Falling out of love with Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

[AHS]

Gentlemen,

Help, advice, suggestions needed ...

A while back I totally fell for the Thom Browne / BBBF look. I never tried to pull off the extreme part of the look -- like the pants cuffed at my ankles -- but I thought the slim lapels and short jackets looked great. Somehow classic and cool. I also appreciated that you could find real bargains online during the Brooks sales periods. (I never paid more than $600 for a BBBF suit.)

Fast forward to 2011.

I realize that I am a couple years late to the party, but I'm ready to dump my three BBBF suits and the few ties and other items remaining in my closet. I'd like to find some new suits and sportcoats that are more traditional but are still slim and perhaps cut a bit short. And, of course, I want to pay as little as I can

Thoughts? Thanks, AHS.

 

[Klobber]

That TB / BBBF look is quite hit and miss, few can pull it off. I dont think I have ever seen anyone look good in it.

Before you go crazy and start junking your clothes, why not post in the WAYWRYN thread some of your outfits / fits and see what people say. It would make it much easier for people to comment with a photo and thus be able to recommend suits.

 

[F. Corbera]

.

 

[JayJay]

^^^The jacket is one of the best items from the BF collection. Very well made.

 

[JakeLA]

Now that Kurt's boyfriend on "Glee" is seen almost exclusively in Black Fleece/Thom Browne, I expect to see more of it turning up for sale around these parts.

 

[Michigan Planner]

I've never cared for the suits or most of the sweaters, sport coats, or jackets (but that one in the picture above is outstanding) but a lot of that may have to do with the way the line has been presented in magazines or online. Most of the items just seem too impractical or a gross affectation.

I do however have a couple of the neckties and plain dress shirts and really like them. Of course, those staple type items are much more difficult to screw up.

 

[tben]

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.

 

[Patek]

I guite like their "dress" shirts, although I only wear them as casual shirts as the materials are guite casual and the neck size (BB4) is a 16.5 and I'm a BB 17. I also have a Polo that I quite like.

I also own a couple of their ties which are quite nice and a pair of the white pebble grain Pantofola 'dOro sneakers which are great for sloping around and have great basic colors. I actually wore them as my airport shoes on my current business trip:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCat...lor=WHITE&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

I have not been successful with their sweaters or jackets though.

 

[Von Franz]

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

 

[Saturdays]



Gentlemen,
Help, advice, suggestions needed ...
A while back I totally fell for the Thom Browne / BBBF look. I never tried to pull off the extreme part of the look -- like the pants cuffed at my ankles -- but I thought the slim lapels and short jackets looked great. Somehow classic and cool. I also appreciated that you could find real bargains online during the Brooks sales periods. (I never paid more than $600 for a BBBF suit.)
Fast forward to 2011.
I realize that I am a couple years late to the party, but I'm ready to dump my three BBBF suits and the few ties and other items remaining in my closet. I'd like to find some new suits and sportcoats that are more traditional but are still slim and perhaps cut a bit short. And, of course, I want to pay as little as I can
Thoughts? Thanks, AHS.

Well you just missed out on a pretty decent RL sale, and there is another thread detailing a certain store with some RLPL and RLBLs on sale.... if those are a 36 or 38R then I can throw those away for you [onto my shoulders and over my legs].

I say if you want quality and close to traditional check out Norman Hilton's new coats they are pretty decent, but a bit pricey.