The Suit Capital of America
The suit capital of America rests upon a firm foundation. The 33-year-old J. Press enterprise on L Street stands tall, a DC Island unto itself encouraging traditional menswear in the halls of power.
J. Press Washington, DC trunk shows began after World War II in the old Willard Hotel around the corner from the White House serving as a convenient location for nearby Ivy grads The roster bloomed well beyond Ivy, encouraging the opening of our branch in time for the Yalie George H.W. Bush inauguration.
The beat goes on. Current store honcho, Edman Puerto, filled me in with results of the recent blockbuster Made to Measure trunk show. He attributed its success to post-pandemic wardrobe refurbishing. Topping the charts are 9-10 oz. mid-weight Fox of England worsted suits. Navy blue is running even with charcoal gray with a smidgen of pin/chalk stripes added in the mix. Another keystone fostering the post-pandemic panoply featured a surge of weddings outfitted by J. Squeeze. Favorite number—dark blue tropical worsted garnished by white OCBDS and regimental stripe ties.
Mr. Puerto also noted a full range of new J. Press customers he attributes to the disappearance or the diminutive circumstance of past menswear stalwarts. He also hailed preponderant attendance from Washington university circles particularly boosted with an influx of Johns Hopkins attendees of their recently completed local campus quarters.
Washington, never unfairly accused of being a formal town, offers compelling evidence that our complete range of classic blue blazers portends enormous choice to fake a suit with grey tropical worsted trousers or further options adding colorful weekend wear with our immense range of sport trousers, India Madras, crash linens, or bright poplins. Despite air-conditioning everywhere, even in the most rank K Street lobbying offices, the nation’s capital has always been well known for its sweaty summer swamp weather that our encyclopedic stock of warm weather wear fully accommodates while not forgetting good taste and style.
I noted in one of my virgin essays Lieutenant Commander Cornelius “Corney” Van Schaak Roosevelt, grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, an invited guest at the store opening suggested to me the new J. Press store follow his grandfather’s presidential advice, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Who would have thought Corney Roosevelt a retail seer?
RICHARD PRESS
9 comments
More, More, I love history, especially, dealing with the topic of traditional fashion . Reminiscing of my college days working part-time for a small men’s specialty store.
I bought my last suit here from Mark during the fall MTM event, and always enjoy seeing him and the rest of the staff. It’s great to have the store here in DC, and it has become my first choice for business or dressy casual. Hope to see you at an event in DC soon! I always look forward to the new catalog.
I’ve been a customer since shortly after the store opened in the late 1980’s. I got to know and work with every salesman since then, so I know whereof I speak. Mark Elder is the best, hands down. He knows his stuff, has patience, and looks the part. Everyone reading this should have the experience dealing with this true professional.
I loved shopping at the DC store when it was managed by Arthur Noble-a courtly gentleman who provided outstanding service at all times. A great shop with great selection and superb location. Keep up the great service-J. Press is one of a kind and the last of great shops for amazing clothing.
Having recently spent one year in DC I was thrilled to regularly patronize your shop at 18th & L. It is a gem indeed!
Mark “Bunny” Elder welcomed and honored me at every visit by providing excellent advice and service!
I am back home in the Midwest enjoying the classics you provided. Thank you.
Please consider a trunk show in San Francisco for us liberals who like to dress conservatively.
I made what I think was my very first J Press purchase from this store, a blue OCBD, over 15 years ago. I believe Arthur Noble (?) was the manager. I was an awkard intern but he made me feel like a valued customer. After those years I’m surprised to see that the DC location is the last one left standing, with NYC having relocated twice, Cambridge gone (RIP, hopefully will be back soon) and New Haven rennovated.
I want to commend Richard Press for highlighting the D.C J. Press store at 18th and L.
The shop is well managed, with a selection as strong as that in New York. I would also like to take this opportunity to salute the store’s senior sales associate, Mark Elder, who is deeply in tune with Ivy Style and, especially, Harris tweeds. He is a real pro.
Richard, it was so nice to read about your DC store. I started buying my suits there the day you opened, from Arthur, the great manager who always took very good care of me. And amazingly, even now, I still get compliments on how they look and fit, years later.
Quality and style don’t change, only bad fashion does. While the other famous DC mens stores have long faded away, thank you for staying true to your roots and providing DC with a store where you always know you are buying the best.