As you are no doubt aware, Michael Bastian has taken over as the creative director for Brooks Bros after years of declining sales and social relevance for the brand. Harsh? Sorry. It’s true!
I happened to think at the time of the news that it was a perfect fit, honestly. Were I in the position to make the calls, Bastian would probably be my number one. His style sensibilities align perfectly with what Brooks Bros needs right now.
Fast forward a bit, and the new arrivals from the first collection he actually influenced are coming in and… the pieces are actually looking pretty awesome! Not everything is a winner (which is to be expected), but the brand actually has some personality again. There are plenty of pieces that I actually want, just looking at their New Arrivals section, which is not something I would really have said a year or two ago. I ordered a bunch of the new items to try out so here is my report back to you all:
Rugby Sweatshirt: Great piece. Fits very nicely, and is super comfy. Unique offering that is preppy and relaxed all at once. A winner.
Wide Wale Stretch Cords: Another winner. Fits great, if a bit baggy (nothing a tailor can’t fix), and is just the sort of texture, wale, and colors perfect for the season. Harder to find something like this than you might think. I just wish they did a green…
Slim Fit Fun Rugby Shirt: The fit here is wonky. Tight in the sleeves, but roomy in the body. Great attempt, and execution in color and design is awesome, but not wearable. At least for me.
Original Oxford OCBD: This was a huge disappointment. This is the re-issue of the original, famous, OCBD from Brooks Bros and the fit is just god awful (though not shocked given it doesn’t even come in neck sizes). I literally don’t recall a worse fitting shirt in my life. Baggy and uncomfortable, and the quality was nothing to write home about. They gotta dial this one in a bit more…
Two more quick picks that I did not order (yet?): This super cool buffalo check sweater, and this awesome, unique v-neck sweater that would look killer layered over a nice (properly fitting!) OCBD.
Anyway, consider this your reminder to check out some of the new stuff over at Brooks Bros. Some of it is really nice and there are new pieces coming in randomly over the next several months, so check back every so often. (I even confirmed over Instagram DM’s with Michael Bastian himself that he will be launching some eyewear with Brooks Bros in about a year’s time — long wait, but I hope worth it!) . With all the production shortages, some items are backordered, or shipping soon, and, again, the rollout is happening randomly over the next several months. Such is life these days, it seems, for the apparel business.
Overall, I would say one more thing: Fit is wildly inconsistent. Slims fit baggier than regular items do, while sometimes I am a medium and others I am a small, and so on. So buy multiple sizes, I guess?