Brooks Brothers Manhattan, New York City in 1818, is The Oldest

3 min readOct 8, 2021

Brooks Brothers, founded in Manhattan, New York City in 1818, is the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States.[2] Originally a family business, Brooks Brothers produces clothing for men, women and children, as well as home furnishings. Designer Zac Posen was the brand’s women’s collection creative director from June 2014 until 2020.[3][4][5]

As a result of store closures and poor online sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2020.[6] Brooks Brothers announced in August 2020 that it would be purchased by Authentic Brands Group and by SPARC Group LLC (Simon Properties Authentic Retail Concepts Group LLC), a joint venture between Authentic Brands Group and Simon Property Group.[1][7]

1History
1.1Founding and 19th century
1.220th century
1.321st century
1.3.1Bankruptcy filing and sale
1.4Outfitting American presidents and military
2Clothing innovations
3Notable alumnus
4Notable customers
4.1Sports
4.2Statesmen
4.3Music and fine arts
4.4Film, television, and theatre
5In fiction
6See also
7References
8External links

History[edit]

Founding and 19th century[edit]

On April 7, 1818, at the age of 45, Henry Sands Brooks (1772–1833) opened H. & D. H. Brooks & Co. on the northeast corner of Catherine and Cherry streets in Manhattan. He proclaimed that his guiding principle was, “To make and deal only in merchandise of the finest body, to sell it at a fair profit, and to deal with people who seek and appreciate such merchandise.”[8] In 1833, his four sons, Elisha, Daniel, Edward, and John, inherited the family business and in 1850 renamed the company “Brooks Brothers.”[9]

During the cotton boom of the early 19th century, Brooks Brothers was one of several prominent clothiers to manufacture clothing using cotton harvested by enslaved people.[10] The company in turn sold clothing that was then worn by enslaved people.[10][11]

The first Brooks clothier store, at Catharine Street in Manhattan, 1845

In its early history, Brooks Brothers was known for introducing the ready-to-wear suit to American customers. In the mid-nineteenth century, Brooks Brothers outfitted United States President Abraham Lincoln and considered him a loyal customer.[12] At his second inauguration, Abraham Lincoln wore a coat specially crafted for him by Brooks Brothers. Hand-stitched into the coat’s lining was a design featuring an eagle and the inscription, “One Country, One Destiny.” He was wearing the coat and a Brooks Brothers suit when he was assassinated.[13][14] As a supplier of soldiers’ uniforms during the Civil War, Brooks Brothers became a target of outrage for its allegedly shoddy production. With a contract from New York State to supply uniforms for the New York Volunteers, Brooks Brothers took shredded and sometimes decaying rags, glued them together and stitched them into uniforms. They would fall apart in the rain and were the subject of ridicule from other regiments.

Brooks Brothers Manhattan, New York City in 1818, is The Oldest

Contents

History[edit]

Founding and 19th century[edit]

Written by Caxec