Why do I still have this article? I guess because it came out the same month I started working at Brooks. I probably read it 100 times during my short employ at the Golden Fleece. There's mention of Tom Davis in a,
"tailored pink broadcloth with a white collar, beneath a charcoal suit." Mr Davis was my hero back then. And still is today. It's so well written. I urge you, if you're
Brooks cognoscenti, to click on the pages and give it a slow and thoughtful read. It's like a home I never knew but knew I wanted.
October 1985 GQ Article on Brooks Brothers
Why do I still have this article? I guess because it came out the same month I started working at Brooks. I probably read it 100 times during my short employ at the Golden Fleece. There's mention of Tom Davis in a, "tailored pink broadcloth with a white collar, beneath a charcoal suit." Mr Davis was my hero back then. And still is today. It's so well written. I urge you, if you're Brooks cognoscenti, to click on the pages and give it a slow and thoughtful read. It's like a home I never knew but knew I wanted. 
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15 comments:
Thanks for posting. This article is as old as I, so it's nice to have people bring these out.
It's amazing how good GQ looks here.
Thanks for posting this. I remember reading this article over and over, along with one about yuppies from a 1984 Esquire, before the term "yuppie" had turned into an epithet. Both very influential to me.
Who was on the cover of GQ that month, by the way?
Unfortunately, the article also demonstrates how standards at both GQ and BB have plummeted.
"... as old as I." Ryan W, you are a Hero of the English Language.
Ben, you are so right, alas. Ryan-how's the Navy treating you, friend? Richard
Ryan- It was a good article but I didn't keep the magazine which tells me I took the only thing worth taking.
Ben- Didn't keep the issue. No idea who (or what) was on the cover.
Thanks anyway, Tin. You know, that's a good habit, tearing out and keeping important articles. I wish I did that more.
I agree with Ben. It's very bittersweet to read that knowing what would happen in the 90's and the 2000's. While BB has returned to its original classic roots (and one enjoys shopping there again) there's a feeling similar to holding a piece of Canton china that has been glued back together again after it's been broken. Until they bring back French-fly 100% cuffable khakis with the unfinished hem, I'm still going to spend more at Press.
A bittersweet trip in the Time Machine. Thank you very much for sharing this with us.
Tintin...BB has jumped the shark. It's all over man. I don't like it anymore than you and I'm glad I caught a bit of the last chapter before the demise.
On another note-just in case you don't see my response to you trying to hurt my feelings over at my blog....here you go:
"That horizontal blue stripe will kill with the Green peak lapel blazer."
TINTIN...stop making fun of me man...or I'll come up there and put the Quart of Blood technique on your ass by nightfall. I don't care if you are a Judo man and an army vet. I'll hit you so hard-when you wake up those tri-color skippy shoes of yours will be back in style.
Have a nice day my friend.
Thanks for this. Nibbling - and savoring - each delicious word.
I wonder why they don't just leave flagship building, or reduce the floors and lease it out - in the $$ driven way companies are run these days it wouldn't suprise me in the least - that's prime RE. next to GCS.
I don't think, pracitically speaking even if BB were doing well, that they could sustain a store that size..its a relic of yesterday.
Great article! Thanks for posting. Makes one realize how things used to be (and, interestingly, even back then the long-time customers were complaining of "changes" -- imagine if they saw a Brooks store now!).
Thanks for sharing this with us. This is a fantastic article.
I'm tellin' ya! You and ADG need to have a radio show on XM! It would be a howl!!!
Fascinating article. I guess that complaining about Brooks Brothers is as much of a tradition as the clothing used to be. Brooks is no longer what it used to be, gripe, moan, gnashing of teeth...
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