Preppy Meets Chic on Newbury Street: Jack Wills in Boston

         
Word to the wise: Rugby might want to consider their options about subletting their space on Newbury Street before they're forced to swallow a foaming pitcher of defeat; for Jack Wills is in town.....

All Access Boston contributor Grace and I recently had the pleasure of getting to chat with Ben Jones, Marketing and Event assistant for Jack Wills, and Jack Wills Seasonnaire Red Rainey (both of whom  were so chill and easygoing, and couldn't have been nicer about welcoming us to the store)  about the opening of Jack Wills in Boston and about the concept behind the outrageously popular British clothier and lifestyle brand.  For those of you not yet acquainted with the name, London’s resident “University Outfitter” has marked its territory here in Boston (and on the Vineyard and Nantucket) and has seemingly won the affection of New England college students alike.  Including, yours truly ;).  Step into the store and you’ll immediately feel inspired to fulfill the wants and needs of the urban prepster inside all most of us.  While no doubt (and rightfully so) anyone affiliated with the brand laments at the inevitable Ralph Lauren Rugby comparison, it’s admittedly hard for my mind not to immediately revert to that.

However, I would say to any unfamiliar admirer of Jack Wills that the key attribute differentiating the latter from the former is AUTHENTICITY.  It’s funny, when thinking about how to write my reviews/thoughts on the brand, I couldn’t help but equate the name as just that, a brand and not merely a clothing designer. Jack Wills truly is a lifestyle brand that whole-heartedly and sincerely embodies all the accoutrements of the ever-enjoyable collegiate lifestyle.  From the very design and layout of the physical stores and the visual merchandise which include broken beer bottles and shattered glass to resemble the aftermath of one kickass party that I wish I had attended, to the various ingenious marketing initiatives they set forth [they’re rumored to have hosted a beer pong tourney on the Vineyard this past summer to connect and interact with current and potential future brand loyalists (read: genius idea)], to the incredibly laid back and stylish people they have working the floor in their stores [of course, I'm also partial to charming men with British accents and seemingly impeccable style (who isn't partial to that??)-so I'm sure that didn't hurt in the formation of my views…]; these people seem to have got it down to an exact science on how to successfully create a brand AND following.  After visiting the store and exhaustively browsing their official website and all related social media sites (if you've watched any of their vids on youtube of past JW Seasonnaire antics, you'll further empathize with my conclusion); I legitimately want to live the “Jack Wills” life.  Not to demote Rugby or anything, but when I walk into a Rugby boutique, I don’t leave feeling inspired to embrace all that comes with the name-I leave satisfied (nonetheless) with a new tweed blazer or monogrammed sweater. (and maybe the urge to re-watch an old Harry Potter flick?)

Ahhh, and of course, then comes the clothes.  Not only are their designs cute and functional, they're also constructed of the highest quality materials and combine the perfect mixture of sophistication/style/and arrogance embedded in the designs to create classic, timeless pieces. Want to pretend for a day that you’re getting dressed for day school again (minus the hideously ill-fitting uniforms)? They’ve got the goods for you to indulge in that, as well as the perfect knit to pair with your riding boots for a stroll through Boston Common on a chilly afternoon.  Their henley tee’s and logo'd casual wear can also be used to create the perfect balanced look of hipster gone prep when paired with one of their signature blazers and a pair of their fantastically fitting jeans or one of their colorful, feminine and flirty skirts.  I could go on for days about "Head to Toe looks" Jack Wills Style--but you can head to the store and and be inspired for yourself. 

So you get it, I’ve developed a crush. An infatuation of sorts. With Jack Wills.  Just one peek inside the store and I promise you, you’ll no sooner be professing the same.

Jack Wills

Located at 179 Newbury Street, Boston.
Show your support and welcome them to the neighborhood by becoming a fan on Facebook!
Jack Wills USA

AND check them out on twitter!

Special thanks to Ben Jones and Red Rainey  for meeting with us and agreeing to be in the video! You guys were great!!

Be sure to check out Red's blog Find Red Rainey  as he makes his way through the city of Boston!