And Street will have to change his name hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

A bit more cheerful:

http://garmsville.blogspot.com/2009/04/exclusive-news-john-simons-launches-own.html

Would seem to be indicative of a cultural change, that we often address here, and elsewhere.

Most that post here have a fairly fixed pattern of taste in men's clothing. Call it Ivy, Trad, TNSIL, etc. We can get in discussions about the nomenclature, and implications of various styles, but basically we are kindred spirits, regardless of nomenclature differences.

However, there seem to be two challenges. First of all, the vast majority of men in the US, aren't even remotely interested in clothing. You can look at them and tell. Most men in US wear stuff that is picked out by women, and that speaks for itself. The fact that there is a small percentage of men that post on a MB like this indicate that interest ranks up there with things like harpsichord music. A few intensely interested, but not enough to really matter.

Given the above, we end up with the problem that keeps us going. If J. Simons closes, or JP, and BB launch into strange stuff, it would seem to illustrate that there just aren't enough of us around to make up a meaningful market.

You could take about six guys from this MB, and create an incredible line that we would all love. We could spend hours there marveling at the fabrics, style, etc, that would be a big hit with the relatively few of us that care, and really appreciate Ivy, and its heritage. However, the place would probably end up as a museum for our enjoyment, but not enough revenue to to pay the light bill.

This leads the venerable old few like JP, and BB grasping for ways to find a market. Some of their strivings may work, and many cause us a bit of angst.

There was a recent thread about things we would like to see at JP again, but may not. They are trying to find their way in uncharted waters. Same with BB, etc.

This brings us to the raison d etat for gatherings like this. Kindred spirits exchange ideas that most of us would otherwise be unaware of, and allows those that care, to learn of places like OCLS, Mercer, Bills', etc where the holy grail is still in existence.

Still some picks at the familiar places, but fewer and fewer as they struggle for economic existence.

Last edited by Matt (2009-11-28 15:24:41)

When i was in there yesterday John said they were definitely going ahead with the website and have sorted most of it out apparently selling the J. Simons lines. He also sold me some of those deadstock trousers. Wool in an Olive twill, real slim, high waisted Andover ones. Lovely they are.