Founded: 2009, Dallas

Blogger: F.E. Castleberry

The philosophy: “I have a love affair with Northeastern culture and the WASP lifestyle. They have the most fun with clothes since they experience all four seasons. The history behind the Ivies, the gentlemanliness of it all...I want my style to subtly hint at that.”

The early days: ”As a teen, I would cut up selvedge denim into swatches in order to make my own patchwork denim jeans...sew patches onto my chinos, my sweaters and rip off the logos on all my name brand clothes. During college, I fantasized about designing my own line while trying to act like an adult in business school. At some point I became a kid again.”

The influence: “Nineteen-seventies New England preppy-when preppy meant elegant, hardworking clothes that lasted decades, not a season. The American look is very unstudied, that’s the key. It’s as if you’ve spent no time at all getting yourself together, even if you have.”

The on-screen inspiration: “I would love to be the costume designer for a romantic comedy like Wedding Crashers. Bow-ties should often be knotted with tomfoolery closely in tow. It’s the Preppies’ body piercing. It says, “I don‘t care what you think” with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek. The “prep” look itself is quintessentially light and whimsical. I believe it’s important to laugh in your clothes.”

The soundtrack: “Hands down the indie-alternative acts, Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend. They really understand the symbiotic relationship between music and style and pull it off in top drawer fashion.”

Every man should have: “A Ralph Lauren repp neck tie.”

Every (brave) man should have: “A collegiate crest emblazoned seersucker blazer. They come in all shades of pastels these days but stick with blue.”

“America was my fashion school.” —Ralph Lauren