Seersucker Summer!
Much like its colourful counterpart, Madras, Seersucker is most definitely deserving of a chapter within the history of Ivy. One need only glance at the pages of Reel Art Press’ Jazz Festival for a veritable smorgasbord of Seersucker action, as the fabric was utilised in all manner of clothing during the Ivy League boom years, including: soft shouldered Ivy jackets and slacks, square end ties, bucket hats, and of course, short sleeve button down shirts
Full journal piece in bio.
@peterkinnaird
Photography: @adnatt
Peter wears:
John Simons Champagne Seersucker Ivy Jacket and Trouser
Ametora Straight Collar
John Simons Burgundy Tie
Ant 45 Blue Socks
Burgundy Sebago Loafers
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivyleaguestyle
Peter Kinnaird Playlist:
The natural shoulder may find its perfect musical partner in the cool jazz of Davis and Coltrane, but there’s something equally right about pairing a well-cut piece of clothing with music that has this much heart, grit, and personal meaning. Both share an appreciation for authenticity over pretension, for craft that endures. Peter’s selections are a testament to the fact that Ivy League clothing befits every wearer, irrespective of musical tastes or subcultural allegiance.
“When Sean and Paul asked me to put together a playlist of some music I love, I jumped at the chance. The record player was always a great friend of mine in my youth and remains so to this day. Whilst these tunes may not be as perfect an accompaniment to the natural shoulder look as messrs Davis, Baker and Coltrane, I hope that they will be of some interest to the discerning John Simons customer. Enjoy.”
See Playlist and Journal link in bio.
Peter wears:
Palm Springs Seersucker Ivy Jacket (coming soon)
Navy West Point Chino
Alan Paine Blackcurrant Polo Knit
Paraboot Adonis
@peterkinnaird
Photography: @adnatt
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivyleaguestyle
Peter makes a terrible postman, but looks first class wearing the Vetra Postman Blue Suit.
This definitely gets the JS stamp of approval.
@peterkinnaird
Photography by @adnatt
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivystyle
Customer Spotlight: Ben Miles
Ben is known to television audiences worldwide for his work on The Crown, Andor, The Capture and a string of acclaimed stage roles. But spend five minutes talking to him about clothes, and you quickly realise that the actor’s instinct for character and detail extends naturally to everything he wears. His wardrobe is not a collection of things, rather it is a set of stories. A deadstock 1966 US Army t-shirt that somehow escaped Vietnam. Real McCoy jeans built on a 1950s pattern, and a John Simons Ivy navy hopsack suit reserved, in his mind at least, for a front row seat at the Miles Davis Quintet’s Kind of Blue sessions. Additionally, long-term readers of our blog and mailout editorials may be familiar with Miles’ fantastic playlist capturing his love of mid-century jazz.
He came to the shop in 1990, he says, and felt like he’d walked into another world. Some thirty-five years later, the feeling clearly hasn’t faded.
Full interview in our bio.
Ben wears:
Kamakura Oxford Shirt
John Simons Navy Hopsack Suit
Alan Pain Blackcurrant Polo Knit
John Simons Raincoat
Paraboot Adonis
John Simons Tie
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivyleaguestyle
Customer Spotlight: Jack Ling
In this customer spotlight, we sat down with Jack Ling to discuss his love of Ivy League style and his impressive career as a sub-editor at The Times. Jack has spent years writing about an eclectic range of subjects, from the finer points of bow ties to the quiet terror of clothes moths, while also helming an expansive travel series that has taken him from ancient Peruvian ruins to destinations far beyond. Throughout it all, his passion for menswear runs like a thread through his work.
Full interview in our bio.
Jack Wears:
Linen & Wool Ivy Jacket
Blue Popover Ivy Shirt (Coming Soon)
West Point Chinos
Kamakura Brown Leather Belt
Ant 45 Cream Socks
Paraboot Adonis
Full Length Blackwatch Raincoat
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivyleaguestyle
Natural Shoulder spoken here!
The ‘Made in England’ Ivy Jacket is our interpretation of a mid century menswear icon. Tailored with a natural shoulder, it offers a relaxed, clean silhouette that retains a sharp, unstructured look. The 3-button roll to 2 feature adds a versatile, timeless appeal, giving you the option of a more formal or casually refined appearance depending on your mood.
A single vent at the back provides ease of movement and a touch of elegance, ensuring you never feel constrained. Inside, the buggy lining adds a layer of durability and comfort, making it as practical as it is stylish. Whether you’re pairing it with the John Simons trousers, chinos or jeans, this jacket is the epitome of understated Ivy Style. Once you wear it, you might start to wonder how you ever managed without it.
This model is crafted from a lightweight and breathable wool–linen blend, combining the natural resilience of wool with the cooling properties of linen. The result is a lightweight, breathable fabric that’s comfortable, practical, and well suited to the spring and summer months.
The cloth is produced by the historic Abraham Moon & Sons mill, founded in 1837. As one of the last remaining vertical woollen mills in Great Britain, their expertise ensures consistent quality from raw fibre through to finished cloth.
Peter wears:
Blue Mini Check Wool & Linen Ivy Jacket
John Simons Navy Oxford Ivy Shirt
West Point Chino
Ant 45 Navy Socks
Paraboot Adonis
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague #ivystyle
Customer Spotlight: Gerard Horan
In this customer spotlight we sat down with esteemed British actor, Gerard Horan. Growing up in Cheltenham as a music obsessive, it was an unlikely combination of girls, a forward-thinking record shop, and one very well-chosen shirt that first set him on the path to John Simons and Ivy League style. That journey was not, however, a straightforward one, and Horan is cheerfully candid about the expensive fashion detours which threatened to lead him astray along the way.
Today a much-loved figure across stage and screen, with an extensive career spanning the RSC, the National Theatre, and numerous television and film roles, he brings to his wardrobe the same quality he brings to his craft: a deep respect for things made well and built to last. A man of strong opinions, hard won good taste, and a very clear sense of what he would and wouldn’t be seen dead in.
Thanks to Lenny the dog for reminding us style isn’t just what you wear.
Full interview in our bio.
Gerry wears:
John Simons Olive Raincoat
John Simons Chino
Paraboot Avignon
Kamakura Shirt
Tootal Scarf
Photography by @adnatt
#ivyleague #ivystyle #johnsimons1955
Launching this Saturday 4th April.
This season the Ivy Jacket is offered in a selection of fabrics made for warmer days: Japanese high twist twill cotton and luxurious linens that will keep you cool in the heat. Half lined and unstructured, it is a jacket that comes into its own in spring and summer, equally at home on a terrace, at a jazz festival, or simply wherever the day happens to take you.
Peter wears:
Japanese Navy Cotton Ivy Suit
Lilac Seersucker Ivy Shirt (coming soon)
Purple knitted tie
Purple Ant45 socks
Sebago Dan Loafers
@peterkinnaird
#ivyleague #johnsimons1955 #ivystyle
The John Simons overcoat is based upon a vintage coat famously purchased and worn by our very own proprietor in 1961, whilst working as a window dresser for Cecil Gee on Charing Cross Road. With a seamless one piece raglan sleeve, which flatters all shapes and sizes, our overcoat is the perfect combination of functionality and elegance.
This overcoat is reminiscent of early 1950s American outerwear, in the period that predates the Ivy League Boom years of the latter 1950s and 60s. Once you wear it, you might start to wonder how you ever managed without it.
@beatrizandmelo
Photography by @thomaspratt_
#johnsimons1955 #ivyleague
In this Customer Spotlight, we introduce Adam Soffe. Based in London, his life revolves around music, family, sport and style. He’s a father of two young boys and, by day, heads up the Creative Sync team at Universal Music, where he’s responsible for getting music into film, TV, advertising and video games.
Working across the company’s sizeable artist roster from The Rolling Stones to The Beatles, Blue Note Records to The Chemical Brothers, Adam regularly collaborates with film directors and producers, helping shape the musical palette of each project. His love of music is wide ranging, but guitar driven sounds on the heavier end of the spectrum hold a particular allure. He still plays guitar in an angular post hardcore band to this day and regularly performs live shows.
Adam wears a suede Barcuata G9, FOB Factory Bedford Cords, our brushed Shetland crew neck, and a pair of The Original Playboy Chukka Boots.
Full interview in our bio.
Photography by @thomaspratt_@adam_soffe
