J. Press has generously donated three signed copies of Richard Press’ new book “Threading The Needle.” To press your luck, simply use the leave-comment feature below. The contest will stay open until Sunday at midnight and the winners will be chosen by random number generator. All you have to do is answer the following question:
What is your favorite thing about J. Press?
Is it their signature Shaggy Dog sweater or schoolboy muffler? The hook vent on jackets or flap pocket on oxfords? How about the fact that they’re big in Japan, or were founded in New Haven by an immigrant from the Pale of Russia? Maybe you like reading Richard’s columns about the old days, or just like their brochures. Whatever it is, leave a comment with a valid email address, and good luck.
Many things to enjoy and admire about J. Press, but what do I like most? Their blue oxford cloth button-down collar shirts, of course!
Best Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich
What is your favorite thing about J. Press?
That they are still here.
Their adherence to tradition despite changing markets.
Repp ties available for a group order!
In an ever changing world – they are one of the few constants.
My favorite thing about J. Press is their ribbon belts.
The Shaggy Dog sweaters which I have been wearing since 1958.
Their donnegal tweed jackets
I like for Richard to sing. And tell Sinatra stories. They’re the best. Next is GHW Bush holding open his jacket to prove he wasn’t some stuffed shirt in a Brooks Brothers suit. “It’s J Press!” Then, hook vents. Love them!
That J. Press has remained true to manufacturing high quality classic menswear.
What is my favorite thing about J Press?
The fact that it’s still worthy of being promoted by Mr. Richard Press!
My favorite thing about J Press is the fact that EVERYTHING they offer is timeless. Thank you, J Press for all you do.
I particularly like the fit of the 3/2 roll jackets, and the somewhat less than ivy collar—that’s a perfect roll for me.
Their ability to make it seem like they have an unwavering commitment to quality, while continuing to get everything they make just ever so slightly wrong. It’s honestly impressive.
Quality and tradition!
The author, of course.
My favorite thing about J. Press is its peerless dependability. It’s a trad stalwart, a go-to place for quality, classic essentials that lesser haberdashers abandoned in favor of fleeting trends and other horrors.
Everything.
The flap pocket oxford: true ivy signifier for 40+ years.
I can always count on them to have my kinda clothes.
What is my favourite thing about J. Press? That it continues to keep a little candle lit for the American Dream, with an easy, egalitarian style that works for anyone who cares to try it on.
J Press Madras jackets, 3/2 roll and hook vent.
My favorite thing about J press is the long steeped ivy history. When I put on my j press suit, I feel connected to those who came before me, who were also committed to the pursuit of knowledge.
My favorite thing about J. Press is first rate craftsmanship. Forty years from now, when I’m no longer here wearing my J. Press suits, sport coats, trousers, ties, shirts, and overcoats, some lucky guy will get them for a song at a thrift store and wear them for another forty years!
My favorite think about J. Press is their amazing staff — from former CEO, Richard (one of the most knowledgable and gracious guys in the biz), and current Senior VP, Robert (also knowledgable, also a supreme gentleman), at the top; all the way “down” to all the helpful and friendly staff working at each shop. Truly a company that takes care to train their employees right!
As a grandson of Russian-Jewish immigrants I love the story of how these elite prep school and Ivy League college men were dressed and tailored by the Press family
My favorite thing about J. Press is how it opens unexpected doors.
True Story: I went to the Patron’s Lounge of NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, but didn’t quality for entrance because my Met membership was one level too low. The distinguished gentleman at the door though looked me up and down and said, “I had a silk matka sport coat exactly like that when I attended Columbia University in the early 1960s.”…and let me in! Whatta guy! It was an olive and ivory check J. Press sport coat.
I enjoyed my meal tremendously, and later that day did the right thing and upgraded my membership.
My favorite thing about J. Press is the memories of college in the South. No “Yankees vs. Rebels” where style was concerned late 70s-early 80s in Chapel Hill.
Their commitment to tradition and standards in the face of changing markets and lower quality competitors.
Without a doubt their adherence to tradition and loyalty to the customer base that remains loyal to J. Press. It’s a symbiotic relationship that has and will continue to stand the test of time.
J Press is the unquestioned leader in traditional men’s style and unwavering in its commitment to timeless style and quality
They’re a big part of American fashion history.
That they had their very fine wool JE College scarves in stock when I needed two for graduation gifts!
Always loved this the Shaggy Dog sweaters and the candy stripe Oxford button downs. The collars on the button downs have the perfect roll. I have the shirts in every color! I also have many of their sport coats!
I love a lot of things about J. Press, but my favorite is a story—true, it turns out—about the first President Bush. He was out on the campaign trail and a reporter asked him about the accusation that he was a “Brooks Brothers Republican.” He shook his head and said “Of course I’m not!” then opened his jacket. Inside was a J. Press label.
They are keepers of the flame and hold the line.
Made in the USA!
Flap pocket oxfords, preferably unlined. Must be made in USA.
Hook Vent
For four glorious years, I passed the J. Press windows every morning on my way from my dorm room to my first classes of the day. I’d droll over the gorgeous suits, jackets, and especially tweeds (far out of the reach of my modest part time job paychecks). It gave me something to aspire to. Now, many (many, many) years later, I’m lucky enough to have a few of those once longed for pieces hanging in my closet. Every time I wear them, they take me back to those brisk New Haven mornings for just a moment.
Love their Shaggy Dog sweater. My wife buys me a new one in a different color every year.
My favorite thing about J. Press is their iconic spokesman, Sir Richard Press
their 3r2 button-stance
The respect demonstrated to each customer relative to quality American clothing.
Their three-roll-two jackets.
The dedication to their rich heritage.
Their store on 44th. It almost feels like a time capsule. With the classic tweeds on mannequins in the window and the wood shelves holding shaggy dogs and khakis. The staff is also great, super helpful but not on top of you. Best experience ever getting my MTM grey flannel suit.
(1) Most of the suits and sport coats currently in my closet (which, unfortunately, haven’t been worn since March 2020, due to Covid-1984 – But they’re still “fun” to admire); (2) Memories of being helped by Jerry Haber on Saturdays, on the “tail end” of business trips to Manhattan; (3) Jim Fitzgerald (of the New Haven Store) filling the void left when Jerry retired; and (4) Accessories (particularly the “insignia” ties, which J. Press calls “emblematic”). AROD.
My favorite thing?
I’m going to be the heretic here, but my favorite thing was actually their brief experiment with their York Street line. After all, I have plenty of stuff suitable for work, but you can never have too many suits that are suitable for drinking in, and the York Street stuff filled that niche perfectly. Unfortunately, most of it disappeared into my younger son’s closet, leaving me with just my Brooks Brothers Black Fleece suits for that, but it was great fun while it lasted.
The 5/16″ edge stitching on their sport coats and casual suits is currently my favorite thing about J. Press.
The fact that I’m not tempted to look elsewhere.
That it’s still kicking and doing it, pretty much, the same way (plus the Shaggy Dog sweater).
Their emblematic ties, especially those sold in Japan based on idioms/proverbs (https://www.jpress.jp/joketie/).
That whenever the mood strikes me, and I suddenly find myself determined to locate that one thing that I have just discovered I’m missing, or have worn out totally, it miraculously is at J. Press.
Its tan gabardine three button suit.
J. Press sells marvelous three-button sack jackets, oxford cloth buttons downs, and English and American ties. These items exemplify my favorite aspects of the store: an adherence for tradition and a commitment to the highest quality.
They still do the sack jackets.
My favorite thing about J. Press? Easy. They stick to their knitting, so to speak. They have never bowed to trends, and they never sold out. They are forever J. Press.
They know who they are, and stay true to that.
Adherence to tradition.
What I love about J. Press is that I’ve never bought something that wasn’t great from there and that most everything goes together.
Blue OCBD
Tradition. Despite changing fads, they stick to the classics, while adding some whimsical pieces, in the GTH vein.
The feel of the former York Street store.
I grew up looking in the windows of their York Street shop and longing for the day when I could afford the clothes; I love that J Press has not really changed from those days (early 60″s). Although I also longed for White’s and Rosenberg, but it was J Press who set the standard for me 57 odd years ago.
I already have my signed copy of Mr. Press’s excellent book, so I don’t want to participate in the contest and possibly deprive someone else of a copy. However, I agree completely with the commenters above who have praised the commitment of J. Press to traditional Ivy style, high quality and knowledgeable customer service at a fair price that first made me a customer more than 25 years ago, when Brooks began its long slide. Bravo, and long may J. Press continue.
What’s not to like?
Sanity in a sea of turbulence.
There is no better scarf than the patchwork pindot one. It’s phenomenal in feel and appearance. A show stopper.
I certainly have enjoyed reading these comments.
Caps and sport coats.
Sartorial matters aside, I’ve always admired the fact that an American icon stems from the entrepeneurial spirit of Mr. Jacobi Press, an inmigrant (lest we forget).
Their suits! I still wear suits I bought decades ago!
J. Press reminds us all that new does not mean best. Quality over quantity.
Button pockets on their OCBDs.
My favorite thing about Press is, their refusal to go with the skinny fit trends. I want to wear tailored clothing that does not have me wanting to take it off at first opportunity. Form-fitting, flattering clothing need not be uncomfortable.
Their ties and NATO strap watch bands
Have kept closely to traditional clothes and stayed away from “updated traditional” (an oxymoron to be sure). They haven’t gone into parts of the country where their look isn’t widely accepted. Lots of compliments when I wear J. Press things. Tells me who among my acquaintances has good taste.
Going to the York St. store in New Haven and the Post St. outpost in San Francisco when I moved West 42 years ago. The New Haven look is what I have always worn and always will.
Same as it ever was.
My favorite thing? Consistency.
By that I mean they still offer so many of my other favorite things: Shaggy Dog sweaters; lambs wool v-neck sweaters; ribbon belts; button-down collar shirts in oxford cloth and broadcloth; grey flannel trousers; corduroy trousers; khaki and other cotton twill trousers; Bermuda shorts; madras sport shirts; 3/2 button suits, sportcoats, and blazers; and plaid shawl-collar dinner jackets.
Now that would be a fine addition to the tradtorial library indeed.
Cheers
Unwavering commitment to quality.
@Z – Is there any way to buy one of those ties if you don’t read or write Japanese?
Among my favorite things from J. Press are two Native American lacrosse ties, one red and one blue, which have hung on my tie rack for close to 40 years. If you look closely at one of the Indian figures, you will notice a tiny white dot, no bigger than a pinhead, near the head of his stick. Then you realize: it’s the ball! Brilliant, J. Press.
I’m sure that reading these comments warms Mr. Press’s heart.
They serve as a testament to all that J. Press stands for.
That J. Press endures and will be with us for many more generations.
They are a beacon of class and taste in a fashion world where those things don’t seem to matter much anymore.
They remain timeless. And as a man of a certain age, I plan to never “time out” myself.
I always thought of J Press is a part of our American heritage and culture. Thank you for always being there.
The made in the USA items!
That their story is quintessentially American, as is their house style!
A Press button-down shirt and pants, always pressed and always impressive.
@AndrewK247 Sadly, at the moment they can’t be purchased even if you do speak Japanese; these ties have been sold in years past (and hopefully will be made available again, though in response to a recent e-mail inquiry, I was told that they have no present plans to reissue the designs I expressed interest in). The current lineup of “joke ties” can be seen at https://crosset.onward.co.jp/items?gc=3&kw=%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A7%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%82%A4.
Living in Japan, I’ve never had the need to do so, but it appears you could use the proxy service Buyee to order from Onward Crosset (https://shop.buyee.jp/onward-crosset).
The NYC store events and meeting Richard Press back in those halcyon days of 2019… and their chinos, the best around
Mr. Press and his articles on Ivy Style!
Spotted at NH J. Press a few years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B9b9mUPJik
The biannual J. Press Brochure
I was singularly impressed by the keen attention given to me as a customer by the staff in the J Press shop in Cambridge, Mass., the only J Press physical store that I have visited. To my mind, this makes a huge difference in one’s shopping and buying experience.
The quality of the clothes and the great craftsmanship are important, certainly. But the standout factor to me is the shopping experience. An ideal shop assistant must be like an ideal physician. They should give all of their attention to the customer when they are discussing a potential purchase. J Press staff were always willing to share their knowledge with me, and I am most grateful for that.
I love their Donegal Mist sport coats-the essence of traditional style and good taste. In fact, the entire J.Press experience is one that I cherish-whether I buy something or just browse.
My favourite thing about J. Press is everything about J. Press and all that it represents to me personally.
Hi from London, we can’t get the book in the UK, so would love to win
Hello,
i really admire the long heritage of J.Press, which allows us in the first place to read such a book.
Best Regards
Their unwavering commitment to classic ivy style, adapting it to current times without sacrificing quality nor bowing to ephemeral fashion trends.
The best thing about the J Press New Haven store was that it made us appreciate Barries, next door, all the more. We started frequenting the York Street neighborhood when we were 11 or 12 years old, our pockets full of lawn mowing and snow shoveling cash. When we walked into
J Press, alas, we were spooked. The staff always glowered at us, “yes boys?” When we strolled into Barries, wearing their shoes, they would give us a free shine!
And the winners are:
J. Marlowe
Robert at 3:51
Rob Duff
Congratulations, and please make sure you left your email address in the comment. You can use the contact button at the top of the site to make sure.
Some data points in my memory:
The club-like feel of the old 44th Street store when you walked in and were greeted by Peter and Jerry. The smell of Bay Rum and wool was comforting.
The Navy Blazer I purchased in 1981 and still wear with my university’s buttons and school shield I bought next door at Chipp.
My Donegal Mist jacket that is timeless.
The ‘windex blue’ Shaggy Dog that joins my other Shetlands.
My in-house charge that made me feel as though I reached a certain status in life.
Finally, the warmth of Jerry Johnson greeting me after he left Brooks and joined the crew in the new store on 44th Street.
JJP
@Z Thank you for your kind reply and all the information.
The cardigans are unbeatble!!!