Brooks Brothers is a very legendary clothing brand for men. It was established in the early 19th century for connoisseurs of true classics. The company presented itself as a manufacturer of clothes made of the best and highest quality materials at a democratic price. The Brooks Brothers brand has become the face of classic style. Among the favorites of these clothes were such dignitaries as Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John Kedennie and Richard Nixon, including Donald Trump and many others. In the 21st century, more than 200 years later, the company’s products are still considered a symbol of classical and aristocratic style. Learn more at newyorka.
The story of America’s oldest clothing brand’s establishment
The story of America’s oldest clothing brand begins with Henry Brooks. He was born back in 1772 into a doctor’s family. When Brooks grew up, he moved to New York in search of himself. There he worked as a grocer for a long time, but he always dreamed of something more, of his own business. So, in 1818, at age 45, he finally bought a house in Manhattan, right on the corner of Cherry and Catherine Streets, where he opened his own clothing store.
Brooks saw how other brands very often made clothes and overpriced them. Moreover, there were times when such clothes were also of poor quality. Therefore, the primary goal of his company was to manufacture and sell the highest quality clothes at low prices. He was vehemently against tremendous markups for the brand.
Fifteen years after the company was established, its head owner, Henry Brooks, died. He was only 61 years old. His four sons took over the clothing company he had started in Manhattan. It was they who named the company the Brooks Brothers.
What has become the symbol of the Brooks Brothers brand?
After the death of the company’s founder Henry Brooks, his sons not only renamed the company but also officially adopted its symbol. This symbol was a golden fleece in the form of a golden-haired, winged ram. For many years, it was not just a symbol but a trademark through which many people recognized this brand worldwide.
Henry Brooks’ sons chose the golden fleece for a reason. The wool ram was considered the symbol of British wool merchants throughout the 15th century in the United States.
Brooks Brothers brand extension
The brand has been incredibly successful thanks to its quality-price ratio policy. The range of men’s merchandise was constantly increasing, as well as the continuous opening of more and more stores. By the second half of the 20th century, across the United States, there were about eleven stores with classic Brooks Brothers men’s clothing.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Brooks Brothers brand expanded significantly. While there were only 11 stores in the United States in the second half of the 20th century, there were more than 200 in the early 21st century. Furthermore, about 70 stores were opened in different countries around the world.
Interesting facts about the Brooks Brothers company
For 135 years, an ordinary black suit was virtually impossible to buy in Brooks Brothers stores. The reason for that was the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was one of Brooks Brothers’ first and most loyal dignified customers. For many years, Brooks Brothers fully clothed Lincoln. He wore classic black suits from Brooks Brothers as well as coats. At the moment of his assassination, Abraham Lincoln had also been wearing Brooks Brothers clothing. For this reason, in respect and memory of the assassinated sixteenth president of the United States, the brand has not manufactured the classic black suit that Lincoln loved so much for many years.
In the 20th century, the future famous fashion designer Ralph Lauren worked as a salesman in one of the Brooks Brothers stores in New York. When Lauren created his brand, he produced a well known polo shirt with a button-down collar. In fact, it was the Brooks Brothers brand that invented and sewed the product. Over this, Brooks Brothers sued Polo Ralph Lauren to retain their rights to this type of shirt.
Brooks Brothers company is also one of the oldest operating companies in the world. Since the 19th century, the company has seen significant achievements when it comes to the production of men’s clothing. It has been an exceptional leader and trendsetter in classic men’s fashion.