The enduring legacy of Ivy League style is back, and J. Press is leading the charge! You might be surprised to learn that a book published in Japan way back in 1965 became the ultimate style bible for a generation. Titled “Take Ivy,” this collection of photographs by four Japanese menswear aficionados captured the essence of the eight prestigious U.S. universities known for their ivy-covered walls and, more importantly, the students who defined the quintessential preppy look.
One of the cornerstones of this iconic preppy movement was J. Press. Opening its very first store on the Yale campus in 1902, J. Press quickly became the indispensable destination for these young men seeking to curate their wardrobes. It’s a heritage that runs deep!
And here's where it gets fascinating: the very book, “Take Ivy,” served as the springboard for J. Press president and creative director Jack Carlson’s latest collection. Carlson even penned a new foreword for a special J. Press edition of the book, which was thoughtfully placed on each guest's seat during the company's recent show at the New York Historical Society. “This show is really a tribute to the book ‘Take Ivy,’ which now is fairly well-known as a kind of style bible for the Ivy League look,” Carlson explained. He further elaborated that J. Press is “featured very prominently in the book and is credited by the authors and photographers as helping to create the Ivy League look.” This resurgence of interest in “ivy style” is indeed having a significant moment in menswear, and Carlson feels it’s the perfect time for J. Press to embrace its role and take pride in having pioneered this enduring aesthetic.
Carlson, who also founded Rowing Blazers and joined J. Press last year, emphasized the company’s role as the “steward of this style.” He proudly stated that J. Press is “really the last brand standing that’s doing it for real — not in an ironic way or in a way that’s watered down at all.” This commitment to authenticity is palpable in his designs.
For his spring collection, Carlson “co-opted and adapted” a multitude of Ivy League staples. Think classic button-down oxford shirts, vibrant madras pants and shorts, iconic varsity jackets, T-shirts adorned with vertical stripes, and timeless V-neck sweaters. While the collection leaned heavily towards casual wear, with an abundance of sweaters and jackets featuring school patches and names, it also offered more formal options. These included sophisticated plaid blazers, sharp double-breasted suits, the essential repp tie, and even modernized tuxedos. One standout was a tuxedo featuring blackwatch pants paired with a varsity jacket, alongside a striking Princeton-inspired blazer in bold orange and black, perfectly complemented by a bow tie.
With this collection, Carlson has masterfully achieved a delicate balance: staying true to the core DNA of both J. Press and ivy style, while simultaneously infusing these classic looks with a fresh, modern sensibility for today's wearer. We can only imagine the original “Take Ivy” team would be beaming with approval!
But what do you think? Is the revival of classic Ivy League style a welcome return to timeless elegance, or a nostalgic rehashing of the past? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
