Falling out of love with Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

Quote:

Originally Posted by F. Corbera 


Black Fleece DB camel hair blazer from the first season, etc.

Not to throw this thread off topic but I wanted to thank you. I just purchased a similar jacket but was unsure how to wear it. Nicely done.

I think there were only a few looks from the Browne/Brethren collaboration that were viable in the "real world."

Look at Thom- his entire aesthetic as an up-and-comer was based around a uniform.

It was shrunken, but that was what made it fresh at the time.

The grey suit, black shoes, white shirt, plain tie, etc came off at first as both youthful and austere.

It worked for him as a personal look, and he marketed it well, but as he became more successful as a designer he was encouraged to expand his line, as is generally the case.

My own personal theory is that as he has an "all-or-nothing" outlook as far as design is concerned, and when he had to work with something beyond stark greys and whites he panicked and threw all sorts of ridiculous flourishes onto his items in the hopes of appearing diversely gifted.

The first Black Fleece collection, for example, was relatively simple, but having gotten the basic, dark, cropped suit out of the way seems to have exhausted Browne's creative ability.

Subsequent collections have devolved into avant-garde shitshows reminiscent of the board-throwing tantrums a small child might have after losing a game of checkers.

I do like about a third of their shirts and shoes, though. As long as the collar points are of an adequate length and the shoe styles stay pebble-grained and restrained, Black Fleece will be worthy of consideration in those departments.

I haven't looked at their womens' collection much, either, but that seems like it has more staying power. Women will tend to have an easier time wearing cropped and shrunken menswear styles than will most men.

-VF