J. Crew vs. Brooks Brothers – #StoreWars Rd. 2

STORE WARS: J. Crew vs. Brooks Brothers

Starting March 19th and running through April 8th, Dappered.com is hosting a bracket based tournament with the purpose of eventually crowning the all around Affordable Men’s Style Retail Champ for 2013.  For a full introduction see this post.  The bracket on the right will be updated as the tournament progresses.  Click on it for the full size.  Make a case for your preferred competitor in the comments section, but don’t forget to vote at the bottom of each match up. On with today’s showdown:

Strengths: The leader.  Out of all of the competitors, J. Crew has most likely had the most influence on how a guy’s clothes should fit (and therefore look) in the 21st century.  And they’ve done a hell of a job.  Esquire recently summed it up this way: “Everyone Wears J. Crew“.  The construction of their suits and blazers is phenomenal, and if you catch a sale, a fused-suit budget can snag a piece of the canvassed & quality-chest-piece high life.  Their “in good company” curation and collaborations with brands like Red Wing, Danner, Billykirk, and Barbour.  Their slim fit section trims up their already well fitting stuff for those who are on the real slim side.  Many of their own in-house shoes are made in Italy with stitched soles.  Their outerwear, like the Mayfair Topcoat and University Coat.

Weaknesses:  Prices.  They’re up there, and a lot of their goods are just flat out of reach until they hit the sale section.  Sometimes it feels like they take themselves a little too seriously (see how soaring and over the top the language can get in many of their item descriptions).  The price of their Quartz watches.  Dress shirts can get expensive.  The heck is Wallace & Barnes anyway?

How They Got Here: Despite vocal support for the opposition, they dominated Thrift Stores in round 1.

Strengths:  The granddaddy of em’ all, yet has made significant strides in the last few years to appeal to a younger demographic.  Iconic Made in the USA half canvassed suits.  Many swear by their slim or extra slim dress shirts.  Wide variety of great looking accessories (like their wallets and cufflinks).  In house shoes like their drivers and chukkas.  Works with heritage companies like Allen Edmonds, Filson, Red Wing, etc… to stock their stores and websites with great looking American merchandise.

Weaknesses: Expensive.  Especially when it comes to suiting, but if you hang around for the rare once or twice a year sale, you could land something on the high end for a more palatable price.  While they have tried to get younger these past few years, some of their looks can still feel a little too classic.  They could use more middle ground between Established Guy in his late 40s, and hyper-prep peacock wearing all bright colors.  Sizing on basics like sweaters can run extremely generous.  Shipping on small stuff can be a killer.

How They Got Here: Fought off a feisty Macy’s in round 1.

Your votes determine who goes on to the next round.  Cast your ballot below.  Voting closes at midnight ET.