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Sunday, July 12. 2020

Is this the end of Brooks Brothers?

If nobody decides to buy them out of bankruptcy, it will be sad for me and for the many for whom they have been the go-to place since youth. The Long, Slow Death of Brooks Brothers, An American Icon


They have big sales now. I just bought what I hope will not be my last Brooks blazer, but might be. Most useful wardrobe item ever, so I always have two.


Also bought a pair of their famous and classic tassel loafers. They will last me the rest of my life. They were once considered weekend shoes, but not anymore.


Posted by The Barrister in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 14:41 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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Thanks for the link. Younger friend is looking forward to the sales. Appears to be another part of the gutting of American culture. Your link mentions they were sold to a foreign company 30 years ago, seems like a long time to milk the brand which so many other companies are doing. Wonder how much of their "American" stuff is made in China?
#1 grant1863 on 2020-07-12 15:08 (Reply)
It's sad to see heritage stores closing.

Today's fashion is black shirt, black mask, black gloves and jeans
#2 T on 2020-07-12 15:11 (Reply)
My favorite, go to, Oxford cloth shirts.

Might have to order a few.
#3 browndog on 2020-07-12 15:44 (Reply)
I have a story for you about an attorney and a Brooks Brothers Shirt--will tell you in person if we ever get that time. Meanwhile just have a good smile at all the fond memories! :-)
#4 faculty wife on 2020-07-12 16:20 (Reply)
The problem is that dressing like that in many parts of the country will now invite verbal or physical attack from the "Woke" crowd as well as the lowlifes that have now taken over the streets. People are now trying to dress as inconspicuously as possible. Ratty shirts, old blue jeans, a baseball cap and a mask are 2020 fashion and are the safest way to go given the ongoing threats of violence and harassment. Hoping the lawlessness and anarchy will calm down but it's unlikely.
#5 Jim on 2020-07-12 16:47 (Reply)
Big fan, in the salad days, of BB's boys' pink oxford shirts, size 14 which fit me wonderfully as a girl. So what if they buttoned right rather than left? Back then they were $6.00 not on sale. 1966. I have my late husband's patent leather "Brooks English" black tie shoes (grosgrain bow) in the box, and I am not sure what to DO with these, remembering fun times, but one young friend said these are all the rage now and being snapped up on eBay. As for BB, it started getting a little wonky when it was sold back in the '80s, and a dreadful bathrobe arrived that looked like Wayne Newton might have ordered it. Nothing like the description. Returned, natch. The spouse maintained that BB had been taken over by the mafia. He was very funny! After that only those nice tattersall shirts and good gray flannels were bought. The Cornell "boys" (all of his surviving pals would be 81 or so now) called Brooks Brothers "Beta Beta." It is the end on an era, and not a good thing.
#6 Missy on 2020-07-12 17:33 (Reply)
Amen, time to go shopping! Being retired I seldom have a good reason to dress to the standard but I enjoyed it when it was necessary.

Haha, if I show up with another pair of tasseled loafers she will probably take a load of the finery to a Goodwill or similar process.

If she does, somebody will come into a windfall.

Every man ought to have at least one fine suit. Get it large enough for alterations going both directions. Sheesh, hope no one's height starts to fluctuate like my waist line!
#7 Tally Whagger on 2020-07-12 17:40 (Reply)
With my build, their suits 42L fit me right off the rack. So my wedding and funeral suit is a dark gray BB. My navy blue blazer is a BB. BB Christmas tie has been hanging on my tie rack for 40 years...with a little luck I will get another 20. White or blue oxford button down shirts were part of the uniform. Not much opportunity to wear now-a-days. Lastly, a BB tux occupies a place of honor in my closet.
#8 rocdoctom on 2020-07-12 21:54 (Reply)
You know someone wil buy the name and it will end up on the rack at Target. Remember Fieldcrest Cannon sheets? Used to be top of the line, now that's where you can find them. Lemond bikes are on sale at Walmart. Brooks Brothers are soon going to be found at a JC Penney near you.
#9 Ben E on 2020-07-13 07:21 (Reply)

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