What's going on with Brooks Brothers

[AlexE]

Here is a summary of my most recent experience with BB. If you used to buy their dress trousers be aware: Madison and Regent cuts have been changed and your usual size might not work any more (not sure if this also applies to suits and sport coats)

I used to buy significant part of my wardrobe at BB, but have to admit that after issues with product quality (holes in MTM shirts, a cut in a suit sleeve after alterations, wrong fabric used for an MTM suit,...) I have gradually moved away from buying key items like suits, shirts, overcoats at BB and limiting BB purchases on a few staple items like polo shirts, chinos and their gabardine trousers.

When I recently ordered new gabardine trousers in my usual size I had to realize to my surprise that they suddenly were tight in the seat and legs. For a second I wondered if I gained weight, but I was wearing my old BB trousers in the same cut / size a day earlier without experiencing any tightness. When I called in, it turned out that the Madison and Regent cuts have been changed significantly in the seat, rise and leg.

Firstly I don't get why such a change to existing patterns was necessary keeping in mind that the trimmer, low-rise Milano cut already exists which should cover the needs of those looking for fashion forward skinnier designs. But even if such changes are unavoidable, why can't BB make it clear on their website that cuts have been altered, what specific changes have been, and that one should be aware that the usual size might not do it any longer?

In order to get back to a normal rise and a comfortable seat I had to go up by one size and visit a store to get the waist taken in. Again a surprise here. In the past basic trouser alterations (take in waist, adjust length of legs) were always covered. This time I was told that basic alterations are now $9. Sure, this is not the world, but it is still a surprise that BB seems to cut back on customer service now.

 

[Fred H.]

Yep. Read the Madison trouser reviews on their web site. More than a few fellas are complaining. Hopefully, mgmt will notice and do something smart. (Even if they DON'T lurk here, they surely must read the reviews on their own site.)

 

[bleachboy]

Their made-in-USA must-iron slim fit OCBDs are also fractionally smaller than they were last year. For me this is a fit improvement, but worth noting.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I don't know, there are a lot of people on the other side of the fence on this. Many people I know don't shop at Brooks because all of their clothes are cut for "fat republicans".

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't know, there are a lot of people on the other side of the fence on this. Many people I know don't shop at Brooks because all of their clothes are cut for "fat republicans".

That's a myth. Fat Republicans shop at J.Press.

 

[Nicola]

He didn't say they shop at BB just that the clothes are cut for them.

 

[acridsheep]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't know, there are a lot of people on the other side of the fence on this. Many people I know don't shop at Brooks because all of their clothes are cut for "fat republicans".

- A skinny liberal

 

[D Yizz]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't know, there are a lot of people on the other side of the fence on this. Many people I know don't shop at Brooks because all of their clothes are cut for "fat republicans".
LOL! I have to slim down my "Extra slim fit" shirts at the waist. Apparently, there are no flat stomach people in Brooks' world.

 

[AlexE]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I don't know, there are a lot of people on the other side of the fence on this. Many people I know don't shop at Brooks because all of their clothes are cut for "fat republicans".

Firstly, I am liberal. Secondly, not fat.

I was buying the flat-front Regent cut, because it balanced trimmer with still classic (not low-rise!). I am also not opposed to introducing products for those who prefer "very trim" with "low rise" such as Milano. I just don't get why you change an existing pattern without clearly noting that, so that your silly customers might actually be aware that they need to go to a store and figure out which size they need before making a purchase.

 

[gladhands]

Have they lowered the rise on the Regent fit? I'll never understand what makes so many manufacturers think that guys who want slim-fit pants don't tuck their shirts.

 

[AlexE]

According to BB rise, seat, thighs, knees measurements have been reduced for Madison and Regent cuts (could not memorize the amount).

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Wow, we have a lot of literal folks on here today. I am not calling anybody fat, just what a friend said. I have to agree though, most of what comes from Brooks is cut like ponchos.

For the record, I am a registered Republican...

 

[Master Squirrel]

Brooks did slim down the Madison last fall.

 

[Bounder]

I think the larger question is whether a company that does something so utterly stupid can be pre-emptively dissolved under the bankruptcy code to protect society. Madison and Regent are well known-cuts that are brands in themselves. It makes no sense at all to change their proportions as all it will do is annoy existing customers. If you think you need to introduce a new cut, introduce a new cut with a new name, like, say, Milano. But radically changing the proportions for Madison and Regent without telling anyone sounds like a huge mistake at their Chinese factory that someone is trying to cover up.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Going back to the MTM shirts, I was considering this option. Are they really substandard quality?