J. Press

J. Press is a nice example of American menswear - it's a little uptight, but all brands are if you wear them head to toe. Just stay away from those sack suits and khakis! Oh my. I like the plaids J. Press chooses - just seeing them reminds me how textiles are a record of our nation's history, and how circular the fashion industry is. It's nice to see patterned textiles take center stage without looking tacky.

Classy basics like PJs and handkerchiefs are timeless:




You might have seen these pants at a 1960s golf course:


But this neckwear - it looks so fresh! Hipsters, I know you're breaking your piggy banks for these gems:





I am continuing to explore what it means to be an American, and what in our nation's short history has influenced the rest of the world in a positive manner. Not imperialistic things, but more along the lines of boundary-pushing perspectives, enthusiasm for hard work and quality, and the unbreakable faith in dreams. For anyone who might challenge that these things still reside deep within American ideals, perhaps citing Wal-Mart and cheese puffs and Grand Theft Auto as examples, I beg to differ. I've added a new label, "classically American," and I hope to cite more brands and sites that help to prove my point. So #1 on the list (in no particular order) is J. Press, a company that values craftsmanship and expresses a style that can only be described as American. Thanks, dudes!