Brooks Brothers Bankruptcy Thread

[clee1982]

Paul Stuart definitely continue to "pivot", I find their new direction a bit "lack of direction" to be honest (still some good stuff, but not as in the old days where I go in and want to just buy everything)

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Paul Stuart definitely continue to "pivot", I find their new direction a bit "lack of direction" to be honest (still some good stuff, but not as in the old days where I go in and want to just buy everything)

while I still like the clothing, I’m not as impressed with their shoes. I was lucky enough to buy three pair of Stuart’s Choice when they were being made by Gaziano & Girling. They even had a made to order program through them for a while. The selection of English made shoes seems to be left wanting and they’ve moved more toward Italian made shoes.

I still like their tailored clothing and sportswear.

 

[clee1982]

think they could never sell GG, so...

Though I wouldn't dismiss all of their shoes. They still got CJ, and the top italian line is Paolo Scafora, which all have very elegant last (though I think PS order them to GYW standard rather than HW thus less than $1k)

 

[Phileas Fogg]

think they could never sell GG, so...

Though I wouldn't dismiss all of their shoes. They still got CJ, and the top italian line is Paolo Scafora, which all have very elegant last (though I think PS order them to GYW standard rather than HW thus less than $1k)

I’m not as familiar with the Italian makes. I’m sure they are good shoes.

 

[clee1982]

Skoat used to carry Paolo Scafora, you can browse them on their own website. Paolo Scafora has one of the best make up for Tassel loafer if you ask me (no personal experience, but at least picture alone I prefer it over Alden aberdeen which doesn't fit me or EG on 184)

 

[Leander walker]

The Brooks Brothers shopper was not as enamored. With the "made in Italy" label as Claudio DelVecchio is. In Italy,there are companies that produce clothing and leather goods of very cheap quality. You get what you pay for. "Made in Italy" is no guarantee of quality and Mr DelVecchio thought the Brooks Brothers customer,who loves and appreciated American and British made products,would swoon at the idea of "made in Italy". Obviously that was not the case. Some goods marked " made in Italy" are actually produced in china and only the finishing is done in Italy.going back to the briefcases Brooks Brothers sold,they had a steady business over the years selling a traditional box attache,lid over body style in bridle leather with a green shiver lining. This case was produced for many years in England. There also a wide range of English made cases and luggage carried,all of top quality. During Marks and Spencer's reign,I walked into the Madison Ave store one day and all the beautiful Peal cases were gone and replaced with a display of briefcases made by Coach,and made in China. The golden fleece logo was removed from all clothing and even from the elevators. The chandeliers and beautiful wood aand leather furnishings were ordered to be disposed of and were replaced by glass tables and a ultra-modernised look. Thankfully,a couple of long time employees hid the furniture rather than throw it away,with the thought that one day it would be appreciated again. The damage that was done under Marks and Spencer was never really reversed. They were chasing the Jo's A Bank "buy one suit and get 6 free" business model. When you constantly discount,you call into question what items are really worth. When your business plan is a race to the bottom you seldom win

 

[clee1982]

is that the real reason, or just fitting the story, BB has slowly retire say SAB bag etc. over time, not a big change right away, and I would say even back in 2010 (which I assume is long after the italian took over) there were still a lot English goods. And for example Edward Green was re-introduced so is own maker (which is closer to the original idea of BB) but just not selling.

I thought BBBF was a good daring try, they just forgot to move on with the time (i.e. it probably "peaked" its usefulness around same time as menswear peaked)

My impression has been "because those expensive English suit case wasn't selling, those expensive English shoes wasn't selling" (until they're on big discount that is). Though I would question some off BB's choice, like nearly everything CJ is on 240 last was at least to me a bad idea, because it's not a uniquely good looking last, just unique to BB for being unique...

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Remember the BB chopsticks? Nuff said.

 

[clee1982]

haha yup.. well, though I assume it's for japanese market? "proper" lacquer anything is not cheap though (now I don't think western market would appreciate that, though that is a different story)

 

[Phileas Fogg]

haha yup.. well, though I assume it's for japanese market? "proper" lacquer anything is not cheap though (now I don't think western market would appreciate that, though that is a different story)

I think it was for sale here. At least on their website.

But that’s yesterday’s news. Check this out:

Guard Stripe Pleated Empire Shade - Brooks Brothers

Pure silk woven in England. 10" X 20" X 15". Made in the USA.

www.brooksbrothers.com

Hurry up before they’re sold out.

 

[clee1982]

well, it's MiUSA... but seriously...

 

[SmellBlind]

I think it was for sale here. At least on their website.

But that’s yesterday’s news. Check this out:

Guard Stripe Pleated Empire Shade - Brooks Brothers

Pure silk woven in England. 10" X 20" X 15". Made in the USA.

www.brooksbrothers.com

Hurry up before they’re sold out.

I bought a set of those as a gift when I worked there...hideous things.

 

[Bill Smith]

The last tailored peice I bought from Brooks Brothers was a semi lined navy blazer in the "Fitzgerald" fit. Thing is I love Brooks Brothers sportswear. I'm a freelancer, and work from home. To be honest with my tailored wardrobe, the navy blazer gets the most use. I last wore a suit to a funeral for a close friend's dad, that's it. Truth be told, outside some white OCBD's, I really don't need anything.

Since this pandemic began I've been dressing more for outdoorsy practical because all my business meetings have been on Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. Long haul, I might be moving to a smaller town, hopefully before the next pandemic hits, and I don't see myself in a suit when I do.

That's my situation, I'm not in a vacuum, others are going, "Do I need a suit right now?" and the answer is no, even if you can online order it in, tailoring is still involved, the big question is your local tailor working where you are?

Don't get me wrong, I love the Brooks Brothers look, I'm not thrilled with the move away from the made in America and UK products, but they aren't the only retailer currently in trouble. Will they survive, they will, in what form? Who knows?

 

[F38etz]

I bought a few of their US OCBDs this year when they added the pocket. Later on, I bought a few without the pocket on sale with a stacked discount. Sad to hear they're closing the Garland factory.

 

[chipshot]

High Quality as in Alden .. C&J .. EG.. they let the smart ass kids in the playground and they messed themselves sadly and took down an iconic brand with it.. dumb