A Weekend In... Watch Hill, R.I.

WATCH HILL, R.I.: Newport's quieter sister, Watch Hill abounds with rambling manses and old-school charm. Pick up sandwiches on the way in at The Cooked Goose in Westerly (try the "C.M.R." or the "Aphrodite") before hanging your hat at the Ocean House, a beautiful seaside resort that was recently restored to its former grandeur. (Bring dress whites for the regulation croquet court!) Après beach, take a spin on the Flying Horse Carousel and check out the gorgeous yachts docked at the Watch Hill Yacht Club. After washing the sand off, grab dinner and drinks alfresco at the Olympia Tea Room. When you're ready to go, head out by way of rail, air, or sea.

Clockwise from top left: Canvas coal bag by ACL & Co., $68, here; J.Crew plaid shirt, $68, in stores; Cartier Tank Solo watch, $2,300, in stores; Asprey propeller keyring, $270, here; Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe, $75, here; Hermès "Yachting" beach towel in horizon blue, $180, here; Wölffer Estate 2010 Rose, $16, here.

A Weekend In... Montauk, N.Y.

The first in a new series of posts taking a look at the basics for a weekend away.

MONTAUK, N.Y.: Sunny brights and lifeguard style typify the once-sleepy (and now trendy) beach town at the easternmost point of Long Island. While you're there, g

rab a sandwich from Ditch Witch and watch the surfers at Ditch Plains Beach. P

op into Tauk, a chic clothing and home design boutique. Have a cocktail at Navy Beach before family-style dinner at Harvest; then take in a Sunday night concert on the deck at The Surf Lodge. Hop on the LIRR or the Jitney and head back to the City.

...'til next weekend.

Clockwise from top left: Persol 649S sunglasses (custom blue lenses), $389, here; Saturdays Surf for J.Crew flag tee, $40, here; Jack Spade nylon canvas gym bag, $275, here; Ocean Potion SPF 15 sunscreen, $9.89, here; Miansai hook bracelet, $55, here, Vilebrequin Moorea "Tribal" swim trunk, $230, here.

Wardrobe Staple | The Engine-Turned Buckle

the thrifting find

the Tiffany splurge

Buckles like these are an enduring prep staple for a number of reasons. First, since the buckle can be used with a variety of different belt straps, it's practical! And thrifty. (The fact that the straps, usually gator, run upwards of $200... is disregarded.) Second, it allows the prep to showcase the only designer initials that should ever be worn: one's own. Third, the heirloom quality of the sterling means that with good care, it will last forever.

A truly resourceful prep will either pilfer one from his father or find one secondhand. The top buckle, 14K gold-plated sterling, has an inscription inside which reads: "From your friends in 29." Neat. The fact that the initials are "B.S." lends it a little irreverent charm. I think I paid something like $20 for it.

For those who'd prefer new, it's worth investing a little more to get the best. Mine's from Tiffany, where they run $215, not including engraving. Might as well splurge for the hand engraving for this piece ($30). Straps can be had at Brooks, Ralph, Paul Stuart, etc. in a variety of leathers: calf, suede, lizard, and gator.

And in case you're wondering, the initials don't stand for "Dapper Van Blog." A nice coincidence, perhaps.

One Dangerous Drink

Forget what you know about needlepoint. Far from being busy work for your grandma in Naples, the stylish accessories from Bethesda-based Smathers and Branson are sure to change your opinion of the once-staid stitch. Their men's needlepoint belts have been an underground preppy fave since 2004, but they've recently expanded to women's accessories (headbands! belts! coin purses!), wallets, dog collars, and my personal favorite: flasks (see above). What started as a homegrown business from their Bowdoin dorm room seems to have taken off quite well for the pair - their fab wares have popped up everywhere from the local country club to Bergdy's. As far as the pirate number you see here, all I have to say is this - scoff if you must about the whole skull and bones thing being so over, but one thing's undeniable: there's nothing as badass as taking a swig from one of these flasks. Make mine a Tanqueray, boys.

Jolly Roger flask, $65, smathersandbranson.com

Accessories from J.Press

I love J.Press. Outside of certain Boston-New Haven-D.C. circles, they fly under the radar, which is totally fine by me. I usually skip their sack suits and pleated trousers (a favorite of U.S. Congressmen, but too bulky for my taste) and head right for their accessories. They have a great selection of repp ties and bowties in a variety of school colors, fabulous blazer badges for various Northeast colleges, cotton gingham pocket squares, braces, and colorful watch bands. Notably, they are the official purveyor of the "Chuck Bass Scarf," a crazy silk dot patchwork number. If you don't happen to live in one of the four cities where they have retail locations, there's always the online option. Pictured: a cotton madras bowtie ($49.50). Pair it with a seersucker suit, white cotton oxford, and bucks and you've got the perfect outfit for the Virginia Gold Cup or the Foxfield Races.

J.Press, stores in NYC, New Haven, Washington, and Cambridge, and online.