Brooks Brothers | American Clothing Since 1818

39 of the 46 U.S. presidents have worn Brooks Brothers, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.

The Original American Clothier

Where Tradition Meets Tailoring

On a crisp New York morning in 1818, in a modest shop at the corner of Cherry and Catherine Streets, a young clothier named Henry Sands Brooks opened the doors to a new idea: “To make and deal only in merchandise of the best quality, to sell it at a fair profit, and to deal with people who seek and appreciate such merchandise.”
This simple promise would evolve into Brooks Brothers, America’s oldest clothing brand and a cornerstone of classic style for more than two centuries.

Today, their golden fleece emblem is instantly recognizable, stitched into garments that bridge history and modernity. Whether it’s a perfectly rolled Oxford collar or a navy blazer with brass buttons, Brooks Brothers has become synonymous with an understated, enduring elegance.

A Legacy of Firsts

Brooks Brothers has a habit of doing things first—and doing them well:

• The Ready-to-Wear Suit (1849): At a time when custom tailoring was the norm, Brooks Brothers revolutionized menswear by introducing ready-made suits, making refined style accessible to a wider audience.

• The Button-Down Collar Shirt (1896): Inspired by English polo players, John E. Brooks added buttons to keep collars in place, creating an American icon still worn today.

• The Madras Craze (1902): They were among the first to import lightweight, colorful Madras fabric from India, sparking a summer style tradition.

Each innovation wasn’t just about clothing—it was about shaping the way Americans dressed and expressed themselves.

Presidents, Poets, and Pop Culture

From Abraham Lincoln, who wore a custom Brooks Brothers coat to his second inauguration, to F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose Jazz Age heroes mirrored the brand’s Ivy League aesthetic, Brooks Brothers has dressed presidents, artists, and tastemakers alike.
Even Hollywood took note: Think Dustin Hoffman’s understated gray suits in The Graduate or the preppy rebellion of Dead Poets Society.

These moments reflect more than fashion—they capture Brooks Brothers’ unique role as both a mirror and maker of American culture.

Why It Matters Today

In a world of fast fashion, Brooks Brothers endures because of its devotion to craft. Their shirts are still cut with precision; their suits stitched with heritage techniques. And while the brand has evolved to include modern fits and collaborations, its heart remains the same: timeless pieces built to last a lifetime.

Walking into a Brooks Brothers store today feels like stepping into a piece of living history—a place where past and present meet, where the weight of tradition hangs lightly on the shoulders of those who wear it.

A Closing Reflection

Like a well-loved blazer passed down through generations, Brooks Brothers is more than just clothing. It is a story stitched in cotton and wool, a reminder that true style never shouts—it whispers, softly but unmistakably, across centuries.

For those who value the quiet luxury of tradition, Brooks Brothers offers not just garments, but a legacy you can wear.