On July 28th 1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a fireside chat to the nation that defined the GI Bill of Rights. The legislation forthrightly declared, “An opportunity for members of the armed forces to get further education or trade training at the cost of the government.”
As a youngster growing up in New Haven, I well remember the hordes of GI vets parading along York Street in their well-worn GI khaki trousers often garnished by Blue Blazers or Shetland Tweed Sport Coats (many purchased favorably off-price at J. Press sale time) garnished with Oxford Cotton Button Downs and in the know Repp neckties.
The Fence Club, DKE and Skull and Bones crew hoisting cups at the tables down at Mory’s added finesse including their maniacally brushed natural color Shaggy Dog Shetland sweaters in the mix. Historical note: when I entered the then family business in 1959, the “Natural” shade Shaggy represented 50% of the then 12 color Shaggy Dog selections.
The enclosed column picture displays yours nearly three-quarters of a century later ensconced in khaki at the current 44th Street NYC J. Press Headquarters (appropriately adjacent to the Yale Club) a poor little lamb lost on a shopping spree doomed from here to eternity.
For those who defy blue jeans, J. Press retains an exuberant bounty of Khakis, from Tan Corduroys to classic or trim fit GI chinos.
The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company B
RICHARD PRESS
7 comments
Richard:
What a wonderful memory that you have shared. J. Press has provided quality garments to generations of college and graduate students, including many service members who returned from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, and other pre-9/11 conflict zones to pursue higher education under the G.I. Bill.
For the veterans of our wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, the Horn of Africa, and countless other non-permissive environments returning to civilian life to pursue higher education, and to our serving military officers pursuing advanced degrees, my hope is that they will value and continue to enjoy the superb quality and style embodied by J. Press.
V/R
Charles
I love your clothes and reading this article. Everyone in Newport, RI dresses this way (I’m from Portsmouth, RI
Thanks for maintaining a lovely store. And for the service and style. Wish you had shops in Fla..
You look like a million bucks!
Boy how times change . No one likes to dress up and more even in the corporate world. Tie less open collar. I be lost if I dress like that.