Over recent years I've really enjoyed the Press look books. Not only could you see the merchandise and fits but they were mini travelogues.
The latest one landed a couple of weeks ago and I must admit it looks very poor in comparison with previous efforts.
The backdrop of many of the shots is simply draped sheets. On the floor they've nicked a painters dust sheet.
They claim to have used elements of fine art as a vehicle to express the personality of the clothes. Really?
This looks like a case of emperors new clothes.
The worst backdrop is the one where the model is wearing madras shorts and bucks. It consists of last weeks bedding on a washing line.
Press sell some really great Summer clothes and have remained true to the Ivy look. It's such a shame to see their merchandise presented so badly.
The other day a young person showed me how to change the background on a photo on your mobile phone, surprisingly easy. So I guess the dust sheets etc in the J Press brochure is just some attempt to be artistic and edgy.
Nothing stays the same, I used to like the old Brooks brochures that showed drawings of guys wearing the clothes.
The mainline look book can be seen here, given I work on art directing menswear shoots for a client I get where this is coming from, there's a trend for much more simplistic shoots across the market, from street wear to tailoring. It's a bit boring and the thing I dislike most here is the overly retouched photos.
https://jpressonline.com/pages/ss24-lookbook
The pennant line is similar in styling, but the shots are softer so work better.
https://jpressonline.com/pages/pennant-label-ss24-lookbook
https://jpressonline.com/pages/pennant-label-april-lookbook-2024
They’ve certainly put their prices up over the last few years.
FSC,
the worst bit is their size guide is wrong and that you have to pay for returns.
Looks like they ran out of socks.
One bloke forgot his comb.
Kingstonian said:
Looks like they ran out of socks.
One bloke forgot his comb.
I am surprised that no one has pointed out that socks not only increase comfort as well as looking good but also protect the shoe lining.
But putting that aside, why coudn't Press find clotghing that actually fitted and suited the models? Who on earth wants to look like that!
There is now a Press collection film online.
I lost count of number of items I was attracted to. It's under 3 minutes and absolutely crammed full of goodies.
I can almost forgive them for the men holding bowls of fruit and being propped by dust sheets.
The Autumn/Winter '24 look book is now online.
It's a great return to form with lots of clear product images and a few relevant lifestyle shots.
With regards to the merchandise there's some nice knits, flap pockets oxfords and sports shirts.
There's also some items that are close to the classic English country style.
'There's also some items that are close to the classic English country style.'
They never get that right. Wrong colours and patterns, Tattersalls with button down collars etc, etc.
Saltwater New England tries to copy that look. She must make a fortune from Cordings and various British knitwear companies
Kingy,
A lot of it is sourced from Alan Paine. Their shooting coat looks like the Combrook, the shetland with the fair isle yoke looks like the Buckie, the Press lambswool v neck is the Hampshire.
The cashmere used to be Johnstons of Elgin. Not sure now.
Personally I don't mind a button down tattersall.
I also like a button down tattersall, I was getting worried it was jyst me. Has to be the right ones though, not the ones made for country sports.
Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2024-09-07 12:54:34)
I have a couple of Ralph b/d tattersalls. Nice cloth but I wish the collar was a tad bigger.
The Oxford Shirt Company looks to have a number of nice tattersall b/d's on their website.
In the past I have tried Cordings. Lovely soft material but the shirts are made for shooting so come-up pretty baggy. The problem then becomes where to tuck the surplus material without it looking like you're wearing a tent
Yes I am intending to try Oxford Shirt Co tattersall at some stage. I have a few still going across different brands, including a number of Viyella for Austin Reed that are still in good quality.
Tattersall also equals 'old bloke' in the UK & not just country clothing.
If I want to be offered a seat on the Tube tweed jacket and Tattersall shirt would do the trick. Hepcat who used to post here recognised that.
At least Americans avoid ties with gundog and pheasant motifs. They are too attached to schoolboy stripes.
Being offered a seat on the tube increasingly sounds a win for me.
Never had a worry that tattersall looks old, it depends on the specific shirt and accompanying clothes.
We are wearing a style at its peak sixty years ago when people increasingly wear lounging around clothes in grey or black as their norm (and that includes some founder business people now too). Any views about our clothes looking old are valid. But I remain confident and do not have any issues often being the oldest in the room with clients.
So views on my age be damned, the tattersalls are going on...especially with tweed jackets!
Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2024-09-11 13:11:12)
On the Press site there are ties with pheasants on them. This Autumn they are def going down a more country clothing route.
My personal take is that there is a widening chasm between USA Ivy and the UK. Both styles appeal to me.
The States are sticking to a more traditional, gentlemanly look. You see this through the eyes of Press, Ben Silver and the Andover Shop. It’s Harris tweed, bright cords, Viyella and Barbour. I like it all but it can be bit boring if you’re not careful.
The UK has a wider range of items we thrown into the mix - a bit of workwear, some Japanese denim, a French Paraboot. There’s also a strong mod element.Some might argue it’s not Ivy but really who cares. It’s just fun.
Re Tattersall aging you. As with most things it comes down to how you mix it up and how well the clothes are cut.
Baggy, shapeless stuff ages me and makes me full underdressed.
For a tattersall shirt I’d pick some strong colours on a ivory rather than yellow background. I’d Add a pair of well cut dark jeans, a colourful crew neck and suede loafers.
I’d be surprised if someone offered me a seat on the tube these days, regardless of my age.
Yes always ivory for me too
It registered with me that I was getting on a bit a few years ago when I got onto a fairly crowded tube train. I was standing and as the train moved off I cast my eye around the carriage and noticed an attractive young woman sitting nearby who seemed to be paying me a lot of attention. She smiled at me and I smiled back, one of those little moments of connection with the opposite sex that brighten your day. I thought ‘nice, she obviously appreciates how sharp I look in my Ivy gear’. ….. then she got up and offered me her seat.
Needless to say I was crushed, something changed for me that day.
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Possibly, you missed the tell.
She was so enamoured with the roll of your collar and the soft shoulders of your tweed herringbone jacket that it was the only way she could strike up a conversation with you.
No doubt you thanked her profusely, explained that standing was indeed thirsty work and subsequently invited her to share an early evening Martini with you.
Occasionally things work differently. I was on the Metro from Central Newcastle to Whitley Bay after a day on the beer on Saturday. Three young women sat next to me. They worried I might miss the stop. We got chatting and I told them I was getting off at Whitley Bay which was also their destination. When we all got off they invited me to join them for a drink. I had to refuse their offer as I had my fill and had left others in the pub opposite Newcastle Central station.
No Ivy clothing was involved.