Celebrating 125 Years of the Button-Down Collar Shirt
The button-down collar shirt was a game changer when we introduced it over a century ago. To celebrate, we asked some of our favorite game changers to share what inspires them.Shop The Shirts
Celebrating 125 Years
of the Button-Down
Collar Shirt
The button-down collar shirt was a game
changer when we introduced it over a century ago.
To celebrate, we asked some of our favorite
game changers to share what inspires them.
changer when we introduced it over a century ago.
To celebrate, we asked some of our favorite
game changers to share what inspires them.
Portraits & Interviews
Alan van Capelle Executive Director, Friends of the High Line
Who’s a game changer?
“Somebody who doesn’t accept the status
quo. Who is not
afraid of being a disruptor
or being messy, not afraid of finding
unlikely allies to work with on any project.”
quo. Who is not
afraid of being a disruptor
or being messy, not afraid of finding
unlikely allies to work with on any project.”
Game He’s Winning At
“Creating a new town square. A
place where well to-do, middle-
income and low-income people
are all sharing and holding
space
together.”
place where well to-do, middle-
income and low-income people
are all sharing and holding
space
together.”
Advice to younger self
“Even in difficult moments, it’s okay to be
happy sometimes.
Joy is sort of the secret
sauce in almost everything.”
happy sometimes.
Joy is sort of the secret
sauce in almost everything.”
Chun Wai Chan Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
On Ballet
“What I love about ballet is that it
challenges me to solve
problems on stage
in the moment. That’s only possible
through
discipline and the constant drive to
improve in every way.”
challenges me to solve
problems on stage
in the moment. That’s only possible
through
discipline and the constant drive to
improve in every way.”
Personal Style
“Baggy pants and a button-down
shirt. I have more
than 10 button
-downs—I love them!”
shirt. I have more
than 10 button
-downs—I love them!”
Future Dreams
“This might sound ambitious, but one day
I’d love to
perform on Broadway or take
part in Hollywood shows”
I’d love to
perform on Broadway or take
part in Hollywood shows”
Nneka Ogwumike Power Forward and Union President, WNBA
What’s a game changer to you?
“An agent of change that leads towards
sustainability over time.
The game I’m
changing is what it means to be a
woman in sports.”
sustainability over time.
The game I’m
changing is what it means to be a
woman in sports.”
Your personal style
“Eclectic. A bit unpredictable. I wear what I
feel good in, what I think looks good on me
and at times it’s not within the trend, at
times it’s classic. My style is head to toe, so
it’s what I’m wearing,
it’s what I’m listening
to, it’s what I’m taking in, it’s my hair, it’s
who
I surround myself with, and I have a
holistic approach to my style.”
feel good in, what I think looks good on me
and at times it’s not within the trend, at
times it’s classic. My style is head to toe, so
it’s what I’m wearing,
it’s what I’m listening
to, it’s what I’m taking in, it’s my hair, it’s
who
I surround myself with, and I have a
holistic approach to my style.”
What Drives You?
“I’ve played with and against
greats and I think that being a
part of a community that is
continuing to evolve and
establishing a very rich legacy
that is explosive right now is
what
motivates me.”
greats and I think that being a
part of a community that is
continuing to evolve and
establishing a very rich legacy
that is explosive right now is
what
motivates me.”
Hasan Minhaj Comedian, Writer, Actor
A Shirt That Adds Value
“For me wearing a shirt with a button-down
collar represents
getting dressed up. As a
performer, I always like to wear some
form
of a button-down collar on stage, to
indicate this is
important, this is of value.”
collar represents
getting dressed up. As a
performer, I always like to wear some
form
of a button-down collar on stage, to
indicate this is
important, this is of value.”
A Game-Changing Idea
“It’s something bold, brave,
innovative, fearless, incomparable,
uncompromising. Singular”
innovative, fearless, incomparable,
uncompromising. Singular”
On Innovative Style
“My personal style? It’s something timeless
but that
subverts expectation a little bit.”
but that
subverts expectation a little bit.”
Selma Blair Actress, Mother, Advocate, Writer
Endurance
“I’ve proven that I’m enduring. All the people I’ve
admired
have faced something difficult and
endured and grown.”
admired
have faced something difficult and
endured and grown.”
A Winning Shirt
“I believe in the power of jeans and a
white button-down shirt.”
white button-down shirt.”
An Iconic Brand
“My mom took me to Brooks Brothers as a teen
to start building
my wardrobe. It was this feeling
that I had grown up and
deserved something
classic and timeless.”
to start building
my wardrobe. It was this feeling
that I had grown up and
deserved something
classic and timeless.”
Brandon Stanton Creator of Humans of New York, Photographer, Journalist
On Being A Game Changer
“I’m a big believer in that there’s nothing
new under the sun but I
do think Humans
of New York was the first example I know
of
someone telling the random—the key
word being random—
stories of people on a
daily basis.”
new under the sun but I
do think Humans
of New York was the first example I know
of
someone telling the random—the key
word being random—
stories of people on a
daily basis.”
How Do You Keep Creating
Newness?
Newness?
“If you wake up every single day
and ask yourself, ‘How
can I love
my work more?’ you don’t plateau.”
and ask yourself, ‘How
can I love
my work more?’ you don’t plateau.”
On New York City
“The city changed my life in such a deep
way. I literally
built everything I have from
these conversations with
random New
Yorkers.”
way. I literally
built everything I have from
these conversations with
random New
Yorkers.”
Lisa Birnbach Editor and Coauthor of The Official Preppy Handbook
What’s game changing?
“I love American history. I love American heritage, I like heritage
brands. I
like durability, good things that are well made and that
are dependable, and
that don’t have airs. When I think about
Brooks Brothers and game
changing, I think about sportswear.
This shirt is a perfect example. Until the
button-down collar was
invented by Brooks Brothers, collars would flap in
everybody’s
faces when they were playing tennis or croquet, or whatever
sports. Americans have influenced sportswear so much.”
brands. I
like durability, good things that are well made and that
are dependable, and
that don’t have airs. When I think about
Brooks Brothers and game
changing, I think about sportswear.
This shirt is a perfect example. Until the
button-down collar was
invented by Brooks Brothers, collars would flap in
everybody’s
faces when they were playing tennis or croquet, or whatever
sports. Americans have influenced sportswear so much.”
On Brooks Brothers classic style:
“It’s the idea that you are suitably dressed for more
than one
thing, that’s something that Brooks Brothers
offers. If you had to,
you could sail in this outfit. You
could play tennis in this outfit. You could go to a
cocktail party in this outfit. There’s something really
American about that.”
than one
thing, that’s something that Brooks Brothers
offers. If you had to,
you could sail in this outfit. You
could play tennis in this outfit. You could go to a
cocktail party in this outfit. There’s something really
American about that.”
Antwan Tolliver Actor, Model, entrepreneur, Advocate
for the Disabled Community
for the Disabled Community
On finding his purpose through disability:
“I was really angry about being in a wheelchair for many years. I
kept praying to God to
use me as a vehicle to help people.
I started going to the gym and I met this guy who was
like, ’Bro,
you’re in a wheelchair and most people not in a wheelchair
aren’t doing half the
stuff you’re doing. You could inspire a lot of
people.’ He took my phone, recorded me
working out, and I
posted it, and the response was just crazy. I now understand my
purpose is to inspire people and show them that even if you’ve
been through something
traumatic, you can lead a purposeful
life. You just have to make that choice.”
kept praying to God to
use me as a vehicle to help people.
I started going to the gym and I met this guy who was
like, ’Bro,
you’re in a wheelchair and most people not in a wheelchair
aren’t doing half the
stuff you’re doing. You could inspire a lot of
people.’ He took my phone, recorded me
working out, and I
posted it, and the response was just crazy. I now understand my
purpose is to inspire people and show them that even if you’ve
been through something
traumatic, you can lead a purposeful
life. You just have to make that choice.”
Personal Style
“I like clean. Not baggy. When you work
out you like things that
look fitted.”
out you like things that
look fitted.”
Balaram Stack Professional Surfer
Game He’s Winning At
“Being in the ocean, a source of life.
Surfing. Fishing. Swimming. It’s
brought
me the highest of the highs, and the
lowest of the lows.”
Surfing. Fishing. Swimming. It’s
brought
me the highest of the highs, and the
lowest of the lows.”
Proudest Moment?
“Winning the Pipe Masters in
Oahu. It’s a wave I’ve dedicated
my life
to. The wave is always in
control. So to get one sliver of a
win out
there, was a game
changing moment for me.”
Oahu. It’s a wave I’ve dedicated
my life
to. The wave is always in
control. So to get one sliver of a
win out
there, was a game
changing moment for me.”
Personal Style
“I take a piece of this and piece of that,
and put it together and
have the best of
everything. Most days I am in board
shorts or a
wetsuit, but when I’m trying
to look nice, a straight button-down
and
some khakis or corduroys.”
and put it together and
have the best of
everything. Most days I am in board
shorts or a
wetsuit, but when I’m trying
to look nice, a straight button-down
and
some khakis or corduroys.”
A Brief History of the Original Polo® Button-Down
In 1900, Brooks Brothers changed the course of fashion history by inventing the button-down collar. John Brooks, the grandson of our founder, Henry S. Brooks, observed a polo match in England in 1896, where players pinned down their collars to prevent flapping during play. He was inspired, and a few years later a fashion innovation was officially born: the “Original Polo® Button-Down,” that would become the definitive modern button-down shirt. True icons endure over time. Innovative over a century ago, still modern today. There are other shirts, but there’s only one authentic button-down collar by Brooks Brothers.Shop Button-Downs
A Brief History of the
Original Polo® Button-Down
Original Polo® Button-Down
In 1900, Brooks Brothers changed the course of
fashion
history by inventing the button-down
collar. John Brooks,
the grandson of our founder,
Henry S. Brooks, observed a
polo match in
England in 1896, where players pinned down
their
collars to prevent flapping during play. He was
inspired, and a few years later a fashion innovation
was
officially born: the “Original Polo® Button-
Down,” that
would become the definitive modern
button-down shirt. True icons endure over time. Innovative over a
century
ago, still modern today. There are other
shirts, but there’s
only one authentic button-down
collar by Brooks Brothers.
fashion
history by inventing the button-down
collar. John Brooks,
the grandson of our founder,
Henry S. Brooks, observed a
polo match in
England in 1896, where players pinned down
their
collars to prevent flapping during play. He was
inspired, and a few years later a fashion innovation
was
officially born: the “Original Polo® Button-
Down,” that
would become the definitive modern
button-down shirt. True icons endure over time. Innovative over a
century
ago, still modern today. There are other
shirts, but there’s
only one authentic button-down
collar by Brooks Brothers.
Iconic Dress Shirts
Our dress shirts of distinction are meticulously sized to your neck circumference and your sleeve length, with a side seam construction using a single needle for a more refined finish. They’re crafted from Supima® cotton and Thomas Mason luxury fabrics for unparalleled quality and comfort.Shop All Dress Shirts
Iconic Dress Shirts
Iconic Dress Shirts
Luxury Dress Shirts, Non-Iron, Patterns, White Dress Shirt.Shop Luxury Dress Shirts
Shop Non-Iron
Shop Patterns
Shop White Dress Shirts
The Anatomy of an Icon
There’s no shirt like a Brooks Brothers Shirt—the excellence is in the details.Shop All Shirts
The Anatomy of an Icon
There’s no shirt like a Brooks Brothers
Shirt—the excellence is in the details.
Shirt—the excellence is in the details.
Legendary Sport Shirts
Crafted from poplin or oxford cotton, as well as twill and seasonal fabrics like linen, seersucker and madras, our sport shirts represent quality, comfort and fit you’ll turn to again and again.Shop Oxfords
Shop Non-Iron
Shop Short-Sleeve
Friday Shirts
Legendary Sport Shirts
Crafted from poplin or oxford cotton, as well as twill and seasonal fabrics like linen, seersucker and madras, our sport shirts represent quality, comfort and fit you’ll turn to again and again.Shop Sport Shirts
Legendary Sport Shirts
Read the Full Interviews
Alan van Capelle Executive Director, Friends of the High Line
Who’s A Game Changer?
“Somebody who doesn’t accept the status quo. Who is not
afraid of being a disruptor or being messy, not afraid of
finding unlikely allies to work with on any project.”
afraid of being a disruptor or being messy, not afraid of
finding unlikely allies to work with on any project.”
Game He’s Winning At
“Creating a new town square. A place where well to-do,
middle-income and low-income people are all sharing and
holding space together.”
middle-income and low-income people are all sharing and
holding space together.”
Advice To Younger Self
“Even in difficult moments, it’s okay to be happy sometimes.
Joy is sort of the secret sauce in almost everything.”
Joy is sort of the secret sauce in almost everything.”
What Inspires Him
“In every corner of our city and really every corner of the country
there are people whose names we will never know
who are doing
extraordinary things, helping people and they don’t have to do it.
We sometimes think about all the
bad that’s happening but I
actually think there is far more good happening in our country and
in our city than we can
even contemplate.”
there are people whose names we will never know
who are doing
extraordinary things, helping people and they don’t have to do it.
We sometimes think about all the
bad that’s happening but I
actually think there is far more good happening in our country and
in our city than we can
even contemplate.”
Personal Style
“It’s very classic. Very preppy. Very Brooks Brothers.”
Chun Wai Chan Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
On Ballet
“What I love about ballet is that it challenges me to solve problems
on stage in the moment. That’s only possible
through discipline
and the constant drive to improve in every way.”
on stage in the moment. That’s only possible
through discipline
and the constant drive to improve in every way.”
Proudest Accomplishment
“Becoming a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. It wasn’t
easy to come all the way from China to pursue my
dream—to
learn to communicate in my second language, adapt to a new
ballet technique from Vaganova to
Balanchine, and adjust to a
different company. When I achieved that milestone, I thought, ‘I
made it to principal
again.’ Becoming the first Chinese principal in
the company’s 74-year history (now 76 years) felt like I made
history.
It’s an honor to represent and inspire the younger
generation.”
easy to come all the way from China to pursue my
dream—to
learn to communicate in my second language, adapt to a new
ballet technique from Vaganova to
Balanchine, and adjust to a
different company. When I achieved that milestone, I thought, ‘I
made it to principal
again.’ Becoming the first Chinese principal in
the company’s 74-year history (now 76 years) felt like I made
history.
It’s an honor to represent and inspire the younger
generation.”
Personal Style
“Baggy pants and a button-down shirt. I have more than 10 button-downs—I love them!”
Future Dreams
“This might sound ambitious, but one day I’d love to perform on Broadway or take part in Hollywood shows.”
What He Loves About NYC
“The people. The arts. The shows.”
Causes He’s Passionate About
“Creating a safe and welcoming environment for anyone who loves to dance.”
Nneka Ogwumike Power Forward and Union President, WNBA
What’s a Game Changer?
“An agent of change that leads towards sustainability over time.
The game I’m changing is what it means to be
a woman in sports.”
The game I’m changing is what it means to be
a woman in sports.”
What Drives You?
“I’ve played with and against greats and I think that being a part
of a community that is continuing to evolve and
establishing a
very rich legacy that is explosive right now is what motivates me.”
of a community that is continuing to evolve and
establishing a
very rich legacy that is explosive right now is what motivates me.”
Advice To Younger Self
“Being able to find joy in the discipline. Especially as women were
kind of born into this idea or perhaps more of the
survival instinct,
of having to do better and achieve maybe half as much. I think
you can maintain that level of
discipline while also injecting joy.”
kind of born into this idea or perhaps more of the
survival instinct,
of having to do better and achieve maybe half as much. I think
you can maintain that level of
discipline while also injecting joy.”
Your Personal Style?
“Eclectic. A bit unpredictable. I wear what I feel good in, what I
think looks good on me and at times it’s not within
the trend, at
times it’s classic. My style is head to toe, so it’s what I’m wearing,
it’s what I’m listening to, it’s what I’m
taking in, it’s my hair, it’s who
I surround myself with, and I have a holistic approach to my style.”
think looks good on me and at times it’s not within
the trend, at
times it’s classic. My style is head to toe, so it’s what I’m wearing,
it’s what I’m listening to, it’s what I’m
taking in, it’s my hair, it’s who
I surround myself with, and I have a holistic approach to my style.”
Hasan Minhaj Comedian, Writer, Actor
A Shirt That Adds Value
“For me wearing a shirt with a button-down collar represents
getting dressed up. As a performer, I always like to
wear some
form of a button-down collar on stage, to indicate this is
important, this is of value.”
getting dressed up. As a performer, I always like to
wear some
form of a button-down collar on stage, to indicate this is
important, this is of value.”
A Game-Changing Idea
“It’s something bold, brave, innovative, fearless, incomparable,
uncompromising. Singular.”
uncompromising. Singular.”
On Innovative Style
“My personal style? It’s something timeless but that subverts
expectation a little bit.”
expectation a little bit.”
What’s A Game Changer?
“A game changer is somebody who creates something, a piece of
art or a form of expression, where everything that
precedes it feels
obsolete, and everything after it bears witness to what it did.”
art or a form of expression, where everything that
precedes it feels
obsolete, and everything after it bears witness to what it did.”
What Inspires You?
“First thing in the morning, before I check the rectangle of sadness
that is my phone, is this burning desire within to
create something
new. Inspiration is about creating new paradigms. The world may
not be the way I want it to be,
but I can create something new and
inhabit a whole new idea. That’s very sacred to me.”
that is my phone, is this burning desire within to
create something
new. Inspiration is about creating new paradigms. The world may
not be the way I want it to be,
but I can create something new and
inhabit a whole new idea. That’s very sacred to me.”
What Makes You Laugh?
“My children. The New York City subway. New York City is hilarious.”
Advice To Younger Self
“It’s not about getting what you want, it’s about playing your
hand the best way you can.”
hand the best way you can.”
Selma Blair Actress, Mother, Advocate, Writer
Endurance
“I’ve proven that I’m enduring. All the people I’ve admired have
faced something difficult and endured and grown.”
faced something difficult and endured and grown.”
A Winning Shirt
“I believe in the power of jeans and a white button-down shirt.”
An Iconic Brand
“My mom took me to Brooks Brothers as a teen to start building
my wardrobe. It was this feeling that I had grown up
and
deserved something classic and timeless.”
my wardrobe. It was this feeling that I had grown up
and
deserved something classic and timeless.”
On Being A Brooks Brothers Superfan
“I grew up in Michigan and in our really nice mall they had a
Brooks Brothers—that was the height of fashion. It was
when
things could be just quality, when quality trumped trends. I saw
my English teacher, who I had a crush on, and I
thought you
know, one day, when I grew up, we’d be shopping at Brooks
Brothers together. He saw me and asked,
‘You shop at Brooks
Brothers?’ It was really this feeling that I had grown up and
deserved this thing that was just
classic and timeless. My mom
always taught me, don’t buy trends, just buy things that will last.”
Brooks Brothers—that was the height of fashion. It was
when
things could be just quality, when quality trumped trends. I saw
my English teacher, who I had a crush on, and I
thought you
know, one day, when I grew up, we’d be shopping at Brooks
Brothers together. He saw me and asked,
‘You shop at Brooks
Brothers?’ It was really this feeling that I had grown up and
deserved this thing that was just
classic and timeless. My mom
always taught me, don’t buy trends, just buy things that will last.”
What Inspires Her
“Kind people, smart people, analytical thinkers. Music. People
that create joy for other people.”
that create joy for other people.”
What She’s Not Into
“A foul mouth. Unless it’s mine, then it’s charming. Just kidding.
Bullying. Mean people. People who don’t like dogs. I
spent so
much of my life thinking about what turns me off, my challenge is
to always find the thing that’ll be a little
bit of magic. It turns me
off when people don’t have any hope.”
Bullying. Mean people. People who don’t like dogs. I
spent so
much of my life thinking about what turns me off, my challenge is
to always find the thing that’ll be a little
bit of magic. It turns me
off when people don’t have any hope.”
Definition of Iconic Style
“Very classic. A white button-down and jeans and some formal
jewelry. Boarding-school style, the American story,
what film was
created on. Style is a set piece to me, it creates the lifestyle we
want. I stay true to classic shapes, but
like to be a little punk
rock, but in a preppy vein. I love nothing more than that.”
jewelry. Boarding-school style, the American story,
what film was
created on. Style is a set piece to me, it creates the lifestyle we
want. I stay true to classic shapes, but
like to be a little punk
rock, but in a preppy vein. I love nothing more than that.”
On the White Button-Down
“A white shirt is a game-changer. Because to keep it white, people
really think you’re in charge. When one gets dirty,
I instantly reach
for another one. I travel around with just white shirts.”
really think you’re in charge. When one gets dirty,
I instantly reach
for another one. I travel around with just white shirts.”
What Else Is A Game Changer
“Learning to change the way you think.”
Brandon Stanton Creator of Humans of New York, Photographer, Journalist
On Being A Game Changer
“I’m a big believer in that there’s nothing new under the sun but I do
think Humans of New York was the first
example I know of someone
telling the random—the key word being random—stories of people
on a daily basis.”
think Humans of New York was the first
example I know of someone
telling the random—the key word being random—stories of people
on a daily basis.”
How Do You Keep Creating Newness?
“If you wake up every single day and ask yourself, ‘How can I love
my work more?’ you don’t plateau.”
my work more?’ you don’t plateau.”
On New York City
“The city changed my life in such a deep way. I literally built
everything I have from these conversations with random
New
Yorkers.”
everything I have from these conversations with random
New
Yorkers.”
Life Motto
“Even if you don’t know exactly what the idea is, show up every
single day and do the work, and trust that the idea is
going to
become what it needs to be, and that you are going to become
who you need to be along the way.”
single day and do the work, and trust that the idea is
going to
become what it needs to be, and that you are going to become
who you need to be along the way.”
Lisa Birnbach Editor and Coauthor of The Official Preppy Handbook
What’s Game Changing?
“I love American history. I love American heritage, I like heritage
brands. I like durability, good things that are well
made and that
are dependable, and that don’t have airs. When I think about
Brooks Brothers and game changing, I
think about sportswear. This
shirt is a perfect example. Until the button-down collar was
invented by Brooks Brothers,
collars would flap in everybody’s
faces when they were playing tennis or croquet, or whatever
sports.
Americans have influenced sportswear so much.”
brands. I like durability, good things that are well
made and that
are dependable, and that don’t have airs. When I think about
Brooks Brothers and game changing, I
think about sportswear. This
shirt is a perfect example. Until the button-down collar was
invented by Brooks Brothers,
collars would flap in everybody’s
faces when they were playing tennis or croquet, or whatever
sports.
Americans have influenced sportswear so much.”
On Brooks Brothers Classic Style:
“It’s the idea that you are suitably dressed for more than one
thing, that’s something that Brooks Brothers offers. If
you had to,
you could sail in this outfit. You could play tennis in this outfit. You
could go to a cocktail party in this
outfit. There’s something really
American about that.”
thing, that’s something that Brooks Brothers offers. If
you had to,
you could sail in this outfit. You could play tennis in this outfit. You
could go to a cocktail party in this
outfit. There’s something really
American about that.”
Generations of Brooks Brothers
“My grandmother was a flapper bride and she and my grandpa went to India on their honeymoon. She asked my grandfather for permission to talk to an Indian man who was wearing a madras shirt and pants. She wanted to find out where she could buy the beautiful madras fabric while she was in India. He said, ‘I bought it at Brooks Brothers in New York City, ma’am.’”
A Family Tradition
“The clothes I own from Brooks Brothers, some of them were my father’s, some, my mother’s, my brother’s at one time. My daughters have taken a lot of my wardrobe. And some of what I wear is boys’ department to this day!”
Go-To Outfit
“Always a white button down shirt, a sweater of some kind either
a blue or gray cardigan, and either jeans and a
nice belt and
loafers or a gray flannel skirt or kilt and boots.”
a blue or gray cardigan, and either jeans and a
nice belt and
loafers or a gray flannel skirt or kilt and boots.”
Antwan Tolliver Actor, Model, Entrepreneur, Advocate for the Disabled Community
What’s A Game Changer?
“Someone that’s able to help people in a way that shifts the culture
to become better. I found my purpose through
my disability. I do
posts of my everyday workouts and my daily life and people are
inspired.”
to become better. I found my purpose through
my disability. I do
posts of my everyday workouts and my daily life and people are
inspired.”
On Finding Purpose Through Disability
“I was really angry about being in a wheelchair for many years. I
kept praying to God to use me as a vehicle to help
people. I
started going to the gym and I met this guy who was like, ‘Bro,
you’re in a wheelchair and most people not
in a wheelchair aren’t
doing half the stuff you’re doing. You could inspire a lot of
people.’ He took my phone,
recorded me working out, and I
posted it, and the response was just crazy. I now understand my
purpose is to
inspire people and show them that even if you’ve
been through something traumatic, you can lead a purposeful life.
You just have to make that choice.”
kept praying to God to use me as a vehicle to help
people. I
started going to the gym and I met this guy who was like, ‘Bro,
you’re in a wheelchair and most people not
in a wheelchair aren’t
doing half the stuff you’re doing. You could inspire a lot of
people.’ He took my phone,
recorded me working out, and I
posted it, and the response was just crazy. I now understand my
purpose is to
inspire people and show them that even if you’ve
been through something traumatic, you can lead a purposeful life.
You just have to make that choice.”
What He’s Not Into
“Closed-minded people. Selfishness. Arrogance. Ignorance.”
Personal Style
“I like clean. Not baggy. When you work out you like things that
look fitted.”
look fitted.”
Balaram Stack Professional Surfer
Game He’s Winning At
“Being in the ocean, a source of life. Surfing. Fishing. Swimming. It’s
brought me the highest of the highs, and the
lowest of the lows.”
brought me the highest of the highs, and the
lowest of the lows.”
Proudest Moment
“Winning the Pipe Masters in Oahu. It’s a wave I’ve dedicated my
life to. The wave is always in control. So to get one
sliver of a win
out there, was a game changing moment for me.”
life to. The wave is always in control. So to get one
sliver of a win
out there, was a game changing moment for me.”
Getting “Barreled”
“It means surfing the part of the wave that becomes a barrel. For
me it’s the pinnacle of what you do on a surfboard.
It’s where time
stops and you’re almost in an unconscious-conscious state and it
becomes a time warp, an addiction.
It’s a really good feeling even
for a split second.”
me it’s the pinnacle of what you do on a surfboard.
It’s where time
stops and you’re almost in an unconscious-conscious state and it
becomes a time warp, an addiction.
It’s a really good feeling even
for a split second.”
Personal Style
“I take a piece of this and piece of that, and put it together and
have the best of everything. Most days I am in board
shorts or a
wetsuit, but when I’m trying to look nice, a straight button-down
and some khakis or corduroys.”
have the best of everything. Most days I am in board
shorts or a
wetsuit, but when I’m trying to look nice, a straight button-down
and some khakis or corduroys.”
A Day Without Surfing Is...
“A day gone.”
The Women’s Shirt Shop
Borrowed from the boys. Our Women’s Collection was developed by popular demand: women had been shopping in the boys’ department of our stores since the early 1900s. This both flummoxed and inspired our executives, who in 1949 partnered with Vogue to launch our first official women’s item: a pink button-down Oxford. A whole new perfect shirt was born.Shop Women
The Women’s
Shirt Shop Borrowed from the Boys
Shirt Shop Borrowed from the Boys
Our Women’s Collection was developed by popular demand:
women had been shopping in the boys’ department of our
stores since the early 1900s. This both flummoxed and
inspired our executives, who in 1949 partnered with Vogue
to
launch our first official women’s item: a pink button-down
Oxford. A whole new perfect shirt was born.
women had been shopping in the boys’ department of our
stores since the early 1900s. This both flummoxed and
inspired our executives, who in 1949 partnered with Vogue
to
launch our first official women’s item: a pink button-down
Oxford. A whole new perfect shirt was born.
Our Creative Director, On The Button-Down Collar
“The button-down collar shirt is such a fundamental element of menswear that it’s hard to imagine a time that it didn’t exist. But like many things in our life that we take for granted, someone had to invent it, and in this case it was Brooks Brothers. The collar’s original ‘function’ (keeping your collar from flapping into your face while playing polo) is no longer the point, and what we’re left with is the perfect collar with that elegant signature roll and real substance, especially when it’s made up in true oxford cloth—the classic OCBD. Its proprietary magic trick is how it sits as beautifully under a jacket with a tie as it does straight from the dryer on its own, perfectly straddling formal and casual like nothing else. This shirt also single-handedly inspired Brooks Brothers’ entire women’s department in the 1940s when someone very smart noticed that women made up a big portion of its fan base. Of the many things invented by Brooks Brothers, none deserve icon status more than this, and I’m glad we’re celebrating it this year. It’s crazy the difference two little buttons make.—Creative Director Michael Bastian.
Our Creative Director,
On The
Button-Down Collar
On The
Button-Down Collar
The button-down collar shirt is such a fundamental
element of menswear that it’s hard to imagine a time
that it didn’t exist.
But like many things in our life that
we take for granted, someone had to invent it, and in
this case it was Brooks Brothers.
The collar’s original
‘function’ (keeping your collar from flapping into
your face while playing polo) is no longer the point,
and what we’re left with is the perfect collar with that
elegant signature roll and real substance, especially
when it’s made up
in true oxford cloth—the classic
OCBD. Its proprietary magic trick is how it sits as
beautifully under a jacket with a tie as it
does straight
from the dryer on its own, perfectly straddling formal
and casual like nothing else. This shirt also single-
handedly inspired Brooks Brothers’ entire women’s
department in the 1940s when someone very smart
noticed that women
made up a big portion of its fan
base. Of the many things invented by Brooks
Brothers, none deserve icon status more than
this,
and I’m glad we’re celebrating it this year. It’s crazy
the difference two little buttons make. —Creative Director, Michael Bastian.
element of menswear that it’s hard to imagine a time
that it didn’t exist.
But like many things in our life that
we take for granted, someone had to invent it, and in
this case it was Brooks Brothers.
The collar’s original
‘function’ (keeping your collar from flapping into
your face while playing polo) is no longer the point,
and what we’re left with is the perfect collar with that
elegant signature roll and real substance, especially
when it’s made up
in true oxford cloth—the classic
OCBD. Its proprietary magic trick is how it sits as
beautifully under a jacket with a tie as it
does straight
from the dryer on its own, perfectly straddling formal
and casual like nothing else. This shirt also single-
handedly inspired Brooks Brothers’ entire women’s
department in the 1940s when someone very smart
noticed that women
made up a big portion of its fan
base. Of the many things invented by Brooks
Brothers, none deserve icon status more than
this,
and I’m glad we’re celebrating it this year. It’s crazy
the difference two little buttons make. —Creative Director, Michael Bastian.