In this episode of The VOU Podcast for Men, we open the cult classic Take Ivy - the iconic 1965 Japanese photobook that captured the Ivy League campuses of America and redefined men’s style across the globe. Join us as we step into this quiet revolution in fashion, where khakis, loafers, OCBDs, and natural-shouldered blazers became the unofficial uniform of effortless cool.
Shot candidly on the campuses of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others, Take Ivy documented what American students wore when no one was watching — and in doing so, created one of the most influential menswear books of all time. We explore how this slim hardcover, created by Teruyoshi Hayashida and a team of Japanese style obsessives, distilled the elegance of East Coast collegiate dress and sparked a prepwear movement that echoed from Tokyo to London to New York.
In this conversation, we break down what makes Ivy style more than just clothes - a posture, an attitude, a quiet confidence. From sockless loafers and Shetland crewnecks to the art of rolling your oxford collar just right, we decode the visual language that Take Ivy captured so effortlessly. Our guests unpack the social codes, the contradictions, and the understated rebellion in what appears, at first glance, to be just “clean-cut” student fashion.
We also reflect on Take Ivy’s global impact: how it ignited Japan’s fascination with American prep, laid the groundwork for brands like VAN Jacket, influenced Ralph Lauren and Thom Browne, and continues to shape today’s heritage and "old money" style revivals. And we ask: what was really being photographed — a fashion moment or a social class? What does it mean to preserve that world in print?
Whether you’re a lifelong trad, a modern minimalist, or just discovering the roots of casual menswear, this episode invites you to re-examine how timeless style is made. Because in the end, Take Ivy isn’t just a lookbook — it’s a window into how men used clothing to fit in, stand out, and quietly assert who they were.
A Men's Styling Podcast Made with LOVE by The VOU's Expert Image Consultants.
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