Brooks Brothers

JayJay · May 14, 2008

I went on a multi-year hiatus from shopping there but returned a year or so ago. I like their OCBD shirts, shell cordovan shoes, and the Black Fleece line.

JoeWoah · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by Parker

Welcome to the forum. As a huge jazz fan, I have kind of a nostalgic fondness for Brooks Bros. It's that early 60s Blue Note look that I love so much. I think many of the jazz cats at that time wore Brooks button-downs, knit ties and sack suits. I still really like their "original Polo" OCBD and some sweaters and what-not, but a lot of their current stuff is kinda fuddy-duddy for my tastes.

FWIW, I think a guy with dreads dressed a bit conservatively in gingham button-downs, poplin suits, etc. is a super cool style.

Dexter with an old Brooks club collar:

+1

gnatty8 · May 14, 2008

Some of their clothes are decent (slim fit OCBD, suits, shoes) but I find the service to be very spotty. I once had a guy try to convince me that the 43R Fitzgerald suit that was clearly two sizes too big could be altered to fit me. of course, they didn't have a 41 or 42R, so he was doing what he could to sell me a suit. I have not been back to that location since.

alliswell · May 14, 2008

I just picked up a sportscoat [edit: the same one as John Ellis, it turns out] in the Regent cut, and had to size up from 38R to 39R to get a good fit in the chest. That makes the cut slimmer than RLBL. I'm also a fan of the Black Fleece OCBD, and the tropical weight wool pants, all of which are correctly sized. In general it's good for conservative and versatile fabric selections that wear well.

Shoes are a different story. The cordovan is great value at sale price, but even at 40% off, the calf shoes are often not worth the price.

It's more important to shop for service, in my opinion, than to shop for product. Everything goes on sale twice a year, so when you're browsing, find someone who's not selling you, get their card, and make a friend who'll put things aside before the sale.

vitaminc · May 14, 2008

What does OCBD stands for?

grimslade · May 14, 2008

obsessive compulsive button destroyer. It's in Manton's book!

TheFusilliJerry · May 14, 2008

I love BB, and always have, but I do agree, slim fit is a regular fit anywhere esle. But they can't get rid of the full-cut traditional fit because it is what they are known for.

Originally Posted by vitaminc

What does OCBD stands for?

open-collared button-down.

grimslade · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by TheFusilliJerry

I love BB, and always have, but I do agree, slim fit is a regular fit anywhere esle. But they can't get rid of the full-cut traditional fit because it is what they are known for.

open-collared button-down.

Oxford-cloth.

vitaminc · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by grimslade

obsessive compulsive button destroyer. It's in Manton's book!

As long as its not Obssessive Compulsive Butt Destroyer...

whacked · May 14, 2008

^^ grimslade is correct. OCBD = oxford cloth button-down collar shirt.

Originally Posted by vitaminc

As long as its not Obssessive Compulsive Butt Destroyer...

We have that too! Just ask Edmorel.

jasonmarshalljazz · May 14, 2008

THE HORN IS A CUSTOM -MADE LOW Bb made P.Mauriat
___________________________________________________
i just had my first experience with Brooks brothers salesman and it was mixed to say the least. i'm a 44reg though i often buy 44 long and get the sleeves taken up because i find the longer drape more flattering. fyi im just under 6 feet tall and very broad shouldered and slightly barrel-chested. the salesman was trying to convince me that i needed a size 48reg adding that i could just taper the jacket. off the rack, the bb suits that i tried were not flattering at all but maybe i just didn't try the right cut. I have gig suits from target that are for more appealing to me than the pieces i tried a BB. i really wanna like BB. help!!!

vitaminc · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by jasonmarshalljazz

i just had my first experience with Brooks brothers salesman and it was mixed to say the least. i'm a 44reg though i often buy 44 long and get the sleeves taken up because i find the longer drape more flattering. fyi im just under 6 feet tall and very broad shouldered and slightly barrel-chested. the salesman was trying to convince me that i needed a size 48reg adding that i could just taper the jacket. off the rack, the bb suits that i tried were not flattering at all but maybe i just didn't try the right cut. I have gig suits from target that are for more appealing to me than the pieces i tried a BB. i really wanna like BB. help!!!

I hate salesperson that does that. Some of the ill-trained salesperson has absolutely no idea how suits should fit, and every time they see a guy that's 6' and taller they automatically bust out a Long jacket despite the skirt and the sleeves are obviously more than 3" too long and the waist line/mid button is off by a good margin... This is not at BB btw.

For your height I don't think you should try a long jacket because that tend to move your waistline down by a inch or two. And definitely do not size up, look for a fitted shoulder. I think the more traditional cut would look better on you vs. the slim Fitzgerald cut.

alliswell · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by jasonmarshalljazz

THE HORN IS A CUSTOM -MADE LOW Bb made P.Mauriat
___________________________________________________
i just had my first experience with Brooks brothers salesman and it was mixed to say the least. i'm a 44reg though i often buy 44 long and get the sleeves taken up because i find the longer drape more flattering. fyi im just under 6 feet tall and very broad shouldered and slightly barrel-chested. the salesman was trying to convince me that i needed a size 48reg adding that i could just taper the jacket. off the rack, the bb suits that i tried were not flattering at all but maybe i just didn't try the right cut. I have gig suits from target that are for more appealing to me than the pieces i tried a BB. i really wanna like BB. help!!!

The next time walk into the store and remember that you only need a salesman for two things: to tell you where the 44Ls are, and to tell you where the fitting room is. Once you're done trying something on, you can talk to the salesman about fit.

JayJay · May 14, 2008

Originally Posted by letmebefell

It's more important to shop for service, in my opinion, than to shop for product. Everything goes on sale twice a year, so when you're browsing, find someone who's not selling you, get their card, and make a friend who'll put things aside before the sale.

Very good point. Since I don't live close to a BB with BF or an expansive selection, I have become acquainted with sales associates in other cities who will put merchandise aside and, if needed, locate items for me. When I visit the city all the items I've requested are there for me; alternatively, they send the items to me. They also give me advance notice of sales. It helps me tremendously to have this type of relationship with sales associates in distant cities.

kcc · May 14, 2008

jasonmarshalljazz -

If you stick around here long enough, you'll quickly learn the true value of men's clothing. Unfortunately, I have no experience with BB to share, because I started my sartorial journey with Oxxford, Isaia and Brioni. Today, these brands do not retain my interest. What I'm attempting to say is you pay for what you get; also, don't waste your time, effort and finances on mid- and upper tier manufacturers when your experience can be equally, in some cases exceedingly, fulfilling in the bespoke sphere where base prices are similar to top MTM brands.

Brooks Brothers

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