Really impressed by the John Simon's ivy shirt and ivy jacket. Having been a little underwhelmed (relatively speaking) in the past, these iterations seem pretty much spot on for me. Very much hoping for a navy cord ivy jacket in the autumn...

Good summary of the current status Ivy-wise Alvey, I’d seen the Kamakura’s and they look fine, the next shirt on my list is pink, the pink stripe, and light blue stripe look very nice but I’m holding back, haha

‘There's still a few good independent menswear stores, throughout the country, that have stuff of relevance - Dicks Edinburgh, Northern Fells, All Blues, Oi Poloi. All have got websites’

Thanks for this. I have used Dicks a few times.

I note All Blues have those brushed Shetlands Americans buy at more sensible prices. They also have Kamakura shirts.

I would've thought the Ivy thread on DW needed more of Sammy's attention, rather than point scoring sarcasm on here.

Uniqlo had some decent Madras half sleeves before Chiltern Street revisited them. The JS sizing was an issue - especially on popovers.

Now even Peter Christian offer a couple of inexpensive Madras shirts. No box pleat but good quality.

I found the sizing on all the early JSA Chiltern street shirts pretty inconsistent regardless of material.

I had/have a number of their shirts in madras, end on end, cord, Oxford and poplin and the sizing varies from S-L.

The quality has been good though and I'm a sucker for the flap pocket and locker loop.

I looked at the Peter Christian shirts. They look interesting but was unsure about what size to go for.

As for Uniqlo madras I would put that into the bracket of being available if you hunted around. Sadly there isn't one in Brum - home to the worlds largest Primark. Says it all.

FlatSixC, quote function doesn't work unfortunately, copy & paste.

Thanks, worked it out Runningeez.

Last edited by FlatSixC (2022-08-01 15:43:34)

Welcome FlatSixC. We need some new blood on here!

Hopefully some ' young blood' with a new take on our subject, Welcome FSC,

Last time I bought a new shirt was many years ago. Despite all the appealing options mentioned above, if I ever buy another my only dilemma will be Jake's or Mercer.

As it was last Summer that I originally started this thread I thought it might be interesting to update it. And the Ivy options still keep on coming.

The addition of Jakes is obviously a good thing on this side of the pond. Much cheaper than having to import a Mercer. Plus it's important to support independent artisans.

John Simons has hit a steady groove with their annual madras treats, Ivy jackets and outerwear. I'm pleased with my recent chinos and seersucker pop over. The Rancourts too are superb. Shopping at Chiltern Street is bit like that line from the Godfather... Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in.

There has been two recent additions to the Kamakura Vintage Ivy range.

Whist Brooks retail in the UK is no more there is an online presence. I fancy trying the new Bastian classic ocbd's.

Sebago have widened their net. The madras shirt I tried on in their Paris store was superb quality and had all the right details. Sadly, not cut for middle aged Chablis drinking fatties like me.

Stateside Press have opened a dedicated Pennant store in New York. I hope this fairs better than Rugby did for Ralph.

Good hunting everyone