FYI: ordered the Squeeze 3/2 sack in charcoal, natural shoulder, Bemberg lining (whatever that is), center hook vent, plain front trousers; delivery scheduled for early this week; review available if it would be of interest – as much as to the online ordering experience (first time for a suit for me), as anything else.
Not sure where they are in the buying phase. A few suggestions:
Natural shoulder goes without saying. Why not try H. Freeman for the Presstige line? Their Naturalaire model would compliment whatever variation of the (Southwick) Douglas J. Press is presently using. It’s time to let the Pressclusive line die a death of natural (or, looking at the shoulder, unnatural) causes. It’s weighing down the brand. If they keep it, ask Hardwick to make a blazer and an entry-level (cheap worsted plain weave) suit.
Offer at least one blazer per year that’s the classic patch/patch-flaps. A tartan (Blackwatch?) lining is a nice touch. A 10-11 oz. flannel or hopsack would be great. For summer, an English tropical.
Offer three relatively lightweight (9-10 oz). worsted flannel suits per season. If only a few hundred guys in the world remain committed to this suit for winter, then J. Press should be outfitting all of them. Medium gray, light navy, and RAF Blue.
Get rid of the 3.5″ ties and go with 3.25″. This goes for Atkinsons, Vanners repps, neats, wool challis, tartan, madras–everything. For the repps, why not go with light lining and zero tipping?
Ask the Southwick (BB) shirtmakers to make an OCBD that features a collar that’s unique to J. Press. 3.75″ collar points, 4″ spread. Use Acorn oxford cloth and give it a British name: “Our beefy ‘Whitby’ oxford is woven in England, then crafted with the greatest care by our makers here in the U.S.A…” And so on. White, blue, blue-white stripe:
Tweeds: renew or develop the relationship with W. Bill. Offer at least three custom woven tweeds (unique to J. Press) per year. Select remaining tweeds from the Shetland book. Since most weavers require 20-30 yard minimums, this would be easy.
For summer: Irish Linen “tweeds.” Herringbones, glen checks, hopsacks.
Most men’s stores are snoozeville boring, including plenty of places in Manhattan. They offer a lot of the same stuff. J. Press has an opportunity to do this really well.
FYI: ordered the Squeeze 3/2 sack in charcoal, natural shoulder, Bemberg lining (whatever that is), center hook vent, plain front trousers; delivery scheduled for early this week; review available if it would be of interest – as much as to the online ordering experience (first time for a suit for me), as anything else.
Paul,
I have that same suit in Grey and Navy. Wonderful value IMHO, made by Southwick.
Not sure where they are in the buying phase. A few suggestions:
Natural shoulder goes without saying. Why not try H. Freeman for the Presstige line? Their Naturalaire model would compliment whatever variation of the (Southwick) Douglas J. Press is presently using. It’s time to let the Pressclusive line die a death of natural (or, looking at the shoulder, unnatural) causes. It’s weighing down the brand. If they keep it, ask Hardwick to make a blazer and an entry-level (cheap worsted plain weave) suit.
Offer at least one blazer per year that’s the classic patch/patch-flaps. A tartan (Blackwatch?) lining is a nice touch. A 10-11 oz. flannel or hopsack would be great. For summer, an English tropical.
Offer three relatively lightweight (9-10 oz). worsted flannel suits per season. If only a few hundred guys in the world remain committed to this suit for winter, then J. Press should be outfitting all of them. Medium gray, light navy, and RAF Blue.
Get rid of the 3.5″ ties and go with 3.25″. This goes for Atkinsons, Vanners repps, neats, wool challis, tartan, madras–everything. For the repps, why not go with light lining and zero tipping?
Ask the Southwick (BB) shirtmakers to make an OCBD that features a collar that’s unique to J. Press. 3.75″ collar points, 4″ spread. Use Acorn oxford cloth and give it a British name: “Our beefy ‘Whitby’ oxford is woven in England, then crafted with the greatest care by our makers here in the U.S.A…” And so on. White, blue, blue-white stripe:
https://www.acornfabrics.com/fabrics/striped/oxford-ivy-navy?filter_name=oxford
Tweeds: renew or develop the relationship with W. Bill. Offer at least three custom woven tweeds (unique to J. Press) per year. Select remaining tweeds from the Shetland book. Since most weavers require 20-30 yard minimums, this would be easy.
For summer: Irish Linen “tweeds.” Herringbones, glen checks, hopsacks.
Most men’s stores are snoozeville boring, including plenty of places in Manhattan. They offer a lot of the same stuff. J. Press has an opportunity to do this really well.
Thoughtful suggestions, S.E.!
Thanks, Billax. Will the prophets of this resurrection muster the courage to lead with imagination?
Likely not.
Good thing I’ve moved on–beyond “Squeeze.” I’d say “one can hope,” but, short of hope, one can suggest.