Brooks Brothers Luxury Dress Shirts: Are They Worth the Money?

[Anonimo]

I recently bought four Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece and luxury dress shirts. I have not opened them yet and may return them. The day after I ordered the shirts, BB announced a 25% sale. Has anyone had any experience with these shirts? Are they worth the extra money?

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by Anonimo

I recently bought four Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece and luxury dress shirts. I have not opened them yet and may return them. The day after I ordered the shirts, BB announced a 25% sale. Has anyone had any experience with these shirts? Are they worth the extra money?

They are made in the USA, which is enough for me. Split yoke, no box pleats, very nice fabrics. I like them a lot. I don't think they are worth it at full price, mostly because they go on sale so often. For example, they have a few in their website's Clearance section for under $70 right now. At that price point they are an amazing value.

 

[phxlawstudent]

They fit me like a tent, so no, personally not a good value.

As for fabric and construction, at $70, yeah, worth the price of admission. Won't feel like like I made out like a bandit, but seems pretty fair.

Nordstrom's Signature label at the Rack is a nice deal too.

 

[Chico2007]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

They fit me like a tent, so no, personally not a good value.

As for fabric and construction, at $70, yeah, worth the price of admission. Won't feel like like I made out like a bandit, but seems pretty fair.

Nordstrom's Signature label at the Rack is a nice deal too.

They make them in slim and extra slim.

 

[Joenobody0]

Nice shirts but not worth it at full price due to the fact that they go on sale every 3rd day.

 

[zalb916]

I've mentioned this multiple times. I don't understand any of the threads in which people ask about the value of any shirt over about $125 or so. There are so many accessible shirt makers that can make a custom shirt for about $150 and up. This is using high-end cloth, like Thomas Mason, and with very solid construction. You get the size exact. You get to pick every little detail. You get whatever fabric you want.

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by zbromer

I've mentioned this multiple times. I don't understand any of the threads in which people ask about the value of any shirt over about $125 or so. There are so many accessible shirt makers that can make a custom shirt for about $150 and up. This is using high-end cloth, like Thomas Mason, and with very solid construction. You get the size exact. You get to pick every little detail. You get whatever fabric you want.
Two of us have mentioned that these shirts are a great value on sale. The BB "luxury" shirts are made with high-end Italian fabric (I know their Sea Island Cotton ones are Alumo) and on sale they're under $70. So unless you've got a weird body they are an excellent option. I own MTM shirts from multiple makers, but I do pick up the BB luxury shirts when they're on sale. I do agree that at full price ($170 I think) that MTM is a better way to go. Also, maybe some people don't want to bother with MTM.

 

[phxlawstudent]

Just because SF does not fit the mainstream BB shirt cut, does not mean most of their customers do not. Most well-off Americans are slightly to very overweight. The abnormal American is the fit one. For the larger fellow, I would say OTR is a great deal if they can find their size and the shoulders fit.

 

[zalb916]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

Also, maybe some people don't want to bother with MTM.

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

Just because SF does not fit the mainstream BB shirt cut, does not mean most of their customers do not. Most well-off Americans are slightly to very overweight. The abnormal American is the fit one. For the larger fellow, I would say OTR is a great deal if they can find their size and the shoulders fit.

Both of you are correct. Most people outside of SF don't want to bother with custom and are fine with OTR options. However, I've found most people on SF do not mind bothering with it. My comments are directed at those on this forum, not the public at-large.

Otherwise, above a certain price point, which evidently these shirts can fall below on sale, I think most people on SF would be better off with custom shirts. Obviously, those two caveats are 1) the small universe of SF and 2) a certain price.

 

[phxlawstudent]

I agree. However, I've read a lot of "I can't get the fit right on my MTM!!!!:argh:" posts to kind of dissuade me from advocating non-in-person MTM too heavily. while I found the process incredibly simple and intuitive, apparently, it is not to a lot of people.

But yeah, if the SFer can front it, $200 for in person MTM is the way to go. Much better deal than BB at full price. But BB at steep discount is a good deal too. IF IT FITS.

 

[zalb916]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

I agree. However, I've read a lot of "I can't get the fit right on my MTM!!!!:argh:" posts to kind of dissuade me from advocating non-in-person MTM too heavily. while I found the process incredibly simple and intuitive, apparently, it is not to a lot of people.

The perils of cheap internet MTM.

Although I now use a different shirt maker, I have and will continue to recommend mytailor.com. They travel so extensively that they are probably within reasonable reach of the vast majority of Americans on SF:
http://www.mytailor.com/tourschedule.aspx
Easy to get measured in person. Easy to order online after your measurements are dialed in. Thomas Mason fabrics at reasonable prices. Quality construction. Will at ASW highly recommends them as well. They aren't the greatest in the world, which was, in part, a reason why I moved to a different maker, but they are a tremendous value.

 

[clee1982]

Originally Posted by Chico2007

They make them in slim and extra slim.

I thought the Slim and Extra slim are of different fabric quality.

 

[AlexE]

The Made-in-USA shirts are made from nice fabrics and the fit always depends on the taste and body of the wearer (slim fit are OK for me, the traditional fit resembles a tent). However, out of experience, the detailing and manufacturing quality are mediocre at best: Cheap buttons, loose threads,no pattern matching, etc.

I would not buy them anymore - not even deeply discounted. If you paid full retail I'd return them and invest the money in MTM or bespoke from a reputable shirt maker as one of the other respondents already suggested.

 

[Andy Fagan]

Yes, They are made in the USA which in and of itself is quite rare and refreshing these days. The fabric is top quality and will last many years and they look very good and you will get compliments on them. Just be aware of the different sizing options. I have a 18 1/2 neck and 36 inch sleeve and have to buy the extra slim fit or the shirts would have way too much fabric around the waist if I went with the regular fit. Other than getting the right size they are shirts of exceptional quality.

 

[CMR16]

Just a bit of an update regarding the luxury shirt offerings of BB, some are now made in Egypt alongside those made in the USA. They feel nice but like others say it's tough to spend full-price when sales are frequent. I do like that they include mother-of-pearl as a standard button on their shirts. To me, if I am going to pay the regular price of admission I'd just stick with Proper Cloth, where the shirt will not only feel right but also fits right.