News

Brooks Brothers and Sisters

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Today’s WSJ brings both tired and shocking news:

The boring news is the Thom Browne for Brooks Brothers collaboration, Black Fleece, will finally hit stores this fall.

The long-awaited alliance has been brewing for over a year, so we know what to expect upon its arrival. Fashionable males will surely snap up Browne’s trademark tight, short suits— just as stylish girls snatched Proenza for Target dresses.

The shocker?

Browne’s Black Fleece line offers dozens of items for women as well, and we’re afraid these pieces will sell slower than Kevin Federline CDs.

Why?

Women are used to seeing designers collaborate for cheaper- than-usual prices (Vera Wang for Kohls, Libertine for Target).

But Browne’s Black Fleece items retail for aristocratic prices. Especially considering what they are.

Maybe we’re being too harsh. But how many women do you know would buy a $4,500 dress made out of gray flannel? Or consider it a wise investment to drop $ 10,000 on a fur cape from Brooks Brothers?

We’re suspect that if you suddenly found thousands of dollars for menswear-inspired fashion, you’d turn to Alexander McQueen or Paul Smith.

Do you agree, or will you covet these Black Fleece pieces like you would the new Harry Potter ?

—NATALIE MATTHEWS

Comments

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1

posted by L

Jul 17, 2007 5:53PM

omg i read this too and WHO is going to blow 5 grand on an evening gown from Brooks Brothers? like, gray flannel? whhhhhattttt are they thinking
even if it is Thom Browne, you can just go to Ralph Lauren and get evening wear in pretty silvers and delicate fabrics for the same price point but it wont be frumpy and manish like the Thom Browne&Brooks Brothers stuff. what a catastrophe

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posted by Miss Jeffrey

Jul 17, 2007 11:41PM

I don't get the whole Thom Browne phenomenon. I'm a big homo, and I'm not into the 'high-water' pants. I get his jackets, the fabrics & cuts are great, those are an investment, but I'm not big on Brooks Brothers, so why bother?

As for the ladies why spend 5k-10k at Brooks when you can get something fabulosi from Bergdorfs.

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posted by Donald

Jul 18, 2007 9:50AM

You're hating on BB like it's Aeropostal or something. Although the collarboration saddens me...Brooks is fine as is - timeless well made wardrobe staples. If I wanted a tight short suit I'd just gain some weight.

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