The Weejun

Update: Last night I sent a spy to the book launch party at John Simons. Well, not really a spy, I was invited. Having had a quick look through the book at midnight, it really is pretty damn special. I'll post a proper review of it on Sunday. Meanwhile, copies pre-ordered are due to be sent out next … [Read more...] about Update: Hollywood & The Ivy Look – Reel Art Press

There has been an incredible buzz online around John Simons' latest delivery of J. Keydge slack jackets - one it seems that has translated into real sales. Keydge is an odd brand. They make a number of deconstructed jackets that appear to be aimed at 65 year old French lotharios with Rod Stewart … [Read more...] about One You Can Buy: J. Keydge Slack Jackets For JSA

Not much to say about these really, except that you can be sure there's plenty of Dacron in the mix being from Sears in 1964. And I'm not sure about the collarless example in the centre. Pendleton made a similar casual jacket in various plaids in the 60s. Once upon a time FLIP in Long Acre sold … [Read more...] about The 3/2 Roll Patch Pocket Ivy League Blazer

Showing their apres-ski roots, these Sears branded playboy chukkas with 'Searofoam' soles and 'plush' lining are almost certainly rebranded Bates Floaters. One can only imagine how hot feet must have got in these babies. From page 252 of the 1966 Christmas Sears Catalog Disclaimer: The boots … [Read more...] about 1966 Sears “Sporty Boots” Playboys

The Shearling Coat. Where do we begin with this? The shearling or sheepskin coat has a checkered history on the Anglo side of the pond. A post war staple worn by the Chelsea set in their Austin Healeys with suede chukkas and a windowpane check viyella shirt (also worn by the girls - think … [Read more...] about The Ivy Shearling Car Coat. Sawyer of Napa for LL Bean circa 1969.

Here's something to ponder. Most of us who buy 'the look' these days will insist on natural fibres, cotton oxford, cotton corduroy, chinos, real suede, and so on. But back in the days we hark to, technology heralded a brave new world of mixed and distinctly unnatural fibres. Many of these products … [Read more...] about Levis Stretch Jeans. Unnatural Fibres in 1963

A kind of American version of the Original Playboys, Bates Floaters from the Wolverine Shoe Corp had a similar profile to the playboy but with a man made cushion sole. Often featuring a shearling or mock shearling inner, they were featured as comfort shoes or more commonly bad weather or apres-ski … [Read more...] about Bates Floaters

Just when it was all about to go autumnal and fall, just as Herb Lester emailed me last week to say 'great weather, all corduroy and suede chukkas' we get the Indian Summer of a lifetime. Back to Madras and white Levis for a last gasp summer fling. Next week, snow, no doubt. Then the fun … [Read more...] about Last Gasp of Summer…