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.
