Brooks Brothers Bankruptcy Thread

[bmoredcstyle]

^ It’s also well known that “made in Italy” can just as well mean a Chinese factory that has relocated to somewhere in Italy.

Not judging. Just saying people should know the whole of what Italian made can and does mean.

I did not know this. Not it will be even harder to find "ethical" fashion for me.

 

[MattyB83]

I certainly hope they survive with a modicum of quality. Their shirts and ties and trousers are my wardrobe staples.

 

[George Mason]

^ It’s also well known that “made in Italy” can just as well mean a Chinese factory that has relocated to somewhere in Italy.

Not judging. Just saying people should know the whole of what Italian made can and does mean.

...or that the majority of the manufacturing process took place outside of Italy, with just the finishing details occurring in Italy.

 

[steveabdn]

Do you not think that the “Made in America” factor will have a positive influence in a post Corona setting? I think there’s a good chance that all economies begin to have more internally produced focus. Whether that’s through consumer choice or regulatory remains to be seen

 

[hamercha]

Do you not think that the “Made in America” factor will have a positive influence in a post Corona setting? I think there’s a good chance that all economies begin to have more internally produced focus. Whether that’s through consumer choice or regulatory remains to be seen

"I think there’s a good chance that all economies begin to have more internally produced focus."
Perhaps they need to focus on the domestic made product. This might require them to make fewer products, trim down retail store.

 

[DCTieGuy]

My issue with BB was that you could never find a classic pinstripe in charcoal or navy with dual vents. They would carry all these crazy fabrics like they were chasing fast fashion but never had my previously mentioned updated classics.

 

[Proleet]

My issue with BB was that you could never find a classic pinstripe in charcoal or navy with dual vents. They would carry all these crazy fabrics like they were chasing fast fashion but never had my previously mentioned updated classics.

Same issue with like RL. No clear core assortment, too much seasonal stuff resulting in heavy discounting...places like this se perfectly suited for a good basic assortment that never goes on sale supplemented with more seasonal stuff that does.

 

[odub]

"I think there’s a good chance that all economies begin to have more internally produced focus."
Perhaps they need to focus on the domestic made product. This might require them to make fewer products, trim down retail store.

The latter was already happening regardless but CV19 accelerated the process.

I think back in Feb/March, there was an assumption that the disruption to the global supply chain would result in more consolidation at the domestic level and that still seems like a prevailing belief amongst economists though I don't think we'll necessarily see full vertical integration happening domestically. More likely, it would be a reshuffling of the chain, with sourcing and parts of the manufacturing process still being globalized to take advantage of lower overhead in other places but with "finishing" happening in/closer to home. The problem for these clothing companies teetering on bankruptcy now is that their short-term cash flow problems will need to get resolved sooner vs. waiting to see how things shake out a year or so down the road.

 

[mactire]

There are numerous American factories making better quality products than what BB is currently offering.

Like Oxxford do you mean?

 

[mebiuspower]

I did not know this. Not it will be even harder to find "ethical" fashion for me.

It's not new... been happening probably for a good decade if not longer.

The Chinese Workers Who Assemble Designer Bags in Tuscany

Many companies are using inexpensive immigrant labor to manufacture handbags that bear the coveted “Made in Italy” label.

www.newyorker.com

 

[Phileas Fogg]

It's not new... been happening probably for a good decade if not longer.

The Chinese Workers Who Assemble Designer Bags in Tuscany

Many companies are using inexpensive immigrant labor to manufacture handbags that bear the coveted “Made in Italy” label.

www.newyorker.com

some public health experts have attributed this to the ferocious outbreak of COVID-19 in northern Italy as many of these workers went home to China for the lunar new year celebration.

 

[Shirtmaven]

Brooks brothers also brought in their Asian manufacturing partner, TAL to revamp the shirt factory. And of course increase production and lower quality. They spent a great deal of money on southwick to turn out a clean garment. Yet they cant compete price wise with imports.

 

[mebiuspower]

Even their shoes, they used to carry reputable shoes by EG, Peal (C&J) and AE but they've pretty much replaced them all with their own Golden Fleece line which are more expensive, lower quality, blake-stitch Italian made shoes.

 

[Cherokeepilot]

I've observed that the quality of the Brooks Brothers Ties has gone down markedly over the years....even the clerks are not happy with the quality. Kind of a shame.......just hoping that it would improve......73s

 

[Coxsackie]

Well, I now know why the BB flagship stores in Melbourne and Sydney were suddenly closed down.

For the final two weeks before their doors slammed shut, the Sydney store had everything at 80% discount. I went crazy. Four pairs of shoes, a seersucker suit, two jackets, an incredible shearling coat, ties, a cordovan wallet, silver cufflinks...I even picked up some of their furniture at crazy low prices. I sent a few friends there too, and they also did well.

Vulture behaviour? I guess so. But I've been a loyal customer over the past few years, and this final spending blitz may have just helped them a little in avoiding Armageddon.

The quality was still there, as long as one chose carefully. Even the made-in-China stuff was OK (and frankly, I don't think there's any point in maintaining an anti-China-made bias these days - China is perfectly capable of high-end manufacturing, as long as the numbers add up - just check the Chinese bespoke shoe thread elsewhere on this forum).

I do hope BB survive.