The first Ivy-Style Podcast. I am so jazzed (see what I did there?) to be the host of the very first Ivy-Style podcast, at J. Press Manhattan, with no less than Richard Press as my first guest. And you can be there. First, if you are not on their email list, do yourself a favor and check that box here.
The event takes place on the 8th, from 6 to 8. If you can come, and we would love to have you, RSVP to jpressnyc@jpressusa.com.
We will be doing the show, taking questions from the audience, and Richard will also be signing Threading The Needle II for you.
This podcast is ALL IVY – so I have your other questions, if you have more just email me or leave them in the comments. See you there!
Very excited for this… so many questions!
(1) I’d like to learn more about Trippler, where Richard was CEO after selling J. Press. What were they about aesthetically? I recall their Flag Ties ad in the Times, and even stopped in to purchase on in the mid 1990s. I don’t recall much else about the store. To whom did they cater? Why might someone have gone there rather than Brooks or Press?
(2) What are some of Richard’s favorite J. Press pieces? Are there any items that Press no longer sells that he wishes would come back?
(3) Does he only wear bow ties? I’ve never seen him in anything but.
(4) Can he do anything to bring back the old J. Press catalog style? He gushes about how much information they used to have (echoing the advice from David Ogilve) but now they’re little more than photos with tags. Only his great introductions provide any real “information”. I’d like to see them writing product blurbs. Luckily I work next door to the DC location, but otherwise I’d never understand why one jacket’s $695 and another’s $995.
(5) What are his favorite Shaggy Dog colors?
Oxford for J.Press is “Made in New England”.
I hope that you can touch on the relationship between J.Press and New England shirt Company from Fall River.
We develop cloths for Robert, the Proprietor of NE shirt co., and it continues to amaze us how US mfg in Fall River, Ma has persevered with such dignity. Quality craftsman ship endures in Fall River and J.Press is an integral part of their journey.
Will you post a link here, like the last one? Questions for R.P.: If one were to plan a trip to NYC for a Jay Walter appointment, where would be the best, i.e., safe and close, place to stay? Which airport to use, etc. I usually do stuff like that spontaneously, but NY, man…
I’m sure there are lots of differing opinions on this, but the last couple of times I visited New York, I flew into Newark. The advantage there is that train/subway service to Manhattan is quite a bit easier/faster than going to JFK, or at least it was before covid times. If you are not averse to public transit, you’ll save some money there. I seem to recall it costing under $10 for the subway (PATH, I think) and taking about 50 minutes or so to get to the Upper West Side (Columbus Circle), for instance.
So much unnecessary fear here…the entire area around J.Press is safe, as is the vast majority of Manhattan. Stop with the Fox News mumbo jumbo. There is a Grand Hyatt within walking distance, as well as the Westin Grand Central. If I fly to NY (as opposed to train) I fly into Newark. Easy enough to take the train into Penn Station and you can easily take the subway up and across to Grand Central. Again, easy walking distance to J.Press.
He replied to a similar query. Yes, it’s being recorded (by definition if it’s a podcast even though there’s no such thing as an iPod any longer!) and he’ll post a link. Hopefully this will be a regular thing with a regular link that you can use with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and other podcast apps.
@Bopper
As a resident of Manhattan I would advise the following:
Airports: Any work, Newark has NJ transit train which will cost you around $15 one way. Otherwise LaGuardia is close by cab (if you land at the right time). JFK is a hike regardless and an expensive cab ride.
Hotels: I’d advise staying away from touristy areas, especially around Times Square. Stay in East Midtown Manhattan and you ‘ll be just fine (think streets from 40’s – 50’s, and Avenues Park to 3rd). A few within minutes walk from J Press are follows:
The Westin New York Grand Central
Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central
The Lexington Hotel Autograph Collection
For coffee or pastries at $2.50 I also recommend the local chain Matto across the city. Don’t waste the $7 at Starbucks when better quality is available for $2.50.
There’s probably no more perfect a guest for the Ivy-Style Podcast’s inaugural episode. I eagerly await its release. …Or “drop,” or whatever the kids are calling it nowadays. By the way, I like the graphic design for the podcast title. …It’s a vibe.
Bopper — You might also consider the Algonquin on 44th Street, which has enjoyable historical significance and is just a couple of blocks west of J. Press. It has been about three years or so since my last visit, but LaGuardia and a cab have usually worked pretty well for me. As with most Manhattan hotels, prices should drop after the holidays.
1. Does Mr. Press believe there are meaningful differences between Ivy, Preppy and Trad and, if so, what are they? Alternatively, are the differences so nuanced and subjective that it’s really not worth arguing about?
2. Has Ralph Lauren’s success hurt or helped Ivy?
I’d like to learn about the new to me tailgate sport coats with the slightly enlarged armscye. Maybe a post here would be better than on the podcast. It sounds intriguing. Must be that enough guys are up to here with the yoga vegetarian fit? To be warn over a sweater? The new trad fit? Might be just the ticket. Btw, JB, are you still working out with Dylan Arnold? If so, I’m sure that by now you have experienced the discomfort of the high and tight armscye.
As the natural shoulder tailoring/styling game goes, the resolute players on this beleaguered-yet-enduring team are, by my count, J. Press, O’ Connell’s, The Andover Shop and (maybe) Ben Silver. The rest have moved on, eh?— to Paul Stuarty “updated traditional” and the many, many incarnations of Pitti Uomo. (Wealthy Americans’ love affair with all things French and Italian, chronicled by Town&Country, is comically anti-WASP).
Amazing that this bunch perseveres, considering demise of the WASP establishment, who, merging Episcopalian regalia, proper Presbyterian decorum, and Quaker plainness, inspired the demand for an New Englandy exegesis of British Country style. A bit of a miracle that it has stood the tests of time, terrible taste (the vast majority of Americans), and the fickle tribulations of haute couture.
in a comment there was the mention of Robert CEO of the NE Shirt co. His full name is Robert Kidder and he’s mother was Priscilla Kidder of Priscilla of Boston the famous wedding dress designer. Before Robert took it over it owned by Aboud who almost ra. n it into the ground . Question for Richard. I know a long time ago Hertling on Driggs ave in Brooklyn used to make the sport coats and suits for J Press and does Nicky Hilton make them now and does Adrian Julies in Rochester ,NY make your MTM?
As you try thoughts about another store? If they opened a store in Princeton (more specifically, Palmer Square), the business would be steady — non-stop, actually. Within an hour’s drive of two of the last (very) few remaining old guard neighborhoods: Somerset Hills (NJ) and the Mainline (PA).
Of course they had a Princeton store for many years and shuttered it. I wonder if they might take their Cambridge “popup” concept to Princeton and some other college campuses. The Pennant line sport coats and other items would probably do well.
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for J Press to produce a small women’s line. I have several pieces from JP, mostly sweaters, but I would love to have a couple of more feminine shaped shaggy dog sweaters.
Very excited for this… so many questions!
(1) I’d like to learn more about Trippler, where Richard was CEO after selling J. Press. What were they about aesthetically? I recall their Flag Ties ad in the Times, and even stopped in to purchase on in the mid 1990s. I don’t recall much else about the store. To whom did they cater? Why might someone have gone there rather than Brooks or Press?
(2) What are some of Richard’s favorite J. Press pieces? Are there any items that Press no longer sells that he wishes would come back?
(3) Does he only wear bow ties? I’ve never seen him in anything but.
(4) Can he do anything to bring back the old J. Press catalog style? He gushes about how much information they used to have (echoing the advice from David Ogilve) but now they’re little more than photos with tags. Only his great introductions provide any real “information”. I’d like to see them writing product blurbs. Luckily I work next door to the DC location, but otherwise I’d never understand why one jacket’s $695 and another’s $995.
(5) What are his favorite Shaggy Dog colors?
Oxford for J.Press is “Made in New England”.
I hope that you can touch on the relationship between J.Press and New England shirt Company from Fall River.
We develop cloths for Robert, the Proprietor of NE shirt co., and it continues to amaze us how US mfg in Fall River, Ma has persevered with such dignity. Quality craftsman ship endures in Fall River and J.Press is an integral part of their journey.
John
How can we hear the podcast after it is recorded ?
Sandy
I will post a link the following Monday! 🙂
Cool!
Kind Regards,
H-U
Will you post a link here, like the last one? Questions for R.P.: If one were to plan a trip to NYC for a Jay Walter appointment, where would be the best, i.e., safe and close, place to stay? Which airport to use, etc. I usually do stuff like that spontaneously, but NY, man…
I’m sure there are lots of differing opinions on this, but the last couple of times I visited New York, I flew into Newark. The advantage there is that train/subway service to Manhattan is quite a bit easier/faster than going to JFK, or at least it was before covid times. If you are not averse to public transit, you’ll save some money there. I seem to recall it costing under $10 for the subway (PATH, I think) and taking about 50 minutes or so to get to the Upper West Side (Columbus Circle), for instance.
So much unnecessary fear here…the entire area around J.Press is safe, as is the vast majority of Manhattan. Stop with the Fox News mumbo jumbo. There is a Grand Hyatt within walking distance, as well as the Westin Grand Central. If I fly to NY (as opposed to train) I fly into Newark. Easy enough to take the train into Penn Station and you can easily take the subway up and across to Grand Central. Again, easy walking distance to J.Press.
BTW, forgot to mention this in the earlier thread – but great source for cloths: https://www.themerchantfox.co.uk/pages/fox-brothers-cloth
All easily available.
Indeed, Fox Flannel highly coveted!
John
I don’t believe you got my first post. My question is is the podcast being recorded and if so how do we hear it at a later date?
Sandy
He replied to a similar query. Yes, it’s being recorded (by definition if it’s a podcast even though there’s no such thing as an iPod any longer!) and he’ll post a link. Hopefully this will be a regular thing with a regular link that you can use with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and other podcast apps.
@Bopper
As a resident of Manhattan I would advise the following:
Airports: Any work, Newark has NJ transit train which will cost you around $15 one way. Otherwise LaGuardia is close by cab (if you land at the right time). JFK is a hike regardless and an expensive cab ride.
Hotels: I’d advise staying away from touristy areas, especially around Times Square. Stay in East Midtown Manhattan and you ‘ll be just fine (think streets from 40’s – 50’s, and Avenues Park to 3rd). A few within minutes walk from J Press are follows:
The Westin New York Grand Central
Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central
The Lexington Hotel Autograph Collection
For coffee or pastries at $2.50 I also recommend the local chain Matto across the city. Don’t waste the $7 at Starbucks when better quality is available for $2.50.
Enjoy The City!!
@ Chad, @ Spartacus,
Thank you, both.
There’s probably no more perfect a guest for the Ivy-Style Podcast’s inaugural episode. I eagerly await its release. …Or “drop,” or whatever the kids are calling it nowadays. By the way, I like the graphic design for the podcast title. …It’s a vibe.
Already looking forward to G. Bruce Boyer.
Thanks in advance.
Bopper — You might also consider the Algonquin on 44th Street, which has enjoyable historical significance and is just a couple of blocks west of J. Press. It has been about three years or so since my last visit, but LaGuardia and a cab have usually worked pretty well for me. As with most Manhattan hotels, prices should drop after the holidays.
Thank you, Charlottesville.
1. Does Mr. Press believe there are meaningful differences between Ivy, Preppy and Trad and, if so, what are they? Alternatively, are the differences so nuanced and subjective that it’s really not worth arguing about?
2. Has Ralph Lauren’s success hurt or helped Ivy?
I’d like to learn about the new to me tailgate sport coats with the slightly enlarged armscye. Maybe a post here would be better than on the podcast. It sounds intriguing. Must be that enough guys are up to here with the yoga vegetarian fit? To be warn over a sweater? The new trad fit? Might be just the ticket. Btw, JB, are you still working out with Dylan Arnold? If so, I’m sure that by now you have experienced the discomfort of the high and tight armscye.
The ‘yoga vegetarian fit’ doesn’t work for me, either, Bopper.
Enjoy NYC. If you make it to the UWS, let me know. I’ll buy you a drink.
As the natural shoulder tailoring/styling game goes, the resolute players on this beleaguered-yet-enduring team are, by my count, J. Press, O’ Connell’s, The Andover Shop and (maybe) Ben Silver. The rest have moved on, eh?— to Paul Stuarty “updated traditional” and the many, many incarnations of Pitti Uomo. (Wealthy Americans’ love affair with all things French and Italian, chronicled by Town&Country, is comically anti-WASP).
Amazing that this bunch perseveres, considering demise of the WASP establishment, who, merging Episcopalian regalia, proper Presbyterian decorum, and Quaker plainness, inspired the demand for an New Englandy exegesis of British Country style. A bit of a miracle that it has stood the tests of time, terrible taste (the vast majority of Americans), and the fickle tribulations of haute couture.
in a comment there was the mention of Robert CEO of the NE Shirt co. His full name is Robert Kidder and he’s mother was Priscilla Kidder of Priscilla of Boston the famous wedding dress designer. Before Robert took it over it owned by Aboud who almost ra. n it into the ground . Question for Richard. I know a long time ago Hertling on Driggs ave in Brooklyn used to make the sport coats and suits for J Press and does Nicky Hilton make them now and does Adrian Julies in Rochester ,NY make your MTM?
As you try thoughts about another store? If they opened a store in Princeton (more specifically, Palmer Square), the business would be steady — non-stop, actually. Within an hour’s drive of two of the last (very) few remaining old guard neighborhoods: Somerset Hills (NJ) and the Mainline (PA).
Of course they had a Princeton store for many years and shuttered it. I wonder if they might take their Cambridge “popup” concept to Princeton and some other college campuses. The Pennant line sport coats and other items would probably do well.
* edit: ‘there’ thoughts …
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for J Press to produce a small women’s line. I have several pieces from JP, mostly sweaters, but I would love to have a couple of more feminine shaped shaggy dog sweaters.
Can we hear some Jerry Haber stories?