Autumn Americana
Cultivate creativity, joy, and intention with our Fall theme guide.
Welcome to Theme Edit, our cultural curation that activates creativity, tempers decision anxiety, and fosters experiential learning.
We believe that by centering our daily decisions around one concept, or theme, we can regain a sense of agency over the creative direction of our lives. Let us provide you with these guides to life so that you can live your day-to-day with intention. In an age that presents us with endless options often leading to decision anxiety, we aim to function as a compass. That is our grand vision, our ethos, and we’ve nicknamed this kind of intentional living “theming”.
To let the big wide world in on our little secret to life, we’ve specially curated this theme for you to join us in living out. We’ve named it “Autumn Americana”, and it’s the first of many themes to come.
THEME // Autumn Americana
“Kids across the world latched onto the most attractive aspect of the preppy life: its look, the rumpled and ironic blending of dress and casual clothes.” Mens Flair
As Autumn officially arrives and many head back to school, we feel an annual nostalgia. The buttoned up shirt that was too stuffy to wear in July now feels appropriate, and we crave Rom Coms like “When Harry Met Sally”. Images of Harry and Sally strolling through Central Park in lovely cable knit sweaters with sneakers and baseball caps stir up a romantic idea of Fall on the East Coast and a style of 80’s Ivy League dress.
Though the “preppy” aesthetic is now a diluted and an widely interpreted thing, it’s roots can be traced to a uniformity of style and focus on social achievement amidst the New England prep schools and ivy-league institutions of the 1950s. Though, once the 80’s arrived, the style was fair game for the laymen, in fact taking America by storm in the form of brands like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Now, it rises in popularity once more, but not untouched by skate culture, hip-hop, and equity.
This kind of “preppy” style has had a notable resurgence in the form of street wear. Brands like Aime Leon Dore, Kitsch (Jerry Seinfeld), and the re-invented J. Crew have combined this collegiate style, once worn strictly by the wealthy elite, with the creativity of early hip-hop, the style of pioneering athletes, and the ease of streetwear.
Explore, learn, and theme with us. Bring creative direction to your day to day, allowing yourself to not just exist but experience.
WEAR //
In an article from Men’s Flair on the roots of American ‘Prep’, it’s stated that the most attractive aspect of the ‘preppy’ style and reason for its commercial success is its “rumpled and ironic blending of dress and casual clothes.” What was birthed in the 50’s as a way of showing status and uniformity amongst the east coast elite, evolved into the all-american interpretation of the 80’s. Hip-hop stars were wearing the varsity jackets that were previously reserved for one class and color, what’s more American than that? Fast-forward 40-ish years to Brendon Babenzien and his recent overhaul of J. Crew. Previously a designer with Supreme, the infamous streetwear brand, he reinvents prep once again, this time with 21st century twist. Kitsch & Roots are having a revival; and Aime Leon Dore is the newest cool kid on the block - referencing the past in ways that could not be more perfect for the present.
Theme through fashion with us using these inspirational images and interchangeable staple items.
Mad Happy Varsity Jacket / J. Crew Ringer Tee / Levis Jeans / Reformation Loafers
Adidas City Prep Collection / J. Crew by Brendon Babenzien / Emma Chamberlain
Dockers Leather Belt / Profound Varsity Sweater / Everlane Trousers / Reformation Loafers
Kitsch featuring Jerry Seinfeld / Roots / J. Crew by Brendon Babenzien
Lee Mathews Button Up / Mad Happy Sweatsuit / Adidas Continental 80 Sneakers
“When Harry Met Sally” / “Seinfeld” / “When Harry Met Sally”
J. Crew Blazer / Zara Trousers / Rowing Blazers Rugby Polo / Dolce Vita Heeled Loafers
“Grease” / “Dead Poets Society” / George Lucas while filming “American Graffiti”
Zara Letterman Jacket / H&M Sweater Top / Everlane Jeans / Roots Socks
Farrah Fawcett / Emma Chamberlain / Aime Leon Dorre
H&M Stadium Jacket / Aritzia V-Neck Sweatshirt / H&M Polo Shirt / Adidas Tennis Skirt
* a note on the fashion curation - our hope is that you will utilize what you have in your closet, thrift, or choose pieces you will keep for a log time … stretching your creativity rather adding to the landfills.
WATCH //
The films/tv shows listed all gave inspiration to the theme, either due to their interpretation of prep, autumn nostalgia, 80’s swagger, or all of the above.
We’re watching:
“When Harry Met Sally” 1989 watch on Netflix
A fall classic, this cozy New York rom-com inspired our initial delve into 80’s prep. With filmmaking that treasured its characters, atmosphere, and setting, the movie captures a moment in time so well. You’re left with nothing but warm fuzzies and the urgent need to dress like Sally and Harry.
Early episodes of “Seinfeld” 1989 watch on Netflix
The eccentricity of New York prep in the 80’s and 90’s is perfectly captured in this classic sitcom. We think Jerry Seinfeld’s recent debut in the latest Kith campaign couldn’t have been more accurate as his Seinfeld persona perfectly embodies Kith’s modern interpretation of prep. We came for the leather bombers, but stayed for the laughs and NY nostalgia.
“Dead Poet’s Society” 1989 watch on Disney+
Set at a preparatory school in Vermont in the 50’s, the movie tells a story at the very birthplace, let alone namesake, of American prep. There is plenty of fall imagery as well as important commentary on the conformist ideals present in these mid-century hotbeds of wealth and status.
“American Graffitti” 1973 watch on Paramount +
What could be more Americana than a coming of age film, set in a small Californian town in 1962 written and directed by George Lucas, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, that stars Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard and Harrison Ford. Each of these men American icons in-and-of themselves, coming together for one last evening before their new beginnings in the year 1962 - perfect Academy Award nominated back-to-school vibes.
“Grease” 1978 watch on Paramount +
What feels like the younger, less sophisticated, but still fun sibling of American Graffiti - Grease is a film based of the theatrical musical written by Jim Jacobs. It became the highest grossing film musical of the time, the soundtrack topped the charts with “Hopelessly Devoted to YOU” being nominated for an Academy Award. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Although the actors are clearly not high school age, this film gives you those youthful vibes that make us long for bygone days of drive-ins, radio, and diner life - no matter your age.
DO//
Ride a bike
Visit a bookstore
Picnic in the park - Central Park preferably
Roller Skate
Go to a drive in theatre
Attend a sports game - bonus points if it’s at an Ivy League school
Visit a museum
Visit / work in a library
Take a walk - preferably with fall trees
EAT //
Pumpkin pie ready to eat for breakfast, best part of waking up.
You may be a little far from Katz Delicatessen, the famous deli from “When Harry Met Sally”, but you can come close with a recipe for a classic NY deli sandwhich, the Rueben.
Manhattan Clam Chowder in 40 minutes?? Yes please.
What’s more NY Americana than pizza… After religiously watching the new ‘Chef’s Table’ on Netflix that is all about world class pizza, we’ve had the itch to make our own za. Here is a delicious recipe, and our favorite sauce.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding, warm, sweet with a little spice. Yum!
LISTEN //
When we think of Autumn, and classic American sounds, both jazz and hip hop instantly come to mind. We’ll be listening to that and more, see our Spotify for specifics.
READ//
“The Nora Ephron We Forget” by Rachel Same for The New Yorker
A deeper look into the woman who has become the icon of “sappy romance” meets intellectual dialogue with films that seem to never stop warming our hearts.
“The ‘Preppy Handbook’ & Me” by James Poniewozik for The New York Times
As a kid in the ’80s, I hated the preppy craze. But did I really understand the book that started it? Learn more about the impact of The Official Preppy Handbook on culture then and now
“Matters of Honor” By Louis Begley
About immigrants & first generation Americans attending Harvard and their attempt to fit into WASP culture.
REFLECT //
Mindfulness through journaling is a powerful tool to calm the mind, and soothe anxiety. Grab your favorite journal and reflect on the following questions:
While living out the theme “Autumn Americana”, what practice was most grounding for you?
As the seasons change, there is an unmistakable nostalgia of Fall’s past and time spent at school. Reflect on your favorite memories, and some of your not-so-favorite about those seasons of life and notice how they inform your experiences now.