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#1 2022-06-16 05:31:18
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'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
Attributed to John Simons, a gentleman who is more than capable of having a wry little joke, of expressing himself in slightly oblique ways.
But the answer - speaking purely personally - is, Most of the time, yes. Hence my constant searching for American made shoes and clothing.
Flash back some years, though, and you'll find JS selling TRS a pair of Thierry Mugler cavalry twills with frog pockets. JS always had the eye. Add in Vetra, Paraboot, Astorflex etc. you obviously have a European mix.
But did America give up on John Simons or did John Simons give up on America?
'Rammed with drivel' I think is another quote.
Who can doubt him?
And yet...
#2 2022-06-16 05:32:49
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
What is it like, in 2022, to look like a little Englishman instead?
#3 2022-06-16 05:38:03
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
Actually, being, when in the correct frame of mind, a diligent student of clothing, I allow myself to be fascinated/partly seduced by the notion of 'Anglo': that enticing cross-pollination that used to be discussed on 'Talk Ivy' during the early years: Barbour jackets in New England, Scottish knitwear in Manhattan. That kind of thing. Some of you will remember. Horace and others would offer up these ideas. Yes, 'Anglo'. I used to bear this in mind when scouting for 'vintage' clothing circa 2008-9. Not that it stopped me from buying French and Italian offerings.
Discuss.
#4 2022-06-16 05:41:22
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
(Barbour is, of course, like Burberry, horribly overground now. At least two shops on the main street of my dull little town are offering it, and there is a shop quite close by. I settled for the slightly more 'under the radar' Bronte when I wanted a waxed jacket for autumn and early spring. Then there is that tasteless Barbour-Steve McQueen collaboration).
#5 2022-06-16 05:45:21
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
Q. To what extent did American designers present clothing in which they imagined an Englishman might dress himself? Tweeds? Perhaps not unlike Hollywood's version of London, in which the Tower Of London and Buckingham Palace are a five minute walk from one another. And what exactly was the story with 'London Fog' (who produced some pleasing advertising)?
#6 2022-06-16 05:47:00
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
John Simons is/was said to have been dismissive of contemporary English designers.
One understands why.
#7 2022-06-16 05:51:01
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Re: 'You Don't Want To Look Like Little Americans, Do You?'
Praise for Ralph Lauren Madras over on 'DW' (from a former 'Talk Ivy' poster, who imagined I was either Jimmy else an invention of his. Work it out for yourselves). There's an awful lot of it about. But 'Bleeding Madras'? Ought one not to seek out 'Guaranteed To Bleed/ instead? Not easy.
Perhaps Kingers could mention some names from the 60s.