Dating Brooks Brothers shirt

[Vintagiality]

Unfortunately the photos don't do it justice but I love this shirt and especially the collar detail. I thought 80s but wanted a second opinion. I read a whole bunch of sites on BB labels but it doesn't seem like they were very consistent in terms of how they used them. Also, what is the back pleat panel called? Is this considered an Oxford shirt?

Thank you,
Victoria

 

[Midge]

No idea, menswear is not my forte I admit, but I just wanted to say - fantastic details on this shirt!

 

[Vintagiality]

Thanks. Interesting... I thought this was a women's shirt.

 

[Midge]

Sorry... guess my mind was on something else

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

My eyes see it being done up on the men’s side. Or am I imagining?

Either way, cool shirt. Looking forward to discovering a date along with you.

 

[Linn]

I first saw this as a men's shirt but the size "6" makes me think that even though it seems to button like a men's shirt that it's a women's blouse. But I don't see any darts - and, I could be wrong, but I don't think "6" is a men's size. I think it's late '70s - early '80's. I would not describe it as an oxford shirt which is made of oxford cloth and usually is a tailored button down shirt for either men or women. I would call the back detail "pleated" but it may have another name.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Here's an interesting thread at a menswear forum about BB shirt labels. Apparently "EST. 1818" indicates it's no older than 2000's, as prior to that it would have had the word "Makers" instead.

 

[Vintagiality]

Thanks Donna. I think that's only true of the new white labels with blue writing but I will research further. The same thread also had a statement that the "older, vintage Brooks sack coats all have a black tag that reads Brooks Brothers, Established 1818"

 

[Vintagiality]

Thank you Linn. I also didn't think that men's shirts were sized like that. The details on the collar don't seem very masculine either.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Thanks Donna. I think that's only true of the new white labels with blue writing but I will research further. The same thread also had a statement that the "older, vintage Brooks sack coats all have a black tag that reads Brooks Brothers, Established 1818"

The white shirt labels with blue writing are slim-fit. Red writing is regular fit. (Though this "rule" applies to men's shirts.)
Also, the "Made in USA of Imported Fabric" on your shirt indicates a later date, too.
Here is another BB shirt label guide. The writer claims that the dates were assigned by BB. The labels pictured go from 1940s-2001 and all still say "Makers", not "Est. 1881". Here is yet another guide, this one includes Est. 1881 labeled shirts and also indicates they are post-2000.

The sack coat black labels discussed in that thread look very different from the shirt labels and are dated in a different manner.

With all that said, I must admit that I am no expert on BB clothing. But I, too, have had BB shirts pass through my hands and have researched their labels before.