What I Learned About Ivy Style

One of my style goals this Fall was experimenting with Ivy style. To friends, I’d describe the aesthetic as 60s jazz musician core.

While I love dressing in this style, I find that it doesn’t suit my lifestyle.

For example, one staple within Ivy style is ties. I work from home. I’d look ridiculous on Zoom meetings if I was wearing a tie with my bed visible in the background. Similarly, many of my social circles tend to dress more casually, and wearing a tie makes me feel out of place. While I love wearing ties, they’re also a pain in the ass to tie in the morning and wearing them can feel constricting around the neck.

Another staple within Ivy style is blazers, but especially when paired with a button down, it feels much too formal for most places and occasions.

I wrote previously that it takes five to seven years to build a wardrobe. Building your forever wardrobe and developing your personal style is a long term game. It’s a journey that requires lots of experimentation. But that’s what makes the journey so satisfying. Along the way you learn more about your style, and yourself along the way.

This Fall, I thought I’d experiment with Ivy style. And there are many parts of it that I like. I like formal footwear, trousers, button-downs, blazers, and ties. And while I do like dressing formally, I don’t feel most comfortable in many social settings.