Many thanks to Robert Squillaro of J. Press (well, for many things but also) for bringing this to my attention. It is 1986, I got a job at an ad agency, NW AYER. Group Assistant. Because I could type fast. I was scared silly but wanted to make a good impression. Owned NO grown up …
First, thank you for a civil conversation. That point I got crucified for making where I talked about Ivy representing values as much as it does fashion? The comment section of the last post proves that point. Smart people sometimes disagreeing with each other civilly. I know there are those who say that Ivy Style …
There is a Crimson elephant in the room that, while I wouldn’t walk under it, does deserve a good look and a peanut. This is the first paragraph of Claudine Gay’s resignation letter: Dear Members of the Harvard Community, It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to …
For those of you who were thinking the bow tie is dead… watch this. May this next year, 2024, bring you and yours joy and health, may it bring the world peace, and may it be the manifestation of good taste everywhere. See you Jan 1! JB
Sorry for the vacation – sick as a dog but back at it hard now. Flannel is a tricky fabric for Ivy. On the one hand, natural fiber so it has that going for it. It has a VERY desirable weight – there are days where I don’t feel like throwing on a sweater. And …
Thanks Chris for this amazing article. (It is paywalled but you can read it free if you create an account). The gist is that a third grade boy started wearing a suit to school, then his best friend joined him, then a 55 year old music teacher joined him, and now this entire elementary school …
Editor’s Note: We are treated again to another amazing post from contributor Daniel D. Covell. You can buy his latest book here. That’s him on the home page 🙂 I’ve done two things in the last few weeks that I haven’t done in years: Read a work of fiction and watched a film at a …
Feature photo is the 1989 Spring J Crew catalog cover. That image directed the way I dressed ever since. Two articles in the NY Times that were sent to me, if you don’t have a subscription I will summarize. (thanks to my friend Richard for – ) The first is an article about J Crew’s …
Somebody in the comments a few weeks back lamented that Ivy Style will eventually die because “nothing lasts forever.” Every once in a while we get into the weeds about whether Ivy existed pre-HeyDay. I give you the Letterman Jacket. Born in 1865 at Harvard, this iconic piece has not only survived for, like, ever. …
This is an untouched photo taken today of my brown Jay Butlers. They are three years old now and they get worn minimum three days a week, most weeks more than that. I got a compliment yesterday on them. These shoes live forever because of the quality of both the leather and the craftsmanship. And …
You can buy the book here. Or you can win a copy here. From the website: “Miles, Chet, Ralph, & Charlie tells the story of the Andover Shop, and how our co-founder Charlie Davidson transformed a tiny store into an unlikely literary and cultural salon that brought together musicians like Miles Davis, Chet Baker, and Bobby …
Last week J. Press, at the forefront of reigniting the cultural relevance of Ivy, hosted a party to launch the Wooden Sleepers shop inside the J. Press Pennant Label store at 501 Madison Ave. This is just the latest in a number of steps by Press and others in the direction of evolving Ivy for …
Editor’s Note: ALWAYS grateful to Daniel D. Covell for his remarkable contributions to the site, including this piece. The piece is geared toward a pregame release – The Game takes place Saturday, November 18. Gratitude also for the images Mr. Covell provided. An email from J. Press popped up in my inbox a few days …
The first of what I hope are many informal conversations with the GOAT, G. Bruce Boyer. Please support our sponsors by shopping at Duck Head & The Andover Shop.
Editor’s Note: Reprinted with permission from the FB group by member Jim Moore, who is an English Teacher and Squash Coach at Blair Academy. That’s him pictured. It is almost too easy to pile on to Brooks Brothers these days; we all, it seems, have a story about how this once great firm, to whose …
If you are on St Johns mailing list you are gonna get a great email today. If you are not, go here now and sign up. The Rolling Stones are releasing a new album today. And, if you use the code THANKYOU10 on St Johns site? 10% off! Have a great weekend. – JB
That cover shot is the Princeton Football team of 1885. I used to LOVE football. My high school didn’t have it, and I probably would have have been that good at it. I did dislocate my shoulder playing pickup though once. At college there were two ways to meet ladies, one was to play football …
John, Attached is a photo of my father wearing his daily work attire. Hewas a career civil servant who rose to be in charge of the Federal Budgetat Budget Bureau/OMB. He was known for his bow ties and my memoryis that he was the only one who wore them in the office. The picture is from a …