "College Life," with beautiful pictures of the campuses and of students studying, walking to class, biking, reading and relaxing.
As nothing is new in fashion, only repackaged, many of the items photographed in "Take Ivy" are trendy once again this fall/ winter fashion season.
Take for example the varsity jacket. Always a campus staple, the jacket is currently shown in many fall fashion magazines as a piece that can be worn whether or not the owner has ever set foot on a field or court.
Or look at the recent popularity of boat shoes — epitomized by the styles worn by students on the Ivy campuses -— now worn by both men and women of all ages and occupations.
"Take Ivy" is a snapshot of a unique and privileged life and a perfect look-book for those today who want to emulate that way of life, if only in the shoes they wear.

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