It certainly seems a very long way from the generally simplified look I favour now.  At the moment, just a white Brooks button-down, Alan Paine slipover in what I'd call oatmeal tweed, green cords and rust-coloured Falke socks.  Just slipped on mac and wingtips for the trip my wife offered me to the Smedley factory shop at Lea Bridge.  Is my look 'Ivy League'?  Partly perhaps.  But I'm intrigued by these cord suits GG mentioned and that he was tempted by.

AFS, if you like the Vetra - go for it and report back!  We may muse on things, but it is all feel good clobber. Enjoy.

Pair it with some Breton from https://www.pellicanomenswear.com/product-tag/breton-stripes/

Ps, how is Smedley so low in price there?

Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2021-09-29 14:44:17)

Ah I see. Smedley irritates my skin for some reason, so I have stayed away in recent years.

The Vetra suit I tried on at JS was very Ivy, as Ivy as they come, Soft shoulder, no dart, great drape, very soft, perfect line. Better than Keydge in my opinion. Ivy is as much a mood, a way of dressing, as it is anything do with nationality. France, the home of cord-du-roi, still makes the best cord-du-roi and cord-du-roi is very Ivy indeed. Trousers were on the natural waist, a natural shoulder trouser, and tapered beautifully. I ought to have bought it. What was I thinking of? Vetra superior to JS's own UK productions I believe.

Of course, it's vital to see and handle.  Much as with books.  ABE-type purchases are all very well but I enjoy the smell of secondhand bookshops.  A photograph or two will doubtless not do the item justice. 
I like the notion of Ivy as a mood.  Which can vary.  As the mood takes you.

That was very kind of Mrs. Woof.  I no longer wear suits but the lack of that essential detail would worry me too.

I was initially reluctant to buy a Vetra blazer compared to Keydge. The lack of a vent and flaps on the pockets were my main areas of discontent.

I ended up buying a natural coloured linen blazer to start with. The quality of the fabric was superb.

I have subsequently bought a few more in brown cord, a lovely washed out navy linen and a stretch navy cotton. Must admit I have grown to really like them.

Let's not overthink Vetra. They're not what I'd call a smart jacket but they're not supposed to be. Their attraction is their structure or lack of it. I wear mine with jeans, chinos , Smedleys and madras shirts. I would never consider wearing a tie with one.

My local tailor has pressed in a soft roll to the middle button on the brown cord and it's really something.

Yes, you will always have better options in your wardrobe but they'd be a damned sight more expensive if they were bought new/full price.

With a good range of fabrics, a superb shoulder line and opportunities to buy as either as separates or suits Vetra is now firmly in my repertoire of preferred brands.

By the way the horizontal line is caused through the internal pocket bag stitching. I think it adds to their charm.

On Saturday I was informed by Paul Simons that indeed the Summer collection will  feature a vent and will soon be available in Chiltern Street as suits and jackets.

My only word of warning is their sizes are pretty inconsistent so if considering it's one to try before you buy.

Like a lot of people, I was enthusiastic about Keydge to begin with and bought two jackets from Russell Street, including one pale sand-coloured, slouchy number I became very fond of.  They turned out to be, I think, a little bogus: really about as French as my arse.  Woof sort of tumbled to them and made some enquiries.  Vetra, therefore, may have the edge.

I suppose 'Paris based' doesn't have to mean made in France? Any more than M&S means made in England? I can't see any reason why they shouldn't have traded on being 'French'. Same as Burberry trading on being British. I don't like it any more than you do AFS - but retail only seems to survive if it's at least a little bit bogus.

I think, years ago, the approach might have been different - as with, say, Van Heusen G9s being made in Taiwan.  I think Van Heusen were quite open about that.  And they were pretty fair, inexpensive jackets, a decent alternative to Baracuta.

I agree with Alvey on the Vetra jackets. I personally wouldn't bother putting in a soft roll to the middle button though. The jackets are more suitable for my lifestyle today compared with a more formal jacket.

AFS
the Vetra cotton with a touch of stretch I bought from Dicks Edinburgh is by far the lightest jacket I own. Perfect for travel as it folds nicely in a suitcase.

Also, it's very versatile as it's perfect to dress up a pair of dark denim jeans and an indigo Smedley or wear with knockabout chinos and a t shirt.

I'm not really bothered about country of origin. If something looks good I'm more interested in the composition. Yes, I would love a wardrobe full of Made in The USA schmutter but I'm scared of buying vintage.