This past week has been the Hall of Fame Open, a professional men’s tennis tournament at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Being a 250-level stop on the ATP tour, the event boasts being the only professional tournament played on grass outside of Europe.
Along with the tennis, there are other events and the grounds of the Hall of Fame become filled with vendors of all sorts. Every year there is a fashion show that showcases two different types of style: Fila, the official clothing sponsor of the Hall of Fame, which shows off its latest for on-court wear; and Brooks Brothers, meant for the more off-court, causal side of things. Brooks Brothers also has a tent set up all week long that visitors pass by upon entering the tournament. Working at the Hall of Fame has its perks, such as being able to see all of this (not to mention the tennis) up close. The following are photos from the Brooks Brothers booth.
The booth is set up with a vintage tennis theme. A lot of focus is put on the Red Fleece line. You can see an LL Bean-style canvas tote adorned with the Red Fleece logo. Also on sale are caps with the Brooks Brothers logo embroidered. The clothes for sale consist of a rack, sharing men’s and women’s, and whatever is folded on the table. As you can see, the focus is the more casual of the trad pendulum with shorts and polo shirts being featured prominently.
The club style repp ties that feature either crossed tennis racquets or, on the ones in the middle, the HOF logo.
The polo shirts, also of the Red Fleece line, interestingly feature a three button placket. The HOF logo is embroidered on the left sleeve and, unseen, the Brooks Brothers logo is embroidered on the left breast in the standard position.
And when they close up for the night, they lock their goods in an old school suitcase and drape a patchwork madras blanket over the computer and cash register. — TREVOR JONES
I purchased a belt there at the HOF shop, with logo, around 25 yrs ago. It is the only belt I wear with my Reds. Often I am asked about it’s source including just this morning on an elevator here on Gramercy Park in Manhattan. Soon I shall need another.
i have to say the current home page of brooks brothers doesn’t look very trad..
But I am going to give one of their new ‘performance’ dress shirts a try.. this is my first attempt with non-100% cotton in 30 years.. wish me luck!
Those might be women’s polos in the image. Women’s polos usually have three buttons instead of two for men. I could be incorrect, but how many buttons are on BB men’s polo plackets normally?
Three good things (to me) about the Red Fleece polos:
1. They are a trimmer fit, better for those of us with average or slender frames. Size up one from your normal size (I take XL vs. L for most other shirts). Just a heads-up: For those of more generous proportions, definitely do not buy Red Fleece.
2. The chest logo is subdued, vs. the bright golden one on the standard BB polo for basic colors.
3. They cost less than the standard BB polo.
My brother-in-law and I played tennis at the HOF in the mid-70s. You could rent a court for $90 for 2 hours. Great experience playing on newly-lined grass courts plus the ambiance of the Casino, the HOF & Newport.
I purchased a belt there at the HOF shop, with logo, around 25 yrs ago. It is the only belt I wear with my Reds. Often I am asked about it’s source including just this morning on an elevator here on Gramercy Park in Manhattan. Soon I shall need another.
i have to say the current home page of brooks brothers doesn’t look very trad..
But I am going to give one of their new ‘performance’ dress shirts a try.. this is my first attempt with non-100% cotton in 30 years.. wish me luck!
Those might be women’s polos in the image. Women’s polos usually have three buttons instead of two for men. I could be incorrect, but how many buttons are on BB men’s polo plackets normally?
Forgot, thanks Trevor.
All nice stuff.
I agree the polos may be ladies’ but I’d say because the buttons appear to be on the opposite side than men’s usually are.
Three good things (to me) about the Red Fleece polos:
1. They are a trimmer fit, better for those of us with average or slender frames. Size up one from your normal size (I take XL vs. L for most other shirts). Just a heads-up: For those of more generous proportions, definitely do not buy Red Fleece.
2. The chest logo is subdued, vs. the bright golden one on the standard BB polo for basic colors.
3. They cost less than the standard BB polo.
My brother-in-law and I played tennis at the HOF in the mid-70s. You could rent a court for $90 for 2 hours. Great experience playing on newly-lined grass courts plus the ambiance of the Casino, the HOF & Newport.