You made it!

Good to have you back - So what did you think of the place as an American?

What was John wearing?

Did you pick anything up?

Did you show him your Thick as Thieves Ivy suits?



http://www.thickasthievesla.com/ivySackJacket.html

Thanks for posting Get Smart.  Looks like the front of the shop could do with a little tidy up!  You don't notice these things at ground level.

Is that a Paul Smith bag you have there?  What did you get?

The store was actually quite busy so good for John!  One of the customers he was helping out was a Japanese fellow, trying on various jackets and coats.  His stock of shoes were ones I already had (Florsheims, Bass, Loake) as well as his selection of G9s so unfortunately there really wasnt anything that I needed, as the smallest of his shirts were full cut Meds and I need a Small.  I really liked his selection of OCBDs, lot of nice classic fabrics in there.  Everything seem to be stacked upon itself so you need some time to look thru it all. 

One of the books I brought with me was "Soul Stylists" by Paolo Hewitt so as I had been re-reading it in my downtime, a lot of Simon's quotes from that book were still pretty fresh in my head.  We talked a bit about his older shops (Ivy and Squire), and he was telling me that at any given time, the customers in his store were travelers from 3000 miles away, so it seems like J. Simons is indeed a destination store for many that purposely seek it out while in town.  A good sign that the interest in "ivy style" is alive and kicking all over.

Brideshead, picked up a pair of boots from the Paul Smith sale.  London at salestime is really amazing....so many great stores and the entire city was half price it seemed. 

The most amazing thing about London during my 4 days there was the weather, and how dry it was the entire time.  My last day was clear skies with barely a cloud up there.

I'll post any other thoughts as they come since the time change makes me up in the wee hours of the morning and I'm not sure all of my thoughts are in order yet.

Getsmart
where abouts in the shop in London?


Lewis

It is a very nice photo. The facade looks appropriately "traditional".

jason, cheers, thanks!

I'd really like to go there, now more than ever.  Just as with "observations" written by "foreigners" like Tocqueville, Dickens, etc., on America, I think those outside a culture often have among the best interpretations or criticisms or abilities to identify the iconic within the culture.

There's some great stuff on the website too.  What do you all think of the dark dark blue vs. the "navy" G9?  That "navy" 69 seems fairly light, really.  Also, GS, did you notice if the shoes there were old stock?  The Flories?  The Weejuns?  Or were they the American brands in "name" only?

I personally have the "dark navy" G9 - seems almost black; very happy with it.  Original fit.  I also have a slim fit in dark red but really don't notice a heck of a difference in the cut.  I remember being on the phone to J. Simons last year and asking about the slim fit and being told it "wasn't as nice".

Just to the left of Jason in the window is a lovely soft-shouldered 3 piece Tweed suit.
The spread-collared interesting Blue cotton shirt with the suit on the model  is by "David" - A vintage find I think.
The gloves just to the right of the white pillar are by Redwing.
The Dark Blue Varsity Jacket in the background on the other side of the pillar is by Golden Bear.
The Shetland "Dr. Who" scarf as seen on the JS website is in the forground more or less in the middle of the window.
The Peacoat on the left is Sterlingwear of Boston, also as seen on the website.
Below it are wool shirts by Pendleton.
The caps on the other side beneath the Tweed suit are also by Pendleton (I think).
Is the outer jacket in the centre of the window by Woolrich?

D.

Last edited by David (2008-01-11 01:00:59)