Wish you went to Oxford? Yeah, me too.

Harvard, Oxford, Yale... what do all these have in common? Yep! I couldn't afford them. Oh wait, that wasn't the point I was trying to make. What was my point again?... Right! Collegiate style! You're so smart.

Trends come and go, but the style of the uber elite "old money" families seems to stay the same. Basically everything comes from the aristocratic style of the English countryside with the earth tones and bow ties all thrown together with a haphazard air of going out for a "quick jaunt." Honestly, who plays a friendly game of touch football in a bow tie, sweater vest, and $800 blazer? Oh, right... the uber elite.

Lately, this gorgeous style of sophistication and leisure has begun to creep into the trends of the season. You can see more and more items with crest patches and ornate stitching which bring you back to that "old world charm". If you had to pick one designer that seems to hit the nail on the head, who would you say? No silly, not Gucci... the correct answer is none other than the mastermind himself, Ralph Lauren. Recently, Ralph has started to open free-standing shops for their Ivy League casual line, Rugby. I absolutely love this line. It has the refinement of aristocracy with that half-cocked-tie casualness. It says, "Hey, I'm all about business and the finer things in life, but I dress for comfort and I'd love to sit outside and chat with you over hot cider." Ok, maybe it doesn't say all that, but it makes a distinct statement about the wearer. Final Verdict: start out with an item or two paired with structured pieces; it'll give you a whole new way to pull together your existing wardrobe.