As has been pointed out here 3 times - no external logos.  Cause for celebration to all lovers of style.  Surely that fact will limit the brand's success with the chav crowd (for want of a better term)? 

After all it was Burberrys' check, as a sign of the luxury brand, that caused them to be adopted by the masses.  As long as Smedley remains logoless it's just not obvious enough for most people nowadays - the logo has become the replacement for quality, and if quality is present most people cannot discern that.

John Smedley baseball cap anyone?

Oh and zuckermandl, please don't bash The Bishop.

(Couldn't resist.)

That was rather droll...

Nephew visited me yesterday. He pointed out that he was wearing a jumper I had given him years ago. Sure enough it was a beautiful light olive , crew neck John Smedley. I had given it away because I thought it was too tight for me but it fits him well and he is now my size. Apparently it's his favourite jumper. I was a bit miffed but then realized I was wearing a Pringle made in Scotland V neck given to me by my brother in law. We seem to do quite a bit of clothes swapping within the family.

I find that it is possible to re cycle to others what I would call Ivy clothes because they are modest, understated type items of quality. Other types of clothes that are more 'flamboyant'  (or cheap) less so. Today we seem to live in a throwaway Primark society where older clothes are binned.

Money well spent (re. shoe upkeep). I took a pair of shoes to a cobblers in Colombia once. That's one mistake I won't be making again. I now have 3 pairs of shoes that need new soles and my Red Wings are almost due some too. The latter I am going to try to get done in Mexico City whilst I am going to post the other 3 pairs to the US. It's going to be a hell of a lot of time, money and risk but I'm desperate.

Overground they remain...  And yet... 
In my neck of the woods, for whatever the reasons, travel a twenty mile radius of the Matlock area (Lea Bridge isn't far away) and you'll find Smedley in the local charity shops.  This has been the case for around the past twenty years to my knowledge.  I walked away from a mid-blue contemporary polo just the other week. 
But, quality-wise, are they holding their own?  In spite of the bland labelling, I think they probably are. 
The Japanese seem to like them.  Have they found favour in the USA? 
Some nasty designs and colourways, though. 
And to be found in TKMaxx?
Hmmm...

I am currently flirting with the idea of buying one of their sea island turtle neck offerings to wear with this summerweight TH jacket on quiet walks.  A simple pair of L.L.Bean jeans and my lovely Astorflex desert boots to go with aforementioned. 
The ladies who work in the offices and factory shop are very pleasant.  I expect Chris_H and Jeff Dexter found them so on their ventures Oop North.

2RS - I diidn't know The Ivy shop sold Smedley?

I love their sea island polo shirts and bulk buy them usually in Indigo but here's the rub.

I go their factory store and they typically cost about £30 each. How can the full price on an Isis now be £165?

That's really big money.

Is it true, does anyone know, that Connery was wearing Smedley in 'Dr.No'? 
I remember reading about sea island cotton shirts before taking my Eleven-Plus exam (well before) in the novels.  I think Fleming was a devotee.

In fact, RR&P was far too hasty in his original judgement.  The only chap I've come across wearing Smedley round here is Shaun Hoolan, the owner of 'Wild' in Nottingham (perhaps the best 'vintage' store in the Midlands, albeit more 'generic Americana' than Ivy League).  I've seen him wearing either a black or charcoal roll or polo neck with his raw denim and black Weejuns.  An interesting dresser, perhaps more 'Beat Mod' than Ivy.  Nice guy, and a former Russell Street shopper.

Yes, Fleming always wrote about Bond wearing sea island shirts. Not polo shirts but dress shirts. Worn with a black knit tie.

Many years ago inspired by Connery/Doctor No I had Turnball and Asser make one to the same spec. Semi spread, cocktail cuffs, mid blue, sea island cotton

Big money, big mistake.