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00:00:00 – 00:21:16
The video delves into the history and impact of Brooks Brothers, an esteemed American menswear brand established in 1818. It has dressed presidents and Hollywood stars but has faced challenges in modern times due to evolving fashion trends and some decrease in product quality. The brand's historical significance during the Civil War and its influence on American menswear styles are emphasized. Brooks Brothers' ownership changes and partial US manufacturing are discussed, along with recommendations for purchasing classic items like tuxedo shirts, opera pumps, sweaters, chinos, and overcoats from the brand. The decline in quality over time is also noted, advising against certain trendier pieces while recommending others. The speaker emphasizes the traditional American aesthetic of Brooks Brothers through recommended clothing choices and accessories.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the history and impact of Brooks Brothers, an iconic American menswear brand, is discussed. Established in 1818, Brooks Brothers has a rich legacy of outfitting American presidents and Hollywood stars. Despite their illustrious past, the brand has faced challenges with the changing fashion landscape, leading to a decline in popularity for their classic staples and slight decrease in product quality due to overseas production. The transcript also highlights the company’s role in providing clothing for the Union Army during the Civil War, which had mixed results due to the use of questionable materials. Considerations on what to buy and avoid from Brooks Brothers in the modern context are emphasized, taking into account the brand’s evolution over time.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, it discusses the history of Brooks Brothers, mentioning how the term “shoddy” originated due to the poor quality of materials supplied to the Union Army. The company did not offer ready-to-wear black suits until 2003, possibly out of respect for Abraham Lincoln or due to their clientele preferences. Brooks Brothers introduced seersucker suits in 1870 and popularized the sack suit style in the early 20th century. They also innovated the Oxford cloth button-down shirt in the early 20th century, which later became popular among athletes and style icons. Additionally, the company introduced fabrics like Madras and ties like the repp tie and foulard tie to the United States, contributing to the evolution of menswear styles.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, it is discussed how Scott Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise” influenced the style of college men in the US, leading to Brooks Brothers introducing clothing lines based on Fitzgerald’s work like The Great Gatsby. The company underwent ownership changes, with Brooks Brothers currently owned by the Brooks Brothers group, controlled by Italian billionaire Claudio Del Vecchio. Brooks Brothers still maintains some manufacturing in the US, with products like the Golden Fleece line of suits, part of their 1818 line, ties cut in Long Island, and some shirts made in North Carolina. The brand’s historical significance in film and TV, such as in productions like The Great Gatsby and Mad Men, is highlighted. Brooks Brothers is acknowledged for its influence in American menswear and its blend of innovation with traditional men’s style.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the main points include recommendations to purchase tuxedo shirts, traditional opera pumps, proper sweaters, and chinos from Brooks Brothers. It is advised to opt for classic tuxedo shirts with pleated front or bib front and detachable wing collar for a crisp look. The most formal shoes, opera pumps, suitable for Black Tie and White Tie events are suggested. When it comes to sweaters, stick to classic styles like turtlenecks, cardigans, v-necks, and shawl collars in natural materials such as cotton, wool, merino, and cashmere, avoiding synthetics and thinner knits. Opt for heavier weight sweaters in classic patterns and rich colors like greens, reds, blues, and purples. Lastly, Brooks Brothers chinos are highlighted for their diverse color range and quality.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the features of Brooks Brothers’ chinos and overcoats. The chinos come in six different fit types with options for pleated or flat-fronted models, cuff styles, and are offered by waist and inseam size for a better fit. They are made from a stretch cotton twill blend with wrinkle-resistant treatment. The overcoats by Brooks Brothers are praised for their classic silhouettes and use of natural materials like wool, merino wool, cashmere, and camel hair. It is advised to avoid modern styles like leather jackets and nylon coats, sticking to traditional silhouettes in classic colors like navy, camel, and charcoal. Brooks Brothers’ overcoats come in double-breasted options with elegant patterns like herringbone or Prince of Wales check, including the iconic 100% camel hair polo coats.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the following key points:
1. Overview of various coat options like top coats, Chesterfields, officer’s coats.
2. Highlight on the OCBD (Oxford Cloth Button-Down) shirts by Brooks Brothers, known for their fit options and classic styling.
3. Mention of Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts and potential considerations around their maintenance.
4. Recommendation for shoes under the Peal & Company brand name, known for classic styling and Goodyear welt construction.
5. Briefly covering pajamas and vintage Brooks Brothers items as additional options to consider.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the decline in quality standards of Brooks Brothers over time. Vintage Brooks Brothers products are praised for their higher quality, such as a vintage tie the speaker is wearing. Items to avoid from Brooks Brothers are trendier pieces like wristbands and hooded sweatshirts, socks made of polyester nylon blend, and clothing items like t-shirts, sneakers, jackets, jeans, and backpacks. Despite this, some Brooks Brothers products are recommended, such as over the calf socks in silk or cotton. The speaker showcases their outfit with a vintage Brooks Brothers tie, French cuff shirt, and accessories from Fort Belvedere, all following a traditional, American aesthetic with a houndstooth pattern tie, French cuff shirt, and gold-plated cufflinks. The outfit is completed with a sport coat, khaki trousers, tan socks, and cap-toed derby shoes from Allen Edmonds.