Brooks Brothers is best known for one thing: They dress presidents. Of the 45 men who have sat behind the Resolute Desk, 40 have worn Brooks Brothers suits. The company's clothing is the epitomization of flawless, classic style. But behind the buttoned-up, JFK-esque forward-facing persona, you'll find that Brooks Brothers has been on the forefront of fashion innovation since the beginning.
For instance, they pioneered the first ready-to-wear suit. (In the days when the company first spun up, back in 1818, tailors only sold custom-made suits.) They ushered Harris tweed, pink dress shirts, and argyle socks into the closets of America. They even gave today's office drones a sartorial cornerstone: the non-iron shirt. And that's not all. When it comes to pushing the envelope, Brooks Brothers has shown no signs of slowing down. Here's proof.
The State-Of-The-Art Parka
Brooks BrothersGolden Fleece 2-in-1 Twill Parka
$1,698; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
When it comes to winter outerwear, there's no need to sacrifice style. This twill, down-stuffed parka is totally water repellent and done up in a goes-with-anything camelhair color. Plus, for extra warmth, if you need it, the pockets are lined with fleece!
The Better Sweater
Brooks BrothersGolden Fleece 3-D Knit Cashmere Cable Sweater
$698; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
The cable-knit sweater is a risky proposition. Go too small, and you strike an unflattering silhouette. Go too big, and you end up looking like Billy Crystal from When Harry Met Sally. This continuous (meaning: it's one single garment, as opposed to a bunch of interconnected "cables" stictched together) sweater strikes the rare perfect balance.
The Modern Suit
Brooks BrothersRegent Fit BrooksCloud Windowpane 1818 Suit
$998; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
If you're looking to really make a statement, consider the subtle windowpane suit. It's flashy enough to stand out from a sea of grey and navy suits, but not so flashy that you look like a walking piece of MOMA-worthy art. As a bonus: this one's constructed from proprietary BrooksCloud fabric, so it's light as air (and inimitably breathable, too).
The Performance Trench Coat
Brooks BrothersGolden Fleece BrooksTech Wool-Blend Trench Coat
$1,698; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
Some trench coats are just that: a trench coat, and nothing more. But this high-tech trench is an exercise in on-the-go customization. Featuring not one, not two, but three layers of wind- and water-resistant fabric, the innermost liner is actually removable, in the event you find yourself facing a warm and wet climate. (Seattleites, we're thinking of you, here.)
The Comfortable Blazer
Brooks BrothersRegent Fit Herringbone Knit Sport Coat
$698; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
Almost entirely deconstructed (it's light on lining and has zero shoulder pads), this wool-and-cotton knit blazer lives at the apex of business and casual. Pair it with a slim pair of dark trousers for important meetings. Or play up the laissez faire vibe and slip on some selvedge denim and Chelsea boots
The Ultimate Chino
Brooks BrothersMilano Fit Lightweight Stretch Advantage Chinos
$79.50; buy not at brooksbrothers.com
Most chinos flit in and out of style like the seasons. Not these. There's a reason the world's most indisputably stylish guys (Italian men) have been wearing pants like these for decades: They're cut slim and made from a wrinkle-resistant cotton twill, meaning you'll look taller, thinner, and—if you've got the mien to match—like you're living a totally worry-free life.
The New Age Dress Shirt
Brooks BrothersBrooksCool Milano Slim-Fit Dress Shirt, Non-Iron Split Stripe
$68; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
Fact: the worst part about button-downs, bar none, is the total lack of breathability. Undershirts can only do so much to combat hours in a toasty office. But this shirt, thanks to signature BrooksCool fabric, wicks moisture and maximizes breathability. It's so cool, in fact, you might not even need an undershirt. (Oh, and those minimalistic stripes look great, too.)
The Dress Shoe Upgrade
Brooks BrothersGolden Fleece Double Monk Straps
$598; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
Give your lace-ups a rest. A monk strap shoe strikes the same commanding silhouette as your run-of-the-mill Oxford yet offers a more elegant look. And if they happen to be constructed from sumptuous Italian calfskin—like these beauties, here—that's just an added bonus in the style-points department.
The Travel Sweater
Brooks BrothersBrooksTech Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater
$128; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
No matter how amazing a sweater is, there's a sad truth behind every one you pick up: Within a few seasons, it'll droop at the shoulders and come apart at the seams. Not so, with this one! It's compact spun using a new technique coined by Brooks Brothers expert craftsmen. What this means for you: it'll keep it's shape, wrinkle-free, for years to come. Oh, and it's machine-washable, too. Can you say that about any other merino V-neck?
The Machine Washable Wool Shirt
Brooks BrothersGolden Fleece BrooksTech Regent Fit Gingham Sport Shirt
$225; buy now at brooksbrothers.com
C'mon. Every guy needs one (or five) of these in his closet.
