[tarheel]

Seems like everyone has a pretty good handle on what's out there. Just a couple notes...

BrooksGate is a line that is no longer produced for Brooks Brothers. It used to be the entry-level suit (and, believe it or not, popularized by Richard Nixon!). It is my understanding that the Outlet store suits are fused but the BrooksEase (entry suit $598) is not, it is just a really basic wool and NOTHING like an 1818 or GF suit.

The Golden Fleece line of suits has been completely redone. The prices will now START at $1300 or so and go up to $1900 for off-the-rack suits and will only be sold in larger markets (maybe 20 stores?). They are a very different cut (more fitted through the body and more constructed shoulder) and fabric (sourced from English mills where the older ones were Italian). The overall finish and hand of the wool is much more matte and substantial as opposed to the very fine Italian wool that had a slight sheen - whether that's better or worse depends on your taste.

 

[tarheel]

Yeah, smr, I am Very familiar with Garland. Actually, I worked for Brooks Brothers for years until fairly recently and still keep close tabs on what's going on - I've found that I can use my BB knowledge to do better on my own at this point and it gives me time to concentrate on grad school, too.

The new GF suits have been in stores for a few months now but unless you've talked to a salesperson, I don't think they are announcing anything until ALL the Italian GF suits have sold (won't be long now). The new ones are nice but I def encouraged a lot of people to grab the old ones for $698-25% (reg. $1098). It's funny - to the untrained eye, the Italian (old) GF look a lot nicer. It's mostly the substantial feel of the new ones and the great cut that is nice.

As far as Martin - he is involved with the GF Made-To-Measure Collection and that hasn't changed - still a really great product and all hand-tailored.

With the BrooksEase suiting, the last update that I got was from a BB suiting specialist in NY. He specifically cited the inferior nature of a fused breast-piece and said that the BrooksEase had canvas (I want to say that the GF are perhaps horsehair/something similar that conforms to the body more over time than canvas).

 

[tarheel]

I'm not familiar with the extent of Martin Greenfield's involvement with RTW BB suiting.

Nor, unfortunately, do I know about canvas in the lapels of the BrooksEase. I'm confident that there hasn't been any major change in the fabrication of the BrooksEase suiting in the past few years, though, so they're probably the same as yours.

If you need definitive answers to these questions, I can make a phone call and cross the 't's and dot the 'i's for you!

 

[tarheel]

Right on, smr.

Although the suits are new, they have an 'old stock' label that hasn't been used for quite a few years and the seller is from Ohio so I think that he probably has a different source. Also, one of the suits is listed as a 'medium long' size - you'll have to find someone who goes back farther than I do with BB to tell you the last time that size was used.

Usually, if it doesn't say anything special, it's probably basic (BrooksEase). Not to say that there's a problem with a BrooksEase suit that's a few years old - probably very little difference from what's in the retail store now - just be careful.

 

[tarheel]

Holdfast-

If you've got something in mind and don't need it right away, give me your measurements and I'll see what I can find for you. Seems like you might do better to spend $140 with me on something that you know is good rather than $100 on some random suit from who-knows-where.

End of sales pitch

 

[tarheel]

Hey Working-

I appreciate the kind words from anyone. I am fortunate to have discovered this forum - I had no idea that any such thing existed and I'm trying soak up as much as I can and add a little bit where possible.

As far as items that you are looking for, I see a whole lot of items but can only snap up a few at a time. If you send me an email wish list (I've got quite a few and the list is growing every day) I'll keep an eye out. No promises but if there is something great in your size, you end up with a really great deal. If not, no loss!