Brooks Brothers Bankruptcy Thread

[mebiuspower]

Brooks Brothers Readies For Bankruptcy

Brooks Brothers is in talks about securing cash for a potential bankruptcy, as COVID-19 has crushed sales for the 202-year-old retailer.

www.pymnts.com

They're planning to close 3 US factories.

 

[ShayaEXQT]

Such a shame. Hope it's not the end for them.

 

[comrade]

Been in decline at least since Marks and Spencer bought them in 1988.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

From what I read they’re getting their house in order so they can sell.

 

[mebiuspower]

Been in decline at least since Marks and Spencer bought them in 1988.

It doesn't help that their quality goes down and prices keep going up.

They're now Italian owned, by the son of the CEO of Luxottica.

 

[comrade]

Not sure that it is an apt comparison given the different scale of the
two companies, but Paul Stuart was sold to its Japanese licensee
without damaging its reputation as far as I know. They did basically
abandon their traditional Ivy cut some years ago- I couldn't find a sport
coat that satisfied by natural shoulder fetish. Nevertheless, they still
offer tasteful, elegant conservative clothing.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Not sure that it is an apt comparison given the different scale of the
two companies, but Paul Stuart was sold to its Japanese licensee
without damaging its reputation as far as I know. They did basically
abandon their traditional Ivy cut some years ago- I couldn't find a sport
coat that satisfied by natural shoulder fetish. Nevertheless, they still
offer tasteful, elegant conservative clothing.

I’d argue that PS has a far more niche following as well which may have factored into it. That and the Japanese love of American “trad” style (which I believe is something coined by them).

Their in store offerings are certainly different though I’m not sure if that would still appeal to your sensibilities.

Brooks seems like it’s tried being all things to all people.

 

[pasadena man]

Shocking to me. Hard to think of another single firm, worldwide, that has played such a role in defining their nation's sartorial identity. Whatever decline they might have suffered in quality over time, I still find many of their offerings good value and quality within their categories.

I really like their collared shirts in numerous sizes with the three different cuts. The Milano gives me a better fit than almost any other off the rack shirt. Should I stock up now?

 

[comrade]

I agree. I still really like PS, but the last time I checked five years ago,
they had abandoned true natural shoulder which I have managed to find
on Neapolitan jackets. I've known PS since the 60s. In those days it
was all trad from Southwick, but with a bit more flair than BB, like two
button more shaped jackets w/ natural shoulders- a model better for
my build. The old Chipp, where I also shopped had a similar niche,
but again some more distinctive touches like side vents, flashy linings,
etc.

 

[othertravel]

I agree. I still really like PS, but the last time I checked five years ago,
they had abandoned true natural shoulder which I have managed to find
on Neapolitan jackets. I've known PS since the 60s. In those days it
was all trad from Southwick, but with a bit more flair than BB, like two
button more shaped jackets w/ natural shoulders- a model better for
my build. The old Chipp, where I also shopped had a similar niche,
but again some more distinctive touches like side vents, flashy linings,
etc.

What do you mean by a true natural shoulder? As in completely unpadded, or lightly padded?

 

[comrade]

Practically unpadded. I have jackets from Chipp from the 80s, 90s
and a Tux from PS from the mid 60s which have a rounded "natural"
shoulder not currently found, from what i can tell, at BB or PS. Most
of these vintage jackets do not still fit me. I keep them out of sentiment.
In the past 15 years I have bought Belvest, Isaia, Sartoria Partenopea, and Rubinacci. Several of these had "light" padding which I had reduced or removed by my brilliant tailor who is five minutes from my home.

Here is a bespoke example from eBay of the old Chipp shoulder:

 

[othertravel]

Ah ok. BB went in that direction with their Own Make line. But I don’t think it lasted that long.

 

[comrade]

"that direction with their Own Make line. But I don’t think it lasted that long."

"That direction"? Does that mean they offered the old natural shoulder (again) ?
BB had it on most models through the 90s and beyond, I think. I haven't
owned BB tailored clothing since the 80s. I switched to Chipp, Norman Hilton,
PS, all of whom offered more style within the Ivy context

 

[drewzter]

wonder how long until their MTM program in the states goes away.

 

[comrade]

wonder how long until their MTM program in the states goes away.

I would not initiate any new commission with them.
BB could go out of business. Happened to me decades
ago in Chicago when I had an order pending MTM
and I went to the store and found a notice on their door
that they had gone out of business.