Trad Clothing Brands?

One of the most frequent questions that I get is, “What are the best trad clothing brands?.” This is a difficult question to answer, but here is the answer that I usually provide.

It is easier for me to tell you clothing stores where you can find trad clothes rather than identify a few brands that are trad. Some of the stores that I have listed below are brands or have in-house brands, but others stock lots of brands.

The stores below stock almost nothing, but trad clothes. You can almost shop blindfolded and come away with nothing but the good stuff (be careful at Brooks Brothers though). Everyone on my list has an online presence which was one of my requirements. However, outside of O’Connell’s, J.Press, and Brooks Brothers you may have to place a phone call to check on sizing, availability, etc.

What do you think of the list? Is there anyone that I left off? Anyone on this list that you would remove?

The Best American Trad Clothing Stores

1. O’Connell’s Clothing

2. J.Press

3. Ben Silver

4. The Andover Shop

5. Cable Car Clothiers

6. Eljo’s

7. Brooks Brothers

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

11 Comments on "Trad Clothing Brands?"

  1. Justin Barr says:

    Jerrod,
    I agree fully with that list.
    I also like your use of the term “trad” rather
    than “ivy”.

  2. Richard aka Tweeds says:

    Jerrod What about Hunter and Coggins in Asheville NC

  3. oxford cloth button down says:

    Tweeds – Good call!

  4. Andrew says:

    The advantage of Brooks Brothers, including online, if you know what you want, is the frequent sales nowadays. You can buy very nice suits, sport jackets, as well as shirts and ties and other things at advantageous prices. Sometimes J.Press does the same. With Brooks, you can take your online purchases to a nearby store, and they will alter the clothes at in-house prices. In constant dollars, high quality trad clothing can be cheaper than it was 25 years ago. But you must know the cut and style you want.

  5. Charlottesville says:

    Good list, and I am glad to see local favorite Eljo’s mentioned. For off the rack selection, I applaud J. Press, which is offering an excellent fall line. I have never visited O’Connell’s, but their reputation is impeccable and their web offerings look great.

  6. Woofboxer says:

    I would just like to mention Justin that ‘Ivy’ is a term that has been in use for many years when applied to the style of dress that we all admire. Whereas ‘Trad’is a term that was coined comparatively recently on men’s clothing forums, I’m not sure why it has gained such traction, after all we like ‘Ivy League’ style clothing do we not?

    As a Brit I would also include John Simons although, like Brooks, not everything he sells is strictly Ivy.

  7. oxford cloth button down says:

    Woofboxer – I think of Trad and Ivy a little differently than most. In my opinion Ivy is a style of clothing worn during a specific time period. Once you are outside of that time period it is no longer truly Ivy. There will be a time (we are probably in that transition period now) where Trad will no longer be the current name and it will become something new.

  8. Beverly Carlton says:

    I think I would add Paul Stuart to this list. Clearly for the foppish trad.

  9. Countalma says:

    H. Stockton of is a very traditional men’s haberdasher.
    Sid Mashburn is move “contininental” (Italian), but very traditional.

  10. Mark Mack says:

    I certainly agree with the list.
    O’CONNELL’S is TOPs!

  11. I was quite Ivy in the 1960’s in CA; but fell into the polyester trap in the 70″s. I repented in 1983, when I worked for a now defunct Brooks Bros. type store in L.A. I used to buy just Brooks Bros. shirts. But then they quit making the full cut button down and have a slightly fitted version now. I stopped buying from them. Worked for Jos. A. Bank in Salt Lake City. I have a few Brooks Bros. things; like blazers; but no suits. I found you can (or could in 2004-2006) a tradition suit at J.C. Penney. Bank sold out to Men’s Wearhouse and went downhill. I now buy my dress shirts from L.L. Bean and I really like them. I don’t like shirts that have that extra button on the outside (unless it’s a sports shirt), as that means it’s not an exact sleeve length. I try to buy good shoes, from Brooks Bros., Jos. Bank (when they had good shoes), Allen Edmonds, etc. Best ties are Brooks, Ben Silver, Robert Talbot. I like 3 button jackets over 2 button; but have some 2 button. I think 3 button jackets are more traditional. I still wear the coin-shaped tie clips, and occasionally a collar pin. Cuffs are a must for me; I don’t care what the current fashion is. Pleated and plain front pants both work for me. I also like suspenders (braces); never clip-ons. I’m always told I look good when I dress up. I’m 75 but look between 57-60. Have a lot of hair; silver gray now. Also have a goatee and handlebar moustache. Will sometimes wear a vest with a pocket watch and chain. I also wear my M.A. class ring, though I didn’t go to a prestigious school. It looks good. I wear my hair a little long (Justin Bieber length). Have a black overcoat and a camel colored wool one. I love club ties, traditional stripes, and foulards. My favorite ties are ones that have a lot of red in them or burgundy; but I have a lot of other colors two. Like the look of yellow braces on a blue shirt with a yellow tie. I read the Preppie Handbook, John Molloy’s Dress for success, and others. My parents were not traditional; but I wanted to be. Like Richard Spencer, I like to be around good looking people; but race doesn’t matter to me.

I would like to hear from you