In an article for New York Social Diary titled “If the Shoe Fits; Part I” (March 6, 2024), David Patrick Columbia describes the ‘Vassar-Yalie Prep school sensibility’ known as the Ivy League Look.
According to Columbia:
Brooks Brothers and J. Press were the two outfitters who drew the university/business/men and boys, and their mothers and wives. There were many other manufacturers here in New York who turned out suits and jackets of varying quality from very low to very high end, but Brooks and J. Press really owned the image that was referred to as ‘preppy.’
The Official Preppy Handbook features heritage brands J. Press and Brooks Brothers in the ‘Where To Shop’ section on page 152.
Brooks Brothers was founded in New York City in 1818. The company established branches in the resort towns of Newport in 1909 and Palm Beach in 1924.
J. Press was founded near the Yale campus in 1902. The company opened a store in New York City appropriately equidistant from the Yale and Harvard clubs in 1912.
David Patrick Columbia is the founder and editor of New York Social Diary. A condensed version of NYSD is featured every month in Quest Magazine.
From a historical perspective, Brooks Brothers and J. Press are in a league of their own. The Andover Shop and (more recently) J. Crew also offer 3/2 sack cuts of comparable style and quality.
Thank you for the good read. Brooks Brothers still offers the No. 1 Sack cut today. And J. Press, well, you know 😉 (can’t be beat)
From a historical perspective, Brooks Brothers and J. Press are in a league of their own. The Andover Shop and (more recently) J. Crew also offer 3/2 sack cuts of comparable style and quality.
I love reminiscences such as this one.