I must pay Jake a visit. It's my 'old manor' and I was close by the other week. I could do with some quality shirts.

He’s moving towards shoreditch soon, looking to expand the business with a wider offering. I only have one of his shirts, keep meaning to buy more, but then I see a well priced vintage item or more shoes and another month has passed along

Last edited by Tomiskinky (2023-02-17 09:10:23)

I put in an order this morning. Looking forward to paying a visit to Silvertown. I know it's all been remodelled but I can pay a visit to where I spent a couple of years of my life and where the ghosts of my ancestors are probably having a 'knees-up/party'. Shame all the pubs are gone. I'll pop over to the Thames Barrier where I made a lot of dough as a young man.
If I like the shirt I'll buy more.

Stax- Yes mate. I only bought one just to see what it's like.

Hi Robbie - it takes about 2-3 weeks to get your shirt back from Jake. He basically works on his tod so it can take a while. I don't think the monogramming adds any time on as it's basically a stamp on the inside of the collar, a bit like you get on old vintage American shirts. I think off the peg is something he is thinking he may do at some point in the future but for now it's that semi-bespoke kind of thing. They're worth the wait, and worth the price.

I spent part of the afternoon with Jake talking Ivy and some of the products he is planning to make and sell. He has some fantastic items of clothing in the proto stage of production. My shirt that I was collecting was boxed up so I didn't see it or try it on until I got home. I've just put it on and what can I say?  For the price it is one of the best authentic Ivy shirts that I have ever owned. Sweet collar roll and first class handiwork and attention to detail. As 2RS has said we should support this guy.

Jake will be announcing some good news for his future work that we will all be pleased to hear.

I think Jake realised he had said too much to me as nothing has been signed yet. I mentioned the FNB site and he was surprised it was back up and running. All will be revealed in the next couple of months. He has some non button down summer shirts, a cotton/linen mix, saw an Ivy suit jacket with nearly all the right details that he will be tweaking and he has a few BD shirts as templates for increased production. I saw an Italian silk weave ivy tie in plain colours to compliment various shirts.
He is a bit isolated in West Silvertown so I imagine he is looking for a more central location. He has a friend helping him and also an apprentice at the moment.
He also mentioned a Japan connection. Good luck to the bloke what ever he decides to do. His shirts are very good because of his attention to detail

Sounds like he deserves every success.

They are a full cut in the traditional sense. I happen to like this. I don't like tight fitting shirts. Maybe not as baggy as a BDBaggies. A bit like a traditional fit Brooks Brothers if that makes any sense
I wore the shirt to a family party on Saturday and the bloke next to me complimented me on my shirt! I told him about Jake and he didn't seem to think that the price was unreasonable for such a shirt. I then proceeded to leacture him on 1960s American Ivy and he was polite enough not to look bored. It's probably no coincidence that he spent several years living in Japan. My brother just assumed I had a RL shirt on.
Last Thursday I was in the pub with a 79 year old cousin who was full on Ivy. He told me that in the early 60s all his mates wanted American BD shirts but that even in London they were hard to get. One of his mates got one and they took in to a tailor near Brick Lane and he made them copies. He said they cost a fortune but were worth it for the look.

I've ordered another shirt from Jake. (no one tell my missus!). I suppose the only drawback for some is that once ordered you can't return the shirt.
The bloke I spoke to at my party was concerned with sizing and I  told him just measure a shirt that you have, and like, for dimensions. He thought he would have to visit Jake to get measured up!

2RS- I went for the Red End on End Poplin - Button Down Shirt

£150. Not cheap but far superior than the £120 shirts at JS. in my opinion.

I've discovered another good thing about Jake's shirts. I hand washed my recent purchase and let it dry naturally. When it came to ironing I found that it was an easy shirt to iron. Easier than some shirts I have. Not sure if it's because of the way it is made, the materials used, or my hand wash/drying. I've been ironing my own shirts since I was 12 years old. My old cousin who wears button down shirts 7 days a week and sends his shirts away for ironing thinks I'm mad to do my own shirts.