Flash forward several decades, and whether your annual holiday takes you to Cape May or Cap d’Antibes, Brooks is an essential stop on the way to vacation perfection. To get you in the right frame of mind, we’re going back to our archives to explore some vintage publications, seasonal store advertisements and timeless summer style advice from our history.
In the days before user-generated travel reviews and online
forums, customers looked to Brooks Brothers for guidance when vacationing—from
how to pack for an overseas trip, to finding the best place to take in yachting
races. And, while things have changed over time (bathing suits, for one), our
tradition of outfitting and upgrading the great American summer endures. Flash
forward several decades, and whether your annual holiday takes you to Cape May
or Cap d’Antibes, Brooks is an essential stop on the way to vacation
perfection. To get you in the right frame of mind, we’re going back to our
archives to explore some vintage publications, seasonal store advertisements
and timeless summer style advice from our history.
a) One of
Brooks Brothers’ earliest expansions was a seasonal pop-up shop located in
Newport, Rhode Island. This 1934 advertisement for the store refers to the
upcoming International Yacht Races being held in the famed resort town.
b) The
original cover art to our summer catalog from 1979 with a turn-of-the-century
yacht race scene. Illustrations such as this were meant to evoke nostalgia,
particularly well in the 20th century.
c) A 1931
circular advertising scarves, bathing jerseys (shirts), trunks, belts and
sandals. Our head-to-toe approach to outfitting customers helped them build a
complete seasonal wardrobe that was appropriate and stylish.
d) This
advertisement for our “Palm Beach” suit, made of lightweight cotton seersucker,
offered customers a smart outfit that was nearly half the weight of
then-standard wool.
e) An
advertisement from 1898 mentions bath gowns (bathing suits), towels, golf
sweaters and fancy shirts with perhaps one of our earliest references to
madras.
f) From 1907,
this miniature book created by Brooks Brothers offered advice to customers
traveling to Europe—including packing tips, instructions for cab fares and
railroad ticketing, as well as general etiquette.
g) This
miniature book, published in 1930, lists the yacht and racing schedule for the
Long Island Sound. In addition to the schedule of events, it contains general
protocol for regattas and features images of the competitors.
h) A circular promoting lightweight socks, seasonal shoes and panama hats provides helpful style advice. It was pieces such as this that gave Brooks Brothers its reputation for being a summertime style authority.
Brooks Brothers Vietnam:
- HCM: L1 – 19 & 20, Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, District
1 – ☎ (028) 3939 0477
- Hanoi:
31 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem Ward – ☎ (024)
3266 8206
