In there today. Would be very easy to spend a grand on bits and pieces. I got the Paraboot Michel and a few other things. Loveliness abounds. My only criticism would be they seem to get small runs of things made up, and thus run out of sizes very quickly. There was a very stylish older couple in there today, in their 60s, well put together, live in Oxford, knew the Covent Garden shop, clearly under the spell of the whole JS formula. He wanted to replace the Paraboots he'd had in the early 80s, from 2 Russell Street, but JS had no stock.  Paul says that John does pop in now and again, no set day, no set pattern. It's all Paul's baby now.

Just taking a look at the flannel - and some other - shirts.  Impressed - nice prices, too, more than reasonable.  With my sixty-second birthday looming, not to mention Christmas, I might well be tempted by the Clifford.  I might even try reworking our Gibson's long-ago 'Woody' look, with the tweed jacket.  Only trouble is, I went through a few dozen examples just a few weeks ago - all the wrong sizes, or darted, or the wrong sizes and darted - nothing in any way appealing.  I mean, you can buy a tweed jacket for next to nothing on Ebay (USA-made, too) but nothing you'd want to wear.  Mostly Harris.  There was a fucking great box of them in Hockley, including something from the Brooks Boys Department.  Still worth thinking about, that Manhattan look - although I might consider crossing over to 'Play It Again, Sam' territory and simply wear the shirt with rumpled chinos and sand Astorflex.

Just back from a quick visit to London.Very busy and the crowds put me off.I underestimated the Christmas shoppers.
I had a few ideas of what I wanted from Chiltern Street but business must be good as they had sold out of both the cord popover and the BD chambray in my size.

Still so many interesting items there I knew I wouldn’t leave empty handed.The one thing I’ve noticed about John Simons recently is that things tend to not hang around.You need to be decisive or end up disappointed.Service is superb as usual and where else do you hear Stolen Moments.

Personally I enjoy the Chiltern area more and more.Monocle cafe and Rubin’s around the corner on Baker Street provide the necessary refreshments and the newsagent carries some great titles.It’s just a really conducive place to shop.

The other stores I visited were Ralph on Bond Street and the ever reliable Hatchards in Piccadilly.
The Ralph store is currently going through a bit of an identity crisis.The massive queue out the door is for coffee.Nobody looks like they’re there for the clothes.So it can’t be a loss leader.

When you do barge through the moca-frappa-single shot-soya-extra whip crowd you can hear the sounds of festive jazz, encounter some great merchandising  and a few snippets of clothes that would appeal to many on here.

Quite a few things appear to be OOS (at least in my size) including the varsity jackets.  And shoes?  Seems a pity, especially if one has made a special, sometimes lengthy journey, probably by train or coach.

Every time I go in I rarely see any customers in what I would describe as Ivy or broader Americana.
There is the occasional mod though.
I think a lot of customers must simply see something that tickles their fancy and that’s sufficiently different from what’s available elsewhere. The scope of the merchandise covers such a good variety I think you would be hard pushed not to find something you liked.
Good for the shop to cast a wide net but if you, like me and I guess the majority of guys on here, are focused on a specific look it makes it pretty frustrating.

Staxfan,
Last year I purchased a micro cord suit from them.Not frog mouth pockets.
Nice style. I wish it had a bit more structure though.Half lined trousers  and buggy lined would be ideal

I do hanker after one of those overcoats.  But I would have to have an awful lot of wear out of it - and probably wouldn't.  You know, when we're nothing but ashes under the rose bushes, all these lovely things will end up binned or at Help The Aged.  I saw some Paul Stuart cords, an Andover Shop shirt and a so-called 'Bleeding Madras' shirt leave the house on Wednesday, destination unknown.  Reminded me of the holocaust of 2013, when my wife insisted (after a lengthy separation) that I part with something like seventy per cent of my wardrobe.

The photo on the JS fb page today shows the suit I mentioned, I only looked at the trousers really ( I was in a trouser buying mode), didn't notice the jacket was darted, probably not for most of us on here but nevertheless a fine looking suit,

Another thing Tom told me yesterday was they’re getting in some of their Ivy Shirts in green, thought this might be right up your strada Robbie as you’re in a green mode at present hehe, I’m also about Woof’s size but I bags 1st dibs as I live closer to Staines than you Rob ....

These days I have to psyche myself up for a trip into town , didn’t help on Friday that I was unaware of the strike on the piccadilly line, I parked the car at Hounslow West, went into the station and no trains, back to the car thought about just going back home but checked what lines were out and decided to drive 20 mins to Eastcote to get on the metropolitan line,TBH it was better, just 30 mins direct to Baker St,probably use this route in future, Robbie - go spend your dosh , you can’t take it with you as my Mrs keeps reminding me, ( especially when it comes to spending on the home! )

Robbie,
The Harris tweed is something special. The material is more substantial than their earlier tweeds. Highly recommended

Just seen on the JS Fb page coming soon another collaboration with Weller, Fairisle Yoke Sweaters.