I like your get up there... is that a lavender shirt? And where the hell are you finding such clothes in these sizes?

Last edited by Bop (2015-03-01 13:30:05)

Me, Thee Captain and a charming ladyfriend of his rocked up for this. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, the chat went on for about an hour and held my attention throughout.  Robert Elms did a good job of drawing out the normally reticient Simons who treated us to a fascinating tour through his career in the clobber game. There were about 200 people there, mainly men, of all ages. Most were wearing ivy gear, some more than others, ranging from full on sack suit to casual or work wear. It certainly put paid to the idea of a handful of middle aged men keeping the look alive in the UK.

Bop - I'm 6ft and a 42R. That HIS sack jacket I'm wearing in the Simons snap is a 44 so it hangs a bit loose, which I like, though perhaps not in photos.

A massive BIG Up for this..

A tremendous evening with some of the best dressed fellas I've ever seen in one room....loads of different takes on a "LOOK", and as ever with Johnny Boy...some excellent tales & history...

Shame it all fizzled out post natter due to the bar being shut (eh?!?) as there was mutual appreciation going on between folk which is always a many-splendoured THANG..

ACES!

Elms isnt the most sensitive of interviewers his he? One bit that annoyed me was when Paul wanted to talk about the painting in the shop which sees JS with a 70s vibe..(if my memory serves me right.. a denim jacket with red and white gingham bd..I remember musing on it the other day I found it actually to be my favourite bit of art in the shop)..its bits like that where Elms I think should've sat back and let the guys talk. It really is quite rude to cut over someone like that, let alone in an interview ..I dont think there was any great risk of the talk ever loosing steam..and I always felt like Elms was eager to give it his impression or his spin..but then these type of people are just walking opinions

Last edited by Bop (2015-04-21 10:04:08)

As it went on I think it settled into a better rhythm

I agree and I don't..one part of me thinks clothes are universal without connotations but then its obvious that they are full of symbolism, meaning and history.. also with your last point Id say jeans have become as American as Shetlands are Scottish. And Fairisle are Norwegian arent they? I always think of them as Scottish

Yes but when the Japanese make these denims theyre emulating American culture and evoking that kind of romanticism, so there still is that case for clothes to carry a meaning or symbolise a place and time.

It's more like the clothes become a mindset or culture that can travel..like music does..Hip Hop had to come from New York but it found a home were ever it went..the problem comes..like how JS talks about when people try to single out ownership..and with people in America who try to say well Ivy is this etc etc..it was the Japanese that kept the Ivy torch burning in a big way when America turned its back on it. The renewed interest in Ivy from an American perspective is about a renewed conservative movement especially in younger men. Broadly it gets called Trad..so the same clothes are being worn in less radical ways and again carry different significance..like I said Im half with you...I know what you're saying, but still the clothes try to mean something..and the meaning can change given on who is wearing it and where, so even though clothes become international they have localised meanings..I suppose that doesnt have to be geographical, it could just be localised online into small subsections and cult movements

Last edited by Bop (2015-04-21 23:03:38)

Well I thoroughly enjoyed the listen again – as much as I did on the night tbh..

Of course JS will be seen as The King of Ivy league here for purposes of anything marketing wise as he’s been around for so long, knows so much and has on the whole, been championing that particular look!

But what I’ve always loved is his fondness for British & European stuff too, as came out in the talk  – he appreciates good quality garments… no matter where they’re from and has always had summat unusual in his shops over the years no matter what category it falls into…

I thought he was hugely entertaining on the night.

This is the way I’ve gone really… & whilst I’m more Americana nowadays or maybe I should say, that’s the stuff I’m now most into, I still admire the classic Boom Year  Ivy look …but then I’d appreciate a well turned out Mod/Skin/Suede/Rockabilly/Biker/Workwear Head/B-Boy blah blah blah… and continue to take or keep bits from those looks – I’ll probably be buried in a Tootal!!!!

You just end up liking what you like after a while and don’t really care if it’s appreciated or offends he he… ESPECIALLY as you get older (well that’s my excuse…OK?!?)

It remains all about STYLE for me as I’ve maintained throughout my time on here… and cultivating your own LOOK!...and if it chops n changes….then even better!!
I have a lot of mates who dress very well but deep down I think they’re CACK next to me ha ha….

BLOW YOUR OWN TRUMPETS FELLAS….that’s what I say… but visually…not gobshitely…


I’m fine with the fact that modern lines JS now do like Keydge/Vetra may be loved by many and hated by others…that’s how it should be, naturally… but I don’t want to be stuck in a world of vintage clothing personally… I’ve been there & done it…and whilst I still love Vintage & will of course continue to buy it, most of my fave items these days are spanking new!

At the end of the day, it’s a great shop  and a great UK Institution… and both John & Paul are engaging and entertaining… I just love popping in there even if I’m not looking for anything…


And AC, Mr Elms sits literally a couple of rows directly in front of me down the Rangers…tho’ I’ve only had minimal contact with him…I’m probably far too workwear mode at the footie for him to take much notice or for him to think I’m that way inclined and besides, I’m always there late and comatosed for most of the game… am in n out the ground ASAP ha ha… and chit chat is with the usual faces when inside..

I’ll still mention the talk should the situation arise of course:

Tom H – who some might know on here - & who’s been doing John’s carpet needs for years sits very near me too… we talk more about clothing and records than the footie tbh…