A pair of Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece tennis shirts, in royal blue and magenta, complete with the embroidered "Golden Fleece logo:
Old enough to have been made in the U.S.A. ( does Brooks Brothers have anything made here anymore? aren't they supposed to be some kind of bench mark of American tailoring and style?)
$4.00 each. Not to worry, though. You can get new one's on sale at their website, 2 for $89.(shameless thrift junky gloating...)And a third, in "plum", for $4.99:
This one must be an antique. When was the last time old Ralphie had something as mundane as his now iconic tennis shirt made by Americans?
I'm glad to have these. In the warm and casual days spent at the playground sans-necktie, I find that there's no such thing as too many tennis shirts, or chinos of every color, for that matter.
Maybe I should take all the money I save thrift shopping and buy a boat, and start referring to Mrs. G. as "Lovey". A fella can dream, can't he?
I have found that quality used polos from many very good brands are frequently available at next to nothing in thrift shops in just about every locale I have ever lived. Is my experience aberrational, or is there something about polos and thrift shops?
ReplyDeleteI see them everywhere too. Unfortunately, they usually have the name of the local plumber or ahrdware store embroidered on the chest.
ReplyDelete"Golden Fleece": I have always taken this to mean that Brooks Brothers will fleece you of your gold.
ReplyDeleteNice buy.
Fogey -- with your classical education, you know the reference. But, still, you have a point.
ReplyDeleteI've found some really nice polos in my size when Goodwill hunting.Also,it seems that a lot of people gave up on their Gap khakis!I'm talking 40% of the rack....most of the time I find clothing in excellent condition,but in positively absurd sizes like 17 1/2 36,36-30 pants,and it just makes me realize that most men aren't saavy enough to buy clothes that fit,or even buy clothes that flatter their physiques....if you think that vertically striped shirt is going to look good on you in an XXXL,you're buggin! lol
ReplyDeleteIt's all about timing with Brooks and when to catch their big sales
ReplyDeleteSorry, brown polo shirts are a staple? Brown shirts of any kind are quire ugly; calling them a staple is practically classic style sacrilege.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is called "Classic-Fit Sun-Wash" in Pololand (they actually do sell polos faded for you under this moniker - at $125 nonetheless).
ReplyDeleteGreat eyes.
-Dale
P.S. If I'm not mistaken, those are 'bone' buttons on the placket - Ralph Lauren has clear buttons on their polos today. You've got a vintage one on your hands, and a cool one at that.
ReplyDelete-Dale
Anon.,
ReplyDeleteO.K....calling brown a "staple" may have been stretching it a bit. But a brown polo, worn out khakis, boat shoes and a surcingle belt with ducks on it ain't a bad get up for a comfortable day of visits to the hardware store, garden shop and supermarket.
commoners like to ask why there is a pig on my shirt
ReplyDeleteDandy Nihilism,
ReplyDeleteI hope your answer goes something like "Because capitalism kicks ass, pinko!"
A bit hard to pull off when the "pig-shirt" is pink itself! :D
ReplyDeleteMany of BB's button downs are still made in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteDB,
ReplyDeleteYes, I actually do know the reference, and I imagine that many Brooks Brothers customers also know the reference, but I simply amused myself with my irreverent interpretation.
Personally, I lost the desire to wear someone's logo more than two decades ago. Now I only wear a logo when it is either unavoidable (sunglasses, athletic shoes) or if I actually like it (Quiksilver being the sole member of that category, and since I no longer live in Hawaii, I rarely wear Quiksilver logo-emblazoned togs).
Which is not to denigrate G's choice in clothing in the least: he got quality merchandise at an excellent price.
Spot on Fogey,
ReplyDeleteIf the price is right, I'll wear your logo, as long as it's not Polo's new gigantic ones. (Hey Ralph, no need for a life-size polo pony on the shirt!)
And yes, I to am vulgar enough to actually like certain logos, such as Vacheron Constantin, Spyder skiigear, etc.
I just got one of the Golden Fleece shirts 'made in usa' and i remembered this post. my cost $4.99 at thrift store..my turn to be smug.
ReplyDelete