J. Press survives the current menswear mayhem as an island of good taste. Let’s play make believe allowing my old role as prelapsarian (look it up) advisor on the sales floor when customers asked my advice what to wear and how to wear it.
Certain public events require sartorial dignity. Imagine Justice Roberts with a hoodie and Grandpa jeans peeking out beneath his judicial robe. It will be interesting to see if victory elevates Pennsylvania candidate John Fetterman out of cargo shorts and into a suit and tie on the senate floor. Dare we forget Congressman Gym Jordan habitually disemboweling his suit jacket. If Jack and Jackie were still around, I doubt if their Newport wedding attire would be Bermudas.
A couple of years ago I spoke before Prof. Jay Gitlin’s history course Yale and America. My ticket was J. Press’ contribution to Yale and Ivy League culture. One of the students queried me, “Mr. Press, when I graduate in a couple of months and go for a job interview, I expect to wear a suit. I’ve never owned one and have no idea how to dress it up. What do I do?”
Needless to say, I directed him to J. Squeeze and offer the following git-go to negligent Millennials, Gen Zs or Boomers.
Get thee a dark grey mid-weight worsted suit. My personal preference is a muted pin or chalk stripe. Button the three-button natural shoulder jacket over a white Oxford button-down shirt paired with an Irish Poplin dark blue regimental stripe tie, lace-up cordovan shoes and a matching plain leather belt. Ought to work for most occasions whereas a blue suit requires black shoes and belt are outré for daytime wear.
Never, I repeat never ever, wear a suit without a necktie. You can never be too rich, too thin, or too well dressed. No tie, you ain’t turned out According to Hoyle.
Following the Yale class lecture that evening the erudite and well-attired Professor Gitlin introduced me to a booze-filled spiel at the elegant Elizabethan Club before a very tweedy J. Press crowd.
A good time was had by all with no torn jeans in the room.
RICHARD PRESS
39 comments
Mr Press, thank you for another gem.
Forty years ago, I was teaching at a prep school. Informal dress was already making its way among teaching staff. One day, a visitor asked the headmaster if he required male staff to wear a tie. The headmaster replied, “No, but the real ones do”.
I just LOVE you Mr. Press! I continue to learn so much from you. Your advice and expertise always hits the mark. Spot On!
No. 1 pet peeve in the entire universe: suit without a tie. I’ve always felt this way, and it seems I’m not growing out of it. The transgression is getting worse. No. 2 would be 3-6 days of beard stubble.
Excellent observations and advice! I am stunned by the number of CEOs of major businesses who appear on CNBC for interviews, not wearing ties. They look like they just came from watching their sons play a Little League baseball game on a Saturday afternoon.
Little known Jay Gitlin trivia: As a teenager he played drums in the Lester Lanin Orchestra.