Back in 1902, Jacobi Press set the stage for Ivy League fashion right across from Yale with the first J.Press shop, laying down the roots of what would soon become an enduring American style. By the swinging '60s, the West Coast Ivy vibe was in full sway, as ex-GIs, thanks to the GI Bill, mingled with Ivy League elites before drifting west to bask in California's sun-soaked allure. The look was a remix of sturdy uniform essentials—denim, deck shoes, chore jackets, officers' chinos—spun together with East Coast tailoring, modern sportswear, and a dash of West Coast cool.

Hollywood added its own riff, blending debonair charm with relaxed elegance. Imagine downy sweaters, half-lined tweed jackets, and those iconic J.Press button-downs, all worn with effortless finesse. Picture icons like Monty Clift, one of Tinseltown's slickest dressers.

The style soon captivated the youth scene. UCLA's students of the ‘60s, decked out in this signature gear, strolled to class or caught live jazz sessions as the sun dipped low. East Coast trailblazers migrated west in the late '50s and '60s, lighting up screens in classics that perpetuated the hip new look, like The Graduate and Barefoot in the Park.

This season's debut collection digs deep into the J.Press archives, resurrecting their '50s Oxford shirt with its flap pocket and perfect collar roll intact. Also on offer: a streamlined, single-pocket tee inspired by the effortless cool of young Marlon Brando, meticulously crafted in Pennsylvania in four select shades. Completing the ensemble, Japanese denim, stitched in L.A., tailored to a tapered, cropped cut in indigo and classic collegiate white. These pieces compose the foundation of timeless West Coast Ivy style, ensuring your look remains forever sharp and in tune with the easy, soulful spirit of California.

– Jason Jules, London-based writer & author of ‘Black Ivy - A Revolt In Style