Brooks Brothers Clothing

[kaiser]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding Brooks Brothers and the quality of the clothing that they offer.

I was in Detroit on business last week and spent a couple of hours before my flight looking around the Airport shops. One of the shops there was a Brooks Brothers shop which had a lot of stuff on sale. What surprised me was that the overall quality looked to be only average, but the price was in my opinion rather high. Is this typical of Brooks Brothers, or was this just the stuff that they sell at Airport shops ?

 

[fats]

I have the same impression. I was just at a local store; looked like typical 'mall-wear' with more conservative patterns. Some sweaters I saw looked identical to items in neighboring shops (probably made in the same factory/family of factories). Definitely not the Brooks Brothers of old..

 

[Tomasso]

Their top lines (Black Fleece, Golden Fleece, Peal & Co, etc...) are well made but their lower lines and outlet lines are mediocre at best and should be avoided. Their top lines can be had at deep discount at season ending sales which actually make them quite a good value; Peal shoes especially.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Their top lines (Black Fleece, Golden Fleece, Peal & Co, etc...) are well made but their lower lines and outlet lines are mediocre at best and should be avoided. Their top lines can be had at deep discount at season ending sales which actually make them quite a good value; Peal shoes especially.

Like most retailers these days, BB offers a range of high, mid, and low grade stuff with prices to match a variety of customers, but their best stuff is excellent. I haven't been in one of their airport stores, but I doubt it's their best stuff. By way of analogy, Ralph Lauren also offers several ranges of quality and pricing, some of which are downgraded for sale in airports and lower-end malls. With BB I would recommend going to their biggest stores in the richest demographic areas; their HQ store at 346 Madison has all the best stuff; so too does the Toronto store.

 

[kyboots]

I agree with AC. I have used local BB for years especially around their Father's Days sales, but you have to watch what you get. If you are careful you still can find some nice wears especially for summer.---John

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I have a new pair of brooks brothers wool pants, they are winter wool, off white, double pleated, and now cuffed. They are very well made, (label states made in the USA), I like them quality wise, but the wool is very course, like steel wool, lucky they are lined to the knee or I would not be able to wear them. I have several suits that are already 20 some odd years old from BB, I think they still make a good decent suit, have not yet owned any shirts, sweaters, or even shoes from them.

 

[EmergencyIan]

I wear BB shirts, slacks and ties 5 days a week and I really like them. They seem to hold up pretty well. That being said, I always have all of my "work" clothes dry cleaned.

They have regular, slim-fit and extra slim-fit dress shirts. It's nice to have those options.

I've never been to one of the airport locations. I happen to live in NYC, so I go to the local stores or shop online. BB has semi-annual sales. A person can get very good deals during these sale periods.

- Ian

 

[kaiser]

Thanks for the info everyone. I suspect that the Airport store is more of an outlet. I see that there is a regular store in Gross Point Farms which is a good area in Detroit. I will try to check it out when I am back over in about 3 months.

 

[fats]

I was at an outlet. I had no idea there was such a difference in quality. I think I had half-assumed that I was looking at surplus stock or last season's. Thanks

 

[Patrick Hall]

Most of my non vintage suits are from their 1818 line - which is less expensive than Golden or Black Fleece. As A.C. was saying, you can pick up those suits with deep discounts at end of season and they are pretty well made - I think most of them are Southwick actually, with half-canvas construction. Also - their cordovan collection is made by Alden and is very high quality. I have a pair of cordovan cap-toes I expect to hand down to my son - if ever I have one.

 

[Old Rogue]

I own one BB suit that I bought at least 10 years ago. It did come from one of their outlet stores. I'd say the quality is not bad, but nothing that would make it stand out over my other suits from the same general price range. The last time I tried to wear it I found that it seemed to have shrunk over the past ten years. Strange, I didn't realize suits could do that...

 

[carldelo]

I'm interested in the Brooks Brothers 1818 Madison suit in 3-button. I'm wondering if anyone knows the trouser rise - it seems no one does a proper rise on suit trousers any more. Also, I'm curious if I can expect this suit to go on sale for less than the two for $1600 price currently listed.
Thanks, Carl

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I'm interested in the Brooks Brothers 1818 Madison suit in 3-button. I'm wondering if anyone knows the trouser rise - it seems no one does a proper rise on suit trousers any more. Also, I'm curious if I can expect this suit to go on sale for less than the two for $1600 price currently listed.
Thanks, Carl

One way you may find the answer to your trouser "rise" question, take a run on eBay and see if you can find any 1818 Madison suits for sale, see if the listing(s) might have that measurement on it.

 

[carldelo]

Thanks, and that's a good idea. However, I live in NYC so can go to the flagship store and check them out in person. I was just wondering if someone knew the answer off-hand.

 

[Feraud]

Also, I'm curious if I can expect this suit to go on sale for less than the two for $1600 price currently listed.
Thanks, Carl

I'd say there is a good chance you will see the price drop on this. A friend of mine frequently finds BB clothes on discount.

 

[Patrick Hall]

I'm interested in the Brooks Brothers 1818 Madison suit in 3-button. I'm wondering if anyone knows the trouser rise - it seems no one does a proper rise on suit trousers any more. Also, I'm curious if I can expect this suit to go on sale for less than the two for $1600 price currently listed.
Thanks, Carl

Another option is simply to ask. The Brooks Brothers website has an "ask a question about this product" option, and you'll usually receive an answer.

 

[carldelo]

Also true, but I'll probably just go in and try them on.

 

[lframe]

My husband doesn't dress in vintage, but loves well made clothes. We've been buying all of his from Charles Tyrwhitt in the UK. Shipping is inexpensive and the quality is superb.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

I had exactly the same impression of Brooks Brothers as the OP; it seemed far too expensive for my taste when I could have a bespoke suit made for me and choose everything to my liking for little more than they were asking for off the rack, and could get made-to-measure for far, far less. Can't vouch for their quality, of course. I'm sure they're at least better than a place like Moores; had a horrible experience with them and learned my lesson.

 

[Raul]

Standard BB shirts are very low quality, especially the fabrics. I have 4-5 and the ones that I wear more frequently are badly damaged in collar and cuffs in little more than a year.