Brooks Brothers

[Danielle janis]

Hi all,
I was gifted this pair of Brooks Brothers wool women’s trousers from a family member who knows I love vintage designer items and lucked out at a thrift shop.

I usually can find or already know dates based on label designs for my favorites, but Brooks Brothers is not a brand I’ve had before. I am curious as to its age as the sizing is quite different from modern sizing. (That or they have shrunk width wise but not in length?) The label says it is a size 14, but my size 6 self finds them to be a decent fit as long as I have no plans to wear them to a buffet.

This has been my puzzle for months so I’m curious if anyone has any ideas. Also I’m excited to have finally found a resource for my vintage love!

Any thoughts?

 

[dollsntrolls]

Can you show the full pants? The tags look fairly modern, but Brooks Brothers only started making women's clothes in 1976, and went out of business fairly recently. Just from the wool label, I would say mid-90s to present. I have found that many high end labels did not do vanity sizing, and 14 was a size 6, until vanity sizing. I swear they did not get the memo about sizing for a woman's sensitivity about our waistline.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

I agree with the mid-90s to present with that label and put in another request for a photo of the garment itself to help further with dating.
The Brooks Brothers website is still up and running and I've read there are still over 100 brick-and-mortars. Though they declared bankruptcy in early 2020, they were sold to a group that has kept the brand going.
I've worn BB clothing and found their sizing similar to other stores and appropriate to modern day expectations.
BB does sell girls clothing... possibly your trousers are a girls size 14. Their current size chart states a girls size 14 is a waist of 27.5" and hip of 34", though actual fit to the body would depend on the styling, of course.
Maybe you could research when BB starting producing girls clothing.

 

[GemGem]

Just wanted to check if you are in the US? The sizing is likely uk sizing. Clothing from the 90’s is generally around 1.5-2 sizes smaller than today’s sizing. Going by that it should fit a modern uk 10 pretty well. Have you measured the waistband?

 

[Danielle janis]

Thanks for the input so far!

I took a few measurements and the pants have a 28” waist and 30” inseam. I attached pictures and will admit I desperately need to find my lint roller. I included the buttons, lining at the hem, and a full shot.

I’m inclined to go towards foreign sizing rather than girl’s based on the measurements. I’m 5’9” and the pants would be long enough for me to wear.