[WatchmanJimG]

Today I was very pleased to take delivery of a tan Brooks Brothers camel hair sportcoat I purchased on eBay for just under $325 shipped. Experience has made me a bit leery of buying coats on eBay, but the seller's liberal return policy convinced me to give it a whirl and I'm so glad I did. The item was depicted in the listing with stock photos showing a 3/2 button stance (top button clumsily fastened), flapped patch pockets, center vent, rear lap seam, and traditional leather buttons. It was described as follows:

-New with tags
-Full canvas
-Made in USA

What I actually received was the following:

-New with tags
-At least half canvas but I haven't inspected it closely enough to say if it's half or full
-Made in USA of Loro Piana fabric
-3/2 undarted sack with flapped patch pockets, 5/16" top stitching, rear lap seam, and center hook vent
-Dark brown horn buttons

Upon closer inspection a specification label in one of the inside pockets looks suspiciously like those I've seen in recent Southwick products, which only reinforces my belief that Southwick produced this coat. In any case I couldn't be happier, unless perhaps I were to acquire a coat of the same description in cashmere at this price.

I'll post photos when I get the coat back from the tailor, but in the meantime does anyone out there own such a garment? Any comments/observations are welcomed.

 

[fishertw]

I've had two of these over the past 10-15 years, and just like the 3/2 sack blazers by BB, sadly, these are no longer available off the rack from Brooks. I've loved wearing them and the only reason to have had two is that I have , as my tailor said "become too prosperous". They plus a navy blazer and a black and white herringbone Harris Tweed are three absolute staples in my rotation.

 

[WatchmanJimG]

I've had two of these over the past 10-15 years, and just like the 3/2 sack blazers by BB, sadly, these are no longer available off the rack from Brooks. I've loved wearing them and the only reason to have had two is that I have , as my tailor said "become too prosperous". They plus a navy blazer and a black and white herringbone Harris Tweed are three absolute staples in my rotation.

I'm not expecting to wear this one too often, but there should be a few opportunities during what passes for winter/spring here in central FL. I purchased it because like yourself I feel there are certain essential elements of a traditional American wardrobe that no man should be without. On that note, I'm flying into Buffalo early tomorrow afternoon and plan to head straight to O'Connell's. With any luck I'll snag a nice tweed or cashmere sportcoat (or several) to add to the mix.

 

[FiscalDean]

Congrats on making a great purchase. IMHO, the tan camel hair SC is one of the most versatile options available. Gray flannels of various shades work with it as do navy flannels and brown flannels.

 

[Troones]

I've had two of these over the past 10-15 years, and just like the 3/2 sack blazers by BB, sadly, these are no longer available off the rack from Brooks. I've loved wearing them and the only reason to have had two is that I have , as my tailor said "become too prosperous". They plus a navy blazer and a black and white herringbone Harris Tweed are three absolute staples in my rotation.

You can still get them at J Press! I purchased one last year and just wore it for the first time this season yesterday. I agree, a classic staple.

 

[WatchmanJimG]

You can still get them at J Press! I purchased one last year and just wore it for the first time this season yesterday. I agree, a classic staple.

What are your impressions of the J. Press camel hair coat? I've only handled a J. Press seersucker coat and while it seemed OK I didn't expect the same from it as a fully-constructed garment, so I'm curious about their other items. I've heard that at least some of J. Press' clothing is made by Southwick but I've also heard mention of S. Cohen being involved. Their sale prices in particular are appealing.

 

[fishertw]

What are your impressions of the J. Press camel hair coat? I've only handled a J. Press seersucker coat and while it seemed OK I didn't expect the same from it as a fully-constructed garment, so I'm curious about their other items. I've heard that at least some of J. Press' clothing is made by Southwick but I've also heard mention of S. Cohen being involved. Their sale prices in particular are appealing.

I don't have experience with their camel but do have a doeskin 3/2 blazer from several years ago and it has been a winter workhorse for me. Fully lined and quite nice. I did find the depth of color of the cloth to be not as deep as the BB Loro Piana but it is a fine garment. Due to expansion(me) it's about time to replace with a 46.

 

[Troones]

What are your impressions of the J. Press camel hair coat? I've only handled a J. Press seersucker coat and while it seemed OK I didn't expect the same from it as a fully-constructed garment, so I'm curious about their other items. I've heard that at least some of J. Press' clothing is made by Southwick but I've also heard mention of S. Cohen being involved. Their sale prices in particular are appealing.

I have a few sport coats from them, and most, including my camel hair are Southwick, made in the USA. Then two made in Canada by S. Cohen. I definitely prefer the cut of the USA jackets, as the Cohen ones are a bit stiff and boxy. But they do still work for me as I'm built kind of boxy anyway. They are all proper sack jackets. I recommend any of them.

 

[WatchmanJimG]

I have a few sport coats from them, and most, including my camel hair are Southwick, made in the USA. Then two made in Canada by S. Cohen. I definitely prefer the cut of the USA jackets, as the Cohen ones are a bit stiff and boxy. But they do still work for me as I'm built kind of boxy anyway. They are all proper sack jackets. I recommend any of them.

These were my observations of the S. Cohen-produced seersucker jacket I ordered and subsequently returned--a bit stiff and boxy. I didn't think it looked too bad on me though.

 

[Fading Fast]

⇧ That's a pretty darn good fit. How was the padding in the shoulders?

 

[Steve Smith]

Upon closer inspection a specification label in one of the inside pockets looks suspiciously like those I've seen in recent Southwick products, which only reinforces my belief that Southwick produced this coat.... Any comments/observations are welcomed.

Maybe there is an another exception that I have never seen, but after BB ended their association with Martin Greenfield I think that 100% their made in USA jackets have been manufactured by Southwick.

 

[Eligius]

J Press dropped S Cohen in 2017 from what an SA told me. Those jackets generally had very broad/padded shoulders. From what I have seen, their current "Made In Canada" jackets are from Empire. S Cohen had the "Made In/Fait Au" labels that are still on some of the clearance items. Someone commented in another thread that this year's seersucker jackets seemed overly large for their size.

 

[WatchmanJimG]

J Press dropped S Cohen in 2017 from what an SA told me. Those jackets generally had very broad/padded shoulders. From what I have seen, their current "Made In Canada" jackets are from Empire. S Cohen had the "Made In/Fait Au" labels that are still on some of the clearance items. Someone commented in another thread that this year's seersucker jackets seemed overly large for their size.

I'm pretty sure the one they sent me was marked "S. Cohen" on the inner label. Could very well have been manufactured awhile ago, however.

 

[Troones]

I'm pretty sure the one they sent me was marked "S. Cohen" on the inner label. Could very well have been manufactured awhile ago, however.

I purchased the grey seersucker sport coat earlier this year and I actually found that it runs a bit small. It doesn't help that I added a bit of weight back after losing a pile last year. I usually take 42R in their sacks but a 44R would be more like it with the seersucker. I'll check the label myself.

 

[WatchmanJimG]

Well, I picked up the coat from my tailor this afternoon and I'm quite pleased with it. Here are some impromptu and admittedly poor quality photos:

 

[August West]

If Im not mistaken, Brooks offered that camel hair coat 2 years ago. Im almost certain, as I had my eye on it. I decided to play clearance roulette, and wound up a loser. My size was no longer available.

Its a beautiful coat, enjoy it!

 

[Fading Fast]

⇧ Seconded - beautiful sport coat, enjoy.

 

[fishertw]

You will find many uses for that coat. Enjoy!

 

[eagle2250]

For many years I enjoyed wearing one of Brooks Brother's camelhair sport coats...it was comfortable to wear, it held up well, looked fantastic and eventually proived to be quite a good value, even when considering the seemingly high price that I paid for it. My friend, you have there a very nice jacket. May you enjoy it for as many years as I enjoyed mine!

 

[WatchmanJimG]

For many years I enjoyed wearing one of Brooks Brother's camelhair sport coats...it was comfortable to wear, it held up well, looked fantastic and eventually proived to be quite a good value, even when considering the seemingly high price that I paid for it. My friend, you have there a very nice jacket. May you enjoy it for as many years as I enjoyed mine!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I really couldn't see a downside for the price, especially given the full Trad features it offers--right down to the rear lap seam, top stitching, et cetera.