A reader question:
Dear Muffy,
Great pictures, thank you. I am getting excited for my August vacation looking at them.
I have a question for your readers. What is going on with J. Press?? I went onto the J. Press website <https://jpressonline.com/> and did a double take. It remined me of their unfortunate York Street line. Not as bad as Brooks Brothers, however. I don't have the energy to go through all of their new offerings, and am not sure how many will be around six months from now. Are other readers liking the new look?
Thank you!
I agree. The company's summer catalog as well as some of the products are noticeably different. While I understand there might be need for an updated marketing strategy it is a very dangerous process when there is so much history behind a brand. I can only hope it is a momentary diversion and not a permanent change. For a good analysis, Salt Water New England did an excellent job of highlighting the changes in J. Press and other suppliers a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteCatalog and site are awful, what withthose bearded, oddly dressed models? But the store in DC is still more than wonderful. JDV
ReplyDeleteForget about J. Press - they're gone, and now only good for nostalgia.
ReplyDeletePlease try Cordings or O'Connell's:
https://www.cordings.co.uk/us/
https://oconnellsclothing.com/?SID=blaa21h1iq981mmql40343akf7
This advice is spot on.
DeleteI avoid the 'Lookbooks" , indifferent models and head straight for the classics that I like. I'm just happy to find anything that is 100% cotton, wool, etc.
ReplyDeleteThey still sell all the staples and in a classic style. You just have to move off of the first page. The staff at the stores are second to none and you leave turned out in a perfect Ivy Style. The number of SWNE readers while perhaps growing, isn't enough of an audience to grow a business with. In experimenting with some fresher looks for younger customers they can introduce new people to the brand and help to insure it's longevity in selling the classics to people like us. Trimmer fits aren't a bad thing either, especially for those prepsters who lead an active lifestyle and love the look but don't want to wear a tent!
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly! The world changes and we must adapt, although it can be hard.
DeleteNo
ReplyDeleteSeriously, no.
ReplyDeleteThe "lookbook" should be avoided!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone - a first! They DO still sell the staples and the staff is second to none. But the things they try to attract the next generation under these Japanese owners can be tough to take. Trust but verify always. As long as they maintain the staples, the trust is not broken. But I would also encourage everyone to consider how much they are paying J Press forward too. I have a suspicion many of the most ardent doubters were buying the least. So what is J Press to do? Die with some false nobility? Pay them forward - stock up on the staples. Buy a suit - or five! Everything is still there.
ReplyDeleteOverlook the Lookbook.
ReplyDeleteReally some overly conservative, not to say reactionary, commentary regarding J. Press here, in my opinion. One cannot expect a brand to survive by purely appealing to a shrinking elderly clientele. The look book definately is not how I wear my J. Press but I did find it amusing. "Live and let live" (As long as the quality is there).
ReplyDelete"....shrinking elderly clientele"
DeleteThere is a saying when someone sees a Hearse: There goes another Brooks Brothers customer.
J. Press and Brooks Brothers each have a brick-and-mortar store within 15 minutes walk from my office in DC. I've given up on Brooks, except for oxford and end-on-end boxer shorts, but J. Press is still a solid option if you inquire about their made-to-measure.
ReplyDeleteAs JDV and others have noted, the old standbys are still available at J. Press, and are still well made, with a classic fit. I can ignore the hirsute models, and designer collaborations; if that is what it takes to bring younger men into the store, I don't object. Over time the hipster customers might even learn to appreciate the classics.
ReplyDeleteThey do seem to have a lot of sizes out of stock/unavaible for long periods of time; especially dress shirts.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem is that BB and JP seem to have forgotten the customers that kept them in business for decades. The newer "younger" clientele they're trying to attract can't afford to pay the higher prices now being charged. So, to attract new business that doesn't have any money they're turning off the old business that can afford to pay. Instead of trying to find a workable medium, they're throwing away their loyal customers in the hope of bringing in new ones. BB has destroyed itself with this attitude, and, unfortunately, it sounds like JP is, too. It's unfortunate and stupid. I've carried (and used consistently) my BB credit card for decades. Last year when I was notified to renew it, I threw it away.
ReplyDelete