j. peterman: how do you shop drawings?

I recently found new-to-me retailer J. Peterman ( http://www.jpeterman.com/ ) and while I like their pitch, I can't get past the fact that there are only drawings of their products on their site. While I would agree that it adds a warm, old-world style vibe to the site, not having real-world pictures is a turn off. I'd probably feel OK buying some of their offerings by other recognizable manufacturers (SAB, etc.), but anything else I just can't bring myself to do it.

For those that have purchased their in-house offerings, how did they match up to the drawings?

Ask Elaine.

I would argue it doesn't matter so much how close to the drawings they are (which in my experience they are very close), but rather how your expectations are met when the product is delivered.

They sell Romanticism and hard to find items that inspire - their pitch is you'll be the only one with this hard to find item.

I have several of their items, and they've always matched the drawings perfectly.

^Could you post some drawings of you wearing them?

Found some photos here: http://factualromance.com/

Originally Posted by AlanC

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Originally Posted by lureynol

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I have several of their items, and they've always matched the drawings perfectly.
Could you post some drawings of you wearing them?

I was an early customer of JP when they launched the catalog. The quality was amazing and much of it was sourced from the best-of-the-best manufacturers around the world. (I believe that was where I was first introduced to Luciano Barbera.) Anyway as the company grew, and they took on debt to expand into retail stores they began manufacturing under their own brand name mostly in China. The fit was poor, often very baggy (often the case in direct mail---less sizing issues for heavy people) and the quality went into a decline as authentic British leather belts became lesser copies made in India or China and not those countries "best" by far. They were cheaply made to make margin. Yet, the drawings never changed.

The company has been through bankruptsy and emerged as a smaller leaner company. I ordered things and was disappointed by their quality and fit.


I still admire their romantic copy writing. That is amazing.

Originally Posted by AlanC

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^Could you post some drawings of you wearing them?

They're selling SAB umbrellas for $234!
http://www.jpeterman.com/Mens-Things...Brigg-Umbrella

Originally Posted by cptjeff

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Found some photos here: http://factualromance.com/

Thanks for the link!

I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Here we are in 2011 with a company that only displays drawings of it's wares and a corresponding website, by it's customers, is the only place to find actual pictures.

Given that as a business model, I'm shocked they are still in business. Could anyone here possibly imagine B&S with drawings only? It may be quaint, but seriously?