Onondaga
Apple Jacket

T H E A S K —

As part of my creative brain graduate course, we were asked to submit a 100-200 word piece of catalog copy written in the J. Peterman Style. The J. Peterman Company is an American retail company that sells clothing, fashion, accessories, and furniture primarily through catalogs and the Internet.

Because of this, the brand uses narrative style copy that deftly and imaginatively combines historic and/or cultural detail with compelling product features (materials, design, uses, etc) in a seamless, persuasive story.

We were required to pick one out of three items to use as our subject to create copy for. I chose the Onondaga Apple Jacket, which had the following prompt:

Using Onondaga County’s rich history in apple-growing and geography for research, I composed the following copy.

T H E C O P Y —

Tadohado. Hiawatha. William Tell. Johnny Appleseed. Onondaga Apple Jacket’s founding seedlings, if you will, were sown over time by these figures, both fictional and real.

Reinforced with the finest of wool blend to withstand the steeliness of Onondaga’s brisk, wintry winds, to the crisp, cool breezes that ripen the air for spring, the Onondaga Apple Jacket is suited to the elements of its origin and delivers protection.

Much like the predecessors of the Iroquoian tribes, this jacket is rugged, steadfast and built to endure with much aplomb. Whether you’re field-picking bushels of apples through the prickliest of spurs, or powering through the grittiest of ranch work, this jacket is ideal for getting the job done.

The Onondaga Apple Jacket is for long work days, true grit and never-tire warriors. It features deep, inset pockets that hold staunchly for warm-seeking hands, and sweat-laden handkerchiefs.

5-panel sleeves for a comfortable, increased range of motion. Tall-collar with buttoned storm flap. Capacious space at chest for sufficient layering. Classic, bronze-dipped brass buttons for strong hold. Imported.