Tim - with a heavy heart I'm with you 100%. The 'new' shop is nice, and worthy of our support, but I feel it is too focused on marketing and the internet, and the tedious mod connection, and lacks that magical extra dimension of the old shops. It also lacks John, Ken and Jeff, all characters from a different era.

I do like what they are doing with their own brand made in London clothes.
The latest shirts are good. My missus complimented me on my latest purchase and then surprised me by saying 'is J Simons still in business?' . She obviously hasn't been paying attention to my spending habits recently.

I've just noticed they have the gillet on sale for £435!

Uniqlo ultra light down gilet is a very warm garment and packs down into its own cover. £39. Thoroughly recommended. Great for travel and round the house.

That said, I don’t like the look of gilets and prefer to wear other garments out and about.

Runninggeez- I'm not familiar with Clutch Cafe so I checked it out and I see your point on price comparison. I am familiar with Uniqlo and I have a couple of the duck down jackets which as Kingy says pack into a very small own cover and are useful for travel.
Stax- The winter sale should be interesting but I don't have you down as a gilet wearer.

Robbie- you’re right, I’ve never owned a gilet, however a Uniqlo gilet might be worth considering for an additional layer for winter dog walking,

Robbie B - ‘ ‘The Autumn Ivy jackets now on the JS website. At £495 I might pass.‘

I have to say that these look excellent and the cloths they use are first rate. The price/value is debatable, but I guess if you are in need of a tweed jacket, you try on one of theirs and it really lights your fire then the price could be acceptable. Personally, I just got my winter stuff out and I’m already well sorted for tweed jackets, They are mainly Brooks and J Press that I have acquired over the years, superb quality that will see me out. So I’ll pass as well.

The changing of the seasons is definitely one of the best aspects of an interest in clothes. Imagine living somewhere where you just wore madras jackets all year round? Ask me in January and I’d probably be willing to give it a try!

The one item I struggle to find in the Ivy style is jackets.

I was a big fan of Keydge on many levels - cut, comfort and fabrics.

Since their demise the Simons version has been a worthy successor. The first ones were poor in terms of fit but they have improved with each season.

Last season I purchased the green Harris Tweed and was hoping these would return this season with more options.They are great jackets but really expensive for what they are construction wise.

I do not begrudge them making a profit and appreciate that with smaller production runs you don’t achieve economies of scale but when compared with some other options out there the price isn’t attractive.

The gilets are far too expensive. I have a good quality LL Bean one that was much cheaper even after tax and shipping.

I have just taken delivery of a lovely blue cord shirt. ideal for Autumn but still too warm in Brum to wear yet.

It's much nicer than their previous version from about 5 years ago - much softer cord, the colour is more navy than the previous midnight and the fit is slightly roomier. (ideal for us lovers of a salt beef sandwich)

I wish it had the Press style pocket flap though.

It will be worn in the Bill Evan style with a grey tweed Keydge and a smile.

The John Simons overcoat I have is superb.

I asked them to make a longer version in a black watch tartan cloth they had.

As usual they were very accommodating although surprised that I wanted a long version.

Although not the thickest coat I own it is definitely one of the most elegant

The Harris Tweed Atomic check overcoat pictured on the girl in the doorway looked good. It would suit my missus as well but at £795 I'm not going to suggest it to her. She recently bought thick soled Chelsea boots similar to the girl in the doorway at no. 46 (without the stack heel) and in black and they look great on her

I'm not a fan of bit loafers. Too many other types of shoe I like more.
I've never considered them Ivy but interestingly my younger brother and his sons wear them and they think they are Ivy and they are surprised at my Meh reaction.

Tim - I just see the briefcase online- £950 , gulp..... get the loft ladders out !
Not related but Interestingly  ladies Paraboots new in @ CS,