Back to being a Brooks Bros. buyer

I'm back. Not that the fine folks at Brooks Brothers were ever aware I was gone. But, I was. I disappeared for about two decades.

I began my business career with Brooks. I can still recall my first boss's advice to '.....ditch that tan polyester number and get thee to a Brooks store.' I followed his advice and, like every other male staffer at Hill & Knowlton in the late 1970s, proudly donned my conservative, conformist blue and gray Brooks' suits every single day.

But, times changed and so did I. I moved up the fashion ladder to trendier American brands. Then, sometime in the late 1980s, I discovered Armani, Gucci and Zegna. I saw Brooks as a snobby, stultifying vestige of the past, especially when the uber informal, go-go dotcom days dawned.

In the past few years, though, Brooks has re-surfaced on my fashion radar screen. I still buy Zegna suits and jackets, but now I go to Brooks exclusively for my sweaters and golf shirts. I love their amazing range of colors and, for some odd reason, really dig sporting their corporate logo (it's almost the anti-Polo which, to me, has become passé).

Don't ask me why, but Brooks is back and this buyer's buying. Life may or may not be a circle, but I've come full circle with a brand that is once again a must-buy.

Comments

[Greg Schmalz]

I remember buying my first raincoat at the age of 19 at Brooks Brothers, Steve. Never had a complaint.

[Tennisne1]

I'll forward this to Garmany.

[RepMan]

Thanks Scott. I sure hope you're ready to pedal 50 miles.

[Lunch Boy]

Ease up on Polo, Rep. I am still a huge fan of Ralphie and his golf shirts, sweaters, and pants are timeless. Can the same be said about certain styles from Gucci, Zenga and Armani? Don't think so...

[RepMan]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Lunch. What makes my Brooks experience so unique is my falling in, out and back in love with their stuff. Can you say the same about Ralph and you?

[Lunch Boy]

As my weight has fluctuated over the year, I have fallen in and out of love with certain shirts and pants. Does that count?

[RepMan]

Better watch that yo-yo dieting, Lunch. It wreaks havoc on one's heart.

[Stan Phelps]

Two thumbs up RepMan. They've rejuvenated the brand. Hands down the best button down wrinkle free shirts out there.

One of my favorite pieces of trivia - Ralph Lauren's real name is Ralph Lifshitz. Smart man when it came to branding himself.