I'll pop in with JS's Rancourts & BDs, out of a long standing (1985 and counting) loyalty to his vision.

- Vintage has to excluded from this, due to fairness.

So what's the best of the current rest ?

And do they give you what you want, or do you have to compromise on details, construction, quality  ?

Also - Do you go shopping with very specific things in mind (I do), or do you just surf around looking for things ?

No wrong answers.

RTW Ivy is a very limited gene pool these days when you compare it to Ivy in the past. So do you just get things which 'will do' or do you hold out for your own personal 'Holy Grail' items ?

As I say, no wrong answers. Just interested.

Best -

John Simons ......... I wish their shirts fitted me better.

J Press ..... but the consistency is not there, for example, some Press trousers have a nice cut - others not, some jackets have the perfect shoulder - others not. It's a lucky dip unless you can go to the shop, see it for yourself, try it on. Ties and accessories are spot on.

Brooks ......... the odd thing is still okay, the 1818 blazer, their ties are good if you get the ones that are a nice width.

Allen Edmonds shoes ........... their classic styles, I am quite happy with their quality and fit. They do their fair share of pointy toed horrors as well, but then they've got to make a living.

Hardy and Johnson for off the peg sacks.

JSA blows the likes of Gant and similar out of the water in that price range.

^ well said woof, forgot about 'em as well and mine have become a mainstay.

Some of the O'Connell's trousers are made by Hertlings - whose name also deserves mention, as they do stuff under their own name which is equally good.

What do I like about them? Quality materials and construction, a nice high rise (so rare nowadays yet essential for dressing like a man) and correct natural shoulder pockets. Some of them come up too baggy for me and need tapering and others don't (but I like a generous fit). O'Connell's trousers have become a forum favourite, and are often seen on the what are you wearing thread.

Last edited by Yuca (2016-07-19 01:51:02)

He's surely superfluous, isn't he?

Also I remember when he used to post here a hell of a lot and one of his recurring points was that is all about RTW/OTP. That being OTP is and always has been one of the main hallmarks of the style. Now in 2016 when quality tailors and seamstresses are very scarce and don't come cheap, he does a sudden U turn.

All a bit odd - until we remember that he's a compulsive online fantasist, in which case this is actually quite low key. You should have been here when he was running the forum, when he was spending endless hours ranting about (amongst other things) Chens (bad) and JS (good). And woe betide anyone who contradicted him.

It would be very interesting to know if there is any truth to anything he has ever posted.

/\  exactly Yuca ... very reductionist thread ....

I agree  - thread closed.